It’s sometimes hard to tell which is worse, incompetent government or none at all.
As De Tocqueville (1805-1849) said, “we want to be free but we want to be led.”
So we get what we asked for.
York, Maine along the beautiful Atlantic coast is one of the most historic communities in the world, becoming the first incorporated city in America in 1642.
Sadly, local government seems unable – or unwilling – to manage its gift.
The latest case in evidence is a $4 million village “revitalization” that was “only” supposed to cost $3 million.
But bids came in too high.
So rather than rebidding or scaling down the project – or not doing it at all – selectmen decided they’d go ahead with it anyway, $1 million in overspending be damned.
They decided they’d pay for the overage by “borrowing” the extra $1 million from the second phase of the project, meaning they’re going to get half a cake for the price of one.
Only in America.
So for roughly $4 million York residents will get wider, “pedestrian-friendly” crosswalks and sidewalks and parallel parking instead of the current nose-in angled style.
But perhaps worse than the $1 million unexpected debt is the plan to remove The Soldiers Monument from the middle of an intersection and move it to a nearby park.
The idea in relocating the monument, allegedly, is to make it “more visible.”
But the fact is it couldn’t be any more obvious than it already is – standing proudly right in the middle of an intersection.
In moving it, town officials are sadly, mistakenly, robbing the downtown village of a beautiful centerpiece visible to every motorist and pedestrian, as well as to tourists visiting the town to relive America’s history.
The granite monument in the middle of the road – the intersection of Route 1A and Long Sands Road – is a lot of what makes York’s village so beautiful and unique.
Made, that is.
Taking that 120-year-old piece of history and putting it out of sight, out of mind, is a loss the village can’t recoup.
The Soldiers Monument in York, dedicated on May 26, 1906, is a granite statue honoring Civil War veterans.
The monument was dedicated 120 years ago this month with a speech by Maj. Gen. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, famous for leading the 20th Maine at Gettysburg.
“ERECTED 1906 TO SONS OF YORK WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN ARMY AND NAVY FOR PRESERVATION OF THE UNION” – Soldiers Monument engraving.
The proud granite Civil War soldier stands on what is known as “The Parade,” an historic triangle in York Village.
Make that stood.
The soldier for some no-good reason has to be moved after 120 years because York’s government can’t leave well enough alone.
Better to disturb history (at any cost…) than to enjoy, embrace and celebrate it.
