Good things happen with collaboration
To the Editor;
Driving past the Piscataquis County Ice Arena today (March 16) I noticed the parking lot was full and folks were directing incoming traffic. I remembered that today was another food distribution – fresh foods, primarily locally produced given to anyone who showed up – no questions asked. On Friday, the 19th, the PCIA will be transformed into a mass vaccination site with plans to vaccinate 1,000 people a day in partnership with Northern Light Health.
At a recent budget committee meeting I reflected on the collaboration between the Town of Dover-Foxcroft, the Piscataquis YMCA and Foxcroft Academy to provide recreation and youth sports opportunities to our community. Dover-Foxcroft doesn’t have a “Rec Department” but we have the best programming around.
Several years ago the town chose to move the municipal offices from Central Hall to the former Morton Avenue School. A reasonable decision to be sure. What would become of Central Hall? Many called for its demolition but other visionary voices prevailed. Working together with the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society, grants and private donations were acquired to fund the restoration of this historic building. With countless hours of volunteer labor as well as help from Mountain View Correctional Facility crews our community is enriched with a stellar gathering place that will host the Highlands Classical Chamber Ensemble on March 21 – hurray!
A couple of years ago, the town worked together with the Congregational Church to improve safety in the Monument Square parking lot and to create greenspace by removing two tax-acquired buildings and negotiating the purchase of the third. In the near future planning for the redesign of that space will begin. It’s already a nice spot for a lunch break at the picnic table under the tree or in the gazebo (think June!)
My point in sharing these examples with the reader is this, good things happen when we collaborate for the health and well-being of our community! Our little towns exist because we as individuals and organizations weave together the fabric that supports us all. Businesses, non-profits, churches, local, state and federal governments and service organizations all working together for the good of the whole. By the way, it’s been going on for a long time …. the clock in the steeple of the Congregational Church belongs to the town and Central Hall was originally paid for by donations and pledges in 1881 by individuals and local businesses because a gathering place was needed for the growing community.
There are so many examples of how we are at our best when we work together. I do hope that the Piscataquis County Commissioners will come to understand this fundamental principle and act to support the Center Theatre’s application for USDA funds to keep the Theatre standing. Really, it is the Piscataquis County way.
Cynthia Freeman Cyr
Dover-Foxcroft