Thumbs up to those who minister to inmates at the York County Jail, particularly Pastor Trent Boyd, who is the part-time chaplain there. Offering spiritual support in a time of adversity can help people get their lives back on track, and Boyd seems particularly concerned with helping convicts after they are released ”“ a key part of rehabilitation.

Thumbs up to the Biddeford Police Department for confiscating the drug paraphernalia at the downtown Getty Mart. Though the shop owner feels that he got a raw deal, it is his responsibility to know that sale of these items is illegal if the buyer intends to use it with drugs.

The undercover officer allegedly confirmed that type of use ”“ no one is fooled by the disclaimer that glass pipes and other marijuana-related items are used with tobacco. Police must be diligent in confiscating these types of items from all vendors to avoid the appearance of singling out a particularly shop, but their actions certainly have nothing to do with being “business friendly” or not. They are just enforcing the law.

Thumbs up to the City of Saco for getting a community garden started. This year’s test plot seems to be producing quite well, which should serve to get residents interested in starting their own plot when it goes public next year. In the meantime, the Saco Food Pantry is stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Thumbs up to the Town of Sanford for being proactive with Sanford Mill Number One building, which was taken by eminent domain and is now set for clean-up and renovation. The town leaders took the difficult first step in making a major change to improve the downtown ”“ with federal money to boot.

Thumbs up to Sheriff Maurice Ouellette for proposing a fence solution to keep children from jumping off the Salmon Falls Bridge, where a boy was seriously injured last week. Ouellette’s fencing proposal may not be accepted by the Department of Transportation, due to that old kindergarten adage (if you have one, everyone is going to want one), but at least he is making an effort to make the area safer. It is every motorist’s fear to hit a child and the current situation at the bridge has made that scenario a reality. Even without a fence, we are sure Ouellette will find a way to make the area safer, perhaps with stronger enforcement or postings.

Thumbs down to those in Hills Beach who would delay protection of shorebirds’ nesting areas in the hopes of possible beach renourishment. It could be years before sand from a dredging of the Saco River is brought up to the beach area ”“ if it happens. In the meantime, it should be a priority to protect an endangered species, and if the opportunity for beach replenishment comes, residents should seek permission to do so without disturbing the habitat. There is no reason that both the eroding beach and the disappearing birds cannot be protected simultaneously.

Thumbs up to the town council in Old Orchard Beach for their decision to use ambulance billing funds to pay for a new public safety building. With a revenue of up to $400,000 each year, the funds should definitely make a dent in the expense of a new facility, which is sorely needed.

Thumbs up to all of those who voted on the RSU 23 (Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Dayton) school budget last week. The budget finally passed all of the necessary votes, showing that the consolidation process has worked out, in-so-far as giving voters a voice.

Thumbs up to the council of the Town of Sanford, for agreeing to join in an economic development council with the chamber of commerce and Industrial Development Corporation. Consolidating their efforts, and their funds, will undoubtedly eliminate most of the duplication of effort in strengthening Sanford’s economy.

Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you would like to respond, please write the Reader’s Forum via e-mail at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford or Sanford offices.