Letters to the Editor
Grateful at the Goldenrod
Dear Independent:You know, there are those few times in one's life when it becomes crystal clear who your friends and neighbors are. We at The Goldenrod would like to say how fortunate we feel to live in a community as generous as York.
On Sunday morning, May 14th, we were greeted with the news that the York Beach area was flooded. What we discovered when we entered through our back door was that we were under a foot of water. Our office was floating, our candy storage area was under water; sugar, chocolate, nuts, shipment after shipment all a loss. Compressors and computer systems, freezers and storage bins; nothing on that level escaped the floodwaters. None of this could be saved. We were heartbroken. Then, we looked down the street to our neighbors; the devastation to their storefronts, insides, walls, floors, display cases, so difficult to comprehend.
What has happened in the days to follow is what the story is really about. The very next day, neighbors were checking on neighbors, damage was being assessed and plans were being made to reopen as soon as feasibly possible. Our staff showed up armed with boots and gloves and a let's get this done attitude. We cannot thank them enough. As disastrous as our own mess seemed, some of our neighbors had lost everything, virtually everything.
The phone calls started at work and at home, emails arrived and perfect strangers showed up at our steps to let us know that they were willing to help. On Monday, Town Manager Yandow & representatives from all the Town Branches met to discuss how to help our community. On Wednesday, Cathy Goodwin & the Chamber of Commerce organized a cleaning session in which people from all over the community and beyond came to assist in any way they were needed. She saw to it that the devastation and clean up was covered by the Press. We cannot begin to express how touched we continue to be by all the kindnesses, concern and support extended us. We also want our friends and neighbors to know our thoughts are with them as they continue to recover and repair their own properties.
We love living in York, Maine. We certainly enjoy doing business here, and we want you to know we will be ready and open on Thursday thanks to the great people in our lives. And to our neighbors in York Beach, onward and upward, we wish you well in your renovations, and here's to a great 2006 season! The Goldenrod
York Beach
Solution still needed
Dear Independent:I would like to thank everyone who voted in support of the York High School
Auditorium/Performing Arts Wing on May 20, 2006. I am extremely saddened that this proposal did not pass. As the mother of six children, all of whom either sing or play at least one musical instrument, it breaks my heart to think that they will not have the opportunities within the performing arts realm that I did in high school.
The YMS band concert last week was a tremendous opportunity to see our talented young people perform. There was a standing room only audience for the performance. If these kids continue to play their instruments until high school they will not all fit in the band room or on the high school stage. We had a tremendous opportunity to provide our talented musicians and performers with a quality space in which to practice and perform.
There are times when it is not all about the money as some of our local politicians have voiced in the weeks prior to the election. Having six kids means that money is tight in my home, we can't always buy the newest gadgets such as computer systems and ipods. My kids wear hand-me-downs and are learning that they frequently have to share things. I hope that I am teaching them that character much more important than wearing the "in clothes" or driving the latest car.
Some of them are good at sports, others are good at music. They all love to sing and they have gained so much from the music department within our schools. Their self esteem continues to be enriched by playing instruments and being involved in the arts. Having my taxes increase would be difficult for our family, but seeing the joy on my kids' faces while they are performing with Mr. Neil is worth more to me than all the money in the world.
As a member of the budget committee and the building committee I hope that the people who voted No will take this opportunity to step forward and come up with a solution that will meet the needs of our children at the high school as well as fit within the town's budget. Going forward it will be important to know whether you all voted No because it was too expensive, the stage was too big, there was not enough seating, or you felt the town needs were more important at this time.
There was little public input over the past two years of working on this project. Letting the committee know your thoughts on this project would have been a bigger step toward the process of integrity than voting No on it because you do not have the courage to speak up. Writing letters to the editor tearing the project apart after it has been put on the ballot is in my opinion the ultimate in cowardice.
Solutions occur when people in a community work together to come up with them. Please consider being part of the solution to the current needs at the high school, not part of the problem. Our future lies within the hands of our children, let's teach them the value of a community that works together to solve problems, and perhaps in doing so we will enrich our lives with music.
Nancy Eaton
York
Thanks from Torbert
Dear Independent:I would like to thank my friends, family and supporters in this election.
I look forward to serving the Town of York and its people over the next three years and will continue trying to mitigate the consequences of growth and development and to protect our unique natural resources.
The phone calls and messages before and after election day were much appreciated!
Selectman Torbert H. Macdonald, Jr.
York
Sewer District on the job
Dear Independent:Last week's rain, totaling over 15 inches, provided many challenges to our community. The York Sewer District was especially challenged with ground water flooding in the area around several of our pumping stations. I am pleased to report that failures in our system were minimal and that lessons learned to better safeguard our system in the future have been duly noted, and a plan for even more safeguards are in the works. In times of crisis, such as these, it is so evident that the members of the York Sewer District team has your safety and thee system's integrity at heart. Their response to the onslaught was performed with integrity and with the safety of our community in mind. On behalf of the Trustees of the York Sewer District, I would like to publicly commend the York Sewer District team (collections, plant and office) for service above and beyond the call. I would suggest the next time you see one of the trucks you give them a wave or a toot on the horn: or the next time you see them, whether it be at the store or at the district office, you say "Thank you". These are the times that tell what an organization is made of. The Board of Trustees is proud, and the community should be as well, for exemplary service in providing the highest quality of public safety in this time of peril. Again we thank you.
Bob Hoyt, Chairman
York Sewer District Board of Trustees
Numbers, and other numbers
Dear Independent:Did anyone catch the glaring mathematical mistake I made in my letter to the editor this past week? As of this writing, no one has mentioned it to me.
Although the historical data used was accurate, when doing the math I reversed two numbers in my equation, resulting in a vastly disproportionate per property tax cost per new home built. My focus was meant to be on the approximate $2000.00 negative impact per new home built. Using that figure, if 84 new homes are built per year, the result would be an approximate $168,000.00 per year additional cost spread out over the 12,000 properties in York. Vastly different? Yes. But still a large negative impact that compounds every year thereafter.
So…perhaps a passing grade for effort, but an F in math.
Ted Little
York
Thanks from Dave
Dear Independent:To the residents of York, thank you for the support at the polls on Saturday. It is an honor to serve as a York Selectman, and I am gratified by your endorsement. I will continue working to deserve your confidence.
David Marshall
York
Thank you, York
Dear Independent:I would like to thank all the people of York who have supported and encouraged me to run for the position of selectman. I enjoyed the campaign experience, and the opportunity to meet many new people.
The dialogues discussing the issues were fun and educational. I had high hopes of making changes that would streamline our government's spending and solve some of our pressing capital needs.
In the end, the vote was split, and I fell short of the necessary number to win a seat on the board. I congratulate Dave Marshall, and I hope that Torbert Macdonald can work professionally, in a cooperative manner for the common good of the town. I encourage him to represent all of our citizens, not just his own personal interests.
I will seek other opportunity to serve our community. I encourage you to get involved, make a difference and work for the good of our community. I'll be back.
Michael Ehrenborg
Send your letters to the Editor at PO Box 6, York, ME 03909 or via email to editor@yorkindependent.net. Deadline for publication is 12:00 noon on the Monday prior to that week's publication
