Editor:

  We recently attended Commissioner Dick Feeney’s announcement for re-election to the Board of Cumberland County Commissioners.  At the home of Scarborough’s Anthony Barrasso (Anthony’s Italian Kitchen) with family and friends Dick spoke to us regarding his roles in Community Development Block Grant Funding which has introduced over $2 million new dollars into Cumberland County for use in areas on public infrastructure, housing and social action programs. Most notably assistance with moving a building onto a new site for a food pantry in Gorham, remodeling the public library in Steep Falls and playgrounds in Harrison and Long Island. In addition this funding assists the Peoples Regional Opportunity Programs, Preble Street Resource Center as well as providing new affordable housing for low to moderate income families.

   In addition, Dick spoke of his involvement as an advisory board member with My Sisters Keeper which is a faith based mentoring program at the Cumberland County Jail.  This is a program operating from Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church assisting women in transition from the jail back into society. Providing help with resume building, apartment hunting, job availability and in general relocating them away from their former environment helps in reducing recidivism. 

  Dick is currently working with a group of community leaders and Janet Marie Smith who is the individual famous for the redesign of Fenway Park. This group is studying how the capacity of the Cumberland County Civic Center can be increased, better amenities such as new bathrooms, larger concession stands for better efficiency with larger concourses, in addition to added seating for individuals with disabilities.

Commissioner Feeney has shown us that with his determination in working with local municipal and state officials, more must be done in order to make governments more efficient and effective. By collaborating with each other and reducing redundancies in areas of assessing, emergency communications, public safety, public health etc. achievements can be gained in providing true property taxpayer relief.

Commissioner Dick Feeney will have our vote, again, this November.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wilkinson

South Portland