The only thing not welcome in planning the Greater Bangor millennium celebration is a somber lecture on why the millennium doesn’t actually start until Jan. 1, 2001. Everyone already knows and almost nobody cares: The party turns on the year 2000.

All other thoughts, however, are encouraged. But the regional Chamber of Commerce committees deson’t have much time to gather the good ideas, figure out which to use and then make them happen. The local effort needs help from residents to get everything ready to begin festivities that will stretch between July 4, 1999 and July 4, 2000.

Already the committee has come up with eight areas of interest for subcommittees: education, ecumenical, entertainment, general events, fund-raising, history, publicity and community outreach. Anyone who would like to help guide these subcommittee or contribute to them in other ways can participate by attending a community meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Rangeley Hall, Eastern Maine Technical College.

Other than the fact that the year switches to the nice round number of 2000, there is no particular reason to celebrate that year more than the current one. But, frankly, Bangor needs a party. A year-long blast that brings members of the community together, invites anyone else who would like to join in and celebrates life in a safe and friendly city. It’s an opportunity for Bangor to take stock in the good things that it has and to think optimistically about its future.

Come Jan. 1, 2001, perhaps the city could think about doing it all over again.