Thumbs up to all the volunteers who donated time, money and services to the renovation of the Saco Food Pantry, which includes an addition to house the Open Hands Open Heart free clothing program.
The new roof, new windows and siding for the pantry, as well as the washer/dryer for the clothing program, will help them better serve those who are in need. Those numbers are growing all the time and having the community’s support to shore up these services is a tribute to the entire area.
Thumbs up to Superintendent Sarah-Jane Poli and the Biddeford School District for responding to parents’ concerns about air quality at Biddeford High School. Though she has been widely criticized for not addressing the air quality sooner, Poli has directed the maintenance staff to step up cleaning and even closed off two classrooms despite lack of testing evidence to show dangerous levels of mold. The school is undergoing a major renovation, partly to take care of air quality issues, and the district is taking meaningful steps to protect students and staff in the meantime. Parents should continue to communicate with the district because their voices have certainly been heard.
Thumbs down to the Town of Old Orchard Beach for failing to update the Comprehensive Plan since 1993. The council recently voted against hiring a consultant to draft the plan, choosing instead to continue to wait until a town planner can be hired and take on the job. The Comprehensive Plan needs to be updated by 2012 to comply with requirements by the State Planning Office, but the town has been putting it off for years. Councilor Robin Dayton is right to push for the consultant, as the lack of an updated plan affects the town’s ability to receive grants like the one recently used to renovate downtown facades. Though the Comprehensive Plan Committee is not far along, a consultant can help them focus on the goals for the town and move along with them. Such a short timeline necessitates that a consultant be hired, rather than waiting around for a new planner to take on the task.
Thumbs up to the Biddeford Housing Authority for moving forward with redevelopment of the lots on Green and Sullivan streets. The BHA’s cooperation with the Regional Center of Technology, which is donating a structure made by students who are learning building trades, is a great example of community cooperation. One of the homes built by students will be placed on Green Street, while an apartment building on Sullivan Street will be rehabilitated. Investing in downtown properties in this way helps to keep the area from deteriorating further and gives pride to all who live nearby.
Thumbs up to Sanford’s Lee Burnett and to mill owner Eric Stone for their efforts to bring the art installation “NuPenny Toy Store” to town. The unique artwork consists of monochromatic hand-made toys that can only be viewed through the windows until a grand closing of the exhibit in January. This installment is a credit to the mill district, which is coming back to life with the support of those who see value in the arts.
— 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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