By
Lorraine Glowczak
It
all began as a fun and casual conversation among a group of individuals at a monthly
networking Business Break event hosted by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of
Commerce. The conversation consisted of various matters of concern expressed by
Windham community members. Topics discussed included residential and commercial
growth, civility among elected officials, tax increases as well as environmental
concerns. The conversation turned serious and it was decided then to be
proactive and do something about the concerns expressed.
“We
need to move Windham forward in a positive way,” stated Maggie Terry, during
that impromptu discussion. Terry is a chamber member and owner of Legal Leaf,
LLC and Legal Label, Inc.
It
turns outs that Terry had been thinking about this idea for a while – the idea
that would unite Windham in a positive and solution-based way. “It seems we’ve
been divided for a number of years and I want to change that,” Terry said.
Fast
forward three months. Terry along with fellow chamber member and Licensed
Insurance Agent with MetLife, Jonathan Priest, have been working together ever
since to “Move Windham Forward”, making the thoughts and concerns discussed at
the beginning of the summer, a reality.
The
organization, Move Windham Forward (MWF) is a non-profit, non-partisan group of
residents and taxpayers that have come together for what has been identified as
common goals and interests of the residents of Windham. The mission as is
stated on the website: “We seek to have a better understanding of the issues we
face as a community while we contemplate our decisions on leadership, community
planning, land use, infrastructure, taxes and technology changes.” www.movewindhamforward.org.
The
group offers an educational approach for all residents who wish to get involved
but are not sure how to go about it. The website includes the proper way to
address the Town Council regarding any issue that one deems important as well
as background information about each elected official.
But
perhaps just as importantly, MWF will offer two “meet the candidates”
gatherings. Windham residents will have the opportunity to meet, speak to and
address concerns with the candidates running for Town Council office. The
purpose of these meetings is to allow residents to get to know
The
first gathering will occur on Monday, September 30th from 5 p.m. to
7 p.m. at the Microtel Inn and Suites’ Roosevelt Room at 965 Roosevelt Trail. The
second “meet the candidates” gathering will occur again at the same location
from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th.
“We
want to make it clear that Move Windham Forward is a non-partisan
organization,” began Priest. “We do not endorse or oppose any candidate running
for Town Council. We just want to provide the opportunity for residents to ask
questions in order to be well informed as they vote in the elections this
fall.”
“We
also want to eventually hold Town Hall meetings to provide ongoing conversations
in a positive way,” Terry added. “This is a future goal we are working on.
Right now, we want to focus on our meet and greet gatherings so they can be as
successful as possible.”
MWF
emphasizes a core set of concerns that include: Unity, Growth, Taxes and
Environment.
Briefly,
and as stated on their website:
1)
Unity:
North Windham. South Windham. East Windham. West Windham. In
such a geographically large town made up of a growing, diverse population it is
often easy to fall into our divisions and not feel as one. Especially over the
last few years. It is important that we remember that mostly - we all agree on
more than we disagree on starting with this; we all love Windham.
2)
Growth
1: Everywhere we look something new is being built; a house here, a
subdivision there. It all adds up. What brings many people here is the
rural feel but, ironically, as they come that rural feel disappears a little
more for someone who was already here. What is the answer? Unfortunately, this
is not an old question, it has been around for decades - but to date has been
without a real solution. Some say stop growth completely, some say have zero
regulation and let landowners do as they wish. The answer is somewhere in the
middle.
3)
Growth
2: Windham is one of the fastest growing towns in Maine for residential
housing but is significantly lacking in commercial development.
Commercial development such as retail, service businesses, restaurants, office
space, manufacturing and high density residential are the keys to our economic
future. This development would benefit our town, by bringing more of a sense of
community and a place people want to be, by helping create new revenues to
offset the residential tax burden and by encouraging growth in the places we
want, instead of the places we don’t want.
5)
Environment:
Our environment in Windham is our greatest treasure and must be
protected. Windham has some of the most beautiful farm space, open
space, forests, water bodies and animal habitats; it’s a large part of why many
of us chose Windham. These assets need to be protected, especially our lakes,
streams and ground waters, many of which are already on state impaired lists.
It is in our control and our responsibility to preserve our environment for
Windham’s next generations.
For more information, peruse the Move
Windham Forward website at www.movewindhamforward.org
