Before I forget it, Happy Father's Day, Dad, and for those who may not know it or are caught up in life, Sunday, June 19 is Father's Day. Don't forget him. Jarryl Larson, a frequent contributor to our letters to the editor section, stopped into the office Tuesday and gave me a great idea about fathers. I won't reveal it here, but perhaps another time. Lucky me, I have had my Dad for 59-plus years (my oldest sister for almost 64). You may hear more about him later this summer or fall — thanks to a story idea suggested by Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch — but for now, watch out where you park and for how long. My Dad, Louis Burnham Jr., is the town's parking enforcement supervisor.

Also, thanks to BRCTV, I was able to watch the Boothbay Harbor Board of Selectmen's meeting held Monday night, June 13. Each of the selectmen (and selectwomen — there are three of them) presented their goals for the board to accomplish for the next 11 or 12 months. The general consensus was improving the town's economic well-being and making the town more welcoming to visitors and residents.

I agree with some of their ideas, such as beautifying the area with more gardens, providing more sidewalks to the outer areas of McKown Point, Barrett's Park, etc., beautifying the footbridge parking lot and coming up with some sort of public transportation plan.

But, ideas are just ideas. I think it takes a few truly interested people to implement the ideas and bring them to fruition. And it takes financing by the town for any improvements to be made. We can't wait for an individual or a group to come up with the funds to make these changes. I think the town should take the lead, form a committee and provide the money to get things done.

The footbridge parking lot improvement idea is over a year old. And where is the plan at to improve the former tennis courts at the high school lot? There are also the decades-old problems of the lack of parking and providing public transportation — especially to our neighboring towns of Boothbay and Southport.

The town did one of the best things in recent years — build the waterfront/Whale Park. It's time to get moving on making some more improvements.

If you are interested in helping to make improvements in Boothbay Harbor, contact one of the selectmen or Town Manager Tom Woodin.

P.S. The town's budget committee is down to about three people and there is certainly room for more. See Tom Woodin.