Call it smart business or a cry for needed revenue, either way 40-R developer Lloyd Geisinger is not bashful in his latest political move to pull the State into the position of cash cow. The move was paved with a Thorndike Development 1021 Kingston’s Place Update fluff piece e-mailed to various town departments providing updates to events that possessed more glitz and flag waving then substance. We suspect that the reason for the mailer was for a purpose further then paying for an ad in a program book for the Jones River Watershed’s recent Arts Festival or a contribution to a golf outing for St. Joseph Church… both nice causes but purely PR moves. Indeed, the point was the last item on the two page pabulum parade under the heading, "Turning Up The Green," which states:

"As a result of the recently passed state legislation known as the 2008 Green Communities Act and ongoing conversations with the Green Energy Committee, Water Commissioners and Sewer Commissioners, Thorndike Development is investigating the feasibility of incorporating renewable energy sources into the design of 1021 Kingston’s Place."

What is quoted is all it says. It should be mentioned that the Observer spoke with Sewer Commissioner Chair Elaine Fiore who stated that no such conversation ever took place between Thorndike and her Board. She stated that she would be contacting Geisinger about using the name of the Commission in establishing a premise that has never existed. Thorndike modus operandi has a tendency to meet with boards relative to minor interests and convert those visits into loftier purposes. At any rate, the material now being discussed was released on August 7 after the close of the Town Hall work day. It served as the precursor to a more purposeful letter sent one week later on August 15 by Geisinger to Secretary Daniel O’Connell of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) regarding, "1021 Kingston’s Place Commitment to Green Energy and Smart Growth." In it he fawns over Kingston leaders who made it all possible with accolades to Toms Calter and O’Brien, and Senate President Terry Murray and then quickly gets to the point: "Our company…is the master developer of the project and is seeking your assistance to help bring this cutting edge project to fruition."

Thorndike then references the multitude of national and regional awards garnered over the years, which, if typical, is tantamount to paying to be listed with "who’s who in development. Now moving closer to the point, the letter discusses the proposed "green" community and the standards for being a LEED certified development. The letter reveals ideas and notions that have yet to be addressed publicly, such as:

"Kingston’s Place sits adjacent to the Town’s elementary and middle (probably means intermediate) school. There is an opportunity to create a pedestrian/bikeway connecting the community schools, thus reducing dependence on busses and encouraging the health of our youth"

When has this ever been discussed? Who will ante up the money for this study and construction, and is it really feasible? How many kids will walk to school with such an expansive rural demographic? But, it sounds good when you’re looking for something.

"Over 450 acres of Town and State owned forest exist adjacent to the site. Thorndike has committed to… provide public parking for both cyclists and those driving cars to access the non-vehicular pathways through woods and will refurbish many of these trails."

Wow! There’s a whopper, we have yet to hear about this woodlands sojourn. Let’s get it into contract form right now!

"Thorndike plans to include a Shared Car Ridership Program in Kingston’s Place. We have initiated discussions with Sullivan Brothers automobile dealerships, which have two nearby facilities, about creating a Shared Ridership Program to be located next to the train station and open to residents of Kingston’s Place and the general public, along the lines of the(are you with us Mark Beaton?) Zipcar program."

We’ve never heard this one before but it sounds great when you’re looking for something.

"Creation of significant jobs… projected to add 923 (you gotta love the unevenness of the number in order to make it sound real) new (but wait, there’s more), permanent jobs to Kingston." It is absolutely amazing how one can project jobs when they can’t come to a sewerage agreement or show us a letter from Mass Highway sealing the Slip Lane deal.

OK, OK, there is a purpose for all these claims and more. Here we go: "We at Thorndike have committed ourselves to realizing this vision and we are asking for your help in making it a reality in Kingston."

"We would like to set-up a meeting with you at your earliest convenience to discuss the project and possible state assistance in further detail."

One has to wonder what happens if the state can’t help out or developer friend? Do you think state assistance is free for us as citizens of Massachusetts? What Lloyd Geisinger is asking for is that the collective taxpayers of the Commonwealth come on board with their respective financial shares to help out our good friend, the developer.

To our readership, we say this: By the time the details of this experimental project begins to take on the true face of what it may end up being, we will not recognize it nor will the initial faces who courted and cavorted with us over the past several years be the same. Once the prize is won, the "B" Team will arrive and Kingston’s panorama will be lost. History will judge the accuracy of what we so earnestly fell now.