Opinion
Concerns about wind developers
May 27, 2011 12:00 amTo the Editor:
In comparing letters to the editor by Dr. Albert Aniel and Arthur Boivin on May 18 in the Rumford Falls Times:
Dr. Aniel's reasoning, research and concern in the interest of everyone seem to be met with deaf and uncaring ears.
While Mr. Boivin may be concerned and may have reason to think that the landowners should be allowed to earn money for the lease of their land, we should also be concerned about everyone else's health, neglecting those who cannot sell their homes, their cottages or their property in the same vicinities.
Compromise wind energy facility ordinance?
May 27, 2011 12:00 amTo the Editor:
The Rumford Board of Selectmen is ready to present their wind power ordinance for public vote this June.
In the course of discussion, wind developer First Wind has frequently been mentioned as has Black Mountain. But this ordinance is not about one project at one location. It opens up the entire town of Rumford, all 69 square miles, to the development of industrial wind turbines.
The Sheeple of Rumford
May 20, 2011 12:00 amTo the Editor:
While the Sheeple were watching “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars,” their selectmen concocted a wind ordinance essentially written by and for the wind industry, in spite of all the information they were supplied with to do the right thing.
But none is more blind than he who wishes not to see and none is more deaf than he who does not wish to listen.
Thank you ATV'ers for roadside cleanup
May 20, 2011 12:00 amTo the Editor:
Once again, the area ATV clubs have taken a Saturday and cleaned up our roadsides.
Over the winter, much garbage collects on the roadside and looks like heck when spring comes. But these dedicated folks work hard to take care of that situation.
We all should all be thankful that those people have pride in our countryside and make the effort to clean it up.
To the ATV'ers who participated in the cleanup, I say "great job" for a job well done.
Jon Holmes,
Dixfield
Save Our School
May 20, 2011 12:00 amTo the Editor:
Dear school board members:
Please hear our cries for compassion to SOS (Save Our School). A town isn't a town without a school.
Yes, times are hard, but closing our school will be at the end of any chance to help build our town back up.
We have new businesses here that are trying to make this town prosper again.
You closing our school pulled the rug out from under our feet. You didn't give us as a town, a chance, like you voted in February.
Find a solution to keep Andover school open
May 20, 2011 12:00 amTo the Editor:
MSAD #44 school board members recently voted to close Andover Elementary School unless Andover citizens are willing to pay an additional assessment of $214,000 over and above the $480,000 already assessed to the town.
Their justification for this is declining student numbers, yet the superintendent continues to allow some Andover children to attend other schools rather than keeping them in the school of the town in which they reside. School population figures would show a different
picture if this practice was stopped.
The importance of compromise
May 20, 2011 12:00 amTo the Editor:
Last year, the majority of voters defeated the anti-wind ordinance that was presented to them by the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Jeff Sterling took “the bull by the horns” after that vote and with the support of Selectmen Brad Adley and Mark Belanger, his compromise wind ordinance will appear on this year’s ballot.
Those of us who turned out last year to stop the anti-wind ordinance now must turn out again to vote “yes” to adopt the compromise wind ordinance. (Question 2 under Ordinances)
The Basket Lady
May 20, 2011 12:00 amWhat could be more exhilarating in the Good humor Town than to wake up to a new day doused in sunshine?
I’m having a hard time coming up with a better scenario; just enjoying the light for now. “Ah.”
Our last Moving Freely class for the spring session ended today and I know that I’ll miss the participants and Gail Thompson, too.
The folks who come to the Moving Freely classes are superb role-models for all of us to follow in their commitment to their health and exercise routines.
Town's meetings should be video recorded
May 20, 2011 12:00 amTo the Editor:
Dear fellow citizens of the Town of Canton:
My name is Chris Dailey. I am a veteran and owner of the local self storage business and as the town troublemaker I have observed a problem that I would like the townsfolk to consider.
I think that the town needs to video record all its meetings. After I made public a problem I had with a board member, townsfolk asked me to start a petition to let the town decide this important issue. This petition was submitted and accepted by the board of selectman meeting held May 12, 2011.
