This past weekend was a great time to be in Brunswick. The Great State of Maine Airshow drew tens of thousands of people to the event both on and off of the former Naval Air Station property. It also invigorated a number of businesses along the main thoroughfares of Brunswick. It was, for one fleeting moment, a look back at the sights, sounds and smells a child of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s would consider normal.

For all of the goodwill and excitement that was on display, there was also a seedier, more disrespectful side that came about on one small plot of land where hundreds gathered to watch the show.

Near the former base property there is an area of privately owned land that has been cared for by a single family for decades. This family worked hard to build a small business and make a nice living for themselves. They have always been giving of themselves and their time and during the airshows, their land. They have never asked for anything in return and rarely has anyone been asked to leave the property during such an event. Unfortunately, this year saw their goodwill rewarded with a display of disrespect and lack of decorum.

Over the course of the two-day airshow there were several hundred people that came to use the land to watch the planes as they crisscrossed the sky. Most behaved in a way that demonstrated that they understood that they were on private property. Several dozen decided that they were not in such a generous mood and acted boorishly. Others acted indignantly when asked to stop their destructive behavior.

In two days there were four sections of fencing that was either pushed over, broken or jumped upon to such a degree that the sections needed to be replaced. Each of these sections were less than 30 yards from a gate which was routinely opened. Someone could have just walked through the gate instead of destroying property. This was clearly a conscious decision to not use the gate.

Trees were damaged with people breaking off pine boughs and using them as fans. Trash was strewn about including cans and bottles that were thrown onto nearby properties. Food was left in a mound by one family who apparently decided that their snacks were no longer needed for the ride home.

There were also people who had to be reminded that the garage and the backyard of the owners home were not part of the field from which to watch the airshow. The back yard is nearly 100 yards away and not clearly seen from the field. The garage is clearly private property. Why someone would feel that walking around a private area like that was permissible was beyond me.

When the opportunity was taken by the property owner and others to request safe usage of the land, the requests were met with indignation and contempt. The response from one particular child when asked to stop ripping things off of the trees was, “What, do you own this place?” The property owner answered that she did, in fact, own the property. Unfortunately, neither the child nor the child’s parents, who were close by, offered an apology. They just found another area in which to continue their tree trimming ways.

At the end of the airshow it also became apparent that the behavior seen atop the property was not an aberration. As I walked down a nearby road it appeared that we had stumbled upon Brunswick’s next landfill. Bottles, can, napkins, sheets of paper with directions on where to go in Brunswick and trash of all sorts was left along the sides of the roadway. All items left directly where cars had been just moments before. Was it necessary to empty out your vehicle before you embarked on that trek home? I think not.

There is a saying in common usage today that goes something like, “this is why we cannot have nice things …” Instances like those above are often the reason why property is closed off for future use. The individuals who are responsible will not read this column and will not care, but as for the rest of us, we can chalk this up to why we may not have access to nice things.

That’s my two cents …

———

Jonathan Crimmins lives in Brunswick.