In a tale of two cities it was the best of times and the worst of times. So begins one classic novel. The same might be said of two towns along the Maine coast with respect to the handling of complaints from residents.

In one town, a complaint about downtown construction is met with courtesy, respect and congeniality. In the other, a complaint about roads, especially where deep crevices formed in front of one resident’s home, is met with a lack of response. A rather curt response offered to the effect that the deep and dangerous holes in the street are the homeowner’s responsibility.

In summary, it might be said that people skills go a long way toward alleviating problems through civility, pleasantness and optimism.

Both towns share the same school system, but they sure do differ in their desire to diffuse potential problems and find a middle ground.

John Vinagro

Kennebunkport