Newspaper mission
While I heartily disagree with the BDN’s Eliot Cutler endorsement (I’m going with whichever Gov. Paul LePage opponent is leading in the polls and this likely will be Mike Michaud), I want to just as heartily urge the paper to continue making political endorsements in the years to come. I hear the national newspaper trend is to steer clear of them, but I for one depend on the BDN editorials as a key piece of information in making my decisions on candidates and other issues. The editorials are well thought out and well-researched, and it is a real public service to continue with the political endorsements. I believe it is part of a newspaper’s mission. Please continue.
Glenn Montgomery
Belfast
LePage leadership lacking
During the nearly four year tenure of Gov. Paul LePage, I have watched with surprise and sadness how he treats the public employees of the state of Maine. His leadership style is one that unfortunately does not command the respect of the people he leads.
My experience as an enlisted person in the Maine National Guard and Reserves of nearly 10 years taught me that a person must first learn to follow before they can lead. LePage, as governor, is the civilian commander of the Maine National Guard, who are 100 percent citizen soldiers.
Maybe if he had the experience of learning to follow from the ground up (literally) he would realize that any leader cannot continually and politically put down the human resources he is responsible for and then expect them to follow. The governor shows little interest in the well-being of his people, the career professionals of state government; yet he demands allegiance to his orders.
The governor has repeatedly told state employees and teachers these are challenging times and asked them to sacrifice in pay and benefits. He has failed to set an example while demanding to do with less over the last four years.
Leadership is not a given right of any human being. It is privilege and honor that must be earned through experience and sacrifice.
Ernest Jeff Barnes
Bangor
Re-elect Hubbell
The voters of House District 35 had the foresight to elect Brian Hubbell to the Maine Legislature in 2012. In just two short years we’ve seen him shape policy and garner trust. His accomplishments reflect his belief that we all deserve education, health care, safety, employment, clean water, and affordable communities despite our political party, our address, or our net worth. It is this collective responsibility and recognition of commonalities before differences that mark Rep. Hubbell’s style of leadership.
Clearly, no change is needed. Join me on Nov. 4 in the pleasure of re-electing Hubbell to represent the towns of Bar Harbor, Mt. Desert and Lamoine.
Kate St. Denis
Bar Harbor
Cutler best for job
People say that a vote for Eliot Cutler is a vote for Gov. Paul LePage. Further talking with them I find out they would love to have Cutler as governor. When will people think about the fact there are many out there that feel the same way they do?
If people would vote for whom they really want as governor, their vote will not be wasted. Cutler can win if people stop thinking their vote will be wasted if they vote for him. Voting was meant to be done so you can elect whom you really feel is best for the job.
Ann Harmon
Bath
LePage about action
It is reasonable to say that the American people are sick of politics and most politicians. We have an opportunity in November to make the future of our state and possibly our country better. The governor’s race in my eyes should an open and shut case. If you are truly sick of politics, you have only one choice and that is our outspoken, sometimes crude Gov. Paul LePage.
This man, unlike so many of our elected officials, is a man of action, not political sound bites. He has actually accomplished things that have made our state better. He paid our debt to the hospitals. He secured a better deal than the previous administrations had done for the sale of alcohol. He has cut down on fraud in the welfare system and prevented illegal immigrants from taking moneys they have no right to, thus saving money for Mainers who truly need it.
His opponent Mike Michaud has been during his tenure a rubber stamp for the Democratic Party. Now he claims to be the guy that can bring both sides together. I think not. Just more sound bites.
Leo Mazerall
Stockton Springs
Michaud, Cutler team up
Gubernatorial candidates, let’s get it together. We can’t possibly have another four years of Gov. Paul LePage. Here’s an idea: Rep. Mike Michaud, offer Eliot Cutler the position of “Economic Czar” in your administration, in return for encouraging his voters to switch to you. Cutler: Here’s a solid opportunity for you to get some of your good ideas on the road to implementation. The state of Maine would certainly benefit, and we the citizens would get two for one — what could be better than that?
Ron Poitras
Surry
LePage’s Cate Street mess
When will our tolerance of the scandals plaguing Gov.Paul LePage run out? The Great Northern Paper mill was the hope for the entire Katahdin region, but a smart leader would have realized the problems in a deal with Cate Street Capital to finance the mill’s operations. LePage has proven incapable of managing our state’s tax dollars. The $16 million that went to Cate Street investors could have retrained thousands of workers in the Katahdin region who need skills for 21st century jobs. The money could have financed tuition for hundreds of Maine students who otherwise could not afford a college education.
I have studied the records and plans for Maine of all three gubernatorial candidates and Eliot Cutler is by far the most qualified to take Maine forward in the future. Let’s not throw good money after bad.
William Betz
Cape Elizabeth
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.