Thumbs up to the seniors at Sunset Towers in Sanford who took the initiative to start their own toy drive to donate to Toys for Tots. The residents were moved by seeing only a few gifts on the organization’s float in the Holly Daze parade and decided to take action so that all Sanford children in need would have Christmas presents this year.
Their efforts are a perfect example of how one person, or just a small group, can significantly improve the town if they only set their mind to it.
Thumbs up to all of those who hosted and helped out at the many community Thanksgiving dinners offered for free throughout the county on the holiday. For those who do not have family nearby or can’t afford to make their own holiday meal, these dinners are priceless ”“ not only for the wonderful food they provide, but also for the company and the sense of community. Those who organized giveaways of Thanksgiving meal items to be cooked at home ”“ from the Biddeford High School Interact Club students to the York County Shelters volunteers ”“ should also be commended for giving families the option to celebrate on their own without feeling that they wanted for any of the traditional fixings.
Thumbs down to the Arundel Board of Selectmen for their decision not to renew the contract of Town Manager John Fraser for another year. With Fraser’s current contract ending on Dec. 31 and a hiring process expected to take months, the selectmen have left the town in a difficult situation, as the charter requires that the manager position be filled at all times. Giving Fraser another year would have given the town time to search for and train a replacement. Though the selectmen who voted against Fraser’s contract may not agree with his views, particularly those on accommodating businesses in town, this politically motivated vote obviously does not take into account the best interests of the town, overall.
Thumbs up to Bev Davis and her husband Rick Litchfield, owners of the Captain Lord Mansion Inn in Kennebunkport, who took it upon themselves to raise money for breast cancer research and also provide a weekend getaway for cancer survivors. The couple raised $3,000 for the American Cancer Society, simply by donating a dime for each guest who stayed at the inn since Jan. 1, showing that every little bit can add up to help find ways to combat this prevalent disease.
— Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you would like to respond, please write the Reader’s Forum via e-mail at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford or Sanford offices.
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