Double up

I have twice now signed petitions calling for a 180-day moratorium on wind farm projects. First was on the way into the wind power forum at Mountain Valley High School on Oct. 13 and the second on my way out of the American Legion polling station Nov. 3.

So how will the duplicates be culled?

“Oh, lots of people sign petitions three or four times,” said Beth Bellegarde in the Rumford Clerk’s Office, relieving my conscience. She explained that in the case of a local petition she checks both for registered voters and for duplicate names.

Voters turn out

Speaking of registered voters, they showed up in much higher numbers than usual in the off-year election Nov. 3. In Peru, 760 of 1,100 turned out. In Mexico, 1,111 of 2,052 went to the polls. And in Rumford, it appears that roughly 2,300 of 2,900 cast ballots!

Certainly, many of those votes were cast in the context of our still declining work force and related mortgage foreclosures. One house on our road is empty and the house and outbuildings padlocked. The bank’s agent reportedly said there were 80 houses awaiting his firm’s after-foreclosure process, which includes cleaning out debris and shutting off water and power.

Refocus

Back home, let’s turn to the upbeat and promising. The Rumford Library Friends and the Rumford Historical Society are collaborating to ensure that precious copies of the Rumford Falls Times, dating back to the 1890s, are preserved. The conversion of aging, brittle microfiche to sturdier stuff will be funded in part by the Rumford Library Friends. For more information consult the experts, Dennis Breton and Karl Aromaa.

Another upbeat thought is the holiday season just ahead. Here comes Thanksgiving Day and its dinner, the meal you can cook with your eyes closed. It’s a favorite holiday of ours, unfettered with shopping and mixed emotions.

Soon after it will be Christmastime. The annual parade Dec. 4 will happen because Cherri Crockett and Linda French, for the River Valley Chamber, are organizing it in partnership with the Rumford firefighters. The next night, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon the RAAPA Christmas show will play in the (packed, I’m sure) Muskie Auditorium. On Dec.12, the Rumford Performing Arts Committee offers Christmas Festival in the Rumford Falls Municipal Auditorium.

Watch for fairs and sales at area churches. There will be still other merry goings-on. Get ready!

Linda Farr Macgregor is a freelance writer; contact her: [email protected]