Vote yes on library expansion

To the editor,

Prioritizing and funding municipal building projects is always a challenge, especially so when new and compelling projects enter the pipeline. The Town of Scarborough has made the library a priority for over a decade. The proposed consolidated primary school and the proposed recreational center at The Downs are currently only concepts both in need of much further planning and design. The library expansion has been debated and planned for many years. It’s time to proceed with the project to better serve our entire community. The project is shovel ready. Vote YES!

Kevin Carbin Jr.
Scarborough

To the editor,

As a senior citizen who has lived in Scarborough for the past 44 years, I understand the importance of watching my pennies and not overspending. For that reason, my husband and I do not go to restaurants or movies or do takeout, we have an antenna for our television instead of cable, and we do as much of our house maintenance and repairs as we can. Instead, we save our money for things that are necessary and important.

And the library is near the top of that list.

Not only does the library make my life better, since my husband and I get all our books and movies there free, but it supports and enriches the lives of all age groups and interest levels in town.

The bottom line is, I get the importance of not spending on things we don’t need. The library, however, is something we really need.

Carla Marcus
Scarborough

To the editor,

Our library is exceptional at facilitating learning and creating meaningful connections and collaborations, but its current size has severely limited its capacity to do more, for more. As our library works to help support all members of our community with public meeting rooms, resources, and tools, the additional square footage and its intended uses will enhance the vital services offered. All members also includes our business community as the library is dedicated to educating our workforce with various resources to include Small Business Week and Career Center Hours.

Our Chamber of Commerce represents over 100 local businesses and our board gives our strong support to this worthwhile community project.

Tonya Beckwith
Volunteer Board President
Scarborough Community Chamber of Commerce

To the editor,

As I read the “No Vote” for the Scarborough library I am reminded of the adage, ‘Pay now or Pay Later.” The population of Scarborough is projected to continue to grow, representing more young families, who come because of the core values and support from our community. Libraries and schools have a symbiotic relationship. They both support children and adults in a myriad of ways. One does not have to be a fiscal expert to know that building the much-needed library expansion in one or three years will cost more than the current construction costs. The library is more than books. The library can be a resource for community meetings, a space for lectures, and a space for improving computer skills, Voting YES is a resounding statement that the people in Scarborough believe in the core values of a strong and visionary library for the 21st century and beyond.

Ed Fraktman
Retired school administator

To the editor,

We have resided in Scarborough for 29 years. During this time, we have seen many positive changes to our community. Scarborough is now a thriving suburban community with a robust commercial tax base. One result of this growth has been the steady increase in valuation. At $4,998,750,000, Scarborough currently ranks fourth in Maine in equalized value, behind only Portland, South Portland, and York. We have excellent schools and town services available to all who live here. Unfortunately, our library, which serves as a central hub for our students, families, and citizens, has not experienced the same growth and expansion. We need to expand the library to meet the needs of our community, now and for the next 30 years. Our library provides a wide variety of resources, services and meeting opportunities for our students, young families, and retired members of our community. Join us in supporting the Scarborough Public Library expansion.

Vote no on library expansion.

Heather and Neil Jamieson
Scarborough

To the editor,

As a family who has been a part of the Scarborough community for decades going back to the 50’s, we are totally against a $15.9M library expansion with $12.9M of it at the expense of the taxpayers. If the Library Trustees feel they need this, then they should raise all the funds needed and not just $3M which they have yet to accomplish. What happens if they don’t raise the funds? Who pays for construction overages which always happen? This should not even be a consideration until the funds have been raised. Even my mother-in-law at 87 years old turned to an E-reader which is the way life is for many these days. This was proven during the 1st two years of Covid with remote learning. Maine has always been behind the times, but Covid forced them to step it up and that they did. Technology over paper!!

Denise and Warren Hamilton
Scarborough

To the editor,

I am voting NO on the library expansion for many reasons. First of all, it’s too big! If this expansion passes it will be 9,000 square feet bigger than town hall! And town hall has 3 floors! I think it’s very unreasonable to ask for an addition that is almost 3 times it’s current size! I have lived in Scarborough for 22 years and this project is just too massive and expensive! Why does a library addition have to have a 182 seat auditorium? Why does it need 12 private offices? Why does it need an additional 6 meeting rooms? Also the $3 million private funds they raise won’t even be going to reducing the taxpayers debt on this. Will it be used for a fireplace or coffee bar? Who knows?!

The Community Survey the town council put out said that residents were happy with the library just the way it was. I do not see the need to make this as huge as they are asking for! Especially when not many people even go to the library anymore! I’m VOTING NO!

Roman Józefiak
Scarborough

Re-elect Anne Carney

To the editor,

I very much appreciate those who willingly use their skills and abilities on behalf of the common good. Consequently, I greatly respect Anne Carney’s tireless efforts representing Maine Senate District 29 and encourage you to vote for her re-election.

As our State Senator, Anne has worked effectively for our community and state. Her priorities of economic security, affordable health care, public education, human rights, and environmental protection reflect Maine values and will move us forward as we face the many challenges of our times.

Belinda Snell
Scarborough

Elect kelly Murphy to HD 125

We are writing to express our support for Kelly Murphy’s election to House District 125 in the November election.

We have been able to observe Kelly and her husband Jack’s commitment to Scarborough firsthand since we joined this community in 2006. Whether it is organizing donations for the Project Grace backpack program, launching and running Thanksgiving Scarborough (do yourself a favor and volunteer if you can, it’s a great experience), or serving on the Wentworth Building Committee and Board of Education, she exemplifies service to the community.

Kelly is smart and pragmatic, experienced with local issues, and she loves this town. She’s the kind of neighbor we hoped to have when we moved to Scarborough, and we trust her to serve our community well in Augusta.

Please join us in voting for Kelly Murphy for Maine House District 125.

Bill and Marissa Ryan
Scarborough

Thank you to Police Officer Mike Thurlow

To the editor,

I wanted to take a moment to publicly thank a wonderful member of our community. On 10/19/22, I reached out to the Scarborough police department to assist me in helping an elderly neighbor. I was connected with Officer Mike Thurlow who kindly listened to the issue and was eager to help.

He went out of his way to stop at the home of my neighbor and help us rectify the issue.

Officer Thurlow was born and raised here in Scarborough and exemplifies what this town is all about. Neighbors helping neighbors. As Scarborough grows exponentially, it is good to know that it can still have that small town feeling from people like Officer Thurlow. Thank you sir for your service to our community.

Deb Malia