Thumbs up to Deanna Weaver for kick-starting the newly opened Biddeford Winter Farmers Market, and to all the other local vendors who will be participating in it. This is an idea whose time has come, since local food and other products shouldn’t simply disappear when it’s cold outside. Thanks to the generosity of former WestPoint Home mill owner Doug Sanford, the market can now be held indoors and be a year-round event. Those consumers who prefer to get their goods from local producers and can now find them in one location, regardless of the weather.

Thumbs up to Caring Unlimited, York County’s domestic violence program, and Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine for bringing a local production of “The Vagina Monologues” to York County as a fundraiser to combat domestic violence and sexual abuses. This unique show gives women a chance to share their stories and embrace their own sexuality, which is an important step in reaching equality with men. Both showings were sold out, which is a testament to the importance of the services these organizations provide and shows that the average resident does indeed care about the stories local women have to share.

Thumbs up to the Biddeford teacher’s union and school district administrators for using a “problem solving” negotiation process to reach a consensus on their contract. The raise of 2.7 percent over the course of two years is a good compromise, as is capping the district’s contribution to health care at 10 percent. While the economy recovers throughout this year, no pay raises will be given, but teachers’ hard work will be rewarded thereafter. Both parties should be applauded for keeping not only the teachers, but the taxpayers in mind.

Thumbs down to the circumstances that convinced the Sanford School Committee to reject a plan for a biomass heating system for Sanford High School, Sanford Junior High School, Willard School and Memorial Gym. The $2.7 million plan, which was to be supplemented with a $750,000 federal grant, was put off due to uncertainty about the future use of those buildings. The town is hoping for a new high school complex and elementary school refit, but won’t hear back from the state in time to make the decision on the biomass grant. With so much in doubt, a majority decided not to undertake the expensive project.

Thumbs down to the proposal from local mason Nate Libby and Saco Spirit to purchase the old fire station for only $40,000. The fire station and accompanying administration building are believed to be worth much more ”“ in the ballpark of $500,000 grand together. The city should not take such a hit on this property, especially considering the major expenditure of the newly constructed fire station on North Street. Our suggestion: Get the 1930s building on the National Register of Historic Places to assure that it will not be demolished and then put the property on the market and sell it to the highest bidder. While the idea of using the buildings as business incubators is nice, it’s not the most fiscally sound idea, and Saco already has a community center.

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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.