Thumbs up to all Biddeford and Saco elected officials who took office this week, as well as the staff and volunteers from each city who organized the inauguration ceremonies. Being a public official is far from an easy task,

and with little financial reward, those who hold office do it because they care about the community they serve. Without them communities could not function.

Thumbs up to those who continue to commemorate Pearl Harbor Day 74 years after it happened. Sometimes, attendance is smaller than it should be at these events, and that is a shame. Those who turn out are remembering history, and there are still some who attend who lived it – if

not actually on deck when the bombs fell. Our World War II veterans are dwindling; we should treasure them while we still can, and remember those who died serving their country.

Thumbs up to various legislators who submitted a variety of bills to attack Maine’s heroin and opiate problem on all levels, from treatment to law enforcement to education. As well, legislative leaders have submitted package they hope to see passed, and Gov. Paul LePage has gone ahead

and allocated funds to boost the number of drug agents. Let’s hope that among all the options being discussed, a comprehensive plan is passed this session. We’re losing too many people to drug addiction.

Thumbs up to members of the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department for doing some of the remodeling work of the fire station themselves. This allows the department to stretch their budget dollars and make the most of taxpayers’ money.

Thumbs up to Saco Middle School science teacher Michaela Lamarre for winning the Milken Educator Award Thursday. Lamarre received this national award in recognition for her passion of teaching and innovative teaching practices.

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