Common Core benefits
I was quite impressed by the May 15 BDN OpEd by middle school teacher Jennifer Dorman about the benefits of Common Core.
Those of us in the business community (I am the retired CEO of WBRC Architects/Engineers) have a vested interest in how teachers such as Dorman undertake their work. We recognize that the competence and commitment of our teachers is one of the key variables that combine to produce successful student outcomes.
It’s through the dedication and hard work of these teachers that students learn what they need to move successfully from high school to either higher education or a job that has the chance to support them and their families.
The business community looks to public education to stimulate the knowledge and learning skills that will ultimately create effective employees. Therefore, we support the higher standards envisioned through the revised Maine Learning Results and we strongly back the goals of achieving those standards by expecting more from students in terms of reasoning, problem-solving and collaboration — all skills valued in both the workplace and in a successful life.
It is important to hear a teacher endorse the aspirations behind enhancing our standards and expectations for our children, and to hear her make the case that we are on the right track and making progress.
There is no more important investment for us to make than to ensure that the generations behind us have the skills, perspective and approaches that will allow them to help keep our community and economy strong and successful.
John Rohman
Bangor
Abortion decisions
Abortion decisions are difficult. Any decision to have surgery is difficult no matter your age. I just had an upper endoscopy. I had to have a consultation with the doctor before the procedure, which my daughter, a RN, attended with me. The procedure was performed a week later in the safety of a hospital.
But should a minor have a surgical or chemical abortion without a parent’s knowledge?
LD 83, An Act To Strengthen The Consent Law For Abortions Performed On Minors And Incapacitated Persons, insures the young and vulnerable will have support and help with a difficult decision.
Kathleen Birdsall
Hancock
Common Core repeal
Normally other legislators take their cues from the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. But the committee did not support LD 1396, a bill that would repeal the Common Core, voting 12-1 that it “Ought Not To Pass.”
Rep. Mike McClellan, R-Raymond, was the only voice of support. Because of his vote, this bill can make it to the House floor to hopefully be opened up for a lively discussion and debate about the merits of this bill.
I believe the 127th Legislature should restore the K-12 public education in the pursuit of happiness, individualism, self-governess and continual self-improvement. Children need a teacher who can generate excitement and a desire to learn.
The Common Core Standards are copyrighted and actually owned by two private, nongovernmental organizations — the National Governors Association Center and the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Mainers should call or email their representatives to express their thoughts about the passage of LD 1396, An Act Regarding Educational Standards for Maine Students. The only way the rest of the legislators will take notice on this bill is if they hear from their constituents.
Gordon Draper
Bowdoin
Potholes through history
Recently, while driving through town, I wondered what it must have been like more than a century ago for Mainers to travel this great state by horse-drawn buggy and buckboard.
Then I realized it must have been just as jaw jarring as navigating a modern automobile through the pothole laden streets of downtown Bangor.
It’s funny how times change yet our day-to-day life remains very much the same.
John Bonadio
Bangor
Tribal sovereignty
It is hard to believe that any governor can actually get away with being against the tightening of pollution standards in this day and age. How and why do Mainers let him get away with that?
The entire first part of Collin Woodward’s March 2 Portland Press Herald article that described Gov. Paul LePage’s criticism of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ruling in favor of Maine Indian tribes and the tribes desire for sustenance reminds me of a Penobscot tribal member I once knew.
In 1998, the Maine Coalition For Tribal Sovereignty asked him to identify his personal meaning of “sovereignty.” He identified it as his freedom to fish off Indian Island and then eat what he caught. The answer to the question was brought down to the lowest common denominator of human existence: sovereignty equals sustenance.
How on earth can the people of Maine, the town and city councils and the selectmen along the mighty Penobscot agree to be defendants in this case?
John C. Frachella
Hudson
Grow homeownership
I remember when I bought my first home. It was a great day and one that I celebrated. Too many people across the country are struggling to obtain homeownership and this feeling of accomplishment. Elected officials should be focused on trying to make homeownership more accessible and less costly for the middle class.
That’s why it is beyond me as to why politicians in Augusta are considering eliminating the Maine mortgage interest deduction and the deduction for property taxes, and raising the sales tax on the services that accompany the purchase of a home.
Homeownership is the lifeblood of our communities and stronger, more prosperous middle class. Homeownership is a job creator and spurs economic activity. According to the Maine Realtors Association, for every two homes sold in Maine, the equivalent of one full-time job is created and around $25,000 is generated in state economic growth.
In 2013, there were more than 250,000 homeowners with mortgages in Maine. These are friends, neighbors and fellow Mainers. They’re building their lives here in Maine and raising a family is hard enough. If the deductions for mortgage interest and property tax are eliminated, and the sales tax is raised on home buying services, we all face thousands in additional taxes.
We all need to tell our elected officials that moving the goal posts in the middle of the match is unacceptable and unfair to Maine residents.
Andrea Ando-Albert
Manchester