Building a box culvert in the hurricane barrier. Buying land on Sconticut Neck. Restoring the Acushnet River herring run. Developing the Riverside Park recreationally. But some residents say the money is being spent too far away from home, and the projects will not revitalize the city's sagging economy.
Industry is what destroyed the economy.
Now money should be used to rebuild industry. Another resident, Carl Rizzaro, agreed. In a joint letter, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, both Massachusetts Democrats, said economic development can be spurred by funding projects such as the city's proposed aquarium. However, council trustee Michael Bartlett said their legal counsel has determined restoration funding cannot be used on the aquarium. Some residents have criticized the council's proposal to provide funding for the affluent community of Nonquitt to clean their mismanaged marshes.