Dear Editor:

We have a tremendous opportunity, so let’s not miss out. Boothbay Harbor has a declining population (down 21 percent from 2000 to 2015), declining student population (down 20 percent from 2012 to 2017), infrastructure that needs addressing (school renovations, roadways, sewer and water upgrades, broadband, affordable housing, etc.), and not enough year-round employment opportunities. This community has been in a negative growth cycle for some time and needs solutions and actions or the end result may not be what we would want for our charming town.

Building for growth has begun and it has started because some people care and have the resources to help. Accomplishing this turnaround will require an investment by the private sector committed to the region and the public support to remove the barriers that don’t make sense and impede the right thing to do for this town and the region. We need a strategic vision with a real plan that rebuilds the area into a destination where families can visit, move to, plant roots, year round jobs are created, and a revenue stream is generated for Boothbay Harbor for years to come. The public sector alone cannot make this happen. Those that think that put the total burden on the tax payer.

We can maintain the heritage, culture, and environment that we have all come to love by creating this joint vision and plan integrating public and private support that keeps our community alive and well, or we stay the course as is and fall by the wayside letting opportunity pass us by.

Support the east side development project and all that it brings (jobs, revenue, beautification) as well as the other investments that will come our way that will benefit all in this town and the region. Do what is best for our town and its residents.

Jim Dobens

Boothbay Harbor