What's wrong with this picture?

The new fence guarding the empty west side wharf

It’s downright unfriendly. THAT’S what.

Blame it on Washington's "stealth" economic stimulus package, otherwise known as the Department of Homeland Security. Since 911, millions of new federal, state and local jobs have been created in security and security related industries. The list is so long and the flow of money so broad it could be rightly claimed that security is our newest social program, and further, that the scale is so broad it could by itself be responsible for the positive economic numbers we’ve seen for the last seven years.

That might be speculation, but the best lies always have strong elements of truth. Speculation is no different. I don’t know that much about the national picture, but let me give you a snapshot of my own town. I live on the southern shore of Lake Ontario – which makes my small city a border town. Despite this fact, it’s nearly thirty miles by water to the nearest point of land in Canada and more than three times that overland. If you knew the nature of Lake Ontario, you wouldn’t call either route the easiest for aliens entering the country, and in recent memory none have been apprehended trying. This has not prevented the construction of a large new Border Patrol facility here. Add to that a huge new Army Reserve structure; a suddenly hostile Coast Guard attitude to go along with their brand new stainless steel cutters; and finally, an aggressive new Port of Oswego Authority emphasis on security.

It's this last that is most bothersome to many. The federal activities can be tolerated, if only because there's nothing anyone can do about them. The port authority, however, controls most of the waterfront, and this makes its actions particularly visible.

Shortly after 911, fences were erected around the east side terminal, and guards positioned at the gate. After decades of open access (a period by-the-way devoid of incidents of theft, vandalism, mayhem or mischief upon port facilities), drive-in access is now denied.

Next came the turn of the port’s west side wharf, former site of the now-demolished grain elevators. The wharf has grown a highly visible, very ugly and forbidding fence; a fence destined most of the time to protect empty space. This is the same wharf on which the Port of Oswego Authority recently granted a 1500 linear foot easement to the city of Oswego in order to allow for completion of the Oswego Harbor Trail Project. How the fence, which sports some pretty threatening signs, will contribute to the comfort level of visitors accessing the public corridor is a bit hard to visualize at the moment.

Despite the port's generosity in granting an easement, if the visitor access corridor passed to the left of this sign. Would YOU chance passing it?

What anal fixation has suddenly seized our nation? Exactly what are we trying to guard against? In Oswego's case, it can’t be terrorism. A ten year old could gain access to Oswego's Port Authority property.

                                            This fence might stop someone in a wheelchair, but not much else.

If not terrorism, what? The unwashed public - folks who like to visit the port, enjoy a few hours on the rip rap with a fishing pole and a cold soda, or maybe just cruise through as part of an occasional waterfront tour? For ages, the public has been able to do this without interfering with port operations. The Port might be state owned, but we’ve always thought of it as an open and friendly operation.

Of course, there must be a federal mandate behind these measures. The port stores potash, among other chemicals. Whatever! Who’s going to steal the stuff in broad daylight? Suddenly barring the gates and completely barring access is, well, it’s not only impolite, it's downright unfriendly.