Thumbs up to the recovery of the bronze plaque that went missing from the Thomas Goodall statue in Sanford’s Central Park. Thanks to a tip, police were able to locate the plaque in a Sanford man’s apartment, and they arrested and charged Zachary Blier, 21, with felony theft.
Thanks also goes to Sanford City Councilor Fred Smith, who offered rewards in connection with the recovery, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. That was likely an incentive for the person offering the tip, and we’re pleased the plaque has been secured and will be returned to its rightful place.
Thumbs down to the news that 45 local children will not benefit from Head Start this school year due to budget cuts. The news came last week that 45 4-year-olds in Biddeford, Lebanon and Old Orchard Beach won’t be able to attend Head Start this week because of federal spending cuts, known as sequestration. Head Start was cut at the state level in recent years, and some of that funding was restored this legislative session, but now the federal cuts are impacting the program again. It’s unfortunate that the most vulnerable of our population continue to suffer when budgets are slashed. Programs, like Head Start in particular, should be strengthened, not cut, because of the impact they make on people throughout their lives. We have proof that investing in children and giving them extra support from an early age helps them later on in life, by keeping them out of jail, and keeping them employed and contributing to society. We hope the federal government will compromise on a long-term budget this fall so cuts can be made where they make sense, not in a dangerous, across-the-board fashion.
Thumbs up to the crew of American Chunker, based out of Merrimack, N.H., for their perseverance in trying to set a world record with their 120-foot long pneumatic cannon that launches pumpkins. The group was in Berwick last weekend practicing for an upcoming event in Delaware that may allow them to set that elusive record. Good luck to the crew, and for all those who want to see what it’s about, the Science Channel will broadcast the Delaware event the night before Thanksgiving, and the American Chunker has its own website, www.americanchunker.com.
Thumbs down to the decision to release Biddeford’s David P. Labonte, 56, on bail. Labonte is charged with manslaughter and aggravated criminal operating under the influence, and while he has not be convicted of those charges, the fact remains that one man is dead because the pickup truck Labonte was driving struck the man and his family ”“ riding bicycles together. It’s clear that Labonte has a history of operating under the influence ”“ he’s been convicted of it four times ”“ and while he has conditions of release, it’s also been shown that people, particularly habitual driving offenders, don’t necessarily follow those rules.
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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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