Think again, MTA
Dear Independent,
The MTA hoped we wouldn't notice they were going to take homes and land for their pet project, a high speed tolling plaza larger than on the N.J. Turnpike with lighting brighter than three Walmart parking lots.
They were hoping we would not do some homework and prove all of their weak arguments do not hold water.
The MTA has stated there are safety, volume and environmental issues at the present site and it can't be rebuilt.
Statements of fact: There were no serious or fatal accidents at the present site in the last four years. There are only five to six days a year the volume exceeds normal numbers. The bumpers at the present site are sinking, not the booths.
This can be fixed.
What can't be fixed is the harm that could occur by relocating to an area with the highest biodiversity in the state of Maine.
We did notice, MTA. Think Again.
Sincerely,
Christine Rubin
York
Get the facts right
Dear Independent,
To the editor of The York Weekly: Kelly, I wish that you had read the Workforce Housing Ordinance and impact statement and had a conversation with any of the three of us and the town manager, before writing your op-ed piece in the June 11 issue of The York Weekly. Unfortunately it was riddled with outright incorrect and misleading statements, and hurtful allegations that could have been avoided had you taken more time to do proper research.
There is no lack of public support. The vast majority of citizens at public hearings and in private conversations have been clamoring for workforce affordable housing. The lack of support that you opine came from three members of our former Board of Selectmen who did not allow it to get to a public vote.
These ARE well researched documents and have been found by Attorney James Bartlett to be "in compliance with the substance and procedures contained in the York Charter, the York Land Use Ordinances and under any other Maine law or regulations." So there is no circumventing of the process, as you allege. Check this out with the town manager. To state that two selectmen are doing so is completely false and very hurtful. These documents will continue to go through the prescribed process of a public hearing and vote by the Board of Selectmen to determine if it will go forward to the voters.
The superintendent of schools and the superintendent of the sewer district, among other officials, see no negative impact on their respective services.
The chair of the Planning Board supports an ordinance going forward in November as a start for workforce housing, as that Board works to develop some long range ideas to present to the Board of Selectmen at some future date.
York Housing would NOT oversee all projects, as you allege. Any nonprofit corporation as defined in the ordinance can build these homes without the oversight of York Housing.
The Planning Board was NOT charged by the Board of Selectmen to create an ordinance but to study the problem and report back with recommendations, without any particular time restraints. Hopefully, this will result, down the road, in more housing options, mortgage subsidies, and other creative ideas - any of which would work nicely with this beginning step.
This is not a "pet" project as you allege. As an overseer of the people for the town of York, it is my duty and privilege to help make York a more affordable and diverse community, thus providing a positive impact for our citizens, our economy, and our natural environment.
Your assertion that this is being forced upon the public is without merit. We are eager to hear from the public at the July 21 public hearing, as prescribed in the charter.
There are several weeks for the public to read the documents before the public hearing on July 21. In order to be fully informed, I suggest that you and The York Weekly do the same and then report on accurate information, versus expressing an opinion based on hearsay and innuendo. Based on the facts, let's allow our citizens to decide at the ballot box in November.
Ted Little
York
Speak out against injustice
Dear Independent,
Today, I picked up my daily devotional and read something I wanted to share with those who find it their calling to advocate for justice. The quote I want to share is this, "Courage is not the absence of fear - it is the mastery of it."
It took courage for Rosa Park to stand up for what she believed to be right. It also took courage for Martin Luther King, Jr., to share his dream to the masses.
However, sometimes advocacy poses a risk. When you become a public advocate against injustice you risk your opponents publically slandering your name, personal harassment and anonymous threats of personal harm.
Past and present figures who come to mind are Alice Paul, who was jailed for her commitment to the Women's Suffrage Movement, and John Walsh, who publicly shared his grief after losing his son. He did so in order to prevent others from having to experience the same loss that his family had to endure. Without his advocacy, we would not have the present-day "Code Adam" system that alerts retailers when a customer's child has gone missing.
Yes, advocacy may come with a price, but remaining silent against injustice and abuse will come with a much higher price. Silence and looking the other way only allow injustice and abuse to continue. Those who witness and know of injustice and do nothing, or worse, cover up for those who perpetrate such abuse and unethical acts, consequently become a part of the problem and not a part of the solution. In essence, they join in a collusive relationship with the perpetrators and assist them in their deeds.
Courage is the mastery of fear. It takes courage to share your story in order to prevent someone from experiencing similar pain. But if you choose to do so, it is the most empowering feeling in the world.
Peace,
Suzanne Cyr
York
MTA plan is wrong one
Dear Independent,
I am writing in response to the article "MTA: Toll move will save millions"
Why does the MTA continue to ONLY study rebuilding the toll plaza versus repairing the toll plaza? Why does the MTA continue to ignore facts concerning safety and capacity? Why does the MTA follow federal guidelines that they are not required to follow? Why does the MTA want to spend $40 million on a toll plaza that will be obsolete in the near future?
All Maine citizens will pay for this project. All Maine citizens should voice their disapproval of this unnecessary expense. The taxes Maine citizens pay are the highest of all 50 states. Is the MTA trying to make us pay the highest tolls in 50 states?
Margaret Costikyan
York Harbor
Something nice
Dear Independent,
In the past several weeks I've found myself wanting to write a letter to the editor regarding the following subjects - all complaints I might add: Gas prices, who isn't complaining about them? Grocery prices, another no-brainer! Dogs loose on the beaches; I know, it's old news! Parking issues - the fact that "permit parking only" seems to mean "anyone can park here." Traffic woes, a very close, almost head-on collision with an out-of-state vehicle blowing through a stop sign!
But I've decided to write about something else instead, something positive and refreshing especially in these hard economic times.
I would like to acknowledge the York Beach Dairy Bar.
Now maybe it sounds funny, but I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed how cheap their prices are, what great service you get when you visit, how large the ice creams are and what a nice feeling you get when standing under the "flashing" ice cream cone. Nothing says "summer" like the Dairy Bar! It completely baffles me how they can keep their prices so low, especially when it seems that many of the businesses in town are raising their prices incredibly. It's nice to know that there's still a place, right on the beach - I might add - where you can get a GREAT treat without emptying your bank account!
Thanks guys!
Janalee Moquin
York
The questions persist
Dear Independent,
When I was perhaps nine years old I had access to a book which told in broad outline the history of the Roman Catholic Church. On one of its pages was a drawing of St. Jerome, dwelling in a cave, surrounded by heaps of ancient scrolls, and at his feet a large reclining lion.
I had visited the zoo and the circus with my family so I knew that lions were awesome creatures. The picture fascinated me: why was the lion resting so peaceably at St. Jerome's knee?
The answers tossed me - the lion was hypnotized, the lion was toothless - were inadequate.
Where was St. Jerome's bed? Did the lion sleep on the floor, or would he sometimes climb up and nestle with St. Jerome as our cats and dogs did?
It was years later that I realized the sudden disappearance of that volume may have been prompted by my incessant questions.
And yet today - some 71 years later - my questions persist. Perhaps God will explain it all.
Warren Le Mon
York
"Understanding Islam" a success
Dear Independent,
It was such a pleasure to learn with York community members about such complex issues in the recent "Understanding Islam" five events in May sponsored by the York Diversity Forum. A large group came out for each event.
We would like to thank the York Public Library for collaborating with us; Mr. True, Social Studies teacher at York High School, for bringing his Global Studies class; Prof. Heather Lindkvist from Bates College for essentially volunteering her time to teach us; those who contributed fantastic ethnic foods; Julie Serrano and Yasmin for sharing themselves and their stories with us.
All of the audio and visual CDs used for the programs are now available to the community through the York Public Library. In addition, through the generosity of donations, we have purchased books for the library about the complexities of Islam as a religion and in our world today. The library staff helped to guide our choices to expand what was already available.
We, the organizers of "Understanding Islam," learned the power of studying with a group using the internet, media and personal experiences as guides. Through more efforts like this one, the York Diversity Forum, a nonprofit organization, hopes to further its mission "to promote understanding, acceptance and respect for people of all races, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, ages and abilities."
Sincerely,
Chair Patty Hymanson
Program Task Group
Marie Avione, Milton Davis, Susan Glick, Alice Larrea, Ron McAllister and Victoria Simon
York
