Marine Corps League
I am the past commandant of the Marine Corps League, Bangor Detachment 1151. I served as commandant for 11 years. I would like to thank the public and veterans organizations for all their patriotism and support.
The detachment’s new commandant is Reggie Earley, an outstanding leader from Alton.
William Jones
Levant
Student privacy
On Monday, the Legislature’s Education Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on LD 59. This is a bill that will provide protection for students who attend private schools from having their school records released to anyone without the safeguards provided for in public school. At this time, there is nothing to prevent private schools from releasing these records, other than the schools themselves. This did not protect our son.
We would like to make sure it never happens to your child. The hearing will be at 2 p.m. in room 202 of the Cross State Office Building in Augusta. Please join us in person or in prayer.
Tim White
Wells
Forest Service cuts
I am a Maine resident concerned about the proposed budget cuts to the Maine Forest Service.
The proposed cuts are a 91 percent reduction in the forest rangers workforce.
The consequences of this ill-advised proposal are far reaching. Besides the lack of preventative wildfire resources to counter uncontrolled burning, the reduction in staff will result in less fire-fighting equipment and will seriously reduce the outreach training to fire departments.
Reimbursement to towns for suppression costs will certainly be reduced, as only 9 percent of the enforcement officers will be available to catch and prosecute violators. No other agency has the experience or is ready to assume the responsibility of the gap left by this proposal.
In exchange for this reduction of services that taxpayers have come to expect, this entire reorganization will save Maine taxpayers less than $40,000. Far more will be lost than gained.
As a property owner, I suggest that the Legislature consider a previous proposal to arm forest rangers like all other law enforcement officers engaged in their hazardous occupation to protect themselves from law breakers and keep them on the job that they are doing so well.
I ask concerned individuals to contact their senators or representatives in the Maine Legislature to protect the Maine Forest Service from the folly of gutting prevention and critical wildfire suppression.
Nel Bernard
Poland
Snow thanks
On Feb. 4, I was traveling along Route 143 in Dixmont, when a car blew right through the stop sign at the end of North Road. It came directly into my path making me swerve, which started my car spinning. I ended up in the snow bank.
Immediately, a UPS truck driver stopped to see if I was alright. While we were talking, a front loader stopped and then a pickup truck. The UPS driver continued on his way knowing that I had help. Chains were considered but weren’t an option on my car. Then both men got on the snow bank and pushed until they had me free. Not an easy task since the back of the car was buried.
I just want to say thank you to Russell and James for their help and also thank the UPS driver, for making sure that I wasn’t hurt.
I want to remind everyone that obeying the rules of the road is important all year long, but on snow covered roads your poor driving makes it hard for the rest of us to react. It might not always turn out so well.
Pam Logue
Dixmont