Thumbs down to the current Central Maine Power proposal to run new transmission lines through part of the Springvale Recreation Area. The new 34.5 kilovolt transmission line is a needed upgrade to bring a substation to Lebanon, where the power service could use a boost. However, it should be done along a path that offers the least impact to the surrounding conservation areas.

Parks and Recreation Director Marcel Blouin has concerns about shoreland issues, wetlands, vernal pools and a stand of white cedar that is slated for state protection. We hope his concerns are properly addressed, and the lines can be run in a way that does not negatively impact the goals of the conservation land or the use of the recreation area.

Thumbs up to the order to vacate issued this past week to Occupy Portland, the last around-the-clock presence of Occupy Wall Street protesters in Maine. The protesters have made their point and had their voices heard, and there’s no need to continue camping out in Lincoln Park, making the park inhospitable to other users. Many of these encampments lost their clout after overstaying their welcome, and Portland is no exception. Especially with the winter weather finally taking hold, we’re glad to see the courts order that the park be vacated. While freedom of speech and assembly are integral parts of our American identity, there are common-sense limits to monopolizing public spaces for lengthy periods of time and this effort had certainly exceeded that limit.

Thumbs down to the suggestion in Old Orchard Beach that those who serve on the boards of a business-oriented organizations should be prohibited from serving on the town council. As resident Neal Weinstein noted, it is often the same people who are willing to serve both the town and the nonprofit entities that support the community, and the suggestion smacked of politics. OOB365, the organization focused on promoting the seaside community year-round, has members who are on the council and has certainly stepped on the toes of the Chamber of Commerce, which does not allow its board members to serve on town boards. The newer group has been very proactive in promoting downtown businesses off season, which may have caused some hard feelings, but it’s no reason for chamber supporters to hamstring councilors from being involved in their community. If votes arise that would directly impact any entity with which a councilor has a relationship, it makes sense for the councilor to recuse him or herself, but their participation shouldn’t entirely exclude them from serving on the council.

Thumbs up to the long-awaited resignation of Rep. David Burns, R-Alfred, who is facing criminal charges after being found guilty by the state ethics commission for violating campaign finance laws. It was November when the decision was handed down by the commission following accusations of falsified records, illegally mingling Clean Elections funds with personal funds and other charges. We felt he should have resigned immediately, as soon as the ethics issue came into question, but instead the Republican party leaders felt it more appropriate for him to stay on until the attorney general’s investigation was complete. Though there is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty, representatives have an obligation to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, and Burns could have saved face had he resigned earlier, especially after a guilty ruling from the commission.

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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 email at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford or Sanford offices.