Note from the editors: The BDN will only consider letters and OpEds relating to the June 10 election that are submitted by the end of Thursday, June 5.
Rate increase
I am writing to express my deep concern about the potential rate increase proposed by Central Maine Power Co. As a retired senior citizen on a fixed income, I have had to contend with numerous tax, fee and other cost-of-living increases in the last few months.
I do not see the results of expected improved service as proposed by CMP’s expensive television advertising proclaims. Perhaps if the company spent less for advertising campaigns and focused on just providing excellent customer service, there would be no need to consider such an increase.
It already has done away with meter readers due to the introduction of smart meters and cut health insurance benefits for company retirees.
Surely, such a significant corporation can find alternative means of generating capital for infrastructure improvement and operating costs other than a rate increase.
Andrew B. Loman
Augusta
VA treatment
I am sad for those members of our military who have been so badly treated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and lacking leadership in Washington, D.C.
I feel real fortunate to be living here in The County as a veteran and have been taken care of by the VA. Not once in at least 10 years have I ever felt let down by my doctors, nurses and their staff. I’m proud of them and hope this issue does not affect their ability to continue the great job they are doing for us veterans here in The County.
Carl Savage
Eagle Lake
Partisan kowtowing?
During a recent debate, Second District Congressional candidate Emily Cain, a Democrat, was unwilling to challenge U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-2nd District, on an issue for which he is clearly accountable (the veterans’ health care debacle, as ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs). This is not a good sign for someone expected to tackle the tough problems and personalities in Washington.
As a fresh face with a reputation for thoughtfulness, not obviously beholden to any special interest — such as labor unions — why couldn’t she just acknowledge the obvious? Nobody, not even the mighty Michaud, is perfect. Instead, she succumbed to the usual partisan kowtowing and wagon-circling. I guess a few years in Augusta has taught her well. How disappointing.
John Aromando
Poland
Voting yes
I write to urge Portland voters to vote yes on the June 10 parks referendum. A “yes” vote will strengthen protections for 60 of our public parks and open spaces at a time when such protections are critically needed.
We are in the midst of a $540 million development boom, and as investment dollars continue to flood in, pressures to develop our public lands will only rise. Unfortunately, the Portland City Council fails to understand the central role that our public parks play in our city’s economic future. Councilors miss the importance of keeping our parks healthy and well maintained. Instead of protecting the goose that lays the golden egg, the city has put her on the menu.
A smart development future for Portland would recognize that public parks are not assets to be sold, but drivers of economic growth. Well-maintained parks add to nearby real estate values by as much as 15 percent, thereby adding to municipal tax coffers. These urban open spaces bring young professionals, families and retirees into the customer base of our local economy. Our parks are the venues for events, festivals and farmers’ markets that drive revenue to small businesses. A healthy park system and a strong local economy go hand-in-hand.
A “yes” vote will give Portland residents the right to vote on the future sale of any of our city’s 60 parks and open spaces. With so much at stake, Portland residents’ voices deserves to be heard. Make that happen by voting yes on June 10.
Wells Lyons
Portland
Vote you out
Isn’t it amazing how quickly Congress can find the millions of dollars to send to other countries, but it can’t find the funding to continue Emergency Unemployment Compensation for its fellow Americans? Members of Congress need to stop playing the blame game, worrying about re-elections and do the job they were elected to do. Remember, EUC recipients are voters, too. They might have helped vote representatives in, but they can also vote them out.
Ellen Dayton
Bangor
Time capsule article
David Paul Henry’s OpEd suggesting that a maximum wage be set as a way to reduce income inequality reads like something out of a time capsule: See USSR (1922-1991). I refer Henry to a much earlier statement of this vein: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need,” as stated by Karl Marx.
Joseph Hardy
Ellsworth
Noise complaints
I would like to address the noise complaints associated with the Waterfront Concerts. As a musician myself and a fan of all styles of music, I tend to get angry when one style is singled out as being too loud. Rock shows do tend to be a little more boisterous and attract bigger and, let’s face it, louder fans.
The people of Bangor need to decide, however, once and for all, whether they are going to be a city or a large small town. If a city, learn to live with the occasional extra noise from a concert, and quit complaining all the time. The extra revenue from these concerts must help the local economy immensely, so I can’t understand why people seem bent on doing all they can to stop having shows at the waterfront.
On the other hand, if the people of Bangor want to be in a large small town, they should try living in a real small town for a while. If you want to have to travel an hour for shopping or social services of any kind, be my guest and live in my area, but be ready to hear squealing tires in the middle of the night from people trying to avoid animals in the road and not having police available to respond to every little noise complaint.
Dennis Dow
Sangerville