letter to the editor

Would like your vote

Mon, 03/18/2019 - 3:00pm

Dear Editor:

And Boothbay Harbor residents:

I met a friend the other day in Hannaford and I told them I was running for the select board. Fortunately for me, they thought that was good idea but then they asked: “who are you running against?” Interesting question.

There are four candidates and two seats available so who am I running against? I thought about it for a moment and then I said: “I’m not running against anyone. I’m running for the opportunity to serve this community. I want people to vote for me not against someone else.” There really is agreement on the critical issues facing this town — the declining school enrollment, the costly capital repairs needed in the schools, the lack of affordable housing for young families, to own as well as to rent, and, of course, the need for local, year-round jobs.

We all agree. The question is how do we accomplish it? Tourism is the life blood of this town and has to feature prominently in any solution but we need to balance that tourism with the needs of our year-round community. There has been much hand-wringing over the divisiveness of the east side development proposals — much finger pointing as to who is responsible for that divisiveness. The truth is that people are most animated when you get close to things that they love and value most — the harbor is one of those things.

The passion of the debate is a sign of a community actively trying to define itself as it changes. There is no one right answer. There is no one best solution — no one person can make it happen. We will solve our problems by working together; by being civil and respectful in our debate; by listening to one another instead of speaking past each other; and most all, by being committed to making this town a better place for all. I am committed to that.

I hope you will support me in this endeavor. I would gratefully appreciate your vote.

Ken F-Fitch

Boothbay Harbor