Hats off
Hats off to the group trying to bring back the manufacturing of Dexter Shoes to Maine. We all loved Dexter Shoes and were very disappointed when they closed. Godspeed in their efforts to bring manufacturing back home.
Bob Tweedie
Westfield
Word play
I have noticed a trend of BDN writers using the word “transient” as a label to define many people who have committed a crime or heinous act in Maine. Examples of this socio-linguistic programming is 672 articles strong at BDN online. I searched the word “transient” in the database after noticing the term being used all too often to describe people committing a crime.
The definition of a transient is “a person who is employed in a place or who resides in a place for a short period of time” and is used to describe the homeless.
Am I being presumptuous, or is there a truly appalling and uncanny number of homeless/lawbreakers who are being labeled in police reports as “transients”? Why are reporters continuing to define these people as “transients,” when they don’t have a permanent address, and should be defined as “homeless”?
I am all too aware of the mass homelessness in the state. In perspective, and specifically in print, “homelessness” is not attractive. But using the term “transient” for homeless people does not make the issue go away.
Perhaps we should view homelessness as an opportunity. It is an opportunity for the state of Maine to step forward with its greatest and most innovative minds to seek and create a solution that is an achievable standard of care, capable of becoming a successful model.
It is an opportunity to care for all of our surroundings, including all of its people, and for the state of Maine to prove why this is “The Way Life Should Be.”
Tamra Bell
Bangor
Natural gas access
I have much amusement at the policies of our president, Gov. Paul LePage and every other public official who touts energy independence from foreign oil. That’s because it’s difficult to get natural gas to many areas of the state.
Bangor Gas, for example, has expanded its enterprise to many communities and former oil or propane customers all over our landscape. Some people are denied this opportunity, however, when the company can’t make the finances work. Other times, there are delays. I am one who hasn’t been able to yet get a natural gas hookup, yet it’s been extended down some of the wealthiest areas of Bangor. Sometimes the natural gas lines come so close, but they aren’t able to be extended to every homeowner. It is very frustrating.
Shame on our city councilors, state representatives and interested parties who tout natural gas without acknowledging that it won’t get to many residents. Some of the little people could use the reduced energy costs.
Thomas B. Collins
Bangor