Manifest destiny, Standish style

Judging from the public comment at Monday night’s marathon planning board meeting, it’s clear the proposed expansion of St. Joseph’s College has stirred some residents of scenic and sleepy Whites Bridge Road in Standish.

Many neighbors complained Monday night that the college shows little care for them, quickly dismissing their concerns for public safety, traffic and quality of life. They also say expansion plans – which call for five dorms and three parking lots built over the course of the next few years – will reduce their property value as well.

While it’s hard to argue with abutters, it is equally hard to argue that St. Joseph’s shouldn’t be allowed to expand onto land it already owns to accommodate new students. Expansion is a fact of life, especially for businesses and schools wanting to project a thriving image.

The college has said it is turning away applicants because it doesn’t have the space to house them or their cars. If the college is turning away students, that means it’s turning away money, which could pay for additional professors to teach a more diverse course offering. Such offerings would likely result in a better reputation for the school, which will make diplomas from St. Joseph’s more valuable and more coveted.

So, if this expansion is key to St. Joseph’s growth, it would seem fair that Standish government allow the school the right to grow. Indeed, it would seem quite unfair to refuse the college and its student population the ability to grow and reach their potential.

Viva la Derby

Every year, through the efforts of about 30 dedicated Sebago Lake Rotary Club members, the derby on Sebago Lake gets bigger and better. This year was certainly no exception.

It’s a boon to this area that event organizer Tom Noonan and his fellow Rotarians have so enthusiastically given of their time and talents to make what is now called Maine WinterFest & Derby such a success. It gives area residents something to look forward to in the winter, and gives a needed mid-winter boost to area stores, restaurants and motels.

And lest we forget the main point of the weekend, the derby also gives Maine-based charities such as Camp Sunshine and the Maine Children’s Cancer Fund tens of thousands of dollars in donations.

Maybe the only downside to the event is the sacrifice Rotary families have to give. Wives, husbands and children are probably relieved to have their loved ones back after months of redirected focus onto everything-derby. But, their sacrifice is everyone else’s gain, and that should make them proud.

We have a feeling that the derby will continue to get more and more popular as the years roll by. This year’s fortuitous coupling of the derby with Maine WinterFest, famous for its snow and ice sculptures, was a huge step. Next year, who knows what Noonan and his fellow event planners have in mind. It’ll be fun to find out!

-John Balentine, editor