Strathglass Park

Strathglass Park 1912

When Hugh Chisholm traveled this area in the late 1800's, he recognized the awesome power of what was then called Pennacook falls. He built a power plant to tap the power of the falls and all other infrastructure was built around it.


As the population of the town swelled to build and sustain the infrastructure, new housing was desperately needed. From this need, Strathglass Park was born. This beautiful housing complex was an advanced architectural design at the time. The buildings on the outskirts of this oval shaped park faced each other, creating a feeling of community within the park. Hugh Chisholm clearly understood the importance of creating a feeling of community for the people that came here. The RFP is thrilled that residents have formed the Strathglass Park Association and are working to revitalize this beautiful and historical landmark

What's your favorite swimming spot?

Hey, let's open the discussion to our favorite swimming spots - ponds, lakes, rivers, frog ponds etc. What places do you think are the best to direct friends from out of the area to? Which places hold your best memories? Why are they wonderful? My personal favorite is Roxbury Pond, Silver Lake, Ellis Pond, but I also like Weld and Worthley for different reasons. Anyone wanna chime in?

xmashen

Protecting our Digital Environment.

Just like we need police and the court system to protect us, the RFP needed to put a system in place to protect the integrity of this website. I’m thinking that it was likely that only one person caused this but just like everywhere else, it only takes one or two to mess things up for everyone.

From now on when you post to this website, it may take a little while to see your comments. That delay will allow us to screen out the nasty remarks we’ve been getting. The RFP is still dedicated to responsible free speech and open dialogue. We may just move slightly slower delivering it.

There are other plans in the works to try to make this site better. We need to get used to the technology and get it ready. Be patient.

Thank you to everyone for such a great start to the Rumford Free Press. Together we can make a difference.

Welcome to the new Millennium

It’s a time of global warming, shrinking oil reserves and online communities.

Online communities?

By now we all know what a powerful tool the internet is. We can communicate with anyone in the world with an internet connection. Online communities have sprung up everywhere. It probably started to get big about 10 to 15 years ago when AOL started their chat rooms. I know people that used to meet every day in their chat room to share a laugh, tell stories and feel connected, all without ever meeting the people they were chatting with. Businesses use online communities to link their employees from across the country or across the world. You can take online classes and never meet a single person in your class. Some people have gone so far as to create an online identity for their role playing game and lead a double life; serving burgers and fries by day, virtual nightclub owner with virtual fancy cars and virtual houses by night. It’s a bizarre world sometimes.

Like every new technology, there is good and bad that it brings. We’ve seen that in our own community.

The Open Doar blog was a virtual community. In it was good and bad. Many great ideas and information sharing happened there. The underlying reasoning for having a town blog was for that very purpose and I believe Mr. Doar did the best he could to keep it on track. Unfortunately, under the guise of free speech, many people simply attacked others there, bringing the whole thing down.

So what kind of behavior should we expect from people in an online community? I believe the same behavior that we expect from people in any community, that we treat others with courtesy and respect. That doesn’t mean everything has to be all rosy all the time. We should still try to hold our town officials to a higher standard of behavior or call them on it when they don’t live up to that standard. We should still call others on behavior that is hurtful to our communities. We are bound to have different ideas and opinions and we are bound to not get along sometimes. We should still expect people to disagree without being disagreeable.

Len Greaney wrote a letter to the editor that was also posted on TRR that said the problem is because people post anonymously. I disagree. The problem is when people don’t display acceptable public behavior, regardless of if they reveal their identity. I know being anonymous makes people more likely to misbehave but if you read the Open Doar, you saw that there were more anonymous poster there that behaved like responsible citizens and called for acceptable behavior than their were those that acted unacceptably. BTW, although I may disagree at times with Mr. Greaney’s opinions, I have always respected the way he has conducted himself publicly. That hasn’t always been the case for other people at public meetings

There has been a lot of noise made about people needing to know who is posting or on certain sides of an issue. Why do they need to know so badly? After all the reputation ruining, name calling and public bashing that has gone on, why wouldn’t people want to remain anonymous? Trust is very low in town right now and it’s going to take some time before it’s built back up. Some in town appear way too anxious to find out who has different opinions than them so can attack and harass them. I don’t need that behavior in my life. If in some small way this site helps heal the town and contributes positively, I don’t need that credit either. It would be enough just to see it happen.

Oh and BTW, we do have an identity, even if it’s an online one. That identity is the Rumford Free Press which values responsible free speech and open communication. Everyone that shares those values is invited to join us here at this online community. Stay tuned, we’re working to make it even better.

What kind of comments are OK?

The Rumford Free Press recently received this comment. Overall it’s a great post with some good points but I still felt the need to delete it. Read on.

The Open Doar blog allowed slanderous comments such as accusations that XX was
doing things illegal in his business, and XX was being abusive to family
members. Why do people have to make up such stories? I am surprised that
they
didn't say XX was intimate with woodland creatures. This is a small
town, and
the rumor mill runs hard and fast. There are some who believe
these rumors.
Another related issue is the fact that somebody was calling
people's employers
and those who regulate business to try and get people
fired and/or investigated
for false reasons. When town opinions cause worse
politics that the national
elections, it is time to reassess the rationale.
There are some serious
apologies due to certain people. As for TRR, I think
you are right, it has gone
way over the edge since [edited] gave it up. [edited]
are Bush Republicans and
they will attack anyone who doesn't follow their
views. Look at how [edited]
trashed [edited] on the Doar blog. They used to be on the same
side, but
[edited] didn't like what [edited] was saying, so he trashed him. I feel that
[edited] is a big wind, but he has very few
supporters. He has driven away most
of the CCFR members, and even some of
the selectmen are talking with him less
often. I believe his time has ended.

I know I said I wasn’t going to edit posts but this one is a great example of what can go wrong. This was a great post but it went just a bit over the edge at the end. How does calling someone a “big wind” not take us down the same path of contention that the Open Doar and TRR went down.

When you post to a website, you aren’t having a private conversation with your friends. It’s a public statement, not much different than if you stood up at a town meeting and said it. Would you really attack someone personally at a town meeting? I hope not. That isn’t the behavior I hope to see in town. Not at a public meeting, the Open Doar, the TRR or on this web site.

I know that there are a lot of shades of gray about how to move forward here. Honestly, I’m trying to figure it out myself. Thank you to all who have posted here thus far and for everyone’s efforts to try to keep this website out of the town sewers. Together we can change things.

Celebrate Memorial Day

It’s a time to honor our veterans. There will be parades, speeches and marching bands. The aging members of our finest generation, our WW II veterans, are dwindling. I believe that makes it more important than ever to honor them. They are responsible for our current way of life and freedoms, our feelings of safety for us and our families. That includes the freedom to have a website like this to say what you want, even criticize your own government. They did this for us at great personal sacrifice and much suffering. Of course we often hear them say that the true heroes are the ones that didn’t come back. Many here in the states suffered too, with dealing with the emotional pain of losing their loved ones. No should have to bury a child. They truly are our finest generation.

Some of our other public servants also work to help keep us and our families safe. They also do this at the risk of great sacrifice to themselves and their families. That is our Police and Firefighters. They train often and work hard, often putting their own safety on the line. They deserve to be recognized too… and honored. This post isn’t an argument for what the level of service the town should provide, although their safety should be factored into that discussion. It is a chance to honor them for their hard work and commitment. It’s a chance to say thank you.

Let’s take the time to go out today and honor our veterans. They more than deserve this day. Let’s go say thank you. While you’re at it, you may also want to say thanks to the Police and Firemen that work to keep us safe too.

Two Wolves

An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life...He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One wolf is evil -- he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego.

The other is good---he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.

"They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied: "The one you feed".

Submitted by C - Thank you

The root of some of our problems.

The RFP recently received this comment and would like to respond.

"The SJ article is partly right. The atitudes of a few are having a negative
affect on our town. But the problem is not the selectmen. The problem is those
who spend their precious time making mountains out of mole hills. Yes, the
selectmen have made mistakes, but to advocate public lynching for minor issues
is just wrong. Those who post attacks from the shadows of anonymity merely stir
the pot. They have no accountability for what they say, and they either
playfully or viciously tear people apart without due regard for the person's
feelings or reputation. This is shameful and those who do so need to come clean
and apologize to those they have wronged. Both "sides" have made mistakes, and
both have resorted to attacks. Perhaps now that this blog prohibits attacks, we
will see a more peaceful community. I wish that the Doar (blog) had never been
Opened. It has torn our community apart."

I agree almost completely. There are probably only a handful of people in town that have caused most of the problems. People have been viciously attacked and their reputations ruined. It’s painful to watch what people have gone through, especially those who try to serve the town. I think a lot of the reason for what went on at the Open Doar was in response to that. Of course you are right when you say both “sides” were involved in hurtful behavior.

I’m surprised that I haven’t been challenged for not revealing my identity. I won’t because I don’t want to be torn apart or have my family put through hell because I disagree with someone. That has happened often in this town and that is shameful. It feels to me to be just another version of town bullying. I don’t believe that because I choose to remain anonymous, I can’t run a good website that is constructive and helpful to the town though.

What I disagree with you about is what I perceive as the root of much of the problem in this town. I believe much of the problem started at TRR web site. That site attacks anyone that they disagree with and they write often with anonymity. I won’t get into everything here because we’ve all seen it. I believe that site is what this editorial in the Sun Journal was referring to. When you publicly state some of the things they have stated, it’s a normal human response for people to become angry.

I know that to bring this up here invites a continuation of some of the discord in our town. The alternative is to continue to live with such negative behavior. I believe it’s our civic duty to try to make our town better and challenge those things that are hurtful to our town.

If you are thinking of writing something that personally attacks those that run that web site, don’t bother. It won’t stay on here long. If you want to talk about what has gone wrong in our town and what you believe will make it better, we’d love to hear from you.

One last thing.

The Rumford Free Press is publicly challenging TRR to debate their ideas, thoughts and beliefs with clear thinking instead of name calling and personal attacks. That includes electronically and publicly.

That could only improve our town.

It was bound to happen

Some of the people that posted negative responses on other web sites have arrived here. Who knows why the attacks occur. Perhaps they are just threatened by town residents having an opportunity to openly debate.

What ever the reason people may have for their personal attacks, they won’t be allowed here. It’s OK if you disagree with someone or have a legitimate point to make. Name calling, obvious lies and vicious attacks of a personal nature will be deleted.

What kind of town do you want to live in?

We all know that the population of town has been shrinking since about 1980. What people in town may not be as aware of is that once residents move here the length of stay for residents is above state average (City-Data, 2008). I attribute that mostly to the wonderful sense of community that exists among most residents here. Once you become part of this community, it’s hard to give it up. Walking down the street or going to the store can be a pleasant experience as residents stop to chat. A drive through town elicits a friendly wave from almost every other car. When residents face difficult times in their lives, town people often rally around them, throwing benefit suppers and helping to make sure that their needs are met. One visitor to the area remarked that he seldom sees behavior like this where he lives. We are all truly fortunate to live in such a community.

The question on the mind for many residents is why would anyone move to Rumford? Better yet, why would a business move to Rumford? If YOU were looking to move into a town, what qualities would you be looking for?

The town of Rumford is located in a beautiful part of the state, MSAD#43 has a reputation for providing quality education, and the town has supported Black Mountain Ski Area and town recreation through the Parks Commission and the Greater Rumford Community Center. We have an effective and responsive police force that works hard to try to keep crime down. We have a professional and highly trained fire department. Taxes are lower than state average and although much of the housing is aging, it is affordable. These strengths help make our town a positive place to live and raise children. The taxes in Rumford have been going down for the past few years but let’s face it, that trend was not going to last forever.

So how much can be cut from department budgets without significantly affecting town services? I honestly don’t know the answer to that question. I would guess the most qualified person to answer that question is the Town Manager and Department Heads. Some individuals in town may have strong opinions about that but they are just that, opinions. Our Town Officials answer to many people and have many eyes looking at their budget. It’s all public information. They also have to answer many of the questions asked by residents. It just seems difficult for them to pad their budgets too much or pull one over on us.

The thinking that needs to go into what the level of service our town should provide is multifaceted. It seems to be a balancing act between what is necessary, what we can afford, what is desirable and what will continue to make this town a place you would want to move into, perhaps with your business, if you were looking for a place to settle down.

Want Freedom of Speech? Here's your chance.

There has been a lot of debate already this year about the town budget. Some hot spots have been the level of service for police and fire department, funding of social service agencies, recreation funding at the GRCC and Black Mountain and how to improve the political climate in our town. I’m hoping for respectful free flowing debate.

Thank you Sun Journal

The Rumford Free Press would like to express our appreciation for the articles that recently appeared in the Sun Journal. These articles clearly defined some of the problems that have plagued the town in recent years and provided a framework for understanding how negativity has hurt the town. The Rumford Free Press agrees completely with the Sun Journal when it says the residents of the town have an opportunity to improve our situation with the election in June. We encourage all residents to get out to the polls and VOTE.