To the editor:
I like the city of Presque Isle. I like driving down Main Street. When I do, I notice things.
For instance: There is almost never any garbage alongside the road. All the curbs are clean. It is a wide, straight path like an aisle between church pews leading to an altar ( a bit of a stretch on this simile, but you get the picture).
I like the neat, decorated storefronts. I like the trees that trim the sidewalk; it feels more “country,” don’t you think? I like the benches, too. The flower boxes are icing on the cake. Thank you to whomever takes care of them. They make Presque Isle feel comfortable and cozy looking, like sitting in my rocking chair in front of the wood stove.
Have you noticed that our side streets with their rows of homes are not (too) crowded, either?
I like Riverside Park, also. Have you been there lately? It’s been changing over the years. Do you remember when we flooded the soccer field during Christmas break for the purpose of a skating rink? That would be about 30-plus years ago. The splash pad is a great idea. The baseball diamond is awesome and the dugouts work for me. I think the new Rec. Building is a great addition.
Also, when you think about it, pulling out the train tracks and laying out a bike path was a great idea, with benches and doggy bags to boot. When my kids were small we would start at one end and bike [to] the other, then we would ride to Pine Street School and ride circles all over the parking lots.
And now we have a new pavilion near the courthouse parking lot. On Saturday mornings the Farmer’s Market is becoming a real hangout. There are a lot of things going on in town if you look for them.
And I like the way the Industrial Park is being revived also. Drive around in it someday, you’ll be amazed at all the efforts we and local entrepreneurs are making to invigorate our community.
And don’t forget, in Presque Isle we have two college campuses: UMPI to the south and NMCC in the Industrial Park.
Why would you want to live anywhere else?
Frank Pytlak
Presque Isle
