“The point to remember is that what the government gives it must first take away.” John Caldwell
Lane/Tommy: After watching the Windham Town Council workshop of Sept. 5, we feel that some councilors and department heads believe that money grows on trees. With declining home sales resulting in a glut of homes for sale, will the Parks and Recreation Department have less funding due to fewer impact fees being collected? Impact fees are collected on new homes being constructed. Where will Parks and Recreation get future funding from?
Lane: I have to conclude that changes must be made in the town of Windham government. After listening to the ludicrous proposals by the director of Parks and Recreation, I feel that he must be replaced and so should some of the town councilors.
Tommy: After having two inadequately attended community forums to receive public input for recreational facilities that they would want to see, the Parks director wants $25,000 for a study to develop a plan for the land adjacent to the skate park on Route 202. How can such a miniscule amount of people decide the future direction of department? I reiterate that there are recreation possibilities already available in Windham and all over the state of Maine.
Lane/Tommy: One proposal was for a dog park so that dogs could socialize. Are we living in the middle of Boston or do we live in a country setting? Another preposterous proposal was to have an area for a community garden. All one has to do is look around Windham and see that the vast majority of properties have plenty of room for gardening and canines to run around. Even a walking path was recommended.
Tommy: How many walking trails and exercising paths do we have in or near Windham? We have a beautiful track at the Windham High School which is the best our money could buy. We have the Mountain Division Trail by the Gambo Road in South Windham. We also have the Black Brook Preserve. As the Windham Land Trust expands the areas not to be developed there will be even more areas for walking. As far as the community gardens, there is plenty of farmland available. Why not help farmers survive by renting a plot of land for a garden?
Lane: Regarding a dog park in Windham, to me it’s like constructing a parking garage on the Cook Road. I have 1/2 acre of land which is more than enough for my dog. At the same time there is also space for a garden.
Lane/Tommy: Did you ever hear of the expression, “You can’t put 10-pounds of potato’s in a 5-pound bag?” There are children walking on Route 202 to go to and from the skate park. How long will it take with increased activity in that area with its limited parking, a speed limit of 50 mph and narrow shoulders on which to walk will a child be seriously injured or even something worse? The suggestion from a town councilor to park at the high school and walk down Route 202 to the proposed new park is absolutely unacceptable because of safety issues.
Lane: What makes Route 202 dangerous to pedestrians is not only the normal traffic but heavy trucks like those hauling multiple sections of modular or mobile homes. There have been times when pieces of these buildings are lying in my yard after striking trees.
Simply put, if you want something shouldn’t I expect that you pay for it? Tommy and I are both disabled Americans. Why should our tax dollars go for something we can’t use? It looks like discrimination to me.
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