Thumbs up to the Town of Old Orchard Beach, its Public Works department and the Biddeford & Saco Water Company for agreeing to replace water lines on Ocean and Seaview Avenues while the roads are already torn up for road reconstruction. With Shaw Bros. willing to do the work, the plan makes the most sense because even though it is a significant investment, it’s much less than it would be to rip up the roads again and then patch them.
Thumbs up to all the volunteers and donors who made the renovation of the Nasson Community Center’s Little Theater possible. The venue was unveiled to the public Saturday. The historic building is now not only preserved but primed for regular use for artistic ventures, meetings and the like. The impact of the community activism of volunteers such as these cannot be understated. They have provided yet another place of which Sanford/Springvale can be proud.
Thumbs down to the shortsightedness of those in Alfred who are opposing the purchase of the 53-acre property on Kennebunk Road. Land is only going to become more scarce and more expensive as time goes on and if a new town hall is needed, now is the time to secure a location. As the town grows, it will need more space for services and now seems the right time to buy. Details about construction of the town hall itself can be agreed upon later.
Thumbs down to Kennebunkport’s efforts to challenge the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s new flood maps, which identify areas that are prone to various levels of flooding. While we respect local expertise about flooding patterns, specialists likely have a deeper understanding of coastal dynamics. Yes, it creates a hardship to be forced into buying flood insurance, but much less of one than if you have to actually deal with your house being flooded. The map was designed by professionals as a result of their studies of the area and should be respected.
Thumbs up to the community and the Parent Teacher Committee in Alfred who are working toward fundraising for a new playground at Alfred Elementary School. These types of projects are not funded through school budgets, said Principal Virginia Drouin, so the efforts of the PTC will make the difference for children at the school who could benefit from updated equipment.
Thumbs down to the loss of 26 county workers’ positions, including the layoff of seven sheriff’s deputies. The layoffs will seriously impair the efforts of those who are left behind to get the county’s business done ”“ and much of it is serious business. Losses in the district attorney’s office and sheriff’s in particular will impact public safety and the right to a fair and speedy trial. The mismanagement of the county’s finances has gone too far, now that livelihoods and liberties are affected, not only of those who lost their jobs but those who live in the communities they served.
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