Serving District 131
I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the voters of District 131 (Otis, Dedham, Orland, Penobscot, Verona Island, Prospect and Stockton Springs) for placing your trust in me with your vote to be your voice in the Maine House of Representatives.
Over the course of the summer and fall, I criss-crossed this expansive region — from its inland ponds and mountains, to the shores of Penobscot Bay — visiting nearly 3,000 homes and traveling 7,500 miles. I had the pleasure of meeting many voters, making new friends and learning about the challenges we face. I listened. And I learned.
And now, I am getting ready to put that lesson to good use and to serve you to the best of my abilities. I plan to be very accessible and visible and to be an active legislator on behalf of the people of Maine. You’ll see and hear a lot from me.
And while the margin of victory was large, I know not all residents of District 131 voted for me. I again pledge two things: I will hear all voices in this district and I will seek compromise and vote the people’s conscience over my own or my party’s while doing the people’s work. Every day.
After all, isn’t that the job description?
I look forward to hearing from my constituents and working with them as we work together to make Maine a better place to live.
Karl Ward
Dedham
Suicide comment wrong
On Nov. 3, Gov. Paul LePage offended our citizens. In local and national media, he was reported as joking about suicide. On Nov. 11, Stephanie Cossette, a courageous survivor of her son’s suicide, wrote an eloquent, heart-wrenching letter, poignantly telling LePage that suicide is no joking matter.
Suicide crosses all divides — age, race, gender, sexual orientation, profession, financial status, ethnicity, and yes, political persuasion. Those left behind struggle with the whys, guilt, and loss. Our society is working to understand the causes, striving for early identification and prevention. We read of the epidemic of suicides among our veterans. In schools our teachers instruct our children that words are powerful and words can hurt. Bullying has probably been the cause of numerous suicides among high school and college students.
LePage is an advocate for prevention of domestic abuse. He understands its destructive potential for the individual, family and society. In his next four years, we need him to realize that his words are powerful. We need strong thoughtful leadership. He proudly campaigned that he speaks his mind; he tells it like he sees it.
The people of Maine deserve a little better from our governor. Before he opens his mouth to joke or bully again, we ask that he use a filter of sensitivity, of basic humanity, to avoid abusing others with his words. Speaking the truth is one thing; careless insensitivity to others is another.
Cossette deserves an apology as do all affected by suicide, unfortunately too many.
Joan MacCracken
Brooksville
Fair and fowl
Once again the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife have given waterfowl hunters, especially for Downeast, the worst hunting season time frames. Many waterfowl hunters hunt coastal waters, yet the season is closed for four weeks in October and November. This is when migrant waterfowl are here and you hunt ducks and geese. IF&W is to provide as much hunting opportunity for all hunters. Waterfowl hunting should be open in all zones through October and into November. There should be no coastal zone. What are the biological reasons for setting the seasons the way they are set?
December and January should be for sea duck hunting only. Winter icing conditions often eliminate much duck hunting. Even with a one black duck daily bag limit (for 35 years) the population is still low.
Black ducks are under physiological stress as the sea duck population has been decreasing.
What has the IF&W and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service done to restore these populations?
Fred Hartman
Whiting