OPINION: ''It's All Yours Fryeburg''

by Michael Corthell, Publisher

Free Press MAINE - October 26, 2017 - What's all yours you ask? Your town; from the land, to the water traveling under that land, to your schools, your airport and a whole lot more. 

What I really want to talk about is citizen apathy, specifically voter apathy. But even those of you who vote need voice your opinion on a regular basis. In fact, it is vitally important to the future of this beautiful Western Maine town. 

Fryeburg is exceptionally positioned geographically. Rt. 302 starting at the New Hampshire border is the second most traveling entry point into the state of Maine, second only to Kittery on Rt. 95. You border the shopping Mecca of Conway, New Hampshire and are just west of the up and coming town of Bridgton. (think economic opportunity)

So what's the problem? High property taxes? Affordable housing? Good jobs?

Yes, all of the above. But all problems have solutions, there is nothing that can't be fixed. Having been a resident of Fryeburg, served on the planning board, and currently a director of the ESAA, I can tell you that if you value your town you MUST participate in its governance in some way, shape or form, depending on your ability of course. If you let a single core group of people run your town, you risk the continuance of what you have right now.

Are you happy with what you have right now
or do you think that Fryeburg can be so much more?

Fryeburg, is a typical small New England town, but it is exceptional in two very important ways; It is perfectly positioned geographically, as previously stated, and it has an extremely valuable and renewable natural resource: Spring Water. A resource that Nestlé® wants to continue to buy. Whatever direction Fryeburg's relationship with Poland Spring/ Nestlé goes, it is all up to you.

You, the people of Fryeburg can capitalize on those two things, but you must speak up and be unified.

Yes, whatever your opinion is speak up and speak out. You don't have to wait for a town meeting. Go to the select board meetings, planning board and school board meetings. Volunteer. Write letters to the editor. Invite news organizations to do stories on Fryeburg, stories about things that are important to you. 

A good town with good government consists of all the good time, positive energy and thought its citizens put into it.

Free Press MAINE is a digital, multimedia publication that reaches thousands of readers per day, many of those readers reside or work in Fryeburg. If you would like to voice your opinion on our page or submitted a letter to the editor send an email to mike.corthell@outlook.com or call him at (207) 256-4418. It is also possible for us to do video interviews.