Thumbs up to the efforts in Dayton and Waterboro to use their town websites to solicit community input on fireworks restrictions. Though state law will legalize the use and sale of consumer fireworks in Maine beginning Jan. 1, 2012, it’s up to each municipality to decide how they will regulate it, if at all.
For seaside communities, it is important to have some restrictions in place to keep fireworks from disturbing the fragile ecological balance of the beach and protect the wildlife. More inland, rural communities may not need as many restrictions, whereas cities and towns with homes placed closely together will want to consider language that will protect neighbors from irresponsible use of fireworks. It’s good to get feedback from residents to see what they want in their town, and we encourage them to participate in these online surveys.
Thumbs down to the delay in funding for the school construction and renovation projects that were rated by the Department of Education earlier this year. Excitement ran high in Sanford when the list of 70 school projects was announced this past spring, with the high school and technical center rated as project number two on the list. Emerson School is fourth on the list, while Lafayette School is number 13, which gave the town high hopes for improvements. Planning for the schools has been put off, however, as the LePage administration has been hesitant to approve new state bonding. That’s unfortunate because improving these schools ”“ particularly building the new technical center ”“ is a key component of investing in our future economic prosperity. Sanford school supporters are lobbying their legislators to get these projects going, and we hope their voices will be heard.
Thumbs up to the board of selectmen in Arundel for their decision not to fine Bentley Warren, owner of Bentley’s Saloon, for having too many campsites for a short period this spring until it was brought to his attention and remedied. Arundel has gotten the reputation of being unfriendly toward businesses, largely due to the years of disputes with the saloon regarding its capacity, as well as other businesses’ struggles with the planning board process. By taking this stance of allowing a business owner to fix a violation as soon as it is brought to his or her attention, the town is building a better image of working with its business community to keep the town prosperous. Town ordinances must be respected and heeded, yes, but we must remain reasonable when enforcing them and give business people ”“ our neighbors ”“ a chance to comply before we come down on them with fines.
Thumbs up to those who are volunteering their time to help others this season. The Free Masons, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, local Rotary club members and others have stepped up to build shelving at the Old Orchard Beach Food Pantry, which has been operating out of stacked boxes. Their help, and the donations gathered to pay for the materials, will allow the pantry to more efficiently use its space as it serves those in need in this seaside town. In Biddeford, metalsmith Dana Peck should also be recognized for his donation of labor to create and install a second egress for the home of Alfred Proulx Jr. and his wife Pauline. Alfred Proulx, who is in the final stages of prostate cancer, recently had to leave his home due to code violations there and has sought help to renovate the home so he can convalesce in peace there. The addition of a second exit is one of the main violations, and we hope the community rallies to provide the funds for the materials to complete that job and remedy the other issues so Proulx can go home. The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club has also stepped up to help the Proulxs, and we wish them the best as they get ready to move back home.
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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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