Thumbs up to all those who participated in the REVOLUTION3 triathlon the weekend before last in Old Orchard Beach. This was the inaugural event in the seaside town and served as a draw for thousands of people who came to participate and visit the area.

Congratulations to Jesse Thomas of Springfield, Ore. and Lauren Goss of Mount Pleasant, S.C. the winners in their divisions, and to all of the participants who completed the swim, bike ride and run. We hope the event returns to Old Orchard Beach and becomes a staple of the summer calendar there.

Thumbs up to all the hard work put in by Biddeford’s charter commission members and the proposals they plan to send to voters to strengthen residency requirements for city council, boards and committees, as well as ethics issues. The 13 questions will go to voters Nov. 6, and residents should read up on the changes so they are aware of the impacts should the items be approved or fail to garner support.

Thumbs up to the group of Biddeford High School students who spent much of last week preparing and last Friday performing for area children. The group, all members of the National Honor Society, hosted an interactive tour of the “Moving Panorama of Pilgrim’s Progress” on Friday for children. It is heartening to see these young people ”“ including Anna Mininni, Emma James, Lydia Levasseur, Kaitlyn McKenney and Thomas Laverriere ”“ taking time out from their summer vacations to do something entertaining and educational for their community.

Thumbs down to the continuing drama surrounding the York County Budget Committee caucus. The two groups ”“ York County commissioners and the county budget committee ”“ appear to be at a stalemate as each have called their own caucus and are sticking to their respective dates. This is causing confusion among local municipal officials and further straining the relationship between the members of each board. It also poses the issue of which caucus will stand. York County Manager Greg Zinser said commissioners will recognize only the budget committee members elected at the caucus they set, Sept. 19, while budget committee Chairman John Sylvester maintains the Sept. 5 caucus, called by his committee, will proceed as scheduled, and that state statute backs up his and other members contention that the caucus is a municipal function. These separate caucuses and the continued stand taken by those who have called them is only driving the wedge deeper between commissioners and budget committee members. It will likely end up causing a lot of trouble and possibly expense to the county ”“ and in turn, its taxpayers ”“ if legal issues ensue.

Thumbs up to the Biddeford Housing Authority for pursing and securing a two-year federal YouthBuild grant for $685,000 to help at-risk youth finish high school. The program will provide vocational training and classes, and will help participating teenagers ”“ ages 16-24 ”“ get a GED or high school diploma. The students in the program will complete renovation work on apartment units at 26 South St. Once renovated, the units will be rented as affordable housing. This program seems like a win-win for Biddeford and its community. Teaching these students valuable, real-world skills while helping them earn their diploma or GED will provide the area with more affordable housing and these young people with more opportunities.

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Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you want to respond, feel free to write to the Readers’ Forum via email at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford office.