“BOB HORTON: Getting along with 'outsiders' at Island Beach”

BOB HORTON: Getting along with 'outsiders' at Island Beach

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 10:50 PM PDT

It is difficult to keep my local focus when state and national events are so crazy.

We have Republican senators who think the immigration problem could be solved by denying automatic citizenship to anyone born on American soil. There must be an epidemic of Brazilian women flying to JFK to give birth in the airport lounge, and then hopping a plane back to Rio with a little U.S. civilian in their laps. How else to explain this need to change U.S. citizenship rules?

Closer to home, we have the political spectacle of various multimillionaire candidates for governor and senator spending their own fortunes on TV, telephone and mail campaigns, but not really letting anyone ask questions or probe for an answer deeper than a five-second sound bite.

But just as I was despairing about a lack of local folly, along comes the town's pursuit of a $600,000 federal grant to purchase a fireboat and all-around homeland security vessel. Justifying the need for such a vessel, town Emergency Management Director Daniel Warzoha cited the USAirways flight that ditched successfully in the Hudson River and, my personal favorite, "What happens when the 4-million-gallon gasoline or oil barge breaks away from the tug boat and winds up on the rocks near Island Beach?" How does he sleep at night with such worries?

At least the emergency management director got me back to thinking about Island Beach. You may remember that a few Greenwich residents had a less-than-satisfying experience at the overcrowded island oasis over the July Fourth long weekend. What's more, they pointed to "outsiders" as the root of all evil at the beach. I questioned their reasoning, and I disagreed with First Selectman Peter Tesei's decision to station a police officer on beach patrol before he had investigated the complaints thoroughly.

That column generated considerable comment. People who agreed that all blame lay with "outsiders" made several helpful suggestions in e-mails and letters to the editor. One said I should stop living in a tree house (how did he know?); another said I should go to the Bronx to see what happens when just anyone can use public parks; and yet another said I should take my liberal agenda and, well, I think you get the gist.

But one e-mail, from a self-described outsider put the whole episode into common-sense perspective. The man who wrote it has experience, I believe, managing or working at public recreational facilities. He clearly has long ties to Greenwich and to Island Beach. I asked him if I could use his name, but he did not respond, so he remains anonymous. Here is his e-mail in its entirety:

Hello Mr. Horton -

The first selectman should take the cost of police OT @ Island Beach and invest in 20 more picnic tables and 10 more grills -- case closed.

I'm part of a large extended family who have used and enjoyed Island Beach for almost 50 years -- no exaggeration. My in-laws were long time residents and their passing coincided with the change in access policy of 2001 that has allowed their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren the opportunity to continue a cherished family ritual of summer.

Over the years I've known of the close cooperation between the beach staff and the (Greenwich Police) marine unit. The rare times the marine unit was called upon, the response was immediate, given the distance involved. In the past, caretakers were proactive as well as responsive to beach-goer concerns around noise or problematic behaviors. Their courteous but firm presence was all the deterrent necessary -- knowing police were minutes away also helps.

I was actually at Island Beach on 07/05/10 -- I had the opportunity to speak to a (police officer) assigned to the island (his first day on that beat, taken off of foot patrol on Greenwich Ave.). He related that the previous day taxed the capacity of the infrastructure of the island -- tables were in short supply and tables from the snack bar seating area were pulled out and used under the trees. That seemed to be the lone issue that could be described as a negative.

For my party, July 5th was fine. There was plenty of room, enough tables and a typical Island Beach crowd. Let me be specific -- Hispanic families, lovely people, diverse aromas coming off their grills, happy to give this "Anglo" a taste -- I gave back some fried zucchini flowers. The "Greenwich regulars," part A: older, keeping to the town-facing side of the beach, greeting me as an old friend, ever resentful of anyone or thing not like "us." "Greenwich regulars" part B: mainly near the horseshoe pit -- lots of beer, all day party -- people to steer clear of. Where do I fall? I find it takes all kinds, and there is space for all of us out there. This demographic assortment has been generally the same for the past 15 years or so.

On 07/05, my daughter and I were at the ticket window. The party in front of us did not have day passes and were told, "You've got to go up to exit 5 and buy those before you can get on the ferry." I had purchased extra passes in advance. I sold the group 4 of my tickets at face value. Guess I was a "scalper" or just doing the right thing; never mind the folks I sold them to didn't look like me.

-- Anonymous

The writer may be an outsider, but he clearly loves Island Beach and understands its dynamics well. And I envy the multi-generational memories he and his family have created. Let's hope these "outsiders" can feel welcome at Island Beach for another 50 years.

Bob Horton can be reached by e-mail at bobhorton@yahoo.com.

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