Thumbs up to LearningWorks, a non-profit organization that recently opened a branch in Biddeford to help troubled youth. This company has been providing services for 45 years in Portland, and we are glad to see it expand its services to Biddeford, where many underprivileged, at-risk youth could use its help. Young men will be provided with an after school program and a classroom-style offering that teaches how to make good choices.
These efforts could make the difference between some of these young people becoming career criminals or making a success of themselves. Sometimes, all it takes for a young person is to see that an adult cares about them and LearningWorks goes above and beyond that in their effort to turn young people’s lives around.
Thumbs down to the lawsuit against the development proposed for the Bay View Convent property in Saco. The city approved a contract zone in March 2010 to allow the Estates at Bay View to develop up to 14 lots on the parcel, which would have otherwise supported 11 or 12 lots under city zoning. Allowance for an extra two housing lots is a small price to pay for the improvements this development will bring: A new sidewalk, beach rights for the city, a public restroom, improved parking lot and 3.6 acres for city use. The abutters will certainly find less enjoyment in their property with a bunch of new houses around, as the lawsuit states, but that was going to be allowed to happen regardless. We find it hard to believe that having 12 homes built next door instead of 14 would create a substantial difference. We believe the city made the right decision in negotiating with this developer to get the best deal for public use of the area and have a building that was in need of repair replaced by new construction.
Thumbs down to bicyclists and pedestrians who ignore the rules of the road and make travel hazardous for all involved. A collision last week between a young bicyclists and a car illustrates how dangerous it can be for anyone to drive carelessly. The young man reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic when he entered North Street, which led to him being struck by a car. This must have been terrifying for both of them. Every day, pedestrians and bicyclists can be seen operating on the wrong side of the road or failing to use crosswalks. Bicycles are supposed to travel ”“ and stop ”“ with traffic, while pedestrians are supposed to walk against it, but it seems that no one is abiding by those rules any more. It’s not just motorists who need to be aware of how they operate on the road, it’s everyone. Perhaps police can step up their efforts to spread the word about road rules in a school program or through public service announcements to help avoid such incidents.
Thumbs up to the City of Biddeford for approving the permits for the La Kermesse festival to be held in Mechanics Park. Approval of the festival was not unanimous and seemed up in the air before it was granted last week, with several concerns cited from numerous city departments. The city must concern itself with parking, environmental impacts and insurance, among other issues, yes, but we would hope the city would take a more positive tone when addressing concerns about this festival, since it has been held here for more than 25 years and is a Biddeford institution. We are glad the council agreed to waive city fees and OK use of Mechanics Park, and we hope the liquor license is approved without much fuss as well so the volunteer organizers of this important community staple can carry it forward.
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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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