Thumbs up to the long-awaited demolition of the Rory Holland house at 58 South St. The city had undertaken a lengthy process to get to this point, and we’re glad to see that the neighborhood will finally have closure on the murders that happened there in 2009.

With the house gone and the property set to be adjoined to the Williams Court Park, this area of South Street will have a new beginning and will be able to see through to a brighter future.

Thumbs up to Sen. John Tuttle for his sponsorship of LD 862, which would boost the machining program at York County Community College, among other community colleges. The bill will most likely become part of LD 90, which would also set up a task force on adult learners and make it easier for students to transfer credits between the community colleges and state university system. These types of efforts are exactly what Maine needs to train our workforce for well-paying jobs that will allow people to support themselves and patronize the businesses around them. Education for the growth industries of the day are key to boosting Maine’s economy, and we hope otherlegislators realize this and give their support.

Thumbs up to the new location for the Biddeford School Department’s administrative offices. The offices have moved back to the high school after many years in City Hall, and while this may make it less convenient for school leaders to work with the city on budgets and other issues, it seems like the right move. Administrators will now be surrounded by the school environment, helping them keep students and staff in mind as they oversee the district’s big picture, and communication among administrators is expected to be easier. With the renovations now complete at the high school, the time was right for the move and we’re glad to see them using the space.

Thumbs down to the rumors and animosity swirling about Old Orchard Beach in relation to the two recall petitions that were circulating and the circumstances that surround them. The town is in an unfortunate situation of turmoil, with people splitting along the lines of which recall they support: That of the four councilors who voted to fire Town Manager Mark Pearson, and that of the three who voted against it. Meanwhile, the former town manager is suing the town for wrongful termination, among other charges, and rumors are swirling about threats, slurs and illegal signature-gathering. With the second of the petitions being turned in this week, some of the drama should subside, but the only way for the town to move forward from this is for the councilors to publicly state why they voted the way they did, and to present the facts of any misdoings they allege. Pearson had asked for as much during his termination hearing, and it’s time to come out with it so people can judge for themselves whether or not their councilors represented them well. Unfortunately, it’s likely that the only answers the townspeople will get will be in a courtroom ”“ at their expense.

Thumbs up to the Community Bicycle Center’s partnership with the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, allowing CBC youth to learn welding skills. For significant bike repairs, welding skills are a must, and it’s great to see this community group having the opportunity to use the resources and knowledge at BRCOT. The CBC gives youth, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds, an opportunity to learn a skill and develop confidence. We hope this program and others like it become even more popular in the future and the community supports them.

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Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you would like to respond, please write the Reader’s Forum via email at [email protected] or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford office.