Scarborough spending too high

Thank you for all the residents of Scarborough who spoke out against the exuberant budget proposed by the town (especially the school budget) for the next fiscal year. I have attended budget meetings for 20 years, and they always yield the same ratios. Most public comments come from “concerned moms,” friends or spouses of teachers, or parents of students who have deep pockets. It was great to see more residents like Brad Dupree stand up and confront the truth. Most every resident I speak with has had it with the budget going up, up, and away.

Let us remember the “handsome” salary we pay Superintendant George Entwistle. We could start by cutting his salary in half, since we could have hired anybody to fill his post and “trump” higher spending. Roll up your sleeves George – earn your pay.

Scarborough is a leading school district in the country in and out of the classroom. During these tough times, parents will have to participate more in their children’s lives, teach – and monitor. And for those that can afford more than we can provide, then go out and buy your young child some special services. As for residents such as William Bly, who threatened to leave Scarborough if we didn’t increase spending, I and many other say, “Will you need help moving?”

Increased tax burdens from federal, state and local governments over the past four years continue to deplete the ability for citizens to be charitable. Instead of us having a choice, they take the money from us and spend it frivolously. These are the things I have been forced to curb in my spending in order to remain “responsible” and pay my bills. Attend one less visit each to the following: high school football game, Sea Dogs, movies. I have stopped eating out at local restaurants. I skipped buying a beach pass. I canceled my gym membership. I don’t give my bottles to local sports teams, I reduced my givings to the church. This has helped offset the increase of last year’s property tax increase. As far as next year, I am not sure – but I am confident it won’t help the local economy.

Chris Davis

Scarborough

Get rid of your unwanted medications

There will be a drug collection and disposal day Saturday, April 28, and we need your help, again. ‘Tis the season to get rid of all your old and unwanted drugs. Once again the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the South Portland Police and South Portland Community Advocates for Social Action (SPCASA) are teaming up to provide a quick and easy way with no questions asked for you to safely rid your homes of unwanted drugs. As you know, flushing them down the toilet is wrong. Those dangerous chemicals end up in Casco Bay where fish and other ocean critters, along with birds, consume them. They never go away. It is an environmental calamity.

Naturally, I know that you don’t want our children to be accidentally poisoned by them and no one wants our teenagers stealing and using these chemical to get high. It is scary to think that prescription drugs like those we are asking you to drop off for special incineration are the very ones most sought by teens to get high. And sometimes they can even kill, but you can make a difference. Keep our environment clean and our people safe. Bring them to the South Portland Community Center on Nelson Road between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., or to the Redbank Hub at 580 Westbrook St. from 10 a.m. until noon.

Staff from CVS Pharmacy and Hannaford Pharmacy Millcreek, along with police and your neighbors, will be there to thank you for your effort.

For more info contact South Portland police Officer Bob Scarpelli (799-5511, ext. 7221) or myself, chair of SPCASA and District 4 City Councilor Maxine Beecher (799-8888).

Maxine Beecher

South Portland

Cheers to Bent

For a number of years, I have looked forward to reading Marta Bent’s regular Current Affairs column; and the April 5 column is no exception. Mrs. Bent writes so elegantly and so clearly about the lectures, museum exhibits, and cultural events that she attends, that I often feel as though I was standing next to her. Like Mrs. Bent, I attended the OLLI seminar on the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893. Her in-depth report was a reminder of how much I enjoyed the program, but it highlighted some things that I missed or had already forgotten. Kudos to Mrs. Bent! I hope she never loses her curiosity, and I eagerly await reports about her next adventures.

Emily Ward

Scarborough