Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

Yes, it was a "Surprising vote at Council meeting." (article Sept. 22) As Chair of the Ordinance Review Committee, it's important to say that committees work on behalf of Council and not for the Council. At Council's request we research issues, find authoritative and technical information, and forward a consensus opinion to Council.

During our review we actively search for different opinions and several sources of information. It is our job to forward the most complete and accurate information that we can find. The nature of the Ordinance Review Committee is to find that line between the "public good" and "private property rights."

The ORC is a committee and not a board. Since we are advisory only, we make recommendations to Council, not decisions. Our meetings are posted and open to all. Space providing, everyone who attends can gather around the table to discuss and share ideas. The only rules of order are respect and civility. There are 5 voting members and minutes are maintained.

Even if Ms. Wilkinson had not applied for the ORC, I would have sought her input. She has a long history of current and proposed zoning ordinance. Her knowledge of previous debates and the information used to arrive at the current proposal must be included. I believe Ms. Wilkinson has always acted in what she believes is in the best interest of the Town.

Mr. Foster and Ms. Wilkinson both have a long history and experience in Gray. Both are determined and active members of our community. Mr. Foster is the Council liaison to the ORC and Ms. Wilkinson is an Alternate Member. Both Liaison and Alternate are a non-voting status on the committee. That this is a great opportunity to have them at the same table. I am looking forward to the ORC's work.

Respectfully,
Bill Getz, Gray

To the Editor:

In response to last week's 'Sound off', regarding "the woman who drove into a gas station, find another place"- I find it troubling to read your words. I was the woman and you must not have read the article correctly since you thought I knew my vehicle was 'on fire' when I drove into the Puffin Stop. You see, I discovered the smoke coming out from under the hood as I stepped out of the vehicle. That is when I shut it off, and asked them to call the fire dept. (that was true, but also meant as a comic relief). You see, my reason for printing the thank you card was to THANK the businesses, the people who work there that helped me get back on the road. Dan, Judy, Christine and Manny were great! Please patronize their businesses!

As for the fire and gas station bit, just so you know- my father owned a gas station and was in the Korean War working as a mechanic and he knew when it was ok to drive into a gas station for help- I was less of a risk blowing up the center of Gray than those people you see pumping gas while talking on their cell phones!
About the fuel conservation point you brought out in your Sound off = Agreed!

I will sign my name,

Veronica Chaya, New Gloucester

Dear "how MSAD should save money" Sound-Off Person,

As a volunteer who stuffs the "totes" the children bring home from school each Friday I read your letter regarding cost savings with interest. If you've never experienced the process I would love to have you join us at Memorial School some Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. so that you can see exactly what we're doing.

We're open to ideas on how to streamline this volunteer process. As for consolidating the information so that duplicates don't get sent home, we're open to ideas on how to do that too. We have approximately 2000 students throughout 5 buildings in the district.

We try to use the mail only for important communications. That way it has a better chance of being read and responded to.

As a final note, you're are exactly the kind of person we want on our Budget Advisory Committee (BAC)! The more citizens we have involved with our children and our schools the more successful we will be. The charge of the committee is to review the budget and present ideas where they feel there could be savings, and opinions on the programs and services we are offering. The committee meets 4 - 6 times in the late fall/early winter.

I know you didn't feel comfortable signing your name to your letter as it appeared in Sound-Off, but I hope you will feel comfortable calling me if you have the time to commit to experiencing the "tote" system or want to find out more about the Budget Advisory Committee.

Best Regards,

Sharon Vandermay
Volunteer, School Board Member,
Chair of Finance Committee
926-3583