Save Wiscasset’s Stores and Downtown

A “Pretty Little Village” that you can’t access is a topic of conversation I have often heard among my neighbors in Wiscasset. As several of my neighbors have gotten older they realize that they no longer can walk into town on the slippery brick sidewalks and crumbling stairs leading into the stores. My immediate neighbor sits in her car as friends and hired helpers shop for her as she is afraid of falling. Sadly, on March 16, while I was drafting this letter, I witnessed a woman falling on the slippery sidewalk seriously injuring her arm.

If this lawsuit continues, MDOT could potentially walk away from the downtown project except for putting up traffic lights, adding the bump outs (curb extensions) for pedestrians to more quickly cross Rt. 1, and taking out the downtown parking which the Governor has requested. Besides the lawsuit affecting parking, it also affects the accessibility and walkability of the town.

Our main reason for the support of Option #2 is ACCESSIBILITY, which includes the roadway realignment, parking relocation and streetscape improvements. Existing streetscape conditions exclude a large percentage of Wiscasset’s population, the elderly which is growing at a rapid rate, and people with disabilities. Sidewalks in disrepair, deteriorating steps, noncompliant railings and ramps are just a few of the barriers and obstacles we have to deal with each day. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that was enacted in 1990 for the purpose of ensuring that all Americans have the same basic rights of access to services and facilities. The ADA compliance is a minimum standard, not an aspirational goal! The majority of Wiscasset’s storefronts are inaccessible. Accessible storefronts attract shoppers. From parents with strollers, to grandparents wielding a cane, to shoppers shouldering multiple packages, an easily accessible streetscape that appeals to multiple generations of buying power, accessibility is a winning business strategy that keeps customers with an inclination to “ shop local” coming back. It’s common business sense – when your town is inaccessible people are visiting business’ less often.

Save our stores and downtown by voting NO on the lawsuit on April 17!

Terri Wells,

Wiscasset

Wayne LaPierre – Bad Guy With a Gun

As I prepare to participate in a local March for Our Lives rally to stop gun violence throughout our country, I am reminded how important it is for all of us to challenge the forces that are perpetuating this violence. The National Rifle Association exercises its powerful influence to prevent congresspersons from passing desperately needed legislation to impose stronger background checks on gun buyers. As long as sick minded individuals can continue to purchase guns at will, then none of us can really be safe. Isn’t it time we finally addressed the most dangerous spearhead that confronts us within the NRA?

The NRA’s executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre, continually states that “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” By leading the crusade to arm all individuals — including those who are deeply sick minded and most prone to acting out their hateful behavior toward everyone else in society — isn’t it possible that the ultimate “bad guy with a gun” is Wayne LaPierre himself ?

Thomas Kurtz,

Bath