Dont we have more important things to do?

Well folks, it had to happen. The City is running so smooth these days that our beloved City Council has nothing to do it would seem. Lets look at the "HOT" topics from last weeks meeting!

It appears that methadone clinics are back in the news. Haven't we beat this dead horse to death? Now an ordinance is being proposed to limit the location of such establishments. Is this really a problem that needs an ordinance? Acadia Hospital is the main purveyor of the methadone in these parts (not ARCADIA Pat!) and two other private treatment centers complete the list. I see that the mall on Hogan road is still running strong, apparently against all odds. I don't see a huge rush to open more centers as none of the current facilities is operating at capacity. Pat Blanchette attempted to make a lame argument that some people drive from Millinocket for treatment, work in Bangor all day, and head back up north for the night. Are you for real Pat? What planet are you from? Do you know anything about methadone treatments? Sadly, the answer to the last one is no. Not to mention that most folks wouldn't be up for a daily 4 hour commute, especially with gas above $3.50. Try thinking before you speak Pat, it really helps.

Traffic in town is the other big issue. We need "Calming Zones" to slow things down I guess. I think we all agree that the City's main arteries (Union, Hammond, Broadway, Essex, Stillwater, Hogan) are all jammed up during peak times. And yes, most folks are going 10 miles over the speed limit in town. Pat says that she doesn't see a traffic problem at all, and even if she did, its the job of the police to deal with such matters, not the Council. Well Pat, your right about the cops for sure, but c'mon now, the streets are getting jammed up as more and more people commute into the City. Try lowering property taxes and you'll cut down on the cars. Or maybe she just needs to spend a little more time in the City. The ordinance as proposed by Professor Gratwick is a complete joke. This touchy-feely approach wont solve a damn thing. The criteria for being declared a "Calming Zone" is ridiculous. Very few neighborhood streets would ever qualify. I see classic cut thru streets like 14th Street and Mt. Hope Ave as possibilities. Let Jim Ring do his job and work out the traffic. He's a sharp guy. The new roundabout out on Maine Ave is a great step in the right direction. We need more clear thinking like Jim's, not stupid ordinances from bored councilors. This whole issue goes back to the project on Howard Street that reeked of croni-ism. But didnt you vote for that one Pat? Is there a traffic issue or not? You cant have it both ways my dear.

The bigest joke of the week was the Energy Conservation Workshop. Ironically, this meeting was a big waste of energy. Rather than working on a tax break for alternative fuels or to help defray energy costs, Joe Perry's advice is to put plastic over your windows. Jeesh Joe, why didnt I think of that? Thats brilliant! The other pisser about this meeting was all the folks lined up to help the low-income folks get some government handouts such as LIHEEP and Penquis CAP funds. But what about the regular guy who has two kids in college, a mortgage, property taxes, etc, etc to pay? He doesnt need a hand? He's got bills to pay just like the low-income guy, and probably more. Mr. Regular Guy is probably living closer to the edge than Mr. Low-Income, but all he gets is a cheap loan to pay his fuel. A loan to pay for his fuel? WTF?? This is just like buying groceries with your credit card. Your standing on one leg at this point. And just in case your pea-brain doesnt work to well Joe, its gonna get cold again next year. Joe doesnt get it, he never did. It's to bad that Frank Farrignton was passed over by the voters in favor of Perry. I think some people actually think he's the guy who ran Perry's Restaraunt on Main Street for years. Sorry folks, wrong Joe. This one cant cook fried clams and wont lower your taxes either.

The American Folk Festival has come and gone. I had a chance to talk with Heather over the weekend and commended her on the good work. The new layout was great. The food lines were long, but not to long. And the music was first rate. I'll have to eat a little crow on this one. Keep doing what your doing Heather.

Thats all for now, I've got a few more important things to do.....