A School Thing

If you’re interested in seeing what job openings are available in the school district click here: www.servingschools.com, click on “browse listings.” SAD 15 is currently in need of a middle school secretary and there are Ed Tech positions available.

Another School Thing

With the district consolidation efforts apparently moving along, you might be interested to see some numbers comparing costs for Union 29 (Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls) with SAD 15. Go to www.msad15.org, then click on the link for “Consolidation Regional Planning Committee Meeting.”

The link “financial indicators per pupil” is worth a look-see. Poland is a near neighbor, but I can’t remember ever driving through Mechanic Falls and Minot. From a Dec. 14 article in Lakes Region Weekly it was reported, “As it stands now, SAD 15 officials said the merger will cost their towns $1.2 million, while Union 29 will save $1 million.”

Legislation is expected to pass in January so towns can split cost burdens. Even if you split the difference, it’s a big hike for Union 29 and still a huge cost for SAD 15. We’ll have to wait and see if the legislature makes things better or worse.

Central Corridor Coalition Meeting

The Central Corridor Coalition Meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. in the New Gloucester Fire House. The agenda includes the New Gloucester Toll Diversion Study, an update from the Exit 63 Master Plan Scope of Work, and discussion of the proposed new bus service for the Lakes Region. For more information: www.gpcog.org.

New Years Eve Party for Lungs for George

Spring Meadows in Gray, is hosting a New Year’s party for New Lungs for George on Monday, Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. to midnight. Call 318-5619 for more information. There will be a tipsy taxi available.

To send a contribution to this group, who is working to raise money to help George Carman and his family defray medical costs for a lung transplant operation, contributions may be made to “New Lungs for George” and mailed to: Katahdin Federal Credit Union, c/o Debbie Girsa, 1000 Central St., Millinocket, ME 04462. You can contact the group at: committee@newlungsforgeorge.org, Scott Doyle: Chairman (207) 761-0807 Ext. 7167, and David Oliver: Treasurer (207) 723-9102.

A Happy New Year

My family wish for this year is to have a year like the last year. We’re all happy, healthy and working.

Looking back over the holidays this year is that “we” are the gift, every day of the year. Sappy, forgive me, but with everybody trying to shine all at once at

Christmas, I get a little blinded. I got to spend a whole day shopping with a busy friend I love but don’t get to see often. It was a gift in the middle of the “holiday crazies” to share time with a woman who’s fun to be around and that makes me happy. She’s the gift.

And so are all of you in my life. I marvel at all of you, you work hard and you’re doing a great job raising your kids and keeping it together in a hard world. This is a small town and of course you run into somebody wherever you go. We’re always on the run, but there is time to make each other smile and give a word of encouragement. That’s the kind of gift that keeps on giving. Hope you all had a wonderful and happy

holiday! Did you take your tree down yet?

My New Year’s wish is with our families who have troops overseas – that the New Year will bring your loved ones home safe and sound. My dad served in Vietnam for two tours and was wounded. While things can get back to normal they probably won’t ever be the same for the military family with an active duty soldier. So to those who have served and are currently serving and their families, my gratitude for your service.

What are You reading?

I’m going to read “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert next week. The buzz among my women friends is that it’s an inspirational “must read.” I’m so overloaded with laundry at the moment that I might be more tempted to read something called, “Eat, Pray, Fold.”

Design Guidelines vs Design Standards

You can read the Design Guidelines for Gray Village at www.graymaine.org. I have to say I helped work on the design draft document. We were hoping that we could implement standards, which are enforceable, as opposed to guidelines, which are mere suggestions for developers. It’s the right time for Gray to implement some real rules.

The Maine Turnpike Authority, the Maine Department of Transportation and the chain/franchise stores have big plans for us, and it would be good if the citizens could come to the table with their own ground rules. With guidelines, we’re going to be asking politely for common-sense items like enclosures around dumpsters. With standards, there would be no question. They tried this in Windham, and failed. The most commonly expressed sentiment in Gray, development-wise, is that, “We don’t want to look like Windham.” The only way to do that is with standards, and an enforceable set of rules.

The rules can be very simple and still be effective. It’s one way to encourage private money to invest in the Village. We get one chance at this. With only guidelines, in 20-30 years Gray Village could be full of garishly colored signs and cheap, flat-roofed, square buildings. I have a dog in the fight, because I own property on Main Street and have been involved in the community development discussions for a few years. What the council does now will determine the future use of our property. We can sell for more money with only guidelines in place, but I don’t think we’d be leaving Gray Village a better place.

Please Watch Out for Pedestrians in the Village

With the snow on the sidewalks, pedestrians are walking in the roads. Be extra careful passing a left-turning car on the right.

Town Meetings

Planning Board, 7 p.m., at Stimson Hall.