Election notice
The Bangor Daily News is no longer accepting letters and columns related to the Nov. 2 election. We will stop printing such commentary with the Oct. 30-31 edition. Not all submissions can be published. However, additional columns can be found at bangordailynews.com in the “Contributors” section on the Opinion tab.
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An adequate governor
In a year when voters are frustrated and disgusted with partisan politicians, the Democratic Party nominates someone who is about as unimaginatively old-school politics as possible. The Republican Party, pushed to the extreme right, nominates a relative unknown who has increasingly demonstrated an inability to control his emotions, an intolerance and disrespect for anyone whose beliefs or ideas differ from his own, and whose personal and family dealings are questionable. And we finish off the grim family portrait with independent candidates with no chance of success.
This election will not be won by the party faithful, but rather by those who cast their votes based on what they truly believe is in the best interest of the state. Those who cast their votes for independent candidates will do so either because they believe them to be the best choice or because they have no respect left for either political party and no faith in the candidates those parties have put forward.
Tragically, in this election, those independent votes will be statements shouted into a vacuum that potentially accomplish no more than put the keys to the Blaine House into the wrong hands.
I want to vote for an independent candidate. But I’m going to vote for Libby Mitchell. Not because I think she’ll be a great governor, but because I think she’ll be an adequate governor. And because I’m convinced that she’ll be far, far better for Maine than Paul LePage.
John Silvernail
Bucksport
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Parker for State House
I urge all voters in Maine House District 18 (Bangor, Veazie and Orono) to cast their vote in support of Jim Parker on Nov. 2. Jim is a native of Maine and has worked his entire career as an environmental and civil engineer in the Bangor-Orono-Veazie area.
As a business associate and next-door neighbor of Jim’s for more than 25 years, I have seen his qualifications firsthand. He knows what it takes to develop jobs, and his company now has five offices, all in Maine, creating many good-paying professional jobs statewide. As I have grown my businesses and investments in Maine, I often get advice and comments from Jim because of his business background and knowledge of working with the regulations in Maine, which are, at best, difficult to understand.
He is in the United Way Leadership Circle and a strong supporter of the University of Maine, having established an endowment for a UM environmental laboratory.
Jim has demonstrated strong commitment to his community, serving the Orono-Veazie Water District and moderating the annual Veazie town meeting.
Nov. 2 will define the direction our state goes. Let’s make sure we send the right people to Augusta. We need the experience and knowledge of people such as Jim if we want our state to become strong and prosperous.
Dennis Payson
Surry
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Sahadi for House
I have known Helen Sahadi for more than 25 years, and during that time, she has always been a community-minded person who has worked tirelessly in all that she undertakes — teaching, serving as a school board director in SAD 3 and owning and operating her own business.
She researches, seeks input and is not afraid to “get into the weeds” to find viable solutions to important issues. Her passion, enthusiasm, energy and insight are invaluable when faced with challenges.
This is the type of person I want representing the towns of Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Montville, Palermo, Unity, Thorndike and Troy during these very difficult times, and I urge the residents of these towns to vote for Helen Sahadi on Nov. 2.
Susan Saraiva
Thorndike
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Support Long
After serving 16 years in the House of Representatives, I am pleased to throw my support behind Rick Long. He has the tenacity and level-headedness to bear down and face the challenges that will be before the 125th Maine State Legislature.
Rick Long has proven himself as a leader in our community. A lifelong resident of the town of Sherman, he has served 12 years as selectman, six of those years as chair. Rick is a volunteer fireman, Sherman’s fire warden and the trail master for the Molunkus Valley Sno-Drifters. An avid sportsman, I have no doubt Rick will strive to keep our beautiful, unique state a place future generations will enjoy, respect and preserve.
District 9 will be well served with Long’s integrity, common sense and dedication. He is eager to fully commit himself to being our voice and representing our interests. He truly understands the needs and concerns of those of us who live and do our best to make a living in rural Maine.
Join me in supporting Rick Long for state representative on Nov. 2.
Rep. Henry Joy
Crystal
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Joe Brooks and integrity
On the day after a statewide election a few years ago, Joe Brooks looked over the previous day’s vote tabulations that gave him victory in his campaign for a seat in the Maine House of Representatives. As he checked the numbers, he detected an error that could ultimately snatch away the victory and give it to his opponent.
Joe immediately notified the town office in Winterport of the error. Then he went to his opponent’s home and gave her news she was not expecting — she had won.
Joe’s integrity and honesty cost him the election but displayed the kind of honesty and integrity we need among our state lawmakers.
I hope other voters in House District 42 recall this demonstration of integrity — something that gained him a page one story in the Bangor Daily News — as well as all the hard work Joe has done for us in the past, both in the Legislature and as chairman of the Town Council.
I’m going to vote for Joe, because I know he will reward that vote with hard work, honesty and integrity.
Gary Ennis
Winterport