The Dawn of the Living Dead in Hyannis

I was quite annoyed by Stew Goodwin's recent letter in the Cape Cod Times. In case you missed it, here's a copy:

Hyannis poised to profit from boom in retirees
May 15, 2009

Retirement is a growth industry that is going to accelerate. At the moment 26 percent of Cape Cod's inhabitants are over 65, versus 22 percent nationwide. That percentage could increase as the baby boomers begin to turn 65 in 2011.

Hyannis is in a position to benefit from this trend.

Retirees, actual and potential, have special needs that Hyannis could fill. Older people are looking to downsize. They want smaller dwelling units suited to their reduced mobility. They want nearby shopping, preferably that won't require them to drive. They are concerned about health issues and want medical facilities in close range. They want public transportation handy. All of these conditions, and more, can be met in Hyannis while offering connection to cultural and natural advantages.

Hyannis needs complexes of apartments and townhouses with appropriate amenities within walking distance of shopping establishments. Public transportation networks will have to be expanded. Medical outreach from the excellent facilities of Cape Cod Hospital might be advisable. Safety will have to be assured for elderly people to amble about comfortably.

The market awaits. Hyannis is a logical beneficiary.

Stew Goodwin
Cotuit

I don't recall Stew Goodwin asking Hyannis residents about this plan to redevelopment Hyannis into a retirement destination. I think Cotuit is a more appropriate destination.

While twenty-six percent of the Cape's population and most of Cotuit's residents are over the age of 65, this demographic does not describe us. Hyannis is a working town with the largest number of young families and self-employed individuals on the Cape.

Yet,

Hyannis families are paying for the improvements to the water company to increase water pressure and flow to multi-storied buildings.

Hyannis families are paying for the expense of protecting the habor and new hospital from fire and safty hazards.

Hyannis families are asked to pay excessive betterments for improvements to our residential roads while downtown commercial property owners are the beneficiaries of generous State and Federal subsidies.

Hyannis families are paying for new sidewalks for commercial property owners while 200 of our kids walk on "country" roads to their only elementary school in West Hyannis.

Hyannis families are even paying for the land being used for the runway expansion project at the airport.

If Stew thinks Hyannis is such a fabulous investment opportunity, maybe he should put HIS MONEY where his mouth is and pay for some of these so-called improvements. If he lived here, I seriously doubt he would be so enthusiastic about this remake of the 'Dawn of the Living Dead" in Hyannis.