As someone born in Bar Harbor, with family roots in Bar Harbor, I would like to say that the protection of "small businesses" as in this case has and will be the reason why my family and I cannot afford and do not desire to keep living in Bar Harbor. This is the case for family after family, who are forced to leave this town because of how badly it is being taken advantage of by what we see as people with zero investment in community, and tunnel vision on profit.
I love what Bar Harbor used to be and it hurts my heart to see what it has become. But I understand this is of little concern to people wanting to make more money. To be sure, every business in town will be fine without cruise ships. These businesses do not hire local people with families, that concept is a joke because there are extremely few working class families left in Bar Harbor. The initiative is by no means something that will hurt local families. The "small businesses" have done that enough already.
Carrie, thank you for your reporting on the matter. With respect to opinions contrary to mine, thank you for what you do to hold a mirror up to the face of this island.
Dylan, thank you so much for reading, for being here, and for commenting. I appreciate it and your opinion. Always. I hope to do something bigger and more in-depth about the economic demographics of town soon. Fingers crossed.
When I think 'small business' I think the 'mom and pop' store. That would rule out some of the folks who've brought this lawsuit - owners of several large hotels or large restaurants. (Of course, when it came to pandemic relief, Republicans in Congress went to the mats to make sure Donald Trump's and Jared Kushner's real estate empires qualified as 'small businesses.')
Islands have their own economic environments. They also have their own
ecologies. It is our responsibility to balance our priorities. Favoring the cruise ship industry is profitable to some businesses and some individuals. But it is detrimental to some of our heritage industries, some of our small stores, and to the natural environment which our tourism depends on (not to mention to our lives.) .
The new citizen sponsored cruise ship ordinance provides a balance. It is a shame that some people are so greedy that they would sue their town to override the decision of the majority of their neighbors. Gosh, I hope those bringing the suit are at least fully paying their equitable share of taxes. And I hope they're paying their employees a living wage with full medical benefits and pensions. And maybe overtime.
For those who like to get into the weeds, here are some government SBA tables.
As someone born in Bar Harbor, with family roots in Bar Harbor, I would like to say that the protection of "small businesses" as in this case has and will be the reason why my family and I cannot afford and do not desire to keep living in Bar Harbor. This is the case for family after family, who are forced to leave this town because of how badly it is being taken advantage of by what we see as people with zero investment in community, and tunnel vision on profit.
I love what Bar Harbor used to be and it hurts my heart to see what it has become. But I understand this is of little concern to people wanting to make more money. To be sure, every business in town will be fine without cruise ships. These businesses do not hire local people with families, that concept is a joke because there are extremely few working class families left in Bar Harbor. The initiative is by no means something that will hurt local families. The "small businesses" have done that enough already.
Carrie, thank you for your reporting on the matter. With respect to opinions contrary to mine, thank you for what you do to hold a mirror up to the face of this island.
--- Dylan Brann
Dylan, thank you so much for reading, for being here, and for commenting. I appreciate it and your opinion. Always. I hope to do something bigger and more in-depth about the economic demographics of town soon. Fingers crossed.
I hope you're staying warm and well!
When I think 'small business' I think the 'mom and pop' store. That would rule out some of the folks who've brought this lawsuit - owners of several large hotels or large restaurants. (Of course, when it came to pandemic relief, Republicans in Congress went to the mats to make sure Donald Trump's and Jared Kushner's real estate empires qualified as 'small businesses.')
Islands have their own economic environments. They also have their own
ecologies. It is our responsibility to balance our priorities. Favoring the cruise ship industry is profitable to some businesses and some individuals. But it is detrimental to some of our heritage industries, some of our small stores, and to the natural environment which our tourism depends on (not to mention to our lives.) .
The new citizen sponsored cruise ship ordinance provides a balance. It is a shame that some people are so greedy that they would sue their town to override the decision of the majority of their neighbors. Gosh, I hope those bringing the suit are at least fully paying their equitable share of taxes. And I hope they're paying their employees a living wage with full medical benefits and pensions. And maybe overtime.
For those who like to get into the weeds, here are some government SBA tables.
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/Table%20of%20Size%20Standards_Effective%20December%2019%2C%202022_508%20%281%29_0.pdf
Thank you so much for your take and your link! I'm looking forward to checking out those tables! I appreciate the link and the comment.