Thumbs up to all the supporters of the “Tools for School” program and Biddeford Big Lots for hosting the collection of school supplies for local schoolchildren in need. More than 3,000 students across the state will be provided with backpacks filled with pens, pencils, markers, rulers, notebooks and other supplies thanks to the effort.
Biddeford’s Ellie Fournier, 6, and her brother, 5-year-old Cooper, both donated supplies because, Ellie said, “I wanted to help the kids that couldn’t afford it.” The drive was put on by the United Way of York County, Joyful Harvest Neighborhood Center and In-A-Pinch Non Food Pantry of Biddeford, Open Hands Open Heart of Saco, the Jean Davis Food Pantry in Old Orchard Beach, and York County Community Action Corporation. The groups will host another drive on Friday, Aug. 12 at the Reny’s department store at the Saco Valley Shopping Center in Saco.
Thumbs down to Lyman Selectmen Norman Hutchins and Leo Ruel for filing a lawsuit against Selectman Steve Marble, who was elected in June and is a town employee, overseeing operations at the transfer station. Hutchins and Ruel say Marble’s job and his role as selectman are incompatible offices. It seems though that the people are not on their side, after all, 277 people elected him to office, and more than 60 people attended last week’s selectmen’s meeting in response to protest spending town legal funds on a lawsuit. Joe Wagner, who lost the selectman’s race to Marble, suggested selectmen ask the Office of the Maine Attorney General for an opinion, which seems like the best way to move forward, instead of pursuing what could become a costly legal battle for both the town and Marble.
Thumbs up to Old Orchard Beach town councilors for turning down a proposal to allow members to participate in meetings via remote access or Internet programs like Skype. Residents and councilors alike said elected officials are supposed to represent the people, and should attend meetings to do so. We agree that councilors and all board and committee members should attend meetings in person ”“ and make an effort to attend all meetings ”“ or give up their seats to those who want to participate fully.
Thumbs up to four local teens who have started a dialogue about banning smoking on the beach in Old Orchard Beach. The proposed ordinance was created by Hattie Simon, Sabryna Deshaies, MaryKate Slattery and Sarah Jenkins, who received a grant after attending the Maine Youth Anti-Tobacco Summit in 2009. They presented their proposal to the town council this week, and councilors should give it some serious thought. Second-hand smoke is a danger ”“ not to mention an annoyance ”“ to many. When people are out in public places they cannot choose whether or not to breathe in smoke as they are able in their homes or cars. While bans in restaurants and other public facilities were met with some resistance, it is obvious that smokers still eat out and go to the movies, etc. We think they’ll still go to the beach, too, even if they cannot smoke there.
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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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