GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS IN EDDINGTON

First the BAD NEWS: Local Property Tax bills went out this past week.

No one I have spoken with saw anything except an increase - about $200.00 over last year for those with Shoreline property in Eddington. The Town Office states the Mill Rate this year went from 11.3 to 11.9.

This writer has experienced an increase in excess of $700.00 in 4.5 years. Outrageous! And yet, the principle culprit is not local municipal government; it is Maine state government, which has consistently failed to pay its fair share of local school district expenses.

Even though District 63 did everything possible to meet the State's mandate for school consolidation, it was not successful - primarily because of Brewer's School Board and the previous Commissioner of Education. As a result, District 63 not only received less than the state-wide voter mandate of 55% of the State's EPS-defined programs, but also had tax penalties in excess of $185,000 deducted from what the state did provide.

Adding insult to injury, the State of Maine chooses to dictate the assessed value of homes even while homes that have been for sale for more than a year don't sell.

The only good news from this mess is that the state Legislature voted to terminate the "tax penalties" AFTER the current tax year. (Who knows what new excuse the Legislature will use for not funding public education in Maine from this point forward.)

While many in this Senior-Citizen state are trying to survive on fixed incomes with reduced values (no increase in Social Security income for two years) when heating oil, electricity, food, gasoline, etc. are costing more and more, the State of Maine is choosing to (1) force these citizens to move out of state for the minimum 6 months plus 1 day which will cost the state of Maine these citizens' state income tax revenues, or (2) force these property owners to lose their homes, or (3) force these property owners to forgo home repairs, or (4) result in even more cost-cutting in school district facility maintenance, programs or teaching positions. No matter how one cuts it - Maine will lose.

Now the GOOD News: Eddington Planning Board approves expansion of two Eddington businesses.

At last Thursday's meeting of the Eddington Planning Board, approval was granted to:

1. Robert (Robbie) Maquillan - doing business as AutoWorks to relocate from its current location at 1306 Main Road to 1328 Main Road (the former eyesore vacant lot next to New Hope Hospice)- and

2. Expanding the parking lot and constructing an office building at Tradewinds, Claustin Lawrence, 1439 Main Road (@ the intersection of Highway 46).

Both of these businesses have provided exceptional services and products for area residents and people passing along Route 9 (aka Main Road) and Highway 46. The staff are always courteous, helpful and willing to assist stranded travelers. Expanded services will only improve their businesses, but the expanded capabilities will add to the local tax base. That's good news for us all.

As a regular customer of both establishments, this writer heartily supports the actions of the Planning Board.