Letters

I'm writing to support the proposed central fire and rescue station. The benefits from both a cost and service perspective will provide the basis for improved emergency services over coming decades.

After reading three letters of warning from members of the Comprehensive Plan Task Force about March's vote, I decided to read the available literature on the plan, as well as the proposals by the Affordable Housing Working Group.

Our community is stronger when we invest in our schools. As vice chair and finance chair, Ryan Larsen has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring that our schools remain strong and help attract young families to Harpswell.

I watched the public hearing on the proposed central fire station. I recently resigned after nine years as a volunteer firefighter at the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department because of the lack of clarity and leadership from the town on how it plans to support the three fire departments to meet both current and long-term safety needs.

Here are some housing nightmares. A single mother of three leaves panicked posts on social media: Her landlord is selling her rental and she can't find another. A longtime fisherman says bluntly, "My daughter wants to fish, but she'll never be able to live here."

In addition to being a member of the Harpswell Housing Committee and a member of the original Affordable Housing Working Group, I am also an architect.

I am a former member of the Comprehensive Plan Task Force who needed to resign when the work carried on more than a year after it was intended to be completed. The community identified three major concerns: working waterfront, housing and water.

I wasn't born in Harpswell, but as they say, "I got here as soon as I could." Of course it's beautiful. But what really attracted me was the community. I've loved meeting and working with people all over town, in all walks of life.

Three years ago, I was elected to the Maine School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors. In that time, I have learned a tremendous amount and have been humbled by the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff.

I want to express my gratitude to the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department, which responded swiftly to an emergency call on Feb. 4, when I experienced a "brownout" and electrical smell in my house.