Favoritism in Baxter

Something’s rotten in Millinocket and it’s not the smell of smoke emanating from the mills. Rather, it’s the culture that has evolved in Baxter State Park. As a frequent park visitor for over 30 years, I’m referring to incoherent, confusing rules and regulations, particularly winter rules, inconsistently and selectively enforced and secretive park policies that grant special privileges and regulatory exemptions to park employees, quasi-employees, government officials and “special” groups.

These observations are not the speculations of a naive occasional park visitor. I’ve led or co-led 15 winter expeditions to the park and enjoyed approximately 75 visits since 1976. During that time, I’ve had numerous conversations with park employees, individuals who were the beneficiaries of special privileges, and a former park superintendent.

Recently, I’ve exchanged correspondence with the current park director, Jensen Bissell. In his March 11 letter, Mr. Bissell acknowledged problems with park rules but denies knowledge of special privileges.

Don’t be misled by smoke and mirror arguments about extraordinary endowments and a unique authority status, the park employees are paid by the residents of Maine and are accountable to them. It’s time for the park to develop a system of rules and regulations that pass the smell test and are fairly, consistently enforced. Further, all special benefits and exemptions should be eliminated immediately.

It’s time for transparency from an arrogant bureaucracy that for too long has held itself above public scrutiny.

Ron Chase

Topsham

···

Would DOT lie?

I was deeply horrified to read the OpEd Ron Huber, Harlan McLaughlin and Douglas Watts (“Courts must take action for Sears Island’s well-being”) in the May 14 BDN.

They wrote, but I do not believe, that the DOT said it does not have to obey the Sensible Transportation Policy Act. I do not believe the DOT said that members of the public who own Sears Island have no legal right to request the court to ask if the DOT should obey the Sensible Transportation Policy Act.

And I do not believe the DOT flatly denied that it has plans to build a cargo port at Sears Island but it ran ads in trade magazines and requisitioned $100,000 for a Sears Island development consultant. I have total faith in the goodness and integrity of the DOT. Why would they bulldoze the people? Do they have a history of bulldozing people?

I am sure that this cargo port will not harm the ocean or the wildlife at all. The DOT does not lie. I don’t think the fishermen have a single thing to worry about. I am sure scouring the ocean bottom is nothing and the cargo port is smallish. I really wish these people that are constantly bellyaching about the environment would indeed “sleep at dawn.”

They are always throwing their little annoying monkey wrenches into good corporate machinery.

Debby Atwell

Rockland

···

Rural Internet option

Regarding the May 18 letter to the editor by Diane Collar concerning rural Maine Internet service: There is an alternative method for people in rural areas to obtain internet and e-mail from a satellite service. HughsNet covers Maine with their satellite providing more than 100 times faster downloads than the 21 kbs she mentioned.

Charles Sykes

Stockholm

···

Crude Politics

The government has urged us to conserve fuel by driving less and buying smaller vehicles. Then the state wants to increase the fuel tax because we are not using enough gas. All this time the price of crude is being driven up by the speculators who started this economic downturn. Will this bring back $4 gas prices and drive this economy further into the toilet?

Is there a real reason for crude oil price increase or is it just plain greed? It’s like being robbed without the robbers using a mask or weapon.

Of course, there is no price gouging going on. Just ask any politician who enjoys oil money for their campaigns.

John L. Clark

Dedham

···

Robin Hood remembered

Does history repeat itself?

Let’s go back to Robin Hood’s day of lore. He saw that those in power, through taxes and other means, took from the poor to satisfy the greed of the rich and powerful.

Now does anyone see the comparison to present day? If not, good luck!

Frank Slason

Somerville

···

Superb writers

Kudos for running Meg Adams’ wonderful columns each Friday. Her writing is superb, and we look forward to learning something new each week. Today we had the opportunity of hearing her talk about her Antarctic experiences and she was terrific. Please keep her columns running. She is an excellent writer, and we look forward to following her wherever she goes.

Also, speaking of good writers, we are always pleased to see Abigail Curtis’ bylines. She, too, is an excellent writer.

You are fortunate to have such good people on board.

Bill and Lois Soule

Orono

···

Stolen republic

I have been watching the arguments between the shouting heads on TV about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s changing story on when she knew about the enhanced interrogation techniques. The excuse seems to be that “Bush or some other Republican did it, too.”

For eight years we had from the Republicans, “Clinton or some other Democrat did it, too.” Now it’s the other way around.

My question for all Americans is: Would you accept this argument from one of your kids? When are we going to wake up and understand that the people we have elected to represent us have stolen our republic from us?

Jerry Williamson

Ellsworth

···

Sitting back and waiting

Like other letter writers, I, too, would like to know why we rural Mainers are not important enough to receive faster Internet service. I live on a road that connects to two other roads which have high speed dial up, but when we asked when we could get it, we were told maybe in a couple of years. Of course we could always get cable, but it doesn’t serve this road either.

Our last alternative is a dish service (priced them lately?) or to just sit back and wait. So far, I have crocheted three afghans while waiting to get on the Internet.

Maryann Wescott

Penobscot