Wave Maker: Can You Spell "Hypocrite"?

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Friday, October 14, 2005

Can You Spell "Hypocrite"?

Well, you can't say that the Kennedy apple falls far from the tree. In the latest of a running catalogue of hypocritical acts by members of Massachusetts' own version of Arrested Development, Max Kennedy, son of Robert F. Kennedy, arrogantly flouts the environmental laws, when it comes to his own property:

Professed environmentalist Max Kennedy is due in court on the Cape today to answer chargeshe violated town conservation rules by clear-cutting a coastal bank on his Hyannisport property.

Kennedy, son of Ethel and the late Bobby Kennedy, was found responsible for cutting the vegetation in violation of restrictions the town Conservation Commission had set. He was assessed a $150 fine, which he did not pay, and he has to appear today for an arraignment.

"He is supposed to show up,'' said town conservation agent Darcy Karle. "As a courtesy I contacted his attorney and told him that Mr. Kennedy needed to show up and pay the fine or a warrant for his arrest would be issued.'' ...

...Kennedy is also currently in violation of wetlands protection laws for a pier he built off the back of his Maywood Avenue home. Karle said Kennedy constructed the pier without first submitting the proper paperwork, and that lights on the end of the dock are in violation....

But you understand, these laws only apply to us.

I have a neighbor like Max. He owns a wood lot between my property line and a vast tidal river. Over the past ten years, some of his saplings have grown up to block my hitherto unobstructed view of the river. For several years, I offered to hire an arborist to prune his trees, so that he could clear my view without cutting them down. My neighbor demurred, saying it was important to "maintain the understory" for wildlife.

This critical understory is of no consequence, however, when it comes to preserving his own view. He and Max must buy their chainsaws at the same "Green" hardware store.

I now avidly root for the Nor'easters to do for me what my neighbor won't.

Posted by: Wave Maker / 10:33 AM/ |