Editor:

    I would like to congratulate Ms. Albanese and  Mr. Gale for setting the record straight – condos are not (any more than any other residential property) a for-profit business. Each condo owner pays taxes to this city at the same mil rate as everyone else. As a residential property owner, I hope someday, when I am ready to sell my property, that I will make a profit. I would assume that condo owners hope for the same, and why shouldn’t they? That doesn’t make the condo association a for-profit entity. Additionally, apartment owners who set their own rental rates, also pay taxes to this city at the same set mil rate. Aren’t they rightfully owed some services as well?

    If the goal in this city is to be more ‘green,’ to conduct ourselves in a way that is more environmentally friendly and to assist our citizens to that end, then why wouldn’t we consider offering recycling as part of this upfront investment? Every condo or apartment unit would not need its own recycling bin. The bins are large, and as an avid recycler, I do not need to put my bin out every week. I am confident that side by side units would work cooperatively to share bins so that fewer would need to be purchased and more recycling would occur. If we hope to reduce the waste going to landfills, isn’t it worth this sign of our commitment to that end? 

    On a different note, I would like to say that I have only met Brian Norton one time (to my knowledge), when I was a teacher at SPHS. He was a guest speaker in my Maine Studies class, and I admired and respected his work, his rapport with my students, and his commitment to donate his time to the learning of my students. I continue to be grateful for his willingness to give of both his energy and his knowledge. I believe our students gain much from hearing about the work of others in our community, and Brian Norton does important work.

   While I may not sit on the city council, I continue to reserve my right as a citizen, just as Mr. Norton and anyone else should, to speak up whenever I choose to do so. I do not believe I lost that right in any election.

    Although I may disagree with a position, a decision or a project, I hope that I do not make personal attacks on individuals with a goal to malign or hurt anyone. My opposition to the project on Waterman Drive is in regard to the project itself, not the person. I have always found Mr. Ingalls to be polite and professional and think nothing less of him (or his family) because of this project. I hope that I am always respectful, even in my disagreement, and will continue in that vein. I believe that most of our citizens would agree that is the right choice.

 Rosemarie De Angelis

South Portland