Thumbs up to all of the electricity line workers, plow truck drivers and others who are on the front lines during the seemingly endless snow and ice storms we’ve had in the past few weeks. When the snow starts to fly, it’s comforting to know that our utilities and public works departments can be counted on to do everything in their power to keep us safe and warm, even if it means long, cold days out in the elements.
Thumbs up to the transition of the Books Revisited store in Sanford, which will now be operated by York County Shelter Programs. The store, which is Sanford’s only bookstore, was opened about 15 years ago as a fundraising effort of the Home Health Visiting Nurses. Sales of used books at the stores, located in both Sanford and Biddeford, have benefited the nursing operation for years, but revenues have declined, prompting HHVN to abandon the shops. The shelter program’s food pantry operators, however, say they believe the store is still bringing in enough money to make the effort worthwhile. We wish them success with this new venture and encourage anyone who enjoys a good read to consider patronizing this nonprofit shop. The future of the Biddeford location is unclear at this time, but we hope another nonprofit may take it over, as in Sanford, once they see the value.
Thumbs down to the weak implementation of the Educational Opportunity Tax Credit, which was approved by the state Legislature in 2007, but has seen little use due to lack of publicity. The effort allows students who graduate from a Maine institution of higher education and stay in Maine thereafter, to claim up to up to $356 for a bachelor’s degree and $65 for an associate’s degree per month to reduce the amount they owe the state in taxes, according to a recent Associated Press report. Unfortunately, few of those who qualify are taking advantage of this tax credit: Only 1,157 in 2012, which is far less than those eligible. We agree that this effort will help encourage students to not only study, but remain in Maine, helping to counter Maine’s graying trend and improve the economy with more young families. Funding budgeted to promote the tax credit has been cut in the proposed budget, and that makes sense considering the state needs to find $34 million in savings. Even so, we believe this credit should be promoted, and probably most effectively to high school students looking at colleges and through the colleges and universities at graduation time.
Thumbs up to all of those who were brave enough ”“ and hearty enough ”“ to take the Atlantic Plunge in Kennebunk on New Year’s Day, in support of Caring Unlimited. The weather was bright but cold and windy on the first day of the year for the quick dash into the ocean. Participants raised money from family and friends who supported their willingness to tempt hypothermia in the name of funding York County’s domestic violence resource center. Domestic violence is a continuing plague worldwide, and we applaud all those involved in the plunge for doing their part in this cold corner of the nation to fight it.
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.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
