Thumb”¢nail (thum’nail’)
…2. anything quite small or brief,
as a small drawing or short essay
humbs up to the expansion of the Williams Court Park in Biddeford, which will finally rid the surrounding neighborhood of all physical markers that reminded residents of the murders of brothers Gage and Derek Greene in 2009. Rory Holland is serving two life sentences at the Maine State Prison in Warren for the killings, and the city took his home, located at 58 South St., by foreclosure for non-payment of taxes last year. It was demolished last spring and will soon be green, open space ”“ an extension of Williams Court Park ”“ to allow neighborhood residents a space to sit and enjoy the summer weather or even have a picnic. That’s what the recreation commission envisions for the area, along with a 15-foot-by-18-foot garden plot. The Williams Court Park, which features hand molds of neighborhood residents ”“ including a young brother of the Greenes ”“ will be moved to a central location in the new segment of the park. It’s great to see the park expanding to provide a nice space for area residents to enjoy, and to provide further closure after the crime. We hope the neighborhood will make use of this expanded space to enjoy some outdoor activities. Thumbs down to the Old Orchard Beach Town Council’s decision to deny a local business owner’s request to move his tattoo studio a few doors down the street. Last week, the council voted 3-3 to a proposed zoning ordinance change that would have allowed tattoo studios on Ocean Park Road, despite the planning board’s recommendation to accept the change. The request came from Robert Johnson, owner of Good and Evil Tattoo, whose studio used to be located at 9 Ocean Park Road. That business was licensed in error by a former code enforcement officer who thought that tattoo studios were a personal service, which is allowed in the General Business District 1. However, the mistake was not discovered until Johnson applied for a business license for a new location at 1 Ocean Park Road this year. He was denied the license, because tattoo studios are not a permitted use in the GB1 district. It’s unfortunate this proposal failed, and we hope the council will reconsider when it convenes next with a full board present. Council Chairman Shawn O’Neill was absent, and would have cast the tie-breaking vote.
Thumbs down to Saco City Councilor Eric Cote’s proposal to end the city’s membership with the Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry next year due to the $3,000 price tag. We agree with Mayor Don Pilon that the change would set a bad precedent. It would also look a lot like childish retaliation for the chamber’s decision to move its offices from the city’s train station to a new location in Biddeford. The twin cities should be working together, on everything from collaborating to save money on municipal services to promoting their businesses on both sides of the Saco River. The chamber’s decision to depart from the train station site was the result of disagreements and miscommunication regarding its landlord/tenant status with the city, but those interpersonal issues should not result in the city being left without a chamber membership. Saco clearly needs the chamber’s support, as many businesses on Main Street have shuttered, while it seems business in Biddeford is booming ”“ with new restaurants, breweries and other entrepreneurs locating in the city. The cities need to work together to stay strong and grow in the 21st century. Saco should be aligning itself with Biddeford, not moving further away from it. Quitting the chamber to save $3,000 ”“ especially when the city pays Saco Spirit $38,600 ”“ is definitely not worth it.
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