Sound Off Sunday: Aug. 21

Welcome to Sound-Off Sunday. Here's what you, the readers, were talking about this week.

Poll Of The Week

Question: Since the new high school will cost significantly less than originally estimated, should some of the money already approved by voters be used to build an expanded, fully lit, artificial turf stadium?

34% of people said "Yes. They borrowing was already approved, so it makes no difference." 

A whopping 64% answered: "No. If built, the bigger, artificial turf field should be funded completely through donations and sponsorships."

The poll also generated a lot of debate in the comment section below. Readers raised questions about the durability of artificial turf fields and whether the extra money could go toward fixing the elementary schools instead. 

One reader even asked if people were watching too much "Friday Night Lights," a television show about a small town in Texas obsessed with high school football.

The hot topic this week was the proposed athletic complex. Between the and an, this is what people were talking about. Here are some of the highlights below:

Good for FOTCAC! Great work!

What happens when TD Bank gets bought out by another biG BANK?????????

I still think about the impact about the added traffic, noise, and people on the residents and roads in the area. The traffic is bad enough but expanding the complex to that size will only complicate things further. Not to mention the noise increase and people cutting through yards.

I think if it will reduce taxes, and bring in money to pay down town debt, a "sponsor" should be found to lease naming rights for every public structure and building in this town. Every park and sport field including the school fields, should also be available for adveritising and leased naming rights. A committee could be appointed, and overseen, by the town selectment and the school committee to ensure that the sponsors and advertisers are appropriate. The school committee should also be talking to the school bus company about advertising in, and on, buses to save on transportation costs

Blog Post Of The Week

In Don Ordway's blog post Monday, he gives a brief history of President H.W. Bush. In the post Ordway writes about Bush's frequent trips to Barnacle Billy's restaurant in Ogunquit ME. Wouldn't it so happen that later this week Ordway was at Barnacle Billy's and was able to hand his blog post to a secret service member to give to President Bush. 

J & B Butchers post regularly on Facebook and this week, had a photo of the staff on the cover of Spectrum Magazine. Only a few more weeks of summer left so keep updated on your BBQ needs while the weather lasts.