Constitutional rights
Isn’t it funny how the vast majority of Americans feel that Kaci Hickox should forfeit her constitutional rights to preserve the public health. Yet many of these people, screaming about their “constitutional rights,” will not even consider reasonable gun ownership regulations in order to protect the public health against the thousands of people who die from gun violence every year in the U.S.
Stephen Blythe
Jonesboro
Richman’s symphony
I heard some music Sunday and the dude on the harp had pink hair. Six percussionists played, like, 12 instruments. The Croatian guitarist wore hot pink and bling and the audience rose clapping and shouting for her and for the other musicians.
The music that brought us to our feet was by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra opening its 119th season. Symphonic music is the sound, light and atmosphere behind all our commercials, TV shows and movies.
The step of the band is the step of the leader and the Bangor Symphony is led by a Grammy-winning force in Lucas Richman. Our maestro has conducted orchestras for many films and pop star recordings and his joy energizes the audience, which is clearly comfortable at his shows.
Come see dozens of your neighbors create. Before the show some of us watch the Patriots on the big screen across the hall then hear the maestro interview the soloist and answer our questions. Snacks are available. You can even wear a sweatshirt and jeans, but stick to comfortable shoes. Richman’s symphony can blow your socks off.
Leslie Woods
Montville
Domestic violence solutions
Advocates of the Maine Constitution should note that the primary responsibility of government is public safety, the safety of our fellow citizens. Domestic violence homicides account for almost 50 percent of all murders in Maine.
Solon, the Athenian statesman and lawmaker of ancient Greece, is attributed as saying, “Justice will only be served when those who are not injured by crime feel indignant as those who are.” When a community decides that it will not tolerate certain behaviors it has usually been motivated by the actions of those who have been most affected. I hope that we can all recognize and commend Kelly Gay, Ralph and Linda Bagley, their families and friends, who turned their anguish into action, in the relentless pursuit of utilizing electronic proximity devices to contain high risk domestic violence perpetrators, and warn abuse victims.
Thanks to their efforts and the wisdom of our Somerset County District Attorney Maeghan Maloney, Chief Deputy Dale Lancaster and the Somerset County Domestic Violence Task Force, the use of electronic proximity monitoring devices will provide the earliest possible warning of a potentially deadly encounter with an determined abuser, who has been identified by the court to be a high risk. Lives will be saved.
Arthur Jette
Cambridge
Untapped oportunities
The recent BDN article “‘Industries don’t last in one place forever’: public investment abroad fueled Maine paper mills’ decline economist says” calls attention to the importance of investment if we are to strengthen key industries. The paper industry, as University of Southern Maine economist Michael Hillard notes, has long been a mainstay in Maine’s economy and now, with closure of three mills, the future of these good jobs is in doubt. Innovation, the article points out, will be crucial to turning our economy around.
A part of the story that the article fails to cover is the ways that Maine’s universities have long been out in front in doing research that looks for innovative new uses of Maine’s forests. I had the good fortune just last week to attend the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute annual meeting with business and community leaders at which innovative new approaches to creating fuels from forest bioproducts were presented that are designed to reduce Maine’s dependence of fossil fuels. Much research of this kind is being generated at the University of Maine System campuses and holds great promise for our future.
I encourage readers to look at the recent issue of Maine Policy Review and articles, such as “ Finding Untapped Opportunities in Maine’s Forests,” that highlight Maine’s leadership.
Linda Silka
Orono
Stop negative ads
I awoke to find the results of Tuesday’s election with mixed emotions. Some of the people I voted for won and others did not. I think though the bigger disappointment was the way some of the candidates ran their campaigns.
I have younger children who my husband and I are working hard to teach to be good and honest friends, students, teammates and community members. The conversations with them leading up to the election were more about the negative and often dishonest attack ads. I understand that it’s important to highlight the differences between the candidates, but some went too far.
Please remember as elected officials’ words and actions are witnessed not just by adults but by children who are learning and soaking up this information. They are our future leaders and it would be nice if we could model for them how to lead with integrity and that winning at any cost is not always winning.
Jennifer Ruhlin
Bangor
Keep tannery options open
This letter is written on behalf of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce regarding the tannery property and discussions occurring about options for this property in Camden. As a membership-driven organization, representing more than 1,000 businesses across Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties, the Chamber acts as the voice of business in the region and is driven to be a catalyst organization that ensures our region is a vibrant place to do business, live and work.
The Chamber would like to encourage the community to keep its options open in regard to business and economic development for the region when considering future uses for the tannery site. The need is present to keep commercial zones open for future job growth. Our year-round community is dependent on the opportunity for businesses to be able to grow, expand and to create jobs.
Together we can all move forward in finding a balanced approach that supports business and entrepreneurial design, while keeping the character we love intact. Our goal continues to be serving as an advocate for local business and supporting the work of our many members. We encourage our communities to continue making strides in retaining a vision that make business, along with neighborhood enhancement, a viable option. This is a long-term decision that will serve us all well.
Staci Coomer
Executive Director
Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce
Camden