Thumbs up to Biddeford Mayor Joanne Twomey and other city officials for taking a recent tour of Hollywood Slots in Bangor. Though some residents have opposed the use of taxpayer money for this trip, we believe it was a good investment.

The visit gave officials the chance to see for themselves how this racino is operated and to speak with employees, patrons and the Bangor mayor to gather their input on the facility. Nothing can substitute for experiencing something for yourself and hopefully this trip has made Biddeford officials better informed and more prepared to deal with the racino proposal for their own city, which will go before voters Nov. 2.

Thumbs down to the Old Orchard Beach Charter Commission’s proposal to have one, one-year town council term and to increase the council to seven members, up from five. As anyone who has served on a board will tell you, one year is not long enough to learn the inner workings of town government and become an effective representative. The first year is generally a learning experience ”“ of working within the rules and with fellow councilors, town staff and constituents ”“ and it would not serve residents well to have a “councilor in training” every single year. Increasing the number of councilors is a mistake as well. The larger the group, the more opportunity for personalities to clash and bickering to take precedence over town business.

Thumbs up to the Town of Arundel for taking initiative in responding to residents’ complaints of dirt-biking noise. Residents of the Jeff’s Way neighborhood are experiencing noise, dust and exhaust odor problems from a neighboring dirt bike track and have already tried to resolve the problem themselves without a lawsuit. As the land use ordinance currently stands, town and law enforcement can do little to ease the nuisance, but the town has taken action by drafting an amended ordinance for voters to consider that would give the town more control over such uses.

Thumbs up to the University of New England for instituting a recycling program on the Biddeford campus and using energy efficiencies in the new dormitories. The grant from Efficiency Maine along with other grants that the university has received will go a long way in reducing its carbon footprint, but it’s the activism of the staff and students ”“ like Nicholas Cornetta, who set up the recycling program ”“ that will change behaviors and lead to a healthier world.

Thumbs up to everyone who has already gotten their influenza vaccination for this year’s flu season. The more people are vaccinated, the fewer can be infected with the disease, meaning it won’t be able to spread as widely. Flu vaccine is plentiful and is being offered at all sorts of convenient locations, from shopping centers to schools and clinics, so there’s no excuse to go without this year. It’s being recommended for everyone and will protect against several strains of flu, so roll up those sleeves, York County.

— 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.