Re-elect Kruger
I am writing to urge voters of District 92 to re-elect Chuck Kruger. The revised district now includes Cushing, Thomaston, South Thomaston, Matinicus and St. George.
Kruger has represented his constituents fairly and even-handedly. He is smart, empathetic and sensible, and has a proven record of bipartisanship. He is fiscally conservative, willing to compromise and constantly works to end the partisan bickering that gets in the way of good lawmaking.
As a member of the Marine Resources Committee and as chairman of the Government Oversight Committee, he has worked to protect our fisheries resources and our fishermen, and to curb unnecessary government spending. At the same time, he tries to improve our educational system without increasing the burden on property taxpayers.
As co-chairman of the Moderate Caucus, he and others work hard to find common ground between the parties on budget issues and other important concerns to Maine residents.
Kruger has done a wonderful job for the midcoast. Let’s re-elect him so he can continue to do good work.
Nancy Griffin
Thomaston
Faircloth: Probate judge
While most people are focused on the well-publicized races, I’d like to speak to the candidacy of Amy Faircloth for the less high profile, but very important position of probate judge. Probate judges deal with families during particularly difficult times, so this position calls for a person of considerable knowledge and experience who is also caring, patient, and fair.
Faircloth has been a law clerk for the Maine Supreme Court, an associate for Vafiades, Brontas, & Kominsky, and is currently a partner in the law firm of Pelletier & Faircloth. In addition, Amy has served her community in other ways. She has been on the board of the Bangor Humane Society, the RSU 22 board of directors, the Maine Citizens Review Panel, and has volunteered for the Greater Bangor Area Bark for Life and the Maine Parent Federation. Her focus on family law in district and probate courts and her community involvement and personal experiences provide the essential skills necessary for this position.
For more than 25 years, Faircloth has worked diligently to improve the quality of justice. If elected, she has pledged to be courteous and responsible and treat those who come before her court with respect. Her court will be accessible and convenient to use, and will adhere to relevant laws and procedural rules.
Our courts need a probate judge like Faircloth. I encourage you join me in voting for her on Nov. 4.
Mary C. Smith
Bangor
Hampden taxes
As a citizen of Hampden, I am thankful that we have an excellent town manager as well as some fine members of the Hampden Town Council. Over the past year I have attended only three council meetings, including the candidates’ night. I learned a lot about our local government including the reasons for the property tax increase.
Of course, I wish my property tax had not increased, but the town council was not responsible for it. There are three reasons our taxes went up: Gov. Paul LePage’s deep cuts in revenue sharing for the education and town budget; an increased county tax; and a considerable increase in the school budget. The council had absolutely no authority over any of these matters. In a separate process, the people voted overwhelmingly for our increased school budget.
Those who say this or that councilor was responsible for the local tax increase are completely wrong, and they know it. Despite inflationary increases, the town’s appropriations this year are thousands of dollars lower than four years ago. Amazing.
Our incumbents deserve to be re-elected. They are: Ivan McPike in District one; Jean Lawlis in District three; Dave Ryder in four. I also hope Dennis Marble wins the open seat in number two as he has a well-known record of selfless public service.
Clyde MacDonald Hampden
Governor Cutler
The gubernatorial election is the most important one facing Maine voters this fall. Gov. Paul LePage has a solid base of conservative supporters, which is clearly a minority of the total number of voters. The decision for the approximately 65 percent of the rest of the electorate is, should they choose Mike Michaud or Eliot Cutler. After listening to the televised debates, it is clear to me that Cutler is the only candidate with a detailed and comprehensive plan to move Maine forward.
My greatest concern is that voters, looking for an alternative to LePage, will look at the polls and decide that the best way to defeat the governor is to vote for the candidate with the larger poll number rather than selecting the best candidate. I believe it is imperative that Maine citizens vote for the candidate they truly believe would be best for the future of Maine. If they do, I have no doubt that Cutler will be elected.
A conservative bully with a narrow agenda, a representative with few accomplishments and no plan for the future, or a man not only with a vision for Maine, but a plan to accomplish it — the choice is unequivocally clear. Cutler should be our next governor.
George Wright
Bangor
Yes on 2
Voters have an opportunity to support Maine-produced food and the health of their communities by voting yes on Question 2 on Election Day. Maine’s farmers are threatened by new invasive pests arriving in state, five in recent years. Human diseases such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis transmitted by mosquitoes and tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease are becoming a bigger health concerns in our communities.
Currently, Cooperative Extension does not have a bio-secure (safe) laboratory where insects carrying human diseases can be safely identified to determine the extent of disease exposure. Question 2 would fund the construction of a safe, secure laboratory to be operated by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service. The Maine Medical Association recently strongly endorsed Question 2.
There is resurgence in farms producing a diversity of fruits, vegetables, meats, flowers, fiber, fish, dairy and related products across the breadth of Maine. Global travel and trade is bringing invasive pests to Maine threatening the production of these healthy foods and farm products. Voting yes on Question 2 would ensure Cooperative Extension can provide timely, efficient, and safe identification of both new invasive and native pests challenging Maine food and farm production.
A yes vote on Question 2 will provide benefits to all citizens with an interest in Maine food and healthy communities.
David K. Bell
Chair, Board of Agriculture
Exeter
Election notice
The Bangor Daily News has stopped accepting letters and commentary related to the Nov. 4 election. We will stop publishing election-related letters and columns with the Nov. 1-2 edition. Not all submissions can be printed.