Letters to the Editor
Workforce housing: the right thing
Dear Independent:I have followed your articles and watched the selectmen proceedings concerning the potential of workforce housing here in York. It appears to me that the York Housing Authority (YHA) has done a very thorough job in drafting an ordinance to satisfy an obvious need here in York. They were originally asked by the selectmen to propose a plan and the state has a policy where 10 percent of new homes should be oriented to workforce housing.
The work has been done, and a fine proposal is ready for public opinion and discussion, IF the selectmen allow that to happen. The test of real leadership is sometimes in followship. I encourage the selectmen to thank a local entity for their professionalism and sweat equity and move this issue along for public input.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize the need for workforce housing. It takes caring and compassionate people who believe it's the right thing to do for those who day and night work for the benefit of York citizens. It's for the teachers who aren't paid their value; the firefighters, the town employees, the lobstermen and others.
Let's not get hung up in needless and dispirited discussion about every single opinion. We all have opinions, and the rights to our opinions. But the YHA is proposing 15 (maximum) housing units a year - designed in a New England style and tastefully done. That's all, and that's a good way to start. The YHA also has a proven track record and their work for the elderly has been exemplary. Let's let them help York meet another major need in housing.
Let's do the right thing, the right way, for the people who do right for York.
Sincerely,
Lori Pesciotta, LICSW
York
YBFD hosts convention next week
Dear Independent,The York Beach Fire Department is in the final planning stage for the 43rd Annual Convention of the Maine State Federation of Fire Fighters. We are planning on many fire fighters and their families coming to York Beach over the weekend of September 15, 16 and 17, from all over Maine and from out of state.
Things get underway on Thursday afternoon with all of the board of directors arriving in town from the federation. They will have a cookout at the motel that they are staying at. Thursday night they will have a business meeting at the York Beach Fire Department.
Friday morning, registration opens at the York Beach Fire Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then moves to the York High School and reopens at 3 p.m. The antique fire truck judging is at the York Beach Fire Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., vendors will be set up in the gym of York High School selling and displaying many types of merchandise. The annual meeting of the federation will be held Friday night in the auditorium of the York High School starting at 7:30 p.m. Also on Friday night there will be a social event at the Route 1 end of the York's Wild Kingdom consisting of a bonfire, DJ with music and a pig roast.
Saturday is what many consider to be the main event: the parade. The parade will line up at York High School. Vendors will be open at 8 a.m. along with registration and there will be local food vendors. This will be an excellent place to see some of the finest apparatus, both antique and in service, that there is in the state. The parade will start at 11 a.m., sharp. It will leave the high school via Webber Road to Long Beach Avenue, going to the York Beach square and ending on Ridge Road.
This part is very important to the residents living on the Nubble! If you have any plans to be somewhere after 11 a.m., you should plan on being out of the Nubble area by 10:45 a.m. Once the parade is in that area you will not be able to get through. If you have an emergency and have to get through, please go to Church Street Extension and Long Beach Avenue and someone will get you through via Church Street to Ridge Road. This will be the ONLY way off the Nubble.
The parade could last up to two hours or more, depending on how many units are in it. There will be color guards, bands, marching units, floats and, of course, many, many fire trucks. The parade will have a quiet zone which will be from Ocean Avenue to the corner by the fire station. With a parade of this size you should expect some traffic problems. We ask for you patience on Saturday. Plan ahead, find a spot to sit and watch the parade. There will be a reviewing stand on Ocean Avenue in front of the Sands by the Sea Motel. After the parade, the vendors will be open and will stay open until 4 p.m.
Saturday evening there will be a banquet and dance starting at 5 p.m. at Foster's Downeast Clambake. After the banquet there will be a guest speaker from Texas and a couple of local ones, an awards presentation for the parade and then the dance will start at 8 p.m. with a band and a DJ for continuous music until 12:30 a.m.
Sunday's events start at 8:30 a.m. with a captains meeting and the muster starting at 9 a.m. The muster will go until approximately noon, with awards presented immediately after the muster. The vendor area will also be open for any of them that wish to stay.
The York Beach Fire Department is excited to be hosting this event and looking forward to seeing you, and hopes you enjoy all the events. If you have any questions or need more information please feel free to call the station at 363-1014.
Mark Gay
Convention 2006 Chairman
Thanks from Conservation Commission
Dear Independent,A most hearty "thank you" to all the volunteers and refreshment purveyors who participated in the Ogunquit Conservation Commission's annual Beach, River and Dune Cleanup Day this past Saturday, Sept. 2.
A volunteer crew of more than 40 citizens from Ogunquit and neighboring towns, plus Judy Cohen's Laudholm Farm "Volunteers for Peace" and AmeriCorps, and commission members participated in a thorough job of cleanup that was accomplished in about two hours.
Much appreciation goes out to Amore's Breakfast, Bread and Roses, Congdon's, Dunkin Donuts, The Egg and I, Hannaford Supermarket, Jackie's Two and The Village Food Market for their generous donations of victuals and refreshments! Thanks also to Jon Webber's Highway Department people for final disposal of the many bags and tote bins of collected refuse.
Compared to the previous years, this third annual cleanup reflected a visible reduction in the amount of trash on the beach and dunes … a definite after effect of our citizen's yearly activity, plus the new fencing and signage acting as a strong deterrent to pedestrian traffic on the dunes.
Again, many thanks to all involved in helping to clean and restore Ogunquit's Beach and its environment … keeping it the special place it is!
Ogunquit Conservation Commission
Ogunquit
"Strut Your Mutt" for homeless pets
Dear Independent,Many dogs pass through our doors each year. In fact, we see, on average, over 1,000 canines every year, and this year is no exception. With so many dogs to care for, it is easy to become overwhelmed and to have them all blend in together. For the staff at the Animal Welfare Society (AWS), however, we have a special place in our hearts for each and every dog, and indeed every animal, that we provide for.
Because of this, we quickly become attached to all of the wonderful animals that we care for and it is sometimes difficult to say goodbye to the animals as they move on into new lives. This bittersweet part of our job can be one of the most rewarding, but also one of the most heart-wrenching. When dogs that have been long-term residents and in our care for months at a time find a home, there is celebration, but they also leave a big empty place in our heats that can only be partially filled by the animals that will come after.
This brings us to the great opportunity that the Strut Your Mutt offers as we invite all our AWS Canine Alumni for a reunion. This will give AWS staff and volunteers a chance to see old friends and companions that we remember from weeks or even years past.
There will be an alumni photo opportunity and a chance to reunite with other adopters, possible canine playgroup friends from your dog's shelter stay, and it gives our staff a great day to remember all of the dogs that they have helped on their way to new loving families. Please register and bring your AWS alumni for a great day of remembrance.
In previous years, "Strut Your Mutt" attracted hundreds of animal lovers and their favorite canines and has been the Animal Welfare Society's single largest fundraising event of the year. All proceeds go toward our Sadie Fund, which provides medical care for the thousands of needy animals we see each year.
This year's event marks the 12th annual walk and will also include dog obedience demonstrations, contests and prizes. Newer activities include AKC Canine Good Citizen information, raffles and portrait opportunities from our pAWSitively OGUNQUIT team.
Registration and activities start at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Mothers Beach in Kennebunk, with contests and drawings hosted by our Honorary Strut Co-Chair Kim Block from WGME Channel 13. The walk begins at 11 a.m. and covers a two-mile round trip route with water stations for two- and four-legged walkers.
AWS is encouraging individuals and walking teams to participate in this year's "Strut Your Mutt" and begin collecting pledges early to compete for top prizes. For more information, registration forms and pledge sheets, visit the AWS website at www.animalwelfaresociety.org or call at 985-3244, ext. 117.
Katie Dolloff
Animal Welfare Society
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
