Letters to the Editor
Run for School Committee
Dear Independent,At the end of my sixth year as a member of the York School Committee, the last two as chairperson, I have decided not to run for a third term. I want to direct more attention to my family and my medical practice. I hope this letter can serve as a gentle prod to someone who is passionate about the education of our community, who wants to give back to our community in important ways and who cares about our children and young adults, to run for a seat on the committee.
Given what is happening on a state level with reorganizing or consolidating school districts, it is not clear what the York School Committee will look like in one or two years, and it may look and act the same as it does now. But for now, it is important for the committee to continue with strong members who keep abreast of and involved in the current affairs regarding the education of our children.
Our biggest successes these past six years have been creating a kindergarten-to-adult curriculum, updating our entire policy handbook, creating an arts wing plan and supporting a working five-year strategic plan, attracting and retaining many excellent teachers, rebounding from a significant budget cut, gaining voter approval for our budgets, responding to issues with intention, to name a few.
Our biggest challenge is to be able to pay teachers more if they are great teachers, not more just because they have worked in our district for many years. Merit pay for teachers is gaining momentum across the country and hopefully the teachers' unions will embrace the idea as being best for their profession, the education of our youth and fairness to teachers. My hope is that we can begin talks in this direction with the union in anticipation of a new contract in three years.
I am honored to have served York and its youth in this capacity. We are fortunate to have attracted and retained the administrative leadership we have running our schools. I have been fortunate to learn from them. Thank you to the voters who came out to vote and elected me.
Please contact members of the School Committee or email us at schoolboard@yorkschools.org to learn more about the commitment.
Sincerely,
Patty Hymanson
York
Support John Abbott
Dear Independent,Ogunquit voters will elect one selectman to fill the current vacancy on the Board of Selectmen on April 7, 2007. I am pleased to endorse John Abbott as the incumbent candidate for the board. I have known and worked with John for many years and can attest to his integrity, ability and compassion to do the right thing for Ogunquit and its citizens.
John has done an outstanding job representing both the residents and businesses of Ogunquit on the many boards and committees he has served. While serving on the Board of Selectmen, John was elected by the other members as vice-chair twice during the past three years. He has worked diligently on all key issues in Ogunquit including searching every avenue to find a more equitable way in which to educate the children, controlling our property taxes, supporting Ogunquit seniors and maintaining our beautiful community. John excels at getting the board to see all sides of an issue and helping the board reach a consensus to get the job done.
The current Board of Selectmen is successfully addressing many important issues. We cannot afford to take a step back with a change on the board. I believe it is critical that John be reelected in order to continue addressing the challenging issues that face our community.
Please join me on April 7 in supporting John Abbott's reelection for a better Ogunquit!
Thank you.
Jacqueline Bevins
Ogunquit Selectwoman
Reserve room for swimmers
Dear Independent,Some of my best friends are surfers, and I strongly support surfers having fuller access to Long Sands Beach. But opening the waters entirely to them during inclement weather in the summer months effectively curtails body surfers and others who want to enjoy the same waves.
To claim that no one, other than surfers, wants to be in the water if there's a swell and it's raining is a misrepresentation. It's only fair to reserve some part of Long Sands Beach for swimmers during less-than-ideal weather conditions, even if they're a small minority. I'm one of them.
Frank Dehler
Cape Neddick
Thanks for encouraging academics
Dear Independent,The York High School Academic Boosters would like to thank all the businesses that helped make the 10th Annual Jeopardy Challenge a huge success!
Thanks to the following businesses for sponsoring teams for this event: York Family Practice, York Hospital, Starkey Ford, Landscape Express, York Rotary, The Anchorage Inn, Kennebunk Savings Bank, YHS Key Club sponsored by Kiwanis, Albany International Techniweave, York Teachers Association, town of York and YHS Interact Club, which was sponsored by John DeStefano and Associates.
We are pleased to announce that the York Rotary team won! In addition, we would like to thank the following businesses for contributing prizes: Foster's Downeast Clambake for the first-place prizes; The Meat House for the second-place prizes; the Bagel Basket for the third-place prizes, and Ruby's Wood Grill for the door prizes.
Finally, we would like to thank Mike Harris for being our "Alex Trebek" for the night as well as Alex Krauth for her accompaniment. Due to the generous support of the York community, the York High School Academic Boosters will be able to continue to provide their many programs that encourage and recognize academic achievement in our York High School students.
Thank you,
YHS Academic Boosters Committee
Vote for John Abbott
Dear Independent,It is with strong confidence that I am supporting incumbent John Abbott for the position of Ogunquit selectman. As a resident and taxpayer of this town, I am delighted that John has chosen to offer us another three years of his knowledge and capability on this board.
John has a very strong background in business and finance. He is competent, organized, has excellent communication skills, thoughtful in his interaction with others, has good sound judgment, and respect for other people's feelings. John listens and evaluates all the facts given to him before he makes his decisions. It is very difficult to make decisions that will please all the people of the town. After he evaluates all the facts given to him, he tries to make the right decision. Through his position as vice-chairman of the Board of Selectmen, he has fought to keep the budget in line and to reduce the spending in town while maintaining all levels of service. He will continue to work hard for the people of Ogunquit. John will help to keep the board focused and moving in the direction that they are currently headed.
This is not his first attempt at an elected office and he is no stranger to working diligently for the town. During the years he has lived in Ogunquit, John has served the town well by devoting endless hours on the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Comprehensive Plan Update Committee, Charter Review Commission, Budget Committee and the Ogunquit Sewer District.
I have been fortunate to be on the Planning Board and Comprehensive Plan Update Committee with John. It was there that I learned of his thoughtfulness and concerns for all, residents and business owners alike. He always finds the time to listen or offer any guidance that he can. John is honest, bright, focused and fair. I strongly believe that if reelected, John will ensure that the board continues to address the issues that are of major concern to the voters in Ogunquit. The current board has been working carefully to do what they were elected to do and we want to stay focused on these goals.
These are a few of the reasons why my husband Jordan and I throw our strong support behind John Abbott. I hope you will join us in voting for John by absentee ballot or at the polls on April 7.
Muriel Freedman
Ogunquit
Selectmen vote disappoints
Dear Independent,As chair of the Northern New England Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, I would like to express my extreme disappointment with the York Board of Selectmen for their recent decision to strike out a very important provision in the revised York Surfing Ordinance during a Feb. 26 public hearing. The removed wording allowed for the expansion of the designated Surfing Area solely on days "during inclement weather or dangerous swimming conditions caused by high wave action ... at the discretion of the Director or the Director's designee."
Revisions to the existing ordinance had undergone several different rewrites, and this recent version had received public support from both Mr. Mike Sullivan, York Parks and Recreation Department director, and Chief Douglas Bracy of the York Police Department. The crux of the entire revision was based on the ability for the town of York to expand the surfing area in response to ocean conditions. This provision was strongly recommended by both Chief Bracy and Mr. Sullivan.
With the board's decision to inexplicably strike this important provision, they not only undid months of hard work from the surfing community who worked in conjunction with town representatives, but also undermined the direct recommendations and work of both Chief Bracy and Mr. Sullivan - the two individuals who would be implementing the ordinance in the field for the town itself. This was done with little apparent solid reasoning from the board.
At the public hearing, though a majority spoke in support of the proposed ordinance changes, apparently a small minority (comprised mostly of members of a the Juniper Park Association) holds sway over the board. This group apparently thinks that allowing the designated Surfing Area to be expanded will somehow interfere with their right to enjoy their beach. In fact, the flexible expansion of the Surfing Area in response to ocean conditions, as originally proposed by the revised ordinance, will have little impact on "restricting" other forms of recreation on the dry beach itself. People will still be able to walk, or sit, or recreate on the beach just as any other section of Long Sands Beach. It simply allows for the expansion of the surfing zone - which applies to what happens in the water.
Long Sands Beach is a vital beach area that draws many different types of users, both local and from away. Thus, management of this resource requires a flexible and balanced approach, taking into account the daily needs of various different stakeholders, from recreational beach walker to adjacent homeowner, from fishermen to surfer.
The revised ordinance, as was proposed on Feb. 26, was recommended by town officials themselves as the best approach for managing surfing. The flexibility to expand the surf zone in response to ocean conditions - as determined by the director of Parks and Recreation - was at the core of the Surfing Ordinance revisions. It provided for a fair and balanced approach for the town to manage surfing activities at the beach as conditions dictated.
The town of York currently manages the swimming areas along Long Sands Beach in response to daily ocean conditions - from posting water quality advisories for swimmers, to lifeguards warning swimmers of adverse swimming conditions or keeping swimmers out of the water altogether. Allowing the Surfing Area to expand as dictated by ocean conditions (and as determined by the director or their designee), simply adapts the previous ordinance into this management method and makes it more reasonable for both compliance and enforcement.
As surfers, we wait for days of larger waves. The number of swimmers on days when the designated Surfing Area could be expanded should be small anyway, as swimming conditions would be less than optimal, and possibly even dangerous. These days are usually limited in the summer months due to prevailing wind conditions and a lack of swell-generating storms. It is unlikely that the area would need to be expanded more than a handful of times each summer.
The board may have interpreted that the provision for a flexible Surfing Area meant that the entire beach at Long Sands would be open to surfing each time the Surfing Area was expanded. This is incorrect. The proposed language simply provides the flexibility to beach managers to expand or contract the size of the Surfing Area in response to given ocean conditions, meaning that the area may only be expanded on one day, and if conditions warranted, constricted back to its original size the next.
We disagree with the board's recent decision to remove the expansion provision from the Surfing Ordinance, and strongly recommend that the board consider the input from the public process - including the strong recommendations from both Chief Bracy and Mr. Sullivan to include the Surfing Area expansion provision language.
We urge the public to turn out at the next public hearing, which will be held on March 26, to voice support for the revised Surfing Ordinance, and voice their displeasure to the board for removing the most important portion of the ordinance; one that the town's own representatives were strongly endorsing.
In conclusion, we feel that the changes, as originally proposed on February 26, create a much more manageable situation for all water users, including the swimmers, surfers, lifeguards and beach managers.
Best regards,
Peter Slovinsky
Chairman
Northern New England Chapter
Surfrider Foundation
Abbott for selectman
Dear Independent,I am pleased to have the opportunity to write a letter of endorsement for John J. Abbott, the incumbent candidate, who is seeking reelection for another term as one of the members of the Ogunquit Board of Selectmen. John has not only served the town as vice-chairman for the Board of Selectmen, but he has also committed to serving on several of the town's appointed boards and committees for many years. As a result of his municipal experience and dedication to the community, I strongly believe John has a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge directly involving the issues facing Ogunquit.
I served on the Board of Selectmen with John during my three-year term. Under my leadership as chairman of the board, John served as vice-chairman and continues to serve as vice-chair under the current leadership of Chairman John F. Miller. Selectman Abbot's experience as a municipal leader is impressive: vice-chairman of the Ogunquit Board of Selectmen under two different chairmen; chairman of the Planning Board and member of the Budget Review Committee; Ogunquit Sewer District Board of Trustee member and chairman in addition to serving as a member of the Ogunquit Comprehensive Plan Update Committee. John's political resume epitomizes his serious long term commitment as a municipal leader.
While working full time as the general manager of the Cape Neddick Country Club, I have always been impressed by John's outstanding attendance record at both scheduled and special meetings of the Ogunquit Board of Selectmen. John is a committed and dedicated individual who expects the best for the citizens and taxpayers of Ogunquit. I have always recognized John's drive to "get the job done" and believe he has the knowledge and experience to assist the other members of the Ogunquit BOS to make decisions that are in the best interest of the Ogunquit community as a whole. More importantly, John remains committed to understanding the needs of the town's business community, its senior citizens and all of the residents of Ogunquit. John recognizes and supports the diversity of the Ogunquit community and views the village's diverse population as an asset.
In closing, I consider John a good friend and a man of integrity. His ability to find solutions that do not create future problems is a characteristic John has demonstrated while serving the town of Ogunquit. Please join me in supporting John J. Abbott at the polls or by absentee ballot and "Vote for John Abbott, Ogunquit Board of Selectmen!"
Charles L. Waite, III
Former Chairman
Ogunquit Board of Selectmen
About the York VFW
Dear Independent,Boardman Ellis Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Post 6977 is recruiting new members for our community service program. We welcome all Vietnam vets.
Our VFW post is sending care packages in support of our troops in Iraq. If you have a relative in Iraq, drop off their military address at the VFW post on Route 1-A or mail it to VFW Post 6977 - Troop Fund, P.O. Box 201, York Beach, ME 03910.
We are still accepting donations and contributions for our troops in Iraq. Committee members are Dick Filliettaz, Phil Roy and Chuck Andrews.
We are also trying to locate members who have moved: Kenneth A. Avery, Geoffrey H. Berg, Angle R. Diaz, Richard J. Flanagan, Richard W. Furrow, Lucien R. Harton, William R. Herman, Robert W. Huntress, Patrick McCrann, Clarence S. Merrill, Raymond O'Connor, and Travis J. Rice. If anyone knows the addresses of these members please contact Al at 363-9827 between 8 and 9:30 a.m., seven days a week.
Remember Memorial Day. All vets are welcomed. We would like to have a good turnout of York citizens to thank our vets for their service.
Thank you,
Dick Filliettaz
York
Vote for needs, not wants
Dear Independent,It's budget time again so that "we the people" can have our say in the spring with our vote. So bear with me and put some thought into what I'm saying and take action on voting day.
A year ago a new town manager was hired at a higher compensation rate than the departing one, then given a $5,000 raise after the first year. What's wrong with this picture? What are the Board of Selectmen thinking? This is a small town. I think a salary cap needs to be put in place - the sooner the better. I believe this salary to be exorbitant, in the vicinity of $100,000, with benefits to start. No wonder our taxes are so high.
At a recent selectmen's meeting there was talk of 4.5 percent increase in revenues and/or operating costs. I see the "I wants" here. We need to stay at needs-only basis! I, being retired, only got a 3.3 percent cost of living (COLA) allowance in Social Security, and out of that my medical and Medicare increased, not to mention food, taxes and utilities, to mention a few increases. As a senior citizen, where am I going to get funds to keep from going into debt?
We need to keep the line items just that. Nothing grouped together.
The ambulance is requesting town funding. They have changed their name from York Volunteer Ambulance to York Ambulance and therefore are financially compensating their personnel. Who knows, maybe some benefits to the administrative personnel? I'm very much against the town contributing toward something that is now private. If the ambulance can't keep up then it needs to be merged into the fire departments with paid town employees: That way the town can control the contributing funds voted into being. The last time my family used the ambulance (it was the volunteer ambulance), then they charged my insurance company over $400 to go less than one half mile one way to the ER. That's when I stopped making contributions! If the town assists their wants, then it'll turn out like the library "oh we only need this one time" and before you know it, it's a continuous aide that never pauses. It should never be considered for the warrant articles.
The library is a separate, semi-public entity. They have a separate board of directors, not elected or voted in by the town voters; they ask for and receive an annual subsidy come town meeting time, which I have second thoughts about. Getting back to ambulance funding, does AMR ambulance collect funds from the municipalities where they garage their vehicles? If we assist York Ambulance then we'll be obligated to AMR, who is also a private organization! I strongly state that before any departments are grouped that this be put before the voters so as not to be sidestepping our line items for each department, or you may be seeing many "no" votes. Voting for an item having the same financial funding either yes or no does not give a choice, it's dictatorial. The public health mosquito program I understood to have been a one-time-only program, not continuously. Think about it.
The town manager talks about fund appropriations for capital plan. This whole idea of a capital plan was formed and voted into being when? About 20 years ago at an old-fashioned town meeting with hot and heavy discussions on an article about new fire equipment and it was decided that this was the only way to put funds in escrow so a new truck could be purchased with a small remainder to be paid. So who gave the town administrators the approval to delete this from a capital plan when it was voter approved? There's a want for new performing arts, next there'll be a want for law school space and funds, you name it. Everybody will have wants for every trade or occupation of some type, and that's not up to the taxpayer. Those are private choices, not for taxpayers' expense. That's what trade schools and colleges are for.
Now there's talk of a million-dollar road from Route 1 into the York Beach animal forest park area. Who owns the property and whose expense will it be to build and maintain? There's already a private road in that area. What is the thought process here?
Think about it citizen taxpayers - is all this necessary, and raise taxes further? Augusta is trying to cut our taxes. How can they succeed when this town's want list keeps growing? Our taxes are too high. Vote for our needs, not wants.
Sincerely,
Frank Patstone
York Harbor
Be heard on March 26
Dear Independent,York selectmen have scheduled the second public hearing on the revised surfing ordinance for Monday, March 26, at 7 p.m. at the York Public Library. Members of the surfing community, this is your opportunity to heard. Please show up at the meeting and voice your support for the revised ordinance, including re-insertion of Paragraph C. In essence, Paragraph C provides the lifeguard supervisor with the discretion to allow surfing beyond the surfing area under stormy conditions when there's barely anyone in the ocean except lots of surfers, or on those occasions when waves are so large that swimmers are endangered by the undertow ("Red Flag" days), but surfers paddle in control on the water's surface. Depending on changing weather and ocean conditions, the lifeguard supervisor has the flexibility under this ordinance provision to allow surfing beyond the waters of the surfing area, and not necessarily in all the waters at Long Sands, for a short period of time (meaning hours or minutes) or for the day.
Chief of Police Doug Bracy and Parks Director Mike Sullivan both have over 20 years of experience enforcing and managing the current surfing ordinance. Their recommendation on this matter is entitled to great weight. At the last meeting, they asked selectmen with puzzled expressions why surfing should not be allowed beyond the surfing area under the limited circumstances described in Paragraph C. As they point out, these circumstances arise on rare occasions each summer. Enforcement under these circumstances would be a nightmare given the overwhelming number of surfers and the complete absence of any rational basis for the restriction. Both Mr. Bracy and Mr. Sullivan testified that for many years surfing has been allowed beyond the surfing area at Long Sands under the conditions described in Paragraph C. So, why not adjust the ordinance to reflect its actual administration and enlightened enforcement over the years? At the last meeting, selectmen approved the proposed change in the effective date of the surfing ordinance from Memorial Day to Flag Day after testimony that enforcement actually does not occur until late June. So, why object to giving the lifeguard supervisor the flexibility to expand surfing during stormy conditions or high seas and the flexibility to withdraw that opportunity when conditions subside? That's how the ordinance is currently enforced. As the chairman of the board aptly noted at the last meeting, the peaceful coexistence of swimmers and surfers that occurs before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. on the busiest summer days, and before Memorial Day and after Labor Day the rest of the year, is ample evidence that the feared "mixing" of surfers and swimmers is without basis. As Mr. Sullivan suggested, the language of Paragraph C can be modified or improved, but the essential concept should be retained. Here's revised language that I would suggest in response to selectmen comments:
(C) During inclement weather or hazardous swimming conditions caused by high wave action, surfing may be allowed beyond the limits of the Surfing Area at the discretion of the director or the director's designee.
The selectmen should support those public officials (Chief Bracy and Mike Sullivan) who are most knowledgeable about this issue, who have taken the time to thoroughly research successful surfing ordinances from other ocean communities, who have hosted public forums, who have worked collaboratively with the surfing community and other interested groups to present a well-drafted ordinance aimed at solving the embarrassing events of last summer. I urge the selectmen to re-insert Paragraph C, modified if necessary, and move the revised surfing ordinance forward as submitted by Mr. Sullivan for a vote of the people.
David Ballou
York
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