Letters to the Editor
Wanted: a few good bicycles
Dear Independent,
The York Diversity Forum, the Chamber of Commerce and York Adult and Community Education would like to extend a welcome to all the seasonal workers who have come to the York community during this busy time. People from many countries arrive on temporary work visas to fill positions in the hospitality industry and lawn and landscaping jobs. They come not only to make money but to see how America lives and to improve their English. We would like to help them realize the latter goals by offering a chance to meet individual citizens on an informal basis at a place and time of their choosing. We call this program Conversation Partners. We already have a list of people eager to meet with them. Anyone interested may call Adult Education at 363-7922 or e-mail dstrand@yorkschools.org and leave a phone number or e-mail address where they can be reached
Also, packets of information are being distributed by the Chamber of Commerce and can be picked up as in years past, at the library and the chamber's office. These packets list services that temporary residents might need, but being new might not know where to locate. And on July l6, we are planning on having an All-American Picnic at the lodge at Mt. Agamenticus so people can meet and socialize. More about that later.
In the meantime, the greatest need for the seasonal workers is transportation. There have already been inquiries about the availability of bikes as there were last year. A volunteer from Conversation Partners, who is an ESL student, offered to coordinate the bicycle program. We are trying to locate bikes and will distribute them to workers so that they can get to the library to check their e-mail - their only contact with home and family, to Hannaford to buy groceries and supplies that are not provided by their jobs and sometimes even to their job, which could be miles away. If you have a bike in working condition that is lurking in your garage or basement that you no longer need, please contact igive@maine.rr.com.
I'm sure the workers would be grateful.
Carol Davis
York Diversity Forum
Consolidation could help York
Dear Independent,
The article in the Sunday June 17, issue of the Portsmouth Herald concerning the $1.3 million interest caught my attention. I believe that any surplus monies available should be used to reduce the tax rate and not be applied to capital expenditures. Applying the monies to the performing arts center is not in the town's best interest.
Further, I believe York should work towards consolidation with Kittery schools instead of trying to find a way to opt out of school consolidation. I would also recommend that York look at additional cooperation with Kittery for our recreation departments, senior citizens programs and other appropriate common departments.
Let's take this as an opportunity to collaborate on some community facilities, such as a joint recreation department housed in a common facility with a pool, indoor track, work out area, etc.; a senior center that is shared by both communities; a shared performing arts center, and so on.
The two towns could share the building and operational costs, which could result in reductions in staffing and purchasing economies of scale and thus lessen the tax burden of both towns. It could even provide improved and expanded services in each town.
Thank you,
Dave Emery
York
MDOT Biennial Work Plan
Dear Independent,
Maine is geographically vast in size! Our state line stretches roughly 320 miles in length and 210 miles in width with a total area of approximately 33,215 square miles. Basically, our state is almost as large as all the other New England states combined. So as you can imagine, we rely heavily on our transportation infrastructure that allows us, among other things, to get from point A to point B. This is important because at the end of every winter season, we not only see, but we feel the need (in our vehicle) to fix portions of our roads.
The Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) has recently released its Biennial Capital Work Plan to address some of the transportation needs throughout our state. The Work Plan reflects sound transportation concepts to meet the mission of MDOT to "provide a safe, efficient, and reliable transportation system that supports economic opportunity and quality of life." It is important to note that nearly half of the project requirements are funded through federal funding.
Locally, our seacoast community will see a variety of construction projects this summer aimed to improve our roads and bridges. The following details summarize some of the local projects outlined in the Work Plan.
Eliot: flashing beacon placement at the intersection of Route 236 and Bolt Hill Road; Kittery: bridge rehabilitation for the Memorial Bridge over the Piscataqua River on the state line, highway reconstruction along Route 1 for about one mile from Love Lane going north to the rotary, signal placement at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 103,
highway rehabilitation on Haley Road for almost two miles beginning at Route 1 going south to Goose Point, new bicycle lane construction along the Eastern Trail, Dennett Road, crack sealing on Route 103 beginning at New State Road going south one-third mile to Bridge Street and beginning at Williams Avenue south to New State Road, and
pavement preservation on Route 1 beginning at Lewis Road north to the York town line for about a mile and from Route 103 north near the ramps for the rotary; South Berwick: preliminary engineering for bridge replacement at the Great Works River Bridge on Route 236; York: intersection improvements at the intersection of Ridge Road and Old Post Road and at the intersection of Route 1-A and Clark Road, design and construction of a new building, scale pit and in-ground truck weigh scale at I-95 northbound, resurfacing from Cider Hill Road north to Ogunquit town line, and highway resurfacing from Chases Pond Road north to Route 1.
As you can see the MDOT has a busy summer ahead! They will be out working to make our roads safer for travel and we need to do our part as well. It is important to remember to drive safely when approaching and driving through roadway work zone areas. The MDOT recommends a few of the following safety tips. Think safety and be alert when you see orange warning signs along the highway; orange signs, cones and barrels alert you to work zones; give full attention to the driving task; watch the road and not the work; use caution, concentration and common sense; drive at the posted speed, watch out for workers and equipment; do not change lanes or pass in work zones and obey signs.
More project information can be found online at the MDOT website, www.maine.gov/mdot and travel and road safety information is available at http://www.511maine.com/. I wish you all a safe summer as you travel throughout our state.
Sen. Peter B. Bowman
Senate District 1
Kittery
Thanks for Food for Thought
Dear Independent,
Many thanks to everyone who helped make the library's third annual Food for Thought event such a success!
The following restaurants and food shops have all donated a percentage of their profit from that day to enhance the library's ever-expanding book and DVD collections: Chapman Cottage, Flo's, Food & Company, Greenleaves, Inn at Long Sands, Lobster Barn, Lucia's Kitchen, On the Marsh, Panda & Sakura, Stolen Menu Café, Stonewall Kitchen Café, The Village Scoop and York Harbor Inn.
Thanks to all members of the community who "ate out" to support Food for Thought and very special thanks to our co-sponsors Jim Stott and Jonathan King at Stonewall Kitchen. The library is most appreciative of this kind of community support.
Bonnie Kerrick
Jean Lincoln
Cynthia Raymond
Food for Thought chairs
York
Congrats, Class of 2007
Dear Independent,
My thoughts and prayers were with you on Thursday, June 14, 2007, as you proudly received your well-earned diplomas. I did not have to be there to share not only in your pride, but the pride of your parents. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I sure realized it that evening.
May your future hold not only your dreams but a life filled with caring and sharing the gift God has so graciously given to each of us in our own treasured gifts.
Looking forward to following your future adventures as you update me when we see one another.
Sincerely,
Rosie Lent
York
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
