Editorial columnists
01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, May 1, 2005
Developer Stephen Karp, of Newton, is representing a powerful strain of contemporary New England economic culture by bidding $55 million for property that would give his company ownership of at least 50 percent of downtown Nantucket's commercial property, maintaining the pattern of powerful outsiders taking over pretty New England towns.
Mr. Karp is into high-end quaintness, a very popular commodity in parts of the region's shore, and not just among Americans. Many foreigners like it, too: Nantucket (and Martha's Vineyard) have their share of rich Europeans and others. They like New England's quaint old summer resorts and quaint old colleges, and are willing to pay the steep price of admission.
Of course, real industry -- a very messy and brutal one, whaling -- built the live-in museum we known as Nantucket. But that was then. With the disinclination of many New Englanders to have anything redolent of modern industry, or even energy generation, near them you'd sometimes think that they'd like all of the region to turn into a Nantucket-style theme park. But if that happened it's hard to see how you'd have anything more than a Caribbean island economy -- with the money all coming from outside the region (mostly when it's warm), not much of the cash staying here and permanent residents mostly people dependent on tips.
-- Robert Whitcomb
| Bristol 4th: Learning about America for the nation of Tajiskistan | |
| Covering the General Assembly: The 2009 Session | |
| Cigars are smoking |
We want to hear from you
How to submit a letter to the editor
More editorial columnists
Froma Harrop: Even Wal-Mart starts to see the light
Most Viewed Yesterday
Senate commission to study marijuana decriminalization
Family: Man who fled hospital might be in Providence
Police identify victim in Quonset Point accident
Most active surveys
Why do you think Sarah Palin is prematurely stepping down as Alaska's governor?
How is this weather affecting you?
If the election for governor was held today, who would you vote for?
Most e-mailed in the last 24 hours
Reader Reaction









You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register Now!
You are logged in as screenname | Log Out
You are logged in, but do not have a "screen" name. Create a Screen Name