Thumbs up to those who were willing to open their homes for the Green Buildings Open House on Saturday, which was sponsored by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association. These people, who have already invested significant sums of money to upgrade their homes’ energy efficiency, are helping to educate others to do the same. By showing them that changes such as solar panels, improved insulation, new windows and sealant, among other improvements, can be done in a modest home shows that these changes are accessible to the average homeowner. The more people who embrace improved energy technology, the less oil we’ll be using and the lesser the impact will be on the environment.

Thumbs up to the agreement between the owners of Funtown Splashtown USA and the Phillips family to relocate several family graves that were being overshadowed by the park’s new waterslide. The situation created by the giant new water funnel slide hovering so closely over the small cemetery was almost comical if it hadn’t been so disrespectful. At the same time, the waterpark has limited space for new attractions and the chosen location gives it high visibility from passersby on Route 1. The abutting properties had such polar opposite uses that problems were sure to arise, and we’re glad to hear that the cemetery has been relocated to a more peaceful spot, in Laurel Hill Cemetery, where splashing water and shouts of children won’t disturb those who tend and visit the graves.

Thumbs up to a proposal to ban smoking on Old Orchard Beach, which is under discussion by the Old Orchard Beach Town Council. The main problem with smoking ”“ on the beach or otherwise ”“ is the litter. Cigarette butts seem to be everywhere, and they pile up quickly. No one wants to run their toes through the sand only to dredge up nasty cigarette filters or have their children building this trash into their sand castles. Despite numerous efforts to encourage smokers to use cigarette butt disposal units, it seems many of them see the beach, and the world in general, as one big ashtray. Litter aside, second-hand smoke is a known carcinogen and should not be allowed in public places where people do not have the ability to use the same facility without being exposed to the smoke.

Thumbs up to a charter change in Arundel that would have the Arundel Fire Department chief as an appointed position who would be selected by the town manager and be a paid town official. The volunteer fire department has found the duties of the chief to become too overwhelming for a volunteer, so having a paid official take on those duties will assure that the work is completed in a timely and safe manner. Also, the department has struggled with internal politics in recent years, with the members electing the chief amongst themselves. This move will alleviate both issues, and we hope the residents will approve it.

Thumbs up to Sanford sisters Danielle Guillemette, Samya Santiague and Elizabeth Guillemette, who were inspired by a trip to California to use their birthday celebrations as fundraising events for those less fortunate. When the girls saw homeless people begging during their stay in San Francisco, it brought home the reality that others do not have work or a place to live, among other problems. At such a young age, it’s rare to have such empathy ”“ most preteens would rather send out their wishlist of computer games, movies, music and new clothes than ask friends and family to give instead to a local food pantry, animal shelter and cancer research fund. We applaud the parents of these girls as well, for supporting their philanthropic instincts, and hope that even as they begin to understand the complexities of homelessness they will never forget the compassion they felt as children.

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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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