Readers’ Forum

Residents should support The Ecology School

As a Saco resident, I’m passionate about Saco’s community, the environment and the education we provide for our children. It’s amazing when all three aspects come together to create something like The Ecology School. They have wonderful faculty who teach our children values that we all should be proud of. I’ve been impressed with how they blend environmental stewardship with integration into the community that hosts them. My only lament was that they could not find adequate permanent facilities in Saco.

That problem was solved with the River Bend parcel. Despite the loud “not in my backyard” response, the River Bend parcel is a perfect fit. The Ecology School’s very reason for being is to support conservation and good environmental stewardship. It’d be hard to imagine a better and more responsible buyer coming along.

Highlighting the fact that much of the fear regarding this school is “not in my backyard” posturing rather than genuine concern, some of the same people who advocated for renovating the Stackpole Bridge are opposing the school. Asking the taxpayers to spend millions to maintain history and aesthetics, while denying the right our children to be exposed to that very same land is the height of hypocrisy. Indeed, one wonders if the neighbors wouldn’t prefer the farm stay empty, so that they can have free access to trails and nature. An empty farm is not what’s good for Saco.

The Ecology School has an amazing community around them. The owners, Drew and Lisa, are incredible community builders who have great passion for what they do. The board is filled with caring, responsible stewards of our environment, who take their responsibility to Southern Maine’s future seriously.

I encourage all readers to write their Saco City Councilors to express support for The Ecology School’s move to the River Bend Farm today.

Mike Burman

Saco

Ecology School doesn’t belong on River Bend Farm

On Feb. 1st, the Saco City Council will vote on a contract zone proposal that would allow for a year round ecology school to be built on a property in a C-1 conservation zone.

Schools are not a permitted use in a C-1 conservation zone. The Council is enthusiastic in its support of an ecology school in Saco, but some of the Councilors have let their enthusiasm cloud their judgment. The decision of whether or not to approve a contract zone is a zoning issue and needs to be evaluated on that basis.

The Council has to find that certain standards have been met for a property to be appropriate for a contract zone. One of these standards is that the property needs to be of unusual nature and location. River Bend Farm is similar to many of the properties in the area; it will become unusual only if a school is built there.

The Council is also failing to take into consideration that the property in question is subject to a conservation easement held by The Saco Valley Land Trust. The easement limits land use to farmimg and light recreation and restricts the size and scale of new buildings. The proposed 7,000- square-foot cafeteria and two 9,000-square-foot dormitories are clearly not in keeping with the 1794 farmhouse and other existing farm buildings.

On paper, the idea of an ecology school is appealing and I’m sure that the Council wants to support the idea of children studying outside and learning about their environment. However, the issue here is not about the perceived benefits of the school but complying with the zoning ordinance. I heartily endorse the mission of the Ecology School, but think that one cannot make an objective finding that a contract zone is warranted for the River Bend Farm property on the Simpson Road.

Elizabeth DeSimone

Saco

Better than a primary

Here in Maine, we use a caucus to determine our preference for a presidential nominee. The caucus is structured much like a New England traditional town meeting. The caucus is different – and many would say better – than the primary because we come together and publically declare our preference for a presidential nominee rather than voting by secret ballot. Sound exciting? It is, and this year is shaping up to be big.

For all Old Orchard Beach Democrats, our caucus is scheduled on Sunday March 6 at 2 p.m. at the Loranger Memorial School gymnasium. The doors will open at 1 p.m. So who do you want to be our next President? Hillary, Bernie or O’Malley? The more Democrats that turn out for your candidate, the more delegates your candidate will get for the state Democratic convention.

Just remember, you need to be a registered Democrat to come to the Democratic Caucus. If you are not registered to vote with any party, you can register as a Democrat at the caucus on Sunday, March 6 starting at 1 p.m. If you are registered to vote with a different party, you can change your party voting registration at the Old Orchard Beach Town Clerk’s Office by Friday, Feb. 19. If you want to participate but can’t make it to the caucus, you can vote absentee. You can request an absentee ballot online at www.mainedems.org/caucusabsebtee.

Democrats in Old Orchard Beach are also invited to learn more about the Democratic caucus at the next OOB DEMS meeting on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the community room at the police station. The 2016 Maine Democratic Caucus is an exciting local event for all Democrats. Don’t miss it!

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