Appalled and disgusted

To the editor:

I was appalled and disgusted with the partial truths and uncalled for personal attacks displayed by Eric Davis in your April issue. And just at the time I thought an intelligent and constructive dialogue about Maine Land Bank was about to unfold!

While both are islands, the differences between the general thinking and attitudes of many folks on Chebeague and that portrayed by Mr. Davis, which I pray is not representative of the majority of Vinalhaven’s residents, seems to reveal we’re not just a few bays apart. We’re light years apart. But allow me to set the record straight on the only two statements Mr. Davis made, both erroneous, that were directly related to property taxes.

It is correct the Maine Land Bank goes back to the land’s assessed value in 1997. What is stated in the bill and what Mr. Davis fails to mention is that this value is adjusted by a ratio for the respective community to adjust it to its 1997 fair market value. The fact that a reassessment was last completed one year or nine years earlier is immaterial. So no “basic flaw” here.

Having recently spent several hours with the head of Maine’s Property Tax Division and being enlightened about tree growth reimbursements, it is apparent that Mr. Davis has some uninformed and misconceived notions about these reimbursements. I am certain Mr. Ledew would take great exception to Mr. Davis’ accusation that the state’s reimbursement formula favors inland communities and discriminates against island and coastal communities. The reimbursement formula does not consider geographic location at all.

On a more esoteric level, allow me to clarify “summer person” and “summer native” by Chebeague’s definition. “Summer native” is a phrase, coined on Chebeague, that embodies all of the following:

* a person who was a resident of Chebeague and who returns at every opportunity because his/her heart is on Chebeague

* a person who never was a resident of Chebeague and who comes here at every opportunity because his/her heart is on Chebeague

A “summer person” is one who visits Chebeague once or just now and then or frequently and whose heart is not on Chebeague. Property ownership is not a defining characteristic of either of these phrases – where one’s heart is constitutes the singular difference.

A “summer person” on Chebeague can become a “summer native” and many do – some sooner, some later – it depends on when their hearts move to the island, not necessarily their bodies.

The hearts of those who are from Chebeague and return here at every possible opportunity and the hearts of those families who have summered here for generations, either renting or owning and returning throughout the year at every possible opportunity, most certainly are on Chebeague year-round. These folks are as much a part of this island community as year-round residents.

Those who are new visitors to Chebeague don’t know yet if they “give a damn” about the community or not and until they do, they are “summer people.” So there’s no need for Mr. Davis to be sorry. He’s correct – “summer people” are not natives. “Summer natives” are.

“Exclusive country club view”? I shouldn’t even stoop so low as to acknowledge that remark. But in defense of David Hill, with whom I’ve had heated disagreements on various topics in the past but for whom I also have the highest regard, and because it’s obvious to me that Mr. Davis knows not from whence he writes, here’s my reply to this uncalled for personal attack.

Mr. Hill pragmatically realizes and embraces the fact that each individual whose heart is on Chebeague, both residents and “summer natives,” brings experience and knowledge of one form or another that combine to contribute to the vitality and diversity of this well-rounded island community. He, like others, is well aware that this community would be vastly changed, not for the better, if residents were displaced and/or if our “summer natives” were displaced by “summer people,” i.e. those whose hearts are not here. Quite the contrary, Mr. Hill does not have an “exclusive country club view.” And I sincerely hope that after gaining an understanding of Chebeague phrases, Mr. Davis gives Mr. Hill the apology he deserves.

The true bottom line is this. First, existing current use property tax laws for farmlands and open space, etc., do not discriminate against land owners. Probably with good reason – it’s unconstitutional. Second, I am a native of Maine; I was a “summer native” for 28 years; I have been a resident of Chebeague for 25 years; my heart has been on Chebeague for 53 years; my heart will be here forever; I hope my body can stay, too; I have no second or third home; I look forward to the opportunity of participating in the Maine Land Bank right along with other island residents and “summer natives.”

Now may we get on with a constructive dialogue?

Bette Tellinghuisen

Chebeague Island