Firearm training
The Maine Senate and House have passed LD 652 allowing anyone age 21 and older — 18 and older for veterans and active-duty military members — to carry a handgun concealed so long as they are legally allowed to own such a weapon. It goes to the governor’s desk to be signed next, which he has stated he will do. I applaud the Maine Legislature for this move. I lived in Alaska under their “constitutional carry” law for 12 years and believe it is a very good thing.
I want to stress to everyone the importance of education involving firearms, not just in firearm safety but in the skills needed for people to effectively defend themselves or another person with their firearms.
Trust me, just because someone has been hunting all their life and can work that lever or that pump does not mean they are prepared to deal with the sudden threat of deadly force blindsiding them from that junkie kicking in their door. Don’t think it can’t happen in northern Maine? Colleen Hufford thought she was going to have a quiet day at Vaughn Foods in Moore, Oklahoma, last September, too. But Hufford was beheaded by a co-worker. If Oklahoma isn’t immune to it, neither are we.
I am asking any and all people who are considering carrying a weapon under this new law to seek as much training in defensive firearm use as they can get.
Jason Reed
Lincoln
Support Bangor budget
The Bangor School Committee is asking Bangor voters to support the FY 15-16 school budget on June 9. We have worked hard to present a good budget with a limited impact on the local contribution while maintaining Bangor’s high quality education standard.
The proposed budget is approximately $43.8 million, which has a local increase of 1.13 percent. This works out to an 8 cent increase on the local contribution towards property taxes. In the previous six budgets, the loss of state aid to Bangor has been 7.1 percent. While the overall increase in the school budget over these six years has only been 3.8 percent versus an accumulated inflation rate of 10.3 percent. On an average annual basis, the school budget has increased at 0.6 percent versus an average annual inflation rate of 1.72 percent over these six years.
The Bangor School Department has been recognized as a Maine State Higher Performing and Efficient School and a Standard & Poor’s Outperformer. The per pupil cost is approximately $1,000 less per student than the state average and our students’ achievement is in the top 10. Approximately, 70 percent of the school systems in Maine spend more per pupil than Bangor.
To execute our strong academic program, we need to invest in the best staff, teachers, administrators and superintendent. We are committed to make this investment in the best interest Bangor families.
We have the right formula for success. We ask Bangor voters to support an investment in education.
Warren Caruso, Chair
Bangor School Committee
Bangor
Rockport library vote
Rockport voters have a chance June 9, to decide who will serve on the Library Committee for the next three years and help make important decisions for the Rockport Public Library.
Two of the four candidates have support from a small group who live mainly in the inner village and have the money to keep campaign materials flowing into our mailboxes. Their candidates want the library to stay where it is, no matter its physical condition or capacity for program expansion, without regard for accessibility, safety and parking issues.
Two candidates have made clear that their minds are open to consider input from those who live in Rockport, as well as information from reports due soon concerning program needs and the library’s condition and expansion capability. These candidates are very aware of financial issues, like property taxes, but they are also concerned about throwing good money after bad. We need to support candidates who will listen and think carefully before making decisions.
Vote for Eliza Haselton and Sarah Sherherd.
Ames Curtis
Rockport
Right to carry
In reading the June 7 BDN column by Patricia Callahan expressing her views on firearm permits, several thoughts jumped in my head.
She mentions the application process takes too long, with which I agree. She references 45-60 days, which she probably based on the current statute that says 30 days for residents who have lived here over five years or 60 days for residents of less than five years. I, however, applied for my renewal on March 24 and am still waiting well over the statutory maximum 60 days. This I am told is because the Veterans Administration has been slow in its response to their required portion of the paperwork.
She mentions she feels safe with law enforcement agencies minutes away. The problem is that, in life and death situations, it is seconds, not minutes, that count. Police will likely arrive in time only to find the dead body.
Most glaringly, she claims “the state police are in charge of keeping us all safe.” Wrong. Their duty is to arrest the perpetrator after the crime has already been committed.
It is the duty of ordinary people to keep themselves safe, which is why the right to carry a firearm for self-defense is vitally important and can not be tied to an inefficient and ineffective permit system.
Roger Sproul
Augusta
Bully pulpit
The governor is beyond embarrassing. There is nothing funny about being a bully, especially when addressing a group of junior high students who could very well be experiencing bullying. Out of one side of his mouth come words against domestic violence and bullying; out of the other side, words that joke about and seem to excuse his bullying behavior.
Power and control are the issues that give people permission to abuse and bully others. The governor is using his power and control to demean legislators who were also elected to their offices. His name calling, veto threats, firing, withholding of voter approved bonds, are all examples of behavior that junior high students (or anyone) should not be emulating or laughing about.
There’s no excuse for domestic abuse. There’s no excuse for the governor.
Kathy W. Walker
Hampden