Won’t be deterred

In response to the recent email by (Westbrook assistant city manager) Bill Baker, where he attacked numerous citizens and business in Westbrook (May 14 American Journal), I wanted to take a moment and add some thoughts and clarity.

It amazes me that this city’s mayor would support the hate speech by Mr. Baker, allow the public bashing of myself in an apology press release and continue to double down support for Mr. Baker’s behavior. I hope our council takes a stronger stance.

Second to the mocking of feeding children who are food insecure, I’m very troubled by an administration that somehow feels citizens do not have the right to request information about the workings of their government. Besides our vote, the Freedom of Information Act is the second most powerful tool citizens have, as a check and balance to the operations and transparency of their government.

Mr. Baker and the mayor’s “special relationship” of how they communicate brings to light much trouble. The date of the email was in the middle of negotiations with a local nonprofit for the upcoming budget. They tried not to fund this nonprofit and then tried to impose an illegal standard of forcing seat’s on the nonprofits board, in exchange for funding. Mr. Baker’s email brings doubt whether or not the city ever negotiated in good faith.

Most surprising was me being singled out in what I’m calling “the non-apology letter.” I was called mean spirited for information I did not request, didn’t bring forward and didn’t read at the council meeting. Truth is, the email was shown to me Thursday. I was told it would be read Monday at the meeting along with others, so not to be blindsided on Tuesday morning. Mr. Baker’s belief that a group of citizens is out to get him is preposterous and lends concerns to his state of mind, as much as, his ISIS comment did. Ironically, many he has called out have supported different ideas of his.

My wife and I, like many who live here, have done much for this city. We have dedicated a lot of time and effort to making Westbrook even better then when we moved here 10 years ago. We will not be deterred by Mr. Baker’s hateful words or a mayor that deems this behavior as acceptable and part of their social relationship. Our citizens know this behavior will not be woven in to the fabric of our great city nor decimate our citizens’ character. There is something powerful about our city’s symbol of the torch. It is a reminder to the importance of a guiding light. A light that shines on a city of strength, class and unity. We should be wary of any who try to dim that light.

James Tranchemontagne

Westbrook

Trust is lacking

The words of Assistant City Manager Bill Baker have raised some questions I believe go beyond he made a mistake and is sorry, which I am sure he is. It is easy to write it off as frustration on the part of a public employee doing the people’s work and evidently being frustrated. It was done on the email system we pay for.

The cause of the frustration is dealing with various people. Well, that is what one gets paid for. “Suck it up, buttercup,” as my 4-year-old granddaughter told her brother.

No need to rehash it anymore on the details.

The most glowing question that no one seems to be asking is: Why is there this frustration?

Well, I will offer it is caused by the lack of trust of the city administration, appointed and elected, that generates the actions of the public and elected officials.

It reaches a point when some who care just do not believe or have faith in what is being done. We all want the good to continue in our city. Many ideas are great except when one’s street isn’t getting fixed. Or decisions like tearing down a school we failed to maintain, then needing more space. A north-side riverwalk is a great idea, we will get one and we will not be able to maintain it any better than the one we have now, but we will have it. Add in things not talked about, like a parking garage soon to be underutilized, creates concerns from some members of the public.

These things are why people ask and/or do not get answers or answers they trust. Or rude comments like from my councilor: “Are you ever happy?” and “Why don’t you run against me?”

A great example of these things is 942 Main St. For years it was a terrible-looking mess. The city told the owners how bad it was looking. I do not know where they got the authority to so but we move on, it couldn’t be redeveloped and have a drive-through business.

Then after getting $125,000 for demolition, it is gone, but now we can have a drive-through. Why? Because we closed off part of Saco Street to have land for a third lane to Gorham and, lo and behold, now 942 Main St. can have a drive-through.

The third lane is not funded by the Department of Transportation. We have ended up with the best gateway clover patch there is in Maine. Of course the $10,000 payment to the state DOT was a surprise. Whoever would have thought there was state money in the bypass originally. Of course, if William Clarke drive had gone to Main Street like it should have, we would have had a third lane. There reaches a point where these things do not pass the smell test. For many, but not enough, the point has been reached.

This is why there are FOIA requests, etc. Maybe it is sign that some are waking up. It is apparent to many that administrative and elected officials count on a sleeping citizenry.

Yes, the mayor stands behind Mr. Baker. That, in the end, is the problem, too much responsibility with insufficient supervision and accountability.

But that has been and will be a hallmark of this administration.

A final question: Has anyone seen the city administrator?

Bruce Libby

Westbrook

Helping families

Again the food train roared through Westbrook, gathering food and money jars, for the food pantry. Thank you Trinity Lutheran Church for being the engineer of the train and to all the many stores, churches, Walker Memorila Library, families for getting on board the train to help fill the shelves and then some at the pantry at our Community Center. This effort is helping over 450 families in our city.

Jeanne Rielly

Director, Westbrook Food Pantry

Abomination of Riverbank Park

Driving by Westbrook’s beautiful park on Sunday, I couldn’t help but quickly take note of the numerous white “things” (for lack of nicer words) now obstructing and cluttering the natural beauty of our park. My husband and I drove down through the park on the way home and I was repulsed and nauseated – and I usually like art, but that is not art by any stretch. I said to John, “You need to find out whose idea these were, who was responsible for allowing this to happen, and who paid to put them up!” I certainly hope, that I as a taxpayer, didn’t help contribute to this degradation of our park. Now, if they had been actual bird houses, erected higher up, with some nice paint colors, which would have actually attracted nesting birds to the park and river, that would have been wonderful, and more in line with the goal of Riverbank Park. The white paint is so obtrusive and detestable as it brings your eye right to them and away from the natural beauty of the park and river – at the very least, please repaint them a neutral sage green or tan to blend more with the backdrop of nature.

I have never been so thoroughly disappointed in the 28 years we have lived here, as I truly thought Westbrook was looking to improve and change the negative mill-town image. It’s things like this that set the city back and just totally ruin it. It really makes our beautiful park appear cheap. If art is what you’re striving for, take a drive out over the new bridge from Portland into Falmouth and take in the metal sculpture of the osprey about to land in its nest or out by the Jetport and look at the beautiful metal animal sculptures or rock sculptures, and you will see what true natural art can be. Any of these would have been lovely additions to our park.

I just am utterly embarrassed for the person/persons who thought this was, in some way, a good idea. Why couldn’t it have been a contest and voted on by the citizens on how to better beautify the park if that is what one was attempting to do. We had heard nothing of this before they just disgustingly appeared, almost overnight. What a sad day for Riverbank Park and all the hard work that has gone into making it a more beautiful spot. Even the children’s playground color blends more nicely than these white “things.” And yuck, there are so many of them!

Yes, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but this is just so very sad in my opinion. Sorry to say, but this is one case where graffiti artists and vandals may come in very handy.

Judy O’Hara

Westbrook