School budget is fair

To the editor:

As an active participant in our local educational system, my family has been honored with many positive and supportive interactions with the Old Orchard Beach school district, now a part of Regional School Unit (RSU) 23.

Times do change and transitions are difficult. The new RSU 23, comprised of Saco, Dayton and Old Orchard Beach districts, clearly represents a new transition and a tremendous change for these communities. These three communities voted to participate in RSU 23 and now must change their thought processes and frame of reference from one’s individual town/city budget and educational system to an RSU budget and educational system that serve citizens of all three areas. 

The RSU school board has done an exemplary job defining the school budget in the short time allotted to them. Now, as citizens of this RSU’s jurisdiction, we must come together to vote for the children of these communities.

The RSU’s original budget, proposed and put to vote in June 2009, was only a little more than 4 percent over last year’s combined budgets for these communities. This budget was not approved by voters. The RSU School Board, assuming the budget was not passed because of this increase, rolled up its sleeves to find greater savings. The RSU board has now been able to bring the budget to less than 1 percent over the previous approved combined community school budgets. 

As a parent and taxpayer, I support this budget.  I believe this budget is fair and provides opportunities children in our communities need. I would challenge the RSU School Board members to consider no additional cuts until there is data to assure our communities that further cuts will not harm our children’s education.

I would encourage all citizens to participate in the upcoming regional budget meeting on Thursday, July 23, at 7 p.m. at Saco Middle School and to vote in the budget validation referendum on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Our children need the best education we can give them. 

Cindi LaDuke

Old Orchard Beach

Now is time to start work on festival

To the editor:

This is in response to Diane Lambert’s letter to the editor in the July 2 Courier, in which  she describes La Kermesse as “yet another Merc-like debacle, a thoroughly botched Franco-American festival.”  I take offense to the fact she associates the festival to a trash incinerator and we are a thoroughly botched heritage festival.

  I believe it’s time that the public and Ms. Lambert know why there weren’t or haven’t been local bands in the parade.  Each year we try, no plead, to have local school bands participate but we always get the same answer.  The band directors are under contract and their contract does not include any activities after the end of the school year.  We have always paid bands to march.  This year Sanford High School was to participate but canceled  the day of the parade due to “threatening weather.” 

As for the “ill-fitting, faded frog costume, our mascot know as “Franquette” has been a part of La Kermesse for many years.  She may be right and it may be time for us to buy a new costume and retire Franquette to our memorabilia room. 

Now to answer your question about being “punked.” In every state and in every community, people are feeling the effects of a trouble economy.  Many communities have cut back on Fourth of July celebrations and many businesses have cut back on sponsoring celebrations. Let’s work together as proud citizens of Biddeford-Saco to sponsor the block party/fireworks next year.  We all enjoy the fireworks, the celebration of our heritage and the coming of summer.  Now is the time to work together to make it happen again.  A La Kermesse member said, “My grandfather always reminded me that ‘If you are not part of the solution than you are part of the problem.’” 

Priscille Gagnon,

President, La Kermesse

Biddeford

La Kermesse volunteers deserve thanks for work

To the editor:

Each year Biddeford Regional Center of Technology honors its graduating seniors at a banquet.  Each year La Kermesse pays for each senior’s meal. They give free buttons/passes to senior groups, disabled or handicapped groups who cannot afford to purchase a button.  They hire many non-profit organizations to do many of the things that need to be done at the festival.

  For the last few years, a small group of staff members volunteer their time, usually in very could weather, to put up, maintain and take down the downtown Christmas lights.  They graciously set up the Normand J. Audie Memorial stage at events that other non-profit organizations hold. 

 They have allowed the Biddeford Recreation Department to use their tents for their summer programs.  Yes, and they do much more that the public does not see or hear about.

 We thank the officials of Biddeford, police department, fire department and other departments who helped in various ways.  Biddeford Public Works and Biddeford parks crews are thanked for their efforts.  Thank you also to Heart of Biddeford in helping us at the pig roast, especially Peter Mourmouras and Bruce Haskell and their crew.  It was such a great idea to have you do this. 

 Thank you to Sheriff Maurice Ouellette of York County Jail for allowing inmates do community service by helping us during setup and tear-down.  They worked in terrible weather conditions and showed respect to all the staff. 

 Thanks to the many volunteers, they are too numerous to name individually.  Lastly, the members of La Kermesse give up their time all year to plan and then spend hours away from their families during setup, the weekend and tear down.  They are hard-working volunteers who do not get paid one penny for all the work they do.  They have full-time jobs, work all day and then spend hours for two weeks for the festival.

  How many of you out there are willing to do that?  If you are, come to one of the meetings and see for yourself the work that is involved. 

 Meetings are held at the Richard J. Martin Community Center and the next meeting date will be posted at www.lakermessefestival.com or call 282-2894 for information.

Roland Gagnon,

Honorary member, LaKermesse

Biddeford