Letters to the Editor
Rogers Road is not beach shortcut
Dear Independent,In a Letter to the Editor of The Independent on Feb. 21, Mrs. Kay Dalli spoke of a pet being killed on Rogers Road, and the sadness felt by her and others in the neighborhood. I echo her sentiments, and am moved to speak of the situation that has produced this kind of unnecessary heartache.
Rogers Road is a private road, folks, a fact that has been intentionally ignored for a very long time now by many citizens and by the "Powers That Be" in our town government. The problem of our road being represented on almost every street map that one can find, as a regular town road, has been brought to the attention of officials on several occasions, and has consistently been met with total indifference. I, personally, spent many ours last winter contacting mapmakers, and the appropriate town officials, to alert them to the situation, and the one thing that kept coming up was that if the maps were to be altered to show Rogers as a private road, the town needed to originate the effort. Apparently, a private citizen's appeal isn't enough.
Why has the town not done anything about it? Your guess is as good as mine, but I suspect that the fact is that no one really cares. Forget that the property owners not only pay the same taxes as those living on public roads - that's our choice; but don't forget that we willingly pay a private contractor to maintain our road; that because of its private status, the road surface is constantly bad and takes a toll on our vehicles; that residents cannot safely walk, ride bikes, or exercise their pets because nonresident use renders the road unsafe; that during dry seasons our vehicles and our homes are constantly covered with dust from speeding traffic. Locals consistently use our road as a shortcut to the beach area - that may be understandable, but it's not right or fair. Businesses from all over the area send their trucks down Rogers Road, and worst of all, during the season a huge number of tourists use it as access to the beaches. One may excuse the tourists, because of the information on street maps and programs such as Mapquest, but locals have no such excuse - they know it's a private road, but it isn't convenient for them to go all the way around. The fact that signs have been put up, saying that this is a private road, and trespassing is not allowed, make no difference whatsoever, and the speed limit, posted at 15 mph, is totally ignored. Many such signs have just mysteriously disappeared in past years!
The Rogers Road Association has pretty much thrown up its hands, and residents have been left to complain to each other, and occasionally yell at offending traffic, but I, for one, feel that we deserve better. It seems that we have no leverage. We can complain, suffer with the problem, but the fact is that we have no way to deal with it. As far as legalities are concerned, we are told that police have no jurisdiction, unless we call them in on a specific violation, and then we have to have ironclad proof.
Now, folks, here is the real rub! We, as an association, can be held responsible for damage or injury sustained on our private road. I hope this sounds as nonsensical to York citizens as it does to us. This situation is ludicrous, and I think the town of York owes us some help.
I thank you for the opportunity to air this wrong that is being done to a group of taxpayers who ask only that their rights be upheld.
Sincerely,
Barbara L. Smith
Former Secretary
Rogers Road Association
York Beach
Fazio's spot could be Town Hall solution
Dear Independent,Looking at the two York newspapers last week I was struck by the possible implications that came to mind and want to share them with all of you.
First, The Independent told of "Fazio's closes for two months to search for new location," and the Weekly tells of opposition to the possible "Town Hall on the hill behind the cemetery."
Do you see the possibility this presents? The Town Hall on the Fazio's property?
Location. Location. It is on a main road, center of town. It has all the utilities, ample parking, close to two banks, the York Post Office and York Public Library. What could be a more appropriate location for a town hall?
This could save us taxpayers a bundle if you consider the alternative - a new road up to the property, congested traffic by the statue, blasting for a new foundation, new building, bringing in all utilities - water, sewer, electricity, parking. You name it!
It sounds like lots of money and lots of headaches. Fazio's property is already properly equipped with utilities and the two other structures on the property are condemned, leaving space to enlarge the main building and allow ample parking.
Think about it!
Sincerely,
Cynthia H. Raymond
York
Find a better Town Hall site
Dear Independent,Since we will be voting on the proposed new location of our Town Hall and offices in May and because the site is not fully agreed upon, I am writing to oppose the present choice.
The site is not easily accessed and would necessitate new roads and disruption of Long Sands Road. It has no utilities whatsoever. All of this is costing a great deal of time and money. Why not propose that our citizens find a better choice and give a prize for the winning location?
We have a wonderful, historic town and should be proud of it. We should build a Town Hall which is congruent with our great history!
Most sincerely,
Carol Gronquist
York
Help end pet overpopulation
Dear Independent,The reality of over 1,100 unwanted kittens brought to the Animal Welfare Society in 2006 is almost unbelievable.
Unfortunately, this figure indicates the alarming number of unaltered pets in Southern Maine. If left to breed, these unaltered pets will only add to the already present cat overpopulation crisis in York County and beyond.
In response to this crisis, the Animal Welfare Society (AWS) created our affordable Spay/Neuter Assistance program for those in need. This program, titled "The Year of the Cat," provides financial assistance to responsible pet owners who could not otherwise afford to have their cat spayed or neutered. Since its inception in 2001, the AWS has sold over 5,000 certificates. A conservative estimate would tell us that those surgeries have prevented at least 60,000 unwanted births in one year alone, not to mention the untold suffering of many more homeless animals.
Spaying or neutering our animal companions is the only sure way to prevent unwanted births and the misery of homeless animals. It's good for pets, their guardians and the community. Spayed or neutered pets usually enjoy better health and behavior. Guardians save on vet bills and the communities and towns save on the high cost of caring for strays.
Additionally, the savings in suffering to cats, dogs and other household pets is priceless. The good news is each of us can do our part to bring about this healthy state of affairs.
On Feb. 27, the nation recognized Spay Day USA as a day of education, reflection and action. The AWS will be doing its part to promote the importance of spaying and neutering and with your help we can make an incredible impact for animals in Maine.
Throughout the months of February and March, and as part of Spay Day USA, we ask you to please consider sponsoring the spay or neuter of at least one cat through our affordable spay/neuter program. A donation of $65 will cover the shelter's cost for a female spay and a donation of $35 will cover the cost for a male neuter. If you are interested in sponsoring a spay or neuter you can contact our Director of Development Brian Winslow at 985-3244 or learn more at www.animalwelfaresociety.org.
While this affordable certificate program is priceless, it does not come without a cost. Help us to end the needless suffering and bring about positive change for 2007.
Together, we are making a difference, one animal at a time.
Katie Lisnik
AWS Program Coordinator
The Independent Letters Policy: The Independent welcomes letters and opinions on any subject. We do not accept anonymous letters. Letters should be 200 words or less. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, accuracy, and/or legal reasons and to reject any material considered unsuitable for publication. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of The Independent or its staff.
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
