Seniors laud UNE program

To the editor:

We are two of the fortunate senior citizens who take advantage of the UNE Bodywise program almost every day. This community wellness program is housed at the Campus Center and is open to adults who want the use of cardiovascular machines, weights, an indoor track, and an Olympic-size pool.  Students and members of the community share this campus space under the expert care of Amy Quinn and her staff, Patrick, Cassie, and Meg. 

 As former professors at Simmons College and UMass Lowell, we realize how vital it is for a college to serve the community, a task UNE has so generously and expertly achieved. When “town and gown” support one another, everyone wins. On a personal level, we find that every day we spend on campus not only makes our bodies healthier, but that the college atmosphere and diversity enriches our perspectives on life.

 Thanks, UNE.  We hope to continue to benefit from your commitment to health and wellness for a long time to come.

 We wish you good luck with your expansion plans, which will enable that many more to benefit from the UNE experience.

Joan and Les Dawson

Kennebunkport 

Airport should be on agenda

To the editor:

A few years ago the voters of Biddeford voted “no” on a plan to expand the airport. According to the Biddeford City Charter, “all issues decided by referendum shall be binding on the city council and not merely advisory.” 

The city council will be voting on allowing funds to purchase more land for the airport. The piece of land they will buy is owned by the trolley museum and cuts right through the city-owned land that they want the next runway on. Plans for the new 5,000-foot runway have already been made; the mayor has a copy of the blueprint. This new runway will bring in large cargo planes that will put our beaches in Ward 1 the homes in Wards 6 and 7 right in the takeoff and landing path.

This item should not be on the council agenda until we have another referendum asking for allowing expansion.

Approving anything that will allow expansion at the airport is a violation of our city charter. Buying land for the airport is expansion. The airport manager claims it’s needed for safety reasons. There are other options. According to the FAA if we made this a visual airport and got rid of instrument landing we would be in compliance. Easements can also be attained to clear trees that need to be trimmed.

As far as safety at the airport, I’ve complained for years about pilot caused safety violations with no results. Last Saturday a plane used about one-third of the runway to take off did a hard left turn that took him about 20 to 30 feet above my neighbor’s house.

If the council votes on anything that involves expansion at the airport they will be in violation of the city charter.

Roland Pelletier

Biddeford