A vote against the budget

To the editor:

As a hard-working, tax-paying resident of Saco, a parent of four children and one who struggles to make ends meet, I relish the opportunity to have a say, if only a small say, in determining the direction and policies of our great city by voting.  Silly me for thinking the whole purpose of consolidating school districts was the promise of cut costs and doing more with less. 

 So, imagine my surprise when the new school budget  proposed was actually higher than the combined budgets of last year.  Were administrations consolidated?  Were administrators reduced?  Were efficiencies gained?  I will not be voting for this budget or any that is not a savings to the tax payers of our three towns.

Antonio Balsamo

Saco

Neighborhood meets tonight

to address community concerns

To the editor:

On June 18, the communities of Center, South, Kossuth, Green, Graham, Crescent and Wentworth streets held their first community watch meeting. With the support of 12 residents, the Christ Episcopal Church, Xpress America, Biddeford police and city councilors Bob Mills and David Flood, our first meeting was a success. 

Our goals are simple but commanding.  We found some troubling issues we all had about the community we live in. Drugs, violence and graffiti were among the top of the list. A foundation for a strong and safe community has been laid.

The events of June 30 have shaken that foundation to the very core. The loss of two young community members still echoes loud and is felt in the hearts of many. I have personally seen Derek [Greene] giving a few smaller kids in the neighborhood shoulder rides. Those smiling faces that day are now saddened by the passing of two well-liked young boys. In the face of this tragedy we need to heal together as a community and strengthen those foundations.

Our next meeting is 5 p.m. today in the Seeds of Hope Community room, South Street entrance. We welcome any residents who would like to come and address issues or concerns you may have about our community. In attendance will be a member of the Biddeford police, members from the Christ Episcopal Church, city councilors, local businessmen and other concerned residents of the area.

Bil Moriarty

Biddeford