Poster riles motorcyclists in visitor-intense Kent

WHY IT MATTERS: An anonymous sign shows the head-on collision between two of Kent’s major summer issues: too few public bathrooms and too many motorcyclists.KENT — Visiting motorcyclists got an unwelcome surprise last week when they saw a hostile letter directed at them. The sign, which was written on plain white paper with a Sharpie marker, declared, “Bathrooms Closed! Due to bikers using them! This town does not want Harley noisemakers and their riff-raff. ‘Go’ somewhere else!” It was signed at the bottom of the page: “Kent Town Officials.”The sign was torn down shortly after it was posted. Its exact location is unclear but apparently it was on the door of the former public bathroom, not far from the House of Books and the Ober Gallery. Shop owner Robin Dill-Herde said people have attributed the sign to her, but she adamantly denied having anything to do with it.First Selectman Bruce Adams also denied responsibility for the letter, noting the sign was not even posted on official town letterhead.After news of the sign spread through the motorcycle community, riders began responding on Facebook pages and blogs including the Eagle Riders 558 Facebook page, where one biker suggested “500 motorcycles at an impromptu rally … should get some wet diapers in Kent.” In a later post, the biker explained that he was calling for a responsible and controlled ride to Kent in an attempt to let the shopkeepers know these bikers would not be back due to the small-minded opinions of one or two business owners. Other responses indicated the economic impact these riders believe they have on the town economy.Who wrote the letter?At first it was thought that the note was written by several shop owners with businesses the riders did not frequent that often. Later theories suggested that the letter was written by one or two individuals with no affiliation with the town.In speaking with several shop owners it became clear that this note did not reflect their attitudes toward the motorcyclists. “Bikers have always been polite. They are visitors just like anyone else. I’ve never had any problem with them in 17 years” said Joe Speranzo, owner of Sundog Shoe and Leather. “While parking is a little bit of a problem, I can understand why they come. Most are respectful, and I’ve never had a negative experience with them,” Dill-Herde said.Every summer and fall, the center of town becomes a meeting place for motorcyclists traveling along the scenic local roads in large groups. Main Street is often lined with gleaming machines, and seats at outdoor cafés are filled with men and women wearing leather and sporting tattoos.While some business owners say they don’t mind the influx of bikers, others quietly say the bikers don’t spend much money in town, and they make it hard for other shoppers to access their stores. Older people and people with disabilities, for example, find it hard to park near their shopping destinations.Some shop keepers also complain that they can’t keep their doors open because of the noise and fumes from the cycles. Relief on the wayThe public restrooms were not closed because of use by bikers, however. There had previously been restrooms in the center of town at the Village Barns shopping area. They were closed, however, after Kent Center LLC purchased the property in August 2013.Portable toilets have been in use this summer, and the town just received a state grant to help pay for new public restrooms, which will be built on the former Town & Country Chevrolet lot, across from the Fife n’ Drum.