One Good Thing From Bad Economy

Lehmann Brothers' failure may allow Connecticut shoreline to be preserved


In the New York Times on November 9, Gail Braccidiferro wrote an article "Preservation of Shoreline Forest Seen As Helped by a Bankruptcy." The area concerned, located in Old Saybrook, Essex, and Westbrook, is the largest unprotected coastal forest area between New York City and the Connecticut River.

Lehmann Brothers had planned on building a community called the Preserve that included 200 houses and a Golf Course. Since that is not going to happen, the Nature Conservancy, the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, the Audubon Society and the State of Connecticut all want the land to remain as a preserve, not The Preserve.

With all this interest and attention, it looks as though the land may become part of the public domain. It won't be cheap. The Old Saybrook part alone is appraised at 8 million, but the State of Connecticut seems willing to act to save this land for the people of Connecticut.

My parents lived in Old Lyme, Connecticut (on the other side of the Connecticut River from Old Saybrook) for over thirty years and my father, a 93 year old salt, has always loved the Connecticut River and the shoreline, which he calls the" banana belt "of Connecticut.  I am familiar with t his area and I am glad there is a good chance this area will be preserved.

We have heard so many gloomy stories about the economy and its trickle- down effect. At last there is a story that has a a potentially happy ending for this swath of forest that environmental groups want to preserve.


Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of
How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards
Best How To Book, DIY Festival
Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category
Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards
Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category
Honorable Mention, London Book Festival
How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Winner of five book awards
Best National Book AWard, Law Category
Best E-Book, New York Book Festival
Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival
Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards
Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association
Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com
www.marygreenwood.com