SOLON & BEYOND: Town office expands hours, nomination papers available

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Time surely flies! It will be town meeting time before we know it!

Have received two e-mails from Christy Jablon about the following: I am informing you that nomination papers are available at the town office for anyone interested in running for the following positions, Selectman/Assessor/Overseer of the Poor, term: 2019-2022 ( three years); Road Commissioner, term 2019-2020 ( one year); Town Clerk/Tax Collector, term 2019-2020 ( one year); RSU 74 School Board Member, term 2019-2022 ( three years).

Nomination papers must be returned to the town clerk by the end of the business day January 1, 2019.

I realize this does not give you much time to get a paper for a position with signatures, and I apologize for that, it was not Christy’s fault, she sent it in plenty of time. My computer and I rage often with each other, as in this case!

Another e-mail that I received from Christy states: I’m happy to announce that starting this month the Solon Town Office will also be open on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed noon -1 fp.m., or lunch). We are hoping that being open an extra day will be more convenient for everyone. We are going to keep these new hours through March. At that time the town will vote whether or not to keep the office open four days a week. I hope this works well for everyone.!

Now for a report on wonderful events that took place in Solon recently!

Lief and I attended the Holiday Concert-Steel Drums, featuring “The Snow Pond Pantastics,” at the Solon Congregational Church on December 8, at the church; (along with a sizeable crowd, who also seemed to be enjoying it.)

I would never have believed it if I hadn’t heard it, that just drums could produce such beautiful music! Another thing for me, that made it so special, was the joy on the faces of those producing these wonderful sounds!

And then at 7 p.m., on the same day, we also listened to beautiful singing voices by the Skowhegan Community Chorus at the New Hope Church, in Solon. It was a very large group, some from other chorus, and many towns; again, very special!

At both events we were invited to partake of scrumptious food after both performances, needless to say, we were both stuffed – but very happy that we had attended both events of extra special music!

Speaking of e-mails: I had received one earlier about a meeting of the Somerset County Commissioners on December 5 to hear the pros and cons of the NECEC power line project. The one in favor of the project would get a chance to speak first, and those against it could speak later.

Lief and I also went to that meeting, along with a large crowd of those for and against it, (and it was so large some people couldn’t get in the room where it was held. We sat and listened to all the CMP people and their supporters until it ended. I went up to talk with the commissioners after it ended and asked why the ones against it didn’t get a chance to give their side of the issue. The two that I talked with told me there had been a meeting for them two weeks before. Somehow, I missed the boat! On the e-mail that I got, it said the commissioners were going to vote on the issue after that meeting. But now I hear that vote has been changed to December 19.

And now for Percy’s memoir: Have a Wonderful Day…Every Day! Your presence is a present to the world. You’re unique and one of a kind, Your life can be what you want it to be.Take the days just one at a time. Count your blessings, not your troubles. You’ll make it through whatever comes along. Within you are so many answers. Understand, have courage, be strong. Have health and hope and happiness. Take the time to wish upon a star. And don’t ever forget… for even a day… how very special you are. (words by Douglas Pagels.)