Letter: Complainers should replace Salem's lost revenue

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April 11, 2012

Letter: Complainers should replace Salem's lost revenue

The Salem News Wed Apr 11, 2012, 04:30 AM EDT

To the editor:

It appears that the non-native Marbleheaders are still fighting to eliminate Salem's power plant in every way.

Remembering the early 1950s into the early '60s, most homes on Marblehead's West Shore were summer cottages, slowly being sold for low dollars.

The average price was from $5,000 to $10,000.

No one who was an original or even non-native Marbleheader complained about the power plant.

Now come the 1980/1990/ 2000 newbies who want to make Salem get rid of its power source because some people do not like to look at the plant from their converted summer cottages, which are now year-round homes.

If Salem loses the power plant, taxes will surely be raised.

Now comes the plan: To leave Marblehead, one has two choices — go through Swampscott or Salem.

Why not set up tollbooths where the roads from Marblehead enter Salem?

They could have a pass system for old-time/original/native Marbleheaders who would be allowed to drive through for free, but tax those who live on the waterfront of the West Shore. Seems like it might keep Salem's tax base in place.

If one wants to be known as a 'Header, then pay the toll if you come through Salem. I would bet some Swampscott people might think about this, too.

Who gave anyone from Marblehead the right to have Salem residents pay higher taxes because of some group wanting a view of Salem without smokestacks, etc.?

West Shore residents complain about coal dust from the plant.

Prevailing summer winds are southwest, Salem Willows and Beverly get the coal dust 70 percent of the time. Does anyone from Beverly complain? No.

The complaining factions need to get a life.

Norm LeBlanc

Beverly