History, not a mascot
A number of years ago, a Skowhegan High School history teacher asked me to come to his history classes to speak about tribal court, where I was a judge. I asked for a show of hands as to how many students had “Indian blood.” I was amazed that well over half the hands in the classes went up.
A beloved and respected Penobscot governor visited me in my Skowhegan home and told me that where the home sits, high above the Kennebec River across from Coburn Park, was very sacred ground. I was told that long before the homes along Water Street ever existed the entire area was covered with countless wooden drying racks laden with salmon that would feed the tribes over the long winter and for most of the year. I learned that the high river bluffs overlooking the river were a watching place for not only salmon but potential enemies coming up river.
We know that the name of our beloved town is an Indian word meaning “watching place.”
The Skowhegan town seal beautifully depicts a Native American spearing fish at the Skowhegan Falls. This is not a “town mascot.” This is town history. Respecting and cherishing our heritage is not racism.
The town’s school sports teams are known as the “Skowhegan Indians.” These are not mascots. This is who we are. The Native Americans and non-Native Americans who interacted and intermarried with each other are the fabric and history of our town. We are the Skowhegan Indians.
Gregory J. Domareki
Skowhegan
Keep seat belt law
I would like someone to do a survey and see how many people had seat belts on in last week’s 75-vehicle pileup. Why would anyone try to change the laws — against the opinions from doctors and police departments?
Kay Thurston
Old Town
Mailbox woes
Like many other folks, my mailbox was wiped out as a result of plowing during a complete whiteout in the first blizzard. I would love to have my mailbox replaced, but one can not even find the post as it is buried in a huge snow drift.
I am an elderly person (in my 80s) who broke a hip a year ago, so that I now need to use a cane for safety when walking. Having to drive up to the post office on some of the frigid mornings we’ve been having to pick up my mail is not a hobby I expected to take up. However, there is no way I am about to procure a 5-gallon bucket, post and box and lug it around the driveway in advance of a snowstorm, which have been averaging every three days. I physically am not up to handling this task.
We have wonderful neighbors who have been most helpful during this tough winter, but I am not going to ask them to move a temporary mail holder every couple of days. Secondly, my wife has been dealing with cancer, and we are under heavy medical expenses and don’t intend to have to rent a mail box.
Regulations are made to handle normal situations. This winter does not meet anyone’s definition of normal. Common sense is needed, and the 30-day holding rule should be forgotten for this season. We are the public who pay for the postal service and it is time for the post office administrators to listen to their customers.
Jim Harneedy
Machiasport
Public lands management
I am concerned/worried/alarmed about the efforts to commercialize Maine’s public lands as covered in the Feb. 26 Bangor Daily News. If the Maine Forest Service gets control of the state’s public lands, priority seems likely to shift to maximizing profit rather than a balanced program to provide for a wide range of uses and interests.
Rick Alexander
Blue Hill
Phthalate action needed
Last year I, along with over 2,000 other Maine citizens, signed a petition to spur action on a class of chemicals known as phthalates. These are hormone disrupting chemicals that are found in many everyday products (from things such as vinyl flooring to personal care products) and threaten the development and health of humans. Studies completed in Maine, such as last year’s “Hormone’s Disrupted: Toxic Phthalates in Maine People,” show that Mainers carry these chemicals in their bodies. Like so many of you, I want a healthy environment in Maine for myself, my family and my neighbors.
Recently, the petition was changed, and it significantly limits the scope of products that would be included. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection proposed phthalate disclosure for only products that are made and marketed for children under age 12. This is a huge loophole that means consumers will not be informed if these chemicals are in the products they purchase. Pregnant women will not know if they have these chemicals in their homes, which could lead to an unhealthy pregnancy — there is a lot of scientific evidence linking phthalate exposure to reproductive problems and birth defects.
It is time to protect Mainers from these chemicals and give them the information they need to make healthy choices when buying products. It is time for our elected officials to take action.
Anna Libby
Mt. Vernon
Clear sidewalk thanks
I want to thank the city of Bangor for the exceptional snow removal this very difficult winter. They work very hard on sidewalks and am especially grateful for keeping the waterfront trail cleared. I use it nearly every day and was very surprised that they took the time in this year of crazy snowfall to keep it open. I walk with many grateful people.
Mary Ellen Daigle
Brewer
Roads in good shape
In reference to Donald Fournier’s Feb. 28 letter criticizing the Department of Transportation’s performance relating to the condition of the highway at the time of the terrible pileup on I-95, I offer my observations regarding DOT’s outstanding care of Route 9 in Eddington.
They have consistently maintained the highway by my home, sometimes as early as 3 a.m., continuing throughout the evening. The same can be said of Eddington’s private contractor, Lennie Williams and crew, whose results during this unusual winter has equaled DOT’s.
Add to my list of super heroes my personal plowman, Jeremy, and the BDN delivery man, Paul, who hasn’t missed a day.
Gloria S. Faulkner
Eddington