Singing Beach Year Round Dog Ban?!
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Michele Biscoe
Feb 23, 2008, 12:33:00 PM2/23/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
Dear Fells Dog Owners,
If you know anyone who lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea, please tell
them to go to the Town Meeting on April 7 and vote against the
article to ban dogs year-round at Singing Beach.
Check out the video I made as an open letter to the Town of Manchester-
By-The-Sea on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KnLiD_fcs0
I hope the link works. If it doesn't you can also watch the video at
http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/02/manchesterbythesea_to_vote_on.php
Thanks David for sharing the article from the Globe (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/23/some_fear_towns_beach_is_going_to_the_dogs
)
Cheers,
Michele
s1702
Feb 23, 2008, 2:10:57 PM2/23/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
Michelle - great job on the video! I think the Manchester dog owners
should be able to prevail in the voting on 4/7.
It's nice that the town is at least presenting the issue to the
townspeople to decide. When the town of Newbury banned dogs on the
Plum Island from May to October a few years ago, they just had the
board of health (4 or 5 people) vote to enact the ban. They did have
a couple of meetings to discuss it, and dog-owners outnumbered
proponents of the ban by over 10 to1. They also presented over ten
times as many signatures against the ban as the anti-dog people
presented.
I'd guess that the only people who really support the ban in
Manchester are a few very affluent people that live in immediate
proximity to the beach, that was the situation on Plum Island, but
there are far fewer houses near Singing Sands beach.
Luckily dogs are still allowed at both Plum Island and the Salisbury
beach reservation as well (in the colder months), it's not much
farther than Manchester, so I invite everyone to come on up! At
Salisbury beach the dog ban only extends from Memorial Day to Labor
Day.
-Scott
On Feb 23, 12:33 pm, Michele Biscoe
>
> Thanks David for sharing the article from the Globe (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/23/some_fear_towns_...
> )
>
> Cheers,
> Michele
should be able to prevail in the voting on 4/7.
It's nice that the town is at least presenting the issue to the
townspeople to decide. When the town of Newbury banned dogs on the
Plum Island from May to October a few years ago, they just had the
board of health (4 or 5 people) vote to enact the ban. They did have
a couple of meetings to discuss it, and dog-owners outnumbered
proponents of the ban by over 10 to1. They also presented over ten
times as many signatures against the ban as the anti-dog people
presented.
I'd guess that the only people who really support the ban in
Manchester are a few very affluent people that live in immediate
proximity to the beach, that was the situation on Plum Island, but
there are far fewer houses near Singing Sands beach.
Luckily dogs are still allowed at both Plum Island and the Salisbury
beach reservation as well (in the colder months), it's not much
farther than Manchester, so I invite everyone to come on up! At
Salisbury beach the dog ban only extends from Memorial Day to Labor
Day.
-Scott
On Feb 23, 12:33 pm, Michele Biscoe
<canisfamilia...@somervilledog.com> wrote:
> Dear Fells Dog Owners,
>
> If you know anyone who lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea, please tell
> them to go to the Town Meeting on April 7 and vote against the
> article to ban dogs year-round at Singing Beach.
>
> Check out the video I made as an open letter to the Town of Manchester-
> By-The-Sea on YouTube:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KnLiD_fcs0
>
> I hope the link works. If it doesn't you can also watch the video at
>
> http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/02/manchesterbythesea_to_vot...
> Dear Fells Dog Owners,
>
> If you know anyone who lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea, please tell
> them to go to the Town Meeting on April 7 and vote against the
> article to ban dogs year-round at Singing Beach.
>
> Check out the video I made as an open letter to the Town of Manchester-
> By-The-Sea on YouTube:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KnLiD_fcs0
>
> I hope the link works. If it doesn't you can also watch the video at
>
>
> Thanks David for sharing the article from the Globe (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/23/some_fear_towns_...
> )
>
> Cheers,
> Michele
DogOwnerWhoVotes
Feb 26, 2008, 6:25:32 AM2/26/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
Thanks for posting that video, Michele!! Well said.
People who don't visit the beaches in winter may not realize that our
dogs provide a great opportunity to meet our neighbors and make new
friends-- something which can be rare these days. Walk along the
beach with your dog and you have the chance to say hello to people,
and to stop and have a chat while your dogs play. What a wonderful
thing for our communities-- it brings more people out to enjoy our
natural resources, and to talk with their neighbors! This should not
be lost by prohibiting dogs.
Just this Sunday I visited a beach in New Hampshire. I met so many
nice people that day, and PS-- I can honestly say that I walked for an
hour and never saw one uncollected dog poop!!
>
> Thanks David for sharing the article from the Globe (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/23/some_fear_towns_...
> )
>
> Cheers,
> Michele
People who don't visit the beaches in winter may not realize that our
dogs provide a great opportunity to meet our neighbors and make new
friends-- something which can be rare these days. Walk along the
beach with your dog and you have the chance to say hello to people,
and to stop and have a chat while your dogs play. What a wonderful
thing for our communities-- it brings more people out to enjoy our
natural resources, and to talk with their neighbors! This should not
be lost by prohibiting dogs.
Just this Sunday I visited a beach in New Hampshire. I met so many
nice people that day, and PS-- I can honestly say that I walked for an
hour and never saw one uncollected dog poop!!
> Dear Fells Dog Owners,
>
> If you know anyone who lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea, please tell
> them to go to the Town Meeting on April 7 and vote against the
> article to ban dogs year-round at Singing Beach.
>
> Check out the video I made as an open letter to the Town of Manchester-
> By-The-Sea on YouTube:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KnLiD_fcs0
>
> I hope the link works. If it doesn't you can also watch the video at
>
> http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/02/manchesterbythesea_to_vot...
>
> If you know anyone who lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea, please tell
> them to go to the Town Meeting on April 7 and vote against the
> article to ban dogs year-round at Singing Beach.
>
> Check out the video I made as an open letter to the Town of Manchester-
> By-The-Sea on YouTube:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KnLiD_fcs0
>
> I hope the link works. If it doesn't you can also watch the video at
>
>
> Thanks David for sharing the article from the Globe (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/23/some_fear_towns_...
> )
>
> Cheers,
> Michele
somervilledog
Mar 12, 2008, 3:42:52 PM3/12/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
According to an article in the Gloucseter Daily Times, the Singing
Beach Committee of the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, voted on Monday
not to recommend passage of the article at Town Meeting in April.
That's the good news. The bad news is that "Town Selectmen last week
voted not to issue a recommendation on the article in the printed
warrant. They can still vote to offer recommendations before Town
Meeting."
The full article, "Committee pans dog ban at Singing Beach," by
Patrick Anderson, is online at:
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/archivesearch/local_story_071064855.html
The proposed year-round ban on dogs at Singing Beach is unneighborly.
The only time that some people visit the beach is during the off-
season when we can enjoy the beach together with our dogs. A year-
round dog ban would prevent some residents from ever having an
opportunity to enjoy Singing Beach.
If you live in Manchester-by-the-Sea or if you know anyone who does,
please (have them) contact the Board of Selectmen and ask them to
issue a recommendation against the unneighborly proposal on the Town
Warrant that would ban dogs year round at Singing Beach. Contact the
Board of Selectmen c/o Wayne Melville,Town Administrator, Town Hall,
10 Central Street, Manchester, MA 01944.
Cheers,
Michele
with Strummer (standard poodle)
Somerville, MA
Beach Committee of the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, voted on Monday
not to recommend passage of the article at Town Meeting in April.
That's the good news. The bad news is that "Town Selectmen last week
voted not to issue a recommendation on the article in the printed
warrant. They can still vote to offer recommendations before Town
Meeting."
The full article, "Committee pans dog ban at Singing Beach," by
Patrick Anderson, is online at:
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/archivesearch/local_story_071064855.html
The proposed year-round ban on dogs at Singing Beach is unneighborly.
The only time that some people visit the beach is during the off-
season when we can enjoy the beach together with our dogs. A year-
round dog ban would prevent some residents from ever having an
opportunity to enjoy Singing Beach.
If you live in Manchester-by-the-Sea or if you know anyone who does,
please (have them) contact the Board of Selectmen and ask them to
issue a recommendation against the unneighborly proposal on the Town
Warrant that would ban dogs year round at Singing Beach. Contact the
Board of Selectmen c/o Wayne Melville,Town Administrator, Town Hall,
10 Central Street, Manchester, MA 01944.
Cheers,
Michele
with Strummer (standard poodle)
Somerville, MA
somervilledog
Apr 2, 2008, 3:39:06 PM4/2/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
More bad news, I'm afraid, from Manchester-by-the-Sea.
The Board-of-Selectmen has recommended by a vote of 5-1 that the "dog
ban" article be amended to ban families from enjoying Singing Beach
together with our dogs for two more months of the year--from April
through November.
The Gloucester Daily Times is calling the suggested closing of the
beach to beach-goers a "compromise": http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_093005619.html
I call it bad business: http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/04/selectmen_suggest_amendment_to.php
Residents of the town of Manchester-by-the-Sea vote on the proposed
year-round dog ban at Town Meeting, Monday, April 7, at 7:00 p.m. at
Manchester Memorial School.
The Board-of-Selectmen has recommended by a vote of 5-1 that the "dog
ban" article be amended to ban families from enjoying Singing Beach
together with our dogs for two more months of the year--from April
through November.
The Gloucester Daily Times is calling the suggested closing of the
beach to beach-goers a "compromise": http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_093005619.html
I call it bad business: http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/04/selectmen_suggest_amendment_to.php
Residents of the town of Manchester-by-the-Sea vote on the proposed
year-round dog ban at Town Meeting, Monday, April 7, at 7:00 p.m. at
Manchester Memorial School.
s1702
Apr 3, 2008, 11:50:07 AM4/3/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
Michelle - thanks for the update!
Is there anything else we can do on this? I'm assuming only town
residents are allowed at the Town Meeting on Monday, is there anyone
we should be calling to urge support of dog access? Or could we
attend the meeting and speak?
I hope it's made clear to the people at the Town Meeting that the
proposal is to ban dogs for two additional months. It's so
frustrating to see this provincial, snobby attitude. I guess it
shouldn't be a surprise after these same town leaders voted to add "by
the Sea" to their town name, which made them the laughingstock of the
state.
The problem when dogs were banned off Plum Island in Newbury wasn't
really the dogs, the people that live near the beach just don't like
seeing people at all, they want the beach empty as much as possible.
Removing parking and dogs are the two tools they can use to keep
people out. Every year there are new attempts to reduce public
parking and dog access on the North Shore beaches.
In Newburyport they keep trying to eliminate the huge municipal
parking lots in town, every year they come up with a new proposal to
eliminate them. Many Newburyport residents hate the fact that people
come here in the summer to hear concerts and go shopping.
-Scott
On Apr 2, 3:39 pm, somervilledog <canisfamilia...@somervilledog.com>
wrote:
Is there anything else we can do on this? I'm assuming only town
residents are allowed at the Town Meeting on Monday, is there anyone
we should be calling to urge support of dog access? Or could we
attend the meeting and speak?
I hope it's made clear to the people at the Town Meeting that the
proposal is to ban dogs for two additional months. It's so
frustrating to see this provincial, snobby attitude. I guess it
shouldn't be a surprise after these same town leaders voted to add "by
the Sea" to their town name, which made them the laughingstock of the
state.
The problem when dogs were banned off Plum Island in Newbury wasn't
really the dogs, the people that live near the beach just don't like
seeing people at all, they want the beach empty as much as possible.
Removing parking and dogs are the two tools they can use to keep
people out. Every year there are new attempts to reduce public
parking and dog access on the North Shore beaches.
In Newburyport they keep trying to eliminate the huge municipal
parking lots in town, every year they come up with a new proposal to
eliminate them. Many Newburyport residents hate the fact that people
come here in the summer to hear concerts and go shopping.
-Scott
On Apr 2, 3:39 pm, somervilledog <canisfamilia...@somervilledog.com>
wrote:
> More bad news, I'm afraid, from Manchester-by-the-Sea.
>
> The Board-of-Selectmen has recommended by a vote of 5-1 that the "dog
> ban" article be amended to ban families from enjoying Singing Beach
> together with our dogs for two more months of the year--from April
> through November.
>
> The Gloucester Daily Times is calling the suggested closing of the
> beach to beach-goers a "compromise":http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_093005619.html
>
> I call it bad business: http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/04/selectmen_suggest_amendme...
>
> The Board-of-Selectmen has recommended by a vote of 5-1 that the "dog
> ban" article be amended to ban families from enjoying Singing Beach
> together with our dogs for two more months of the year--from April
> through November.
>
> The Gloucester Daily Times is calling the suggested closing of the
> beach to beach-goers a "compromise":http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_093005619.html
>
Michele Biscoe
Apr 4, 2008, 5:12:50 PM4/4/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
Dear Scott,
I talk to a lot of people with dogs when I visit Singing Beach: Most
people I meet at Singing Beach are Manchester residents and they
couldn't be more friendly, more welcoming people. The proposal to
keep these people off the beach is unneighborly.
I'm hoping to have the opportunity to visit Singing Beach at least
once this weekend to hand out flyers to dog owners who live in the
town to vote No on the proposed year-round dog ban. Too bad the
weather is supposed to be so crumby this weekend. E-mail me off-list
if you can help hand out flyers and I'll send you a copy.
Nonresidents may attend the Town Meeting with the moderator's
permission and may speak with the consent of the meeting (see the 2008
Town Meeting Guide: http://www.manchester.ma.us/Pages/ManchesterMA_BComm/townmtguide.pdf)
. I have been granted permission to attend the Meeting. If the
meeting consents, I will speak respectfully.
Cheers,
Michele
somervilledog
Apr 8, 2008, 12:07:44 AM4/8/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
Thank you Manchester-by-the-Sea for voting to allow families to
continue to enjoy Singing Beach together with our dogs from October 1
to April 30!
Seeing democracy in action at the Town Meeting was pretty
interesting: http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/04/manchesterbythesea_still_dogfr.php
Cheers,
Michele
with Strummer
Somerville, MA
continue to enjoy Singing Beach together with our dogs from October 1
to April 30!
Seeing democracy in action at the Town Meeting was pretty
interesting: http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/04/manchesterbythesea_still_dogfr.php
Cheers,
Michele
with Strummer
Somerville, MA
MarleyBoy
Apr 8, 2008, 10:28:03 AM4/8/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
Michele,
Thanks for attending the meeting and helping to petition to allow our
four-legged family members to enjoy the beach with us
Your work is so appreciated!
Best,
Danielle (& Marley)
On Apr 8, 12:07 am, somervilledog <canisfamilia...@somervilledog.com>
wrote:
Thanks for attending the meeting and helping to petition to allow our
four-legged family members to enjoy the beach with us
Your work is so appreciated!
Best,
Danielle (& Marley)
On Apr 8, 12:07 am, somervilledog <canisfamilia...@somervilledog.com>
wrote:
> Thank you Manchester-by-the-Sea for voting to allow families to
> continue to enjoy Singing Beach together with our dogs from October 1
> to April 30!
>
> Seeing democracy in action at the Town Meeting was pretty
> interesting: http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/04/manchesterbythesea_still_...
> continue to enjoy Singing Beach together with our dogs from October 1
> to April 30!
>
> Seeing democracy in action at the Town Meeting was pretty
s1702
Apr 8, 2008, 5:34:31 PM4/8/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
Michele - Thank YOU for working on this! Judging from the vote
totals, your fliers may have made the difference, the ban only lost by
10 votes! Dog access to the beach is hanging by a thread, I hope they
don't do this again next year.
-Scott
totals, your fliers may have made the difference, the ban only lost by
10 votes! Dog access to the beach is hanging by a thread, I hope they
don't do this again next year.
-Scott
> Thank you Manchester-by-the-Sea for voting to allow families to
> continue to enjoy Singing Beach together with our dogs from October 1
> to April 30!
>
> Seeing democracy in action at the Town Meeting was pretty
> interesting: http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/04/manchesterbythesea_still_...
> continue to enjoy Singing Beach together with our dogs from October 1
> to April 30!
>
> Seeing democracy in action at the Town Meeting was pretty
leslie diamond
Apr 8, 2008, 5:41:51 PM4/8/08
to canisfa...@somervilledog.com, Fells Dog Owner Group
Thanks, Michelle, for your efforts on behalf of beach-lovers with
dogs. To celebrate, Honey and I just might have to go to Singing Beach
this weekend. Maybe we'll see you there!
dogs. To celebrate, Honey and I just might have to go to Singing Beach
this weekend. Maybe we'll see you there!
Leslie
DogOwnerWhoVotes
Apr 8, 2008, 10:55:52 PM4/8/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
Thanks, Michele, for keeping us posted, and for your efforts to make
sure that the MAJORITY was heard from-- the folks who want to allow
dog owners to continue safely and courteously visiting the beach with
their dogs! And thanks to all in Manchester-by-the-Sea for their
efforts, and their VOTES! I usually visit the beaches in Gloucester
and Salisbury, but I will be sure to pay a visit to Manchester before
April 1!
On Feb 23, 1:33 pm, Michele Biscoe <canisfamilia...@somervilledog.com>
wrote:
>
> Thanks David for sharing the article from the Globe (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/23/some_fear_towns_...
> )
>
> Cheers,
> Michele
sure that the MAJORITY was heard from-- the folks who want to allow
dog owners to continue safely and courteously visiting the beach with
their dogs! And thanks to all in Manchester-by-the-Sea for their
efforts, and their VOTES! I usually visit the beaches in Gloucester
and Salisbury, but I will be sure to pay a visit to Manchester before
April 1!
On Feb 23, 1:33 pm, Michele Biscoe <canisfamilia...@somervilledog.com>
wrote:
> Dear Fells Dog Owners,
>
> If you know anyone who lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea, please tell
> them to go to the Town Meeting on April 7 and vote against the
> article to ban dogs year-round at Singing Beach.
>
> Check out the video I made as an open letter to the Town of Manchester-
> By-The-Sea on YouTube:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KnLiD_fcs0
>
> I hope the link works. If it doesn't you can also watch the video at
>
> http://www.somervilledog.com/weblog/2008/02/manchesterbythesea_to_vot...
>
> If you know anyone who lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea, please tell
> them to go to the Town Meeting on April 7 and vote against the
> article to ban dogs year-round at Singing Beach.
>
> Check out the video I made as an open letter to the Town of Manchester-
> By-The-Sea on YouTube:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KnLiD_fcs0
>
> I hope the link works. If it doesn't you can also watch the video at
>
>
> Thanks David for sharing the article from the Globe (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/23/some_fear_towns_...
> )
>
> Cheers,
> Michele
somervilledog
Apr 9, 2008, 11:39:48 AM4/9/08
to Fells Dog Owner Group
Thank YOU, Scott, for helping to hand out flyers at Singing Beach last
weekend!
That was a really tense moment. There were nearly 600 people in the
gymnasium for the Town Meeting. Voters voted by raising a special red
card. When the vote in favor of the amendment to add two more months
when dogs are not allowed on Singing Beach was called, the room was a
sea of red. There was a man sitting with me in the visitor section--a
resident, but not a voter, who owns an "ancient" lab mix--and he
looked at me and said, "We just lost two months."
When the vote in opposition to the amendment was called, it was clear
that it was going to be close. I held my breath until the official
numbers were announced
We really can lose (or gain!) privileges to enjoy public open space
together withour dogs by a matter of ten votes. We serve ourselves by
being involved in the civic life of our communities: Be a responsible
dog owner, and advocate for the rights of responsible dog owners!
Cheers,
Michele
P.S. The best way to keep people from proposing legislation to ban
dogs is 1) to clean up after our dogs every time and 2) to NEVER allow
our dogs to greet anyone who has not asked specifically to meet them.
Seriously, until a person has proven her- or himself dog-friendly by
asking to meet my dog, I assume that if I let Strummer approach that
person, she or he will introduce anti-dog legislation at the first
opportunity. By waiting for people to ask to meet my dog, my
experience is that everyone I meet likes my dog!
weekend!
That was a really tense moment. There were nearly 600 people in the
gymnasium for the Town Meeting. Voters voted by raising a special red
card. When the vote in favor of the amendment to add two more months
when dogs are not allowed on Singing Beach was called, the room was a
sea of red. There was a man sitting with me in the visitor section--a
resident, but not a voter, who owns an "ancient" lab mix--and he
looked at me and said, "We just lost two months."
When the vote in opposition to the amendment was called, it was clear
that it was going to be close. I held my breath until the official
numbers were announced
We really can lose (or gain!) privileges to enjoy public open space
together withour dogs by a matter of ten votes. We serve ourselves by
being involved in the civic life of our communities: Be a responsible
dog owner, and advocate for the rights of responsible dog owners!
Cheers,
Michele
P.S. The best way to keep people from proposing legislation to ban
dogs is 1) to clean up after our dogs every time and 2) to NEVER allow
our dogs to greet anyone who has not asked specifically to meet them.
Seriously, until a person has proven her- or himself dog-friendly by
asking to meet my dog, I assume that if I let Strummer approach that
person, she or he will introduce anti-dog legislation at the first
opportunity. By waiting for people to ask to meet my dog, my
experience is that everyone I meet likes my dog!
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