Thumbs up to the agreement reached on the Lincoln Mill clock tower, which will see it moved to the Biddeford Mills Museum for restoration. The clock tower has been left to an undignified end ever since it was removed from its long-held position atop the mill a few years ago due to structural concerns. After being left to rot further, it was set for the chopping block, but a few concerned residents helped negotiate a deal to save it.
Mayor Alan Casavant, industrial historian George Collord, Scott Joslin of the Pepperell Mill Campus and the current Lincoln Mill owner, and all of those who raised concerns about the tower’s deterioration are to be thanked ”“ by today’s residents and those yet to be born ”“ for helping to preserve this artifact of Biddeford’s history. It’s unclear where the tower will end up permanently after it is restored, but we hope to see it remain at the museum, close to its original site.
Thumbs up to the students and businesses taking part in Project Sticker Shock in the Kennebunks and Arundel. Through this effort, which started in Pennsylvania in 1998, students put stickers on bottles of alcohol reminding purchasers of the penalties and dangers of buying for minors. The Kennebunk High School Captain’s Club is to be applauded for undertaking this initiative, and they could not do it without the cooperation of area liquor vendors. Stores might be hesitant to allow these stickers on their product, but we believe customers will appreciate their strong stance against underage drinking. Not everyone is aware of the law, and a little reminder can go a long way: Furnishing alcohol to minors may include a fine of up to $2,000 and a year in jail. These stickers could have far-reaching implications if they deter even one person from buying for a minor, and might just help save a life.
Thumbs up to the newly elected Saco City Council for its vote to put off the purchase of a fire rescue boat until the City of Biddeford makes a decision on an interlocal agreement for the patrol of Saco River and Saco Bay. It was irresponsible of the previous council to move on this significant purchase, at a cost of $127,000, without confirmation that Biddeford would be sharing the cost. Taxpayers in Saco are fed up with irresponsible spending, and many do not feel the purchase of such an expensive boat is warranted at this time. For the previous council to not only approve the purchase, but approve it without Biddeford’s input, was disrespectful to those taxpayers. We are glad to see this new council, under Mayor Don Pilon’s leadership, taking a more conservative approach. The delay is unfortunate for the boat contractor, as they are awaiting a payment that was due Nov. 30, but it’s better to ding the city’s reputation than to stand by an irresponsible decision.
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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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