No negligence?
I must be going crazy. In what world is falling asleep at the wheel and killing someone not criminal negligence? In Piscataquis County, apparently.
According to Piscataquis District Attorney Christopher Almy (BDN, Dec. 28), the driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a Shirley man who was walking along Route 15 (with a safety vest on, yet) may not get charged because the driver was not drunk or speeding. He was just asleep.
Almy said that “unless you have intoxication or speeding way, way over the speed limit, it doesn’t meet the threshold of criminal negligence.” So beware walkers and bicyclists. Apparently “whoops, sorry” is about all your family can expect if a driver bumps and kills you for having the audacity to walk or bicycle along a Maine road.
Bob Baker
Orrington
LePage insults County
As a former House of Representatives candidate for Caribou, I know that going door to door to each home and meeting with many groups is paramount when seeking political office. Listening and taking notes on concerns of the citizens of the community is in fact the reason why a person would seek the position in the first place.
On Gov. LePage’s most recent visit to Fort Kent and Presque Isle to hear the concerns of Aroostook County citizens, his comments were inexcusable. While I certainly am one to promote respect for the office of the governor, unfortunately, I find myself questioning why he would disrespect a former House and Senate member because he simply disagreed.
I can tell you that the planet Judy Paradis is from is a very real and “in the moment” planet. She and her husband (a former House member) have been tireless advocates for the citizens of the St. John Valley as well as Aroostook County. The comment from Gov. LePage was completely disrespectful and an apology seems appropriate.
Aroostook County folks are regarded as hard-working and ethical individuals. We do not deserve to be disrespected, especially from our governor, which appears to be happening more often. At the same time, it should be noted that when it comes down to Election Day, it is we citizens of Aroostook who elect our candidates to an office. We get what we voted for.
Matthew Sanfacon
Caribou
Better traffic lights needed
After moving here from New Hampshire, we can only characterize the traffic lights in Bangor as Jurassic-age engineering. All too many times you come to a stop light and sit for no apparent reason simply due to a mindless timer system, wasting precious gas in the process.
These lights on Stillwater, Union Street and others need to be sensor-controlled based on changing traffic needs. The traffic light system needs control by sensors so that traffic can flow on the busiest street. Green right-turn arrows should be triggered when there are no oncoming cars turning left.
Much needs to be done to make a trip into Bangor better. Let’s use our heads. There must be some grants available to upgrade to a sensor-based system. They’ve done it in other states with more traffic than Bangor and it works great.
Timers are rigid and are wasting our money stopping us when there is no need, especially as you enter Bangor on Union Street. It’s time to upgrade these lights to a system that actually works.
Tim McCann
Exeter
BOB,
Great letter. It appears we need to bring back the great ” WILD WEST ” days, were justice mattered.
MATTHEW,
Can you tell me what the governor said that wasn’t true, or did the truth just hurt someones feelings? A big difference between the two.
TIM,
The American empire is collapsing and all you have to complain about is having to wait a few extra seconds at a traffic light?
LePage is a bully who doesn’t appear to need to listen to us….He is a rude person and that is inexcusable…..
Bullying and low intelligence go together like peas and carrots. Sorry, but our governor is not very sharp to begin with.
The governor said that Forbes magazine told him that welfare abuse was causing our state’s low business rating. That is a lie, plain and simple. He claimed a homestead exemption in Florida when he lives in Maine. That is a lie, plain and simple. The little girl who claimed that the mural reminded her of North Korea? We can only have strong, sneaking suspicions that this too was a lie. Regardless of your political persuasions or our need for an ax man in Augusta right now, the governor is less than honest and everything he says should be questioned. His nose has grown at least an inch since he was sworn in.
Matthew Sanfacon–Unfortunately, our governor appears to be incapable of apology. However, if it is any consolation, a great many of his constituents are very sorry–not only for his boorishness, but that he is even our governor to begin with.
I like the Governor. He’s turned on the light of fiscal responsibility or irresponsibility, however you want to say it. Our state is broke. Who knew before Governor LePage made an issue of it, that every resident of Maine owes the state employee retirement fund $2700? Who knew that almost 40% of Mainers are MaineCare recipients? Governor LePage has made these two facts known. We can’t keep spending money that we don’t have.
Our State is Broke because the GOP keeps giving out Tax Breaks for Votes!
Tax cuts first, then come the spot lights on the poor, disabled State Workers and the Unions!
This seems to be a “Recurrent Theme” ,
Create a crissis take the money and run,
Then Turn the light on anyone but themselves!
The world is oh so confusing isn’t it?
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
Totally ridiculous. We’re broke because of high unemployment. People who don’t work don’t generate income to be taxed. They need services provided by the state, nevertheless.
Funny, when I think “tax haven” I hardly think “Maine.”
Our state is broke because the Democrats have been driving it into the ground for thirty years.
Of course people are upset when Lepage speaks. The democrat,liberal leadership this state has had to tolerate for so long has finally ended. Cuts are needed welfare abuse needs to be under control and the truth hurts. When the state finally gets back on track the people resisting lepage and his common sense will be grateful. They will never admit it but the numbers wont lie.
“The democrat,liberal leadership this state has had to tolerate for so long has finally ended”How did the democrats manage to maintain control for so long? They were voted into office by the people weren’t they?
“the people resisting lepage and his common sense will be grateful.”
Or GONE.
What common sense? Also what are you going to do to us if we don’t drink The TEA? Put us on a bus and move us out of state?, or maybe you’ll just keep doing all to can to keep us from voting. If Paul LePage wants, to be a bully that’s fine, but he’ll not be given the job next term. He just peed off a big part of his base. Also the Dems won’t be running Libby, next time.
When did Maine folks become so thin skinned? All I hear is whine and sniff *oh, the governor is such a bully!* boo hoo. It’s as if all Mainers want is to be spoken nicely to, even if they are being cheated and lied to. Sure, go ahead and disagree with LePage’s policies all you want. But quit the snivelling. Pretty please.
He is working for the people of this state, ie you and me. One of his employers, suggested, that he comes off looking like a bully. He was in a public forum, and yes, I expect my employee to be able to conduct himself properly in such situations. If he can’t he’ll get fired.
Well, by your reasoning, I am an employer and I find no misconduct with LePage’s statement. I have often wondered what planet some people are from–sometimes out loud.
What this man says to people in privet is one thing. When he is in public, he should have the control, to to keep his mouth shut! It’s easy to fly off the handle, it’s hard to use your brain before you engage your mouth. He needs to think before he speaks, because he’s making us all look like fools.
I think Matthew is just looking for attention because he lost his election.
Bob: Apparently it’s negligent to slam into a pedestrian with your vehicle if you’re texting or drunk, but if you’re asleep it’s A.O.K.
How that can be the case (what, we’re supposed to know when we’re getting drunk but not when we are getting tired?), I just don’t know.
Tim McCann: And you would foot the bill? Those systems are very expensive, and I’m sure you’ll see them in general use in the future. Just put your foot on the brakes and take a nice, deep breath.
The problem with the Governor is that he does not understand that being a Governor is not the same as being a CEO. He is supposed to listen and consider all sides and then make a decision.
Instead, he makes a decision and expects everyone to “jump” and carry it out. Maybe you can run a junk store that way, but you cannot govern that way and that’s the problem. Unfortunately, it (and he) will only get worse. November 2014 cannot come fast enough to vote him out.
The Governor shows nothing but contempt for his constituents, kowtows to his cronies and seems to see nothing wrong with it. While he was CEO of Marden’s it seems he didn’t learn to embrace the retail principle of old, “The customer is always right.” It’s more likely he goes by the adage attributed to P.T. Barnum, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” After all, he did manage to get elected.
He also makes up solutions and then goes looking for problems to solve. He clearly demonstrates an alcoholic abusive personality whenever anyone disagrees with him because it’s all about him. (He reminds me so much of my ex-husband!) Yes,I agree with you that it will become much worse and it will take years after he’s gone to make this state right again.
What, exactly, is “right again”? A welfare state? A bankrupt state?
Well I hope your ex-husband was better looking.
“He is supposed to listen and consider all sides and then make a decision.”
How do you know he doesn’t? He doesn’t agree with you?
Matthew
You and Judy Paradis lost your respective elections because a majority of the voters in your district felt the same way Gov. Lepage does.
Only difference is that he has the cajones to say it.
You go Gov.
He seems more suited for New Jersey.
I find the hypocrisy regarding LePage to be hilarious. When he’s rude and forceful with his agenda, he is lauded with, “You go Gov.”, “When did Maine folks become so thin skinned?” and “If Paul LePage wants, to be a bully that’s fine”. But with anyone else? LOL, it’d be a totally different reaction. These are the same people that take grand offense to being wished “Happy Holidays.” These are the same people that screech that Obama is constantly shoving things down their throats. These are hypocrites.
Since you quoted me, let me defend myself by saying that I could care less if I am wished Happy Holidays versus Merry Christmas. My response will be the same back to the person with a smile and a thank you. And I don’t complain about Obama’s words, per se, but his policies, yes–I do take issue with them. Which is my point. Take issue with the policies–those are the important things. How LePage states the policies is not the really important thing. If you believe his words are more important than the intent, then you are setting yourself up for being continually lied to by politicians.
It seem that any dissent towards the governor is taken as being thin skinned. You can’t disagree with LePage, even on the basis of policy, without being called a sore loser (or something of that sort).
Second, I constantly hear people claiming that Obama is forcing his agenda down our throats. That sounds like a disagreement with both policy and method. So why is it a different story when people disagree with the method of LePage? Seems like a double-standard.
I don’t take offense to being wished “Happy Holidays”, I just ignore it because it’s meaningless.
Hey, Mc Cann, if you don’t like how things are up here in Maine, go back to NH.
Paradis’s comments to the governor were far more disrespectful than his comments to her. He ought to only apologize if she does. Respect is a two-way street; it’s earned, not given.