National park impact
I own several businesses in Bar Harbor, and I have been following the movement to bring a new national park to Maine. I am impressed by Elliotsville Plantation Inc.’s efforts and am in favor of the organization’s proposal to donate its land to become a national park and national recreation area east of Baxter State Park.
While I favor the long standing protection for wilderness and wildlife a national park offers, I am also a very firm believer in the economic effect a national park can have. I am a good example of the greatly positive effect a national park could have and has had on Mount Desert Island and the surrounding areas.
Opponents argue that the only jobs that would be created would be low-paying jobs in the service and hospitality industry. First, I dispute that these are low-paying jobs. I can name a large number of folks here on MDI who bought their first home with their serving or bartending wages, including myself. Second, while it is true that lodging, restaurants and other service-oriented businesses would grow dramatically and offer hundreds of jobs, it also is true that the entire economy would be improved and diversified.
The first thing I need to do when considering a new business is call a lawyer and the bank to help get it started. I then need highly skilled tradesmen and women to either renovate the facility or build it from scratch. The rates in this part of Hancock County for trained plumbers, electricians and carpenters range from $35 at the very lowest for unskilled carpenters to $95 and more.
How’s that sound for economic impact?
Michael Boland
Bar Harbor
AT&T’s wrongdoing
It is about time that a U.S. government agency stood up to a big corporation in order to protect the American people. Too often companies are allowed to get off with no punishment from government agencies like the Federal Communications Commission because of the power and money the company has.
This is why I like the action taken by the FCC against AT&T as described in a June 17 Bangor Daily News article. I thought the article’s writer did a good job at guessing where this could be headed next: charges being brought against other large companies that have been taking advantage of the American public. AT&T is just one example of an Internet service company that has been acting against the rules by slowing data speeds for some customers. When they limited the speed of their customers without letting them know, AT&T acted against the law.
The decision to treat the Internet like a utility is big because it means more regulations and rules against companies such as AT&T. It is important that these huge companies know that our government will punish them for acting against the well being of the American public.
The Republican group of the FCC that thought the penalty was “too severe” is wrong in my opinion. It is important for the FCC to be able to act out and strike down on a company, and I think there needs to be some subjectivity to that.
Devine Eke
Plainfield
Inappropriate photo
I was dismayed to see a photo of the suspected murderer in the Charleston massacre on the front page the Monday edition of the BDN. I am much more interested in photos and personal profiles of the nine victims. The BDN should devote column inches to informing us about the life works of these innocents, so that we might honor them with our remembrance and be compelled toward kindness and tolerance in our own lives.
Sandy Cyrus
Orono
Impeach the bully
Maine voters, regardless of their political affiliation, should consider impeachment proceedings against our governor. His dictatorial attitude is not what Maine voters want. Because of his “bully” attitude, he doesn’t seem to be able to work with Democrats or Republicans in Augusta.
I admit that many of the problems he is trying to address certainly do need attention. But I would like to see them dealt with with a common sense approach, regardless of political affiliation, for the good of Maine residents.
Jean Van Wart
Brewer
Be yourself
Recently, I have noticed videos and songs are being made to inspire girls to be themselves, take off their makeup and stop trying so hard to make others like them. When I first heard the song “Try” by Colbie Caillat, I almost started laughing at the lyrics. She implies everything a girl does from putting on makeup in the morning to shopping with her friends to even going for a run is so that others will like her. Stop trying so hard, be yourself, she says.
I strongly agree with the last statement I made, but I don’t agree how Caillat makes this statement. I love doing my makeup in the morning. It makes me feel fresh, like I’m ready for a new day. And I love shopping on the weekends, especially with my mom and friends — it’s relaxing and a fun way to catch up. I hate going for runs, so know what? I don’t. It’s as simple as that.
Pressures from today’s society are all too real — I have felt them myself. Telling young girls to be themselves is a positive message, but what if some girls love doing their makeup because it’s fun, not to impress others. We should not be belittling makeup, shopping and a healthy lifestyle because these things might be one girl’s passion, and we should embrace that. People should be themselves and do what they love, whatever it may be, for themselves, not anyone else.
Michaela Powers
Orono
Voter apathy
I’m finding it an odd feeling to agree with Paul Trommer but, I do. His June 15 BDN letter to the editor about an apparent apathetic public, as reflected by the poor turnout for the school budget vote, is a little alarming.
I’m not yet willing to give up on our voters’ interest. I think if treated to some objective, positive dialogue about an issue, prior to an election, I’m betting the public would respond positively and with good numbers.
Ken Huhn
Bangor