Thumbs up to the news that a pedestrian bridge ”“ planned to connect Biddeford and Saco over the Saco River ”“ will be constructed in 2014. It will replace an old, metal bridge, which is no longer in use. Most of the estimated $426,000 cost will be funded by the Maine Department of Transportation. The remaining 20 percent will come from the two cities, approximately $44,000 from each.
We’re pleased to hear this project is moving forward, and even more pleased that the DOT will be footing most of the bill. This project is long overdue and will be just another attraction in the works to help draw visitors and new residents to the twin cities.
Thumbs up to the Sousa family of Sanford, which recently signed an agreement to sell 214 acres of woodlands in the Walnut Hill area of Alfred to Three Rivers Land Trust for a good price ”“ its appraised value, not to exceed $200,000. This undeveloped parcel is one of many in York County that will be forever preserved. Residents and municipal officials alike have seen the value of conservation and worked to put thousands of acres in southern Maine into trusts to keep them pristine and undeveloped into the future. Preserving conservation lands also helps preserve air and water quality, wildlife habitat and quality of life for future generations.
Thumbs down to the eviction of York County Food Rescue from its space on Jagger Mill Road. The rescue will have to shut down April 1 if donated warehouse space, or donated funds to lease a new space, are not secured. The rescue was given two weeks to move by court order. It is unfortunate that the rescue is being evicted, and the consequences would be negative if it shuts down. The food rescue supplies government surplus food and donated food to 47 food pantries and soup kitchens across York County ”“ at no cost to the organizations. Food Rescue Executive Director Tom Vacca said in a recent interview that the organization provides more than 1.2 million pounds of food a year to pantries and soup kitchens, and last year, the distribution included more than 189,513 meals for children. Now, York County Food Rescue needs 4,000 square feet of warehouse space with a bay door and floors on which a forklift can drive. There must be room for a 12-pallet freezer, two coolers and other equipment. We hope the generous residents and business owners in York County will hear this call to action to keep the food rescue operating and supplying much-needed food to families in need. We’re glad to hear that Good Shepherd Food-Bank is planning to move into York County, as they will be able to pick up where YCFR leaves off, should the rescue shut down.
Thumbs up to Biddeford’s Democratic state Sen. David Dutremble for his proposal to require CPR to be taught in schools. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation saves lives and each and every person should know how to perform it. Cost, however, was a concern in the drafting of this bill and another similar measure, so the proposal will only require schools to teach students hands-only CPR, as opposed to the breathing techniques that would require mannequins and special equipment. Although full CPR classes should be considered by all schools in Maine, requiring hands-only training is a step in the right direction. Doing chest compressions only can still save a life in the time it takes for emergency personnel to respond to such a situation.
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Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you want to respond, feel free to write to the Readers’ Forum via email at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford office.
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