Thumbs up to the Friends of Waterboro Library for graciously accepting defeat in their efforts to build a new library. Those who were undertaking the fundraising are wise to abandon their plans for a new building now that a $500,000 earmark from the federal government is off the table and the voters decided against a $2 million municipal bond for the project in November. Raising that kind of money with bean suppers and pig roasts simply isn’t going to happen. Though we wish the money had come through for the improvements, the library’s supporters should be applauded for facing reality and making the best of what they have for now. Though there are certainly frustrations with their current building, which limits the implementation of many good ideas, we hope the Friends will redirect their energy into finding ways to keep the library an active hub of the community.
Thumbs up to all of those involved in the Sanford school district whose efforts helped get Sanford High School up to Number 2 on the state’s list for new school construction or renovation funding. Officials in the district have been developing and promoting a plan for a high school and technical center for years now and their efforts have apparently not gone unnoticed. The state is now confirming Sanford’s assertion that the high school is in need of serious renovation or replacement. We hope school construction will be well-funded so their vision comes to fruition.
Thumbs down to the situation at the Kennebunkport Police Department, where Chief Joseph Bruni has stepped down amid allegations that he may have been operating under the influence of alcohol. The ongoing investigation into his management practices and his traffic stop is an essential step, although painful to both him and the department.
Thumbs up to St. Thomas School in Sanford for hosting French Heritage Night in early March, when students heard fiddling, sang French language songs, danced the waltz and played the spoons. Passing on these traditions helps preserve the area’s strong French Canadian heritage and gives youth a connection to the culture of their ancestors that helps them to understand themselves.
Thumbs up to both Sanford High School Principal Allan H. Young and Kennebunk High School Principal Pete Dawson as they both prepare to move into new roles. After spending 16 years of his career at SHS, as assistant principal and principal, Young will now be taking on the challenges of a public/private school as he becomes an associate headmaster at Thornton Academy in Saco. Dawson, meanwhile, plans to go international, teaching at a multi-cultural school in Germany. We wish them both the best in their new endeavors.
Thumbs down to inattentive, distracted and impaired drivers who make the roads ”“ and buildings ”“ dangerous for everyone else. In the past week or so, vehicles have crashed into two buildings in York County, one a gas station, and another, a home. The reasons are unclear, as one was blamed on a brake problem and the other was a hit and run, but it’s clear enough that if either driver was paying full attention to operation of the vehicle these accidents probably wouldn’t have happened. Fortunately, no one was injured in either incident, but the property damage has been significant. Let’s just use this as a reminder that while we all get complacent about driving, since many of us do it several times a day, cars can be deadly weapons and operators need to treat them that way.
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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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