Passion Filled Public Meeting

Concerned and committed Pink House supporters streamed through the doors of PITA Hall on Plum Island last night. The crowd was eager to hear the significant new developments Support the Pink House (STPH) accomplished in the effort to save The Pink House in it's setting, while helping the US fish and wildlife service FWS achieve their mission of getting far more beneficial land.

STPH President Rochelle Joseph said, "New things happen daily that shift the picture, and we are following every last option.

Founder Alison Odle stands to talk about the long road working through solutions that Support The Pink House has followed on behalf of the public. PC: Dean Rinaldi

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Attendees were happy to learn that STPH's board and volunteers have continued to work full steam, despite that Refuge Manager Matt Hillman refused repeated requests for more time before he released the final Environmental Assessment to Remove the Pink House. 
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STPH announced that just days after, they had found and submitted 5 new parcels of land, 4 in Newbury, 1 in Rowley, all offering different advantages to FWS, if FWS wanted to make the trade work. They introduced attorney Nick Anastasi who has joined the efforts, along with wetland Attorney Jeff Roleofs. On April 1, Nick submitted these lands to higher decision makers within FWS requesting a meeting to discuss ways this can work, based on the waste of taxpayer monies to now demolish the house, and create, monitor and maintain a fenced in sitting area, when the FWS should instead benefit from acquiring many acres of new lands.

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PC: Dean Rinaldi

"The community had a great deal of passionate support and determination in solidarity with us to not give up the mission of saving and restoring the Pink House, " Founder and Board member Alison Odle said. ​"At times outrage was expressed at how difficult FWS has made this process, and meeting attendees were eager to share ideas and strategies on how to keep fighting to keep the house standing where it is."

One gentleman offered that he rallied against FWS shutting down the 45 year old tradition of the surfcasting lottery, leaving many fishermen in the region as unhappy as the bird watching community, who heavily reacted to a similar 30 day public comment period FWS held in October regarding filling in fresh water bird habitats as part of a new habitat management plan. In each case, FWS's response to the people are that their voices have "No Significant Impact" on FWS's intended plans to the contrary.  

Another resident stood to read a section from the FWS website on historic preservation, similar to Eric Rosenthal's statement read at Senator Bruce Tarr's November 20th (2023) Public meeting on the topic which was met with thunderous applause. "At many National Wildlife Refuges, you can also see evocative pieces of America's past, including fossils, buildings, museum objects and archaeological remains." They have over 5000 buildings, nearly half of which are not Nationally Registered - to debunk an often cited excuse FWS has used to justify demolishing The Pink House - a clearly proven cultural asset in their portfolio. If FWS kept it under that program, while FWS should fund it, STPH has repeatedly offered to raise money through the Friends of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to cover restoration, or supply donated workers and materials to help. FWS has consistently declined, even when Senator Tarr lobbied for the option.  This was part of their former Buildings Matter program which STPH brought to Congressman Moulton's attention in 2019, asking his office for help to ask why FWS should not keep The Pink House. Congressman Moulton's letter went up to the Dept of the Interior for an answer back - which was essentially a no - and shortly after, the Buildings Matter pages were no longer on their website. 

The crowd ended the meeting with applause and thanks - and several vigorous request that STPH not give up. “Public outcry has only grown, says Joseph, "and that’s why we keep using every minute, 7 days a week, working on the public’s behalf to fulfill the mission that was born from the public's value of The Pink House."  But STPH told the group that the power the people, so encouraged all to join in to help through a variety of ways. Handouts with action items were left on each chair, some of which can also be found on our STOP THE DEMO page as well as in earlier blog posts right here in the NEWS section. 

Some asked for meetings to be more frequent. STPH used to hold monthly meetings and are considering a virtual option for the next one. Stay tuned to our social media (Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter) for when that may be scheduled.

Odle said, "The public is at the heart of our mission, and they continue to inspire our determination to save the Pink House for them, and for our future."