Historic Harwich

A Decline in Culture and Historic Preservation in Harwich --- Or Not? -You Decide

I've been writing this blog since January 2007 (a total of 78 blog entries. It started as my way of recording the history of the efforts to restore the old rec. building (O.R.B.) and West Harwich School as cultural centers from that year onward. I felt a need to record what the status of the old rec. building (O.R.B.) was at that time, outline the effort to change that dilapidated building into a useful and historic landmark, and record the various efforts to achieve that goal. If you go to my December blog under "Archives" you will see a recap of the efforts of a relatively small band of people. If you have trouble sleeping some night, go to the beginning.

It is a sad story, filled with post mortems (and whining), failed efforts to ignite an interest from the community and from the powers that be, and recently, an almost fatal blow. This is creating a great strain on me (present tense) and when you reach a point of bitter end, you look for the fatal flaws in the approach to the problem. In my mind, it breaks down into four phases:

1. The Do-Gooder Stage
2. The Naïve Stage
3. The Confusion Stage
4. The Reality Stage

 The Do-Gooder Stage

I don't use the term "do-gooder" in a negative sense. What I mean to say is that we all started out with an idea; a dream, if you will, just as several others did many times in the past, of resurrecting two historic buildings. We wanted to energize the community around a cultural center concept, create a venue for creativity using the Cultural Council's mandate to promote and advocate for the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. We thought we could unite like minds in the endeavor. Who could deny that we wanted to do something good for Harwich?

 The Naïve Stage

This stage blends with the first in that we anticipated, no, expected, great things from those who had the authority to make things happen. We thought that we could make it clear to everyone that our efforts would be fruitless without endorsement from the top echelon in town government. The BOS led us on by letting us open the O.R.B. for a "test" run and tasking the Cultural Council to come up with a use for the building. That "test" run, in place for almost two years, is still in force until June 2010. We thought they were acting in earnest, that we had their backing and that our efforts were not in vain; that their "permissions to use" were evidence of support. To our dismay, this "support" fell off a cliff.

 The Confusion Stage

When we asked the BOS to designate the buildings as cultural centers, they refused. In so doing, they cut the legs off the fundraising group (The Friends of the Harwich Cultural Exchange Centers, Inc.) and sent us spinning into space, yet the BOS continued to extend the use of the O.R.B. to conduct cultural activities as some insipid olive branch and a "Good boy," tap on the head. As all politicians do, they hold their views close to the vest as individuals totally devoid of support for ANY cause. Who knows what they are thinking? They exist in a gated community of the mind.

 The Reality Stage

Now, I'm sure these experienced politicians knew what they were doing from the beginning. The use of delay tactics is a potent weapon. Those individuals or groups who do get support, somehow learn the code to open the gate. To my dismay, I personally failed to find the code; so be it.

 Decline? Or not?

When virtually the entire body of authority is aligned in a zigzag pattern with regard to culture and historic preservation, the result can only mean decline. When the words "culture" and "historic preservation" are met with glazed eyes, you know there is an irreversible disconnect with these important words. A Cape Cod Times feature article, entitled Winter's Chill, dated Sunday, April 12, talked about unemployment and real estate, but at the bottom, it talked about a most important issue - Tourism, from the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. I don't have any figures from the Harwich Chamber, but I suspect the data is similar. All of the data shows a significant decline.

Certainly, external economic factors affect Harwich. No doubt about that. But, what happens to a town like Harwich when a core belief in a CREATIVE ECONOMY is lost? The result, in my mind, is catastrophe.

• Did the BOS think that we just wanted to open a building and polish it up to get rid of the eyesore?
• Did they give us "permissions to use" to keep us out of their hair?
• Did the BOS and other groups think that we were just "playing house" without serious intent?
• Where did we fail to impress the townspeople and the authorities that we were acting on behalf of an improved economy?
• When did the BOS go blind to the impact of a revitalized Harwich Center on the town's economy? We have heard the talk, but have not seen the walk.
• What does it take to imbue the town with the idea that the creativity in the town is the engine that drives Harwich's economy? Surely, it is the beaches, the harbors, the bike trails, and the conservation lands that give Harwich its wonderful appearance; but, absent a population that encourages creativity, advances culture, and preserves the historic heritage, any town will ultimately decline, regardless of its geographic assets.
• Who is leading the way?
• Who is determining what kind town Harwich is and becomes?
• Who has a vision?

Harwich is loaded with talent, but what of it?

There is no denying that Harwich has an unusually large population of creative and dedicated people. But, who is out front with authority to unite these individuals and groups and to set policies based on core principles of a creative economy. In the past few weeks, we have gotten a clear view of how "the system" works here:

• We've had an unfortunate episode with the Town Administrator's evaluation;
• I invite you to read the Annual Report of the Finance Committee. One version states:

"It is the responsibility of the Finance Committee to advise all voters of the Town of Harwich on the town budget and all warrant articles, finance-related and otherwise. We are appointed by the Town Moderator to provide an INDEPENDENT VIEW UNAFFECTED BY PERSONAL; POLITICAL MOTIVES. As a result, there are occasions when the Finance Committee's recommendations differ from those of the Board of Selectmen."

I can't figure out why the Charter allows this group to withdraw articles. Let them recommend up or down, but deprive the townspeople their right to decide is, in my mind, unconstitutional.

One member we all know wants the O.R.B. torn down.

• Why was the Selectmen's subcommittee not reconvened to advise on the lease with Harwich Junior Theatre and the upcoming RFP for affordable housing.

The bigger picture here is the zigzag I mentioned earlier. Ask yourself: If the town as a whole has adopted a vision of the town based on a belief in a creative economy, the unified concept of advancing culture and creativity, and preserving the historical heritage, how do we elect and appoint persons who are not committed to this (or any) unified concept? Why is there such a disparity here among those who run the town?

I am now reduced to prayer: That the townspeople will rise up and vote to approve the amendment to Article 4 (which surely will come up on the first night, May 4) asking voters to transfer $50,000 from the Harwich Community Preservation Committee Fund for the purposes of exterior repairs on the O.R.B.

By approving this, the people will be making a grand statement of purpose beyond repairs, that they sincerely support historic preservation and the efforts that follow.

Sooner or later, we may get the right kind of leadership.