It appears that there is a move afoot to use a political maneuver to kill the Newburyport Redevelopment Association waterfront survey.

As most readers of this blog will already know, mayor Moak has said that regardless of what the results of this survey are, he plans to continue his effort to pave the central waterfront in Newburyport.

Now I have learned that city council has taken what I believe is an unprecedented action with regard to the survey that was presented to them as a courtesy by the NRA – at the request of Erford Fowler they have referred it to committee, in fact to TWO committees, where so far it has languished.

And as long as it is in committee, the acting city clerk has either refused or been instructed to refuse to include it in the Newburyport City Census as has been planned for months. To the best of my knowledge, action by City Council has never before been a requirement for including surveys or other information in the City Census. This action, taken at this late date, is questionable to say the least.

So, PLEASE show up for the City Council meeting tomorrow and insist that this survey be sent out with the Newburyport City Census – either because you believe the information is needed to plan the future of our downtown intelligently, or if you prefer because you object to what appears to many to be political hijinks of the worst sort.

The Newburyport City Council meeting starts at 7:30 at the Newbuyport City Hall. If you do make comments during the “comment” period, there will be a sign up sheet before the meeting. The Newburyport City Council asks that comments be kept to 2 minutes.

Jim Stiles, Newburyport