HELLO, SUN SPOTS: I’m hoping one of your sources might know if there are any points on Taylor Pond in Auburn or Bear Pond in Turner with access to the public for putting in a canoe or kayak?

Bear Pond used to have a beach that we went to as kids, but it has since been converted to private use. — No Name via email

ANSWER: You didn’t state what town of which you are a resident, but if you live in Turner, you can purchase a pass at the Town Office for unlimited use for you and your family and friends at the town beach. Visit www.turnermaine.com/#!turners-ponds-and-rivers/cnd6 (it is unclear what the limits on boating are).

The Taylor Pond Association has a comprehensive website (taylorpond.org) that includes an email response form where you could pose a query. Sun Spots perused the 2014 newsletter (full color!) and didn’t see anything about public access.

As with many Maine ponds, association members are very focused on maintaining water quality and keeping invasive species out of the water, and much of the newsletter and website are on those topics. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the letter from the woman whose father and grandmother are disabled and had trouble with restrooms in stores and restaurants, I am disabled and reside in a complex where other disabled live.

Public places should have some type of automatic doors or at least the push pads for those of us who can’t open the doors. 

I don’t think a lot of able-bodied people know what it is like to have to be waiting outside a business looking helpless, hoping for a kind hand from a stranger, when all I really need is automatic doors so I can help myself.

One of my neighbors is a paraplegic and cannot open doors by himself. This man would like to get a simple cup of coffee for himself, and so many people just walk by. Sometimes he can’t get in at all if there are no people around and the workers inside don’t see him, which happens quite often.

My hope is that the public can have some awareness to bring automatic doors for disabled folks. Thank you. — Louise, South Paris

ANSWER: Access for those with disabilities has come a long way, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and more public awareness, but obviously more needs to be done.

There are two types of buildings the public might want to access. The first is truly public (paid for by tax dollars) such as courthouses and libraries. The second are private businesses, such as restaurants and grocery stores.

Gildace Arsenault, the director of Lewiston Planning and Code Enforcement, explained the latter in the July 24 column:

“New construction for places of public accommodation (i.e., such as restaurants) must meet these standards; however, existing places of public accommodation that predate ADA need to meet accessibility standards that are deemed to be readily achievable and economically feasible. Therefore, some places of public accommodation may not meet the needs of people with disabilities.”

In other words, if the cost of automatic doors is an excessive burden to the business owner, such that he might not be able to continue to be in business, other accommodations can be made.

If you think of it from the point of view of the restaurant owner: How many cups of coffee would he have to sell to pay for an automatic door?

Over the coming years, the number of places with access will continue to grow. Meanwhile, Sun Spots suggests that your paraplegic friend ask for help from passers-by, who might not realize he needs help getting into the coffee shop but instead, perhaps, think he is waiting for someone.

Alternatively, he might try banging on the door to get employees’ attention. They will surely come running to help.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We want to thank you for your help in items (ink cartridges) we needed to give away.

On June 26 a person was looking for a mattress for a cot bed. We had an older camper and the couch mattress was in need of being replaced. We went to Portland Mattress on Marginal Way, where they made (and will make) mattresses to your measurements. 

We have since replaced all our household mattresses with theirs. They have different softnesses, etc. Hope this helps Dixfield. — No Name, Hebron

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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