Thumbs up to Sgts. Tyson and Shannon Trepanier of Sanford and the rest of their unit, the 1136th Transportation Company of the Maine Army National Guard, who shipped out Saturday to serve our country in Afghanistan.

A special thumbs up is also in order for Shannon’s brother and sister-in-law, who will be caring for the couple’s four children along with their own three kids. Supporting our troops on the homefront is important, giving them peace of mind so they can get their job done, and this couple is certainly going above and beyond.

Thumbs down to the bad blood that is forming between the City of Biddeford and its firefighters due to the impasse over contract negotiations. It is not in anyone’s best interest to have a fire department that feels unappreciated and bitter. Both sides need to make some concessions. Firefighters need to understand that overtime costs must be controlled, and the city must be willing to maintain appropriate benefits for those who put themselves in harms’ way to serve fellow residents.

Thumbs up to the newly-instated counseling program standards for the Biddeford School department, which gets all students more actively involved with a guidance counselor throughout their entire school career. Guidance counselors seem to have been relegated to helping with college applications and dealing with those students who have social, academic or family problems. But if students know their roles extend beyond that, counselors can help all students get over the little hurdles of life and make the most of their education.

Thumbs up to Rep. Andrea Boland, D-Sanford, for her efforts to make the public aware of the possible carcinogenic effect of cell phone radiation. Though her bill that proposed warning stickers on cell phones was rejected in committee, Boland’s efforts received national attention. While the threat of getting cancer from cell phone use is unclear, at least the media interest around her proposal might convince a few people to use a speaker-phone setup instead of plastering the phone to their ear. Cell phones haven’t been around long enough to allow for conclusive evidence of whether or not they cause cancer, but it’s better safe than sorry, as they say.

Thumbs up to Saco resident Christopher Di Matteo, who requested that the former Bay View Convent property be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission for its historical significance. Though Di Matteo’s request was deemed invalid because he is not directly involved with the property, the commission heard his concern and took up the investigation themselves. Alert citizens like Di Matteo can be effective in making change or preservation in their town, even if their voice isn’t heeded as being official enough.

Thumbs up to the Town of Kennebunk for purchasing the former Mobil Station property. At first glance, it seems inappropriate for the town to get involved in purchasing its own real estate for possible resale, but the town can get grants to clean up the site, whereas a developer would have to spend his or her own money. By purchasing and cleaning up the lot, the town is assuring that the site will not be a long-term eyesore in the downtown area it is attempting to revitalize.

Thumbs up to Sanford Fire Department  Lt. Dick Bond, who was off duty at home one February morning when a neighbor rushed in with her month-old baby who wasn’t breathing. Bond performed CPR and managed to start the baby breathing again. Meanwhile, Sanford rescue crews arrived and further stabilized the infant and then whisked him off to hospital. Bond, who is modest about his role, should be commended. In medical emergencies such as this one, seconds can make a difference and Bond was up to the task. The baby is reportedly doing well and is expected home soon.

— 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 e-mail at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford or Sanford offices.