I am reminded these days of one of my favorite quotes. Edmund Burke, living in the 1700s, said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Today, of course, we would have him say ‘good people’, but nonetheless, the idea applies, especially, in my mind, to voting.

We may think from all the news that the election for U.S. President is our next voting task, but that decision is a year away. This coming Tuesday, November 3, is Election Day. The voting booths at Town Hall will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. for us to record our decisions on three items. The first one concerns campaign finance and the other two are bond issues. The full text of all three items is posted at the town office.

The campaign finance issue is a citizens’ initiative to raise additional funds for clean election candidates, to improve disclosure about who is donating to which campaign, and to increase penalties for those breaking the law.

The first bond issue is to raise $15,000,000 to be matched by an estimated $22,600,000 in private and other funds, to build energy-efficient, affordable housing for seniors as well as establish a fund for repair and weatherization of low-income seniors’ existing homes.

The second bond issue is to raise $85,000,000 to be matched by $121,500,000 in federal and other funds to repair public infrastructure, such as bridges, ports, harbors, marine transportation, and railroads. Further information on all three issues can be found at the Maine state website.

Also at Town Hall on November 4 at about 11:30 a.m. Brenda Tibbetts will begin again Wednesday lunches for all who want to come for a good, hot meal.

At the Southport Memorial Library on November 11 beginning at 10:45 a.m., we have the opportunity to gather and honor our veterans, followed by refreshments in the library. This day is always special to stop and reflect on those who gave their lives to keep us free. If you have not seen the new library kitchen, do take time to admire the handiwork.

The good news is that Breeze Kidder is recovering well from hip surgery. Cards and phone calls would be appropriate to cheer her up as she dutifully moves through physical therapy and toward full recovery.

The sad news is that Al Azzoni, a longtime summer resident, has died in Florida. Cards to his family can be sent to 7520 Manasota Key Road, Englewood, FL 34223.

Last Friday evening, October 23, a number of us enjoyed a delicious potluck supper at the Southport Methodist Church and then adjourned to the church sanctuary to hear the Back River Fiddlers. Actually, three fiddlers and one guitar player, Nancy Harriman, played jazz, the blues, and ragtime tunes to entertain us for about an hour. The fiddlers were Ann Beck, Phine Ewing and Sue Hope. Thanks all for a great evening.

If you can get the latest issue of “Maine Boats, Homes, and Harbors” (one is available in the library) you will see several pages devoted to a new gypsy caravan designed by Ruth Gardiner’s great nephew, George Workman, and built by Rene Goulette. Beautiful workmanship for what I assume will be either a unique guest cottage or a garden ornament.

In other library news, Linda has separated out the BBC and PBS video discs so that devotees of these shows can more easily find them.

With the digging done and Cross Road repaved, travel is returning to normal around the island. Too bad we could not have extended the town water to the school, post office and firehouse, but perhaps someday. The high tides left a bit of seaweed on Beach Road this week, showing that water had surged to the road surface, but not enough to cause damage or closure.

Look for another article in this week’s paper about the auction at the Southport Selectmen meeting of private property for back taxes. It is a story with a good ending.