To the editor:
We are watching an impressive economic revitalization at Salisbury Beach! Amazingly, the rebirth is taking place in the teeth of a declining national economy. Make no mistake; this unbelievable success has many fathers. State and local elected officials, local board volunteers, state and federal bureaucrats, the business community and the residential community have come together and each continued to do their part in terms of support and execution.
That being said, the driving factor has been the vision, leadership and capital investment by the Capolupo family. The Capolupos have invested millions based on their belief that Salisbury Beach can be a destination for the entire Eastern Seaboard again. The Capolupos make this investment in Salisbury Center where there has been no significant public or private Investment in many decades.
What needs to be recognized and celebrated is that all of the stakeholders recognized this aggressive vision and all have bought in. The Salisbury business community is working hard to reach agreement with the Thompson group to make future development comprehensive and well planned, local government and boards have worked to create responsible zoning and planning changes that encourage development while protecting the integrity of our beach and our neighborhoods and elected officials are working to help support the effort in terms of the boardwalk and other infrastructure improvements. The unfolding result is progress toward the creation of a destination with a beautiful natural resource, first-class restaurants, first-class entertainment, first-class night life, first-class festivals and more.
The point is that without the Capolupo vision, confidence and considerable investment of time, resources as well as their own monies, this would not have been possible. Without private capital this success would never have taken place. Continued success will fundamentally change the way that the region and Salisbury residents view Salisbury Beach. This rising tide in Salisbury is extraordinary and exciting!
Many people deserve thanks and praise, but let's start with the Capolupo family. They have forged ahead and have taken on substantial personal risk and at the end of the day we will all reap the rewards.
William McGuire
Salisbury
