Yes on marijuana

South Portland voters will be faced with a referendum Nov. 4 asking them whether they want to decriminalize the possession or use of up to 1 ounce of marijuana for those 21 and older. It would also decriminalize the use of marijuana paraphernalia.

The statute would ban any use of marijuana in a public place, and no one under the influence of marijuana could operate a motor vehicle, aircraft or boat. The law, in other words, allows the city to regulate marijuana nearly the same as the state does for alcohol. (Drinking is allowed in public places such as restaurants, but the use or display of marijuana wouldn’t be, according to the proposed statute.)

We support this referendum. Much has been said of the similarities between the use of alcohol and pot; however, it’s hypocritical for a society to allow alcohol use and not the recreational use of marijuana. It’s time society treats these two drugs with parity.

The anti-marijuana activists are right to wonder how the new law would impact the teen population. The majority of the South Portland City Council is urging residents to vote no based partly on their concerns for how the law’s passage could confuse teens, who are confronted with anti-drug messages at school. Parents and educators will no doubt face a confused teen population. However, the law is clear that teens are banned from using pot, and, like alcohol, society is smart to make a firm delineation.

The overarching thrust of the referendum is a recognition that our society needs to update laws regarding recreational use of marijuana to mirror those of laws regulating alcohol. While we lament the out-of-state origins of the group pushing the referendum, the question in front of South Portland voters seems to be a responsible one that still bans the use of marijuana in public and limits its use to those 21 and older. These stipulations are very similar to how society regulates alcohol, and in our opinion, merit support.

Yes on library project

Voters in Cape Elizabeth are being asked Nov. 4 to weigh in on a $4.2 million bond to renovate the Thomas Memorial Library. We urge a yes vote.

Even in this digitized world, libraries are for many the heart and soul of a community. In Cape, the library serves a vital role, and voters should support the renovation bond to bring the library up to more modern standards.

The library committee has come in with a project cost much less than the $6 million-$8 million that voters defeated in 2012. The scaled-back proposal calls for a “cultural center” approach that will be visually stunning and act as a community gathering space for events and displays. There will be a focus on emerging technology, as well. Along with schools, public safety and public infrastructure, we feel keeping up our public libraries is a wise use of taxpayer’s dollars.

Yes to fire truck, reveal

Scarborough residents will be faced with two referendums, both of which we support. First, the public safety department is seeking a new fire truck, at a cost of $585,000. The pumper truck would be easier to operate at a fire scene than the 1989 model it replaces, Fire Chief Mike Thurlow says. That’s important since today’s staffing levels are regrettably much reduced, so when a truck can be operated by one or two first responders, that’s a great advantage. Plus, it would feature a compressed foam system, which is 15 times more effective than water in fighting fires, which is helpful in rural areas where water sources are scarce. Department staff should be praised to make a 1989 model last as long as it has, but at 25 years old, now’s probably the time to replace the aging pumper to keep our public safety department going strong.

Scarborough voters will also be asked to approve a full property revaluation, which hasn’t taken place for 20 years. The $479,000 revaluation would include full property inspections, which the town government says is needed to update records.

The last time the town did a revaluation was in 2005, which was near the height of the housing bubble. It’s probably a wise move to do a reval once at least every 10 years just to keep up with the market. Town Manager Tom Hall also makes a valid point saying, “The primary benefit of any revaluation is the redistribution of the tax burden. It will help us to make sure no property owner is paying more or less than they should.” Though it’s a bookkeeping measure that won’t result in any tangible project voters can actually see (such as the new fire truck), we understand the importance of a full reval and support the referendum.