Vote for Davis
As someone who loves the city of Brewer, I enthusiastically endorse Paul Davis, who is running for Senate District 8.
Davis has been a resident of Brewer for the past 45 years. He knows Brewer and the needs of its citizens extremely well. He attended Brewer schools, and he and his family have been actively involved in the Brewer community’s social and cultural fabric since 1969.
I have come to know and respect Davis as an intelligent, conscientious and honest person who can be trusted to serve Brewer extremely well while serving as our senator. He will be a strong voice and advocate for all Brewer citizens in the Maine Senate. I urge you to join me in voting for Davis on Nov. 4.
Kevin O’Connell
Brewer
No on Question 1
One of the ads supporting the bear hunting referendum says to vote yes to “restore” Maine’s hunting tradition. There is nothing to “restore.” Hunters are not required to bait bears. It is a choice some hunters make to facilitate hunting bears in Maine’s woods, where bears cannot be seen at a distance.
Another ad states 7 million pounds of junk food are left in the Maine woods. Really? How did they come up with that number?
Respect the opinion of the Maine Game Wardens and bear biologists who actually work in the Maine woods and vote no.
Jo Ann Higgins
Bangor
Proud of Sen. Collins
It’s that time of year again, when our favorite media outlets are being bombarded with one unsubstantiated claim after another. Campaigns on both sides of the aisle continue to feature an unlimited number of misleading, negative ads eviscerating their opponents’ positions on a whole host of issues. Fortunately, there is at least one person we can vote for this November for whom we can all be proud.
For nearly two decades, Sen. Susan Collins has been our voice in Washington, D.C. More importantly, she has been a leader who has succeeded on so many important issues: investing in our crumbling infrastructure, cleaning our environment and safeguarding our national security, to name just a few.
Collins’ success can be attributed to hard work, tenacity and always being on the job. In addition, she epitomizes one particular trait that in recent decades has become increasingly rare at all levels of government. She consistently puts the interests of her constituents, the people of Maine, ahead of partisan politics.
On Nov. 4, please join me in voting for Collins.
Jeff Romano
Hallowell
Fulford for Waldo
There are many crucial issues facing our state, among them Medicaid expansion, the 2011 state tax cut and the minimum wage. On all these issues, state Sen. Mike Thibodeau of Waldo County has favored ideology over what’s right for Maine, and that’s why Waldo County needs Jonathan Fulford to provide new leadership in Augusta.
Medicaid expansion, which Thibodeau opposes and Fulford supports, would provide much-needed health care to low-income Mainers, create jobs in the health care sector, boost the state economy, and alleviate financial pressure on our hospitals — all at minimal cost to the state.
The 2011 tax cut, which Thibodeau supported and Fulford opposes, was a windfall for wealthy Mainers and tore a gaping hole in the state budget, which resulted in less revenue sharing with towns, less education funding and higher property taxes for less-wealthy Mainers.
Finally, the minimum wage has lost at least 31 percent of its purchasing power since 1968. This is unfair to hard-working Mainers who deserve a decent life for themselves and their families, and it’s bad economics. Studies show that raising the minimum wage is good for the economy.
Time and time again Thibodeau has put politics before what is good for Waldo County and good for Maine. It’s time for a change in Waldo County.
Lawrence Reichard
Belfast
Ethanol use illogical
I understand that U.S. oil production has grown by 60 percent since 2008 and is more than 8 million barrels per day. Good News — so why are we still diluting our gasoline with ethanol? Is it buried in the lockbox of farm subsidies, never to be touched?
The fact that my lawnmower needs servicing each spring is a minor inconvenience, but the loss of millions of tons of food that this world needs is unconscionable.
Eric Charlton
Camden
Support Carpenter
We are supporting Mike Carpenter for Senate District 2 in Aroostook County.
It’s pretty rare when citizens are given the opportunity to vote for an individual who is held in such high regard, has such outstanding integrity and is as highly qualified as Carpenter.
He earned two bronze stars for his service in Vietnam. Later, he served for 12 years in both Houses of the Maine Legislature, including two years as Assistant Senate Majority Leader. Then, after that service, he served four years as Maine’s attorney general. Now, after a successful career as a lawyer and businessman, Mike is again hoping to represent The County in Augusta as our senator.
Carpenter’s years in Augusta proved he can work across the aisle and benefit all the people of Maine. He has spent his lifetime in Aroostook County, and it’s time we sent someone of his caliber to help sort things out down in Augusta. Join us in voting for Carpenter on Nov. 4.
Jim and Megan Gerritsen
Bridgewater
We need Collins
The Sept. 18 BDN letter, “Disappointed by Collins,” misses the point. The real issue is the candidate we elect to the U.S. Senate. While I have my own differences with most politicians, I focus on the bigger picture: who can best represent us in the Senate and get things accomplished.
Over the past 30 years, I saw Sen. Susan Collins emerge on the political scene through hard work and service to the people of Maine. Collins embodies our traditional values of commitment, dedication and cooperation.
Collins has never missed a roll-call vote. She honors her commitment to the people who sent her to Washington to represent them. Constituents, whether they’re veterans, shipbuilders, fishermen or farmers, know they can rely on her to listen to their concerns and help them find solutions to their problems.
She has set a high standard for others with her work ethic. Her reputation in D.C. is that no one out-works our senator from Maine, and certainly no senator has a deeper understanding of their state’s economy.
At a time when the news from Washington is dominated by dysfunction and rancor in Congress, Maine can be proud that it has an influential and respected senator who is informed, thoughtful and unafraid to vote her conscience and convictions.
We all need Collins in Washington.
Gerard Tassel
Bangor