The real David King
In a Dec. 11 front-page story, the Bangor Daily News did a grave disservice to Hampden Academy track coach David King. The one-sided story may have given readers the impression that King was a poor teacher, when, in fact, judging from recent testimony from students past and present, he was an excellent one.
Matthew Gagnon, in his BDN blog, credited King with having a “profound impact” on his life and cited King’s “imaginative teaching and enthusiasm” as inspiration for his lifetime interest in civics and history.
At the June 2013 school budget meeting to discuss teacher cuts, others lined up to express similar sentiments. One former student said King “is what makes Hampden Academy.” A current student at the time called him “an amazing teacher.”
A former student also shared that, as a high school student, he was having problems at home and intended to drop out of school. But King believed in him, supported him, convinced him to stay in school. He graduated from Hampden Academy and went on to the University of Maine. He joined the military and served overseas. He warmly thanked King for helping him all those years ago.
Who among us could claim they helped someone in dire need and inspired them in this way?
King could, but he won’t, because he’s a modest Mainer, someone who’s more comfortable helping people than in trumpeting his achievements. And he’s someone who, at the very least, deserves fair treatment by our local newspaper.
Mark Condon
Bangor
Replace runoffs with ranked-choice voting
On Dec. 8, Lewiston voters returned to the polls to determine the winner of the runoff election between Mayor Robert Macdonald and his challenger, Ben Chin.
While the runoff system in Lewiston has been utilized in numerous elections, runoffs are administratively inefficient and costly to the taxpayer, representing the most expensive method to ensure a majority winner. Furthermore, I am concerned runoff elections threaten the participation of active-duty servicemen and women who are unable to receive, complete and return runoff ballots in a timely manner.
Fortunately, over the past year, the group of Mainers leading the November 2016 statewide ballot initiative for ranked-choice voting has demonstrated there is a more economical way to achieve majority rule.
In a ranked-choice system, the runoff is consolidated into the general election, as voters use their ballots to rank the candidates they support, in order of preference. The counting process functions like an “instant runoff” to determine a majority winner, without having to re-open the polls for a costly second election that often stretches deep into the winter holiday season.
Lewiston should look to the ranked-choice model as a more efficient and inclusive system to ensure majority rule.
Finn Melanson
Portland
Make North Woods national monument a reality
The new year is almost here, and Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins still have not publicly stated support for a national park or national monument in the Katahdin region. I don’t understand why not.
This proposal for a national park or a national monument east of Baxter State Park is the only plan anyone is offering that would provide an economic boost to the Katahdin region, and we desperately need a boost. I had hoped the letter our representatives sent to President Barack Obama offered a path forward, but nothing seems to be happening. King and Collins know how to make things happen when they want to. It’s time for them to make the economic future of the Katahdin region a priority and work with the White House to make a national monument a reality.
We’ve been talking about this proposal for years. Many changes have been made to address local concerns. Yes, there are still a few noisy opponents, but nearly two-thirds of the people in northern Maine think this is a good idea.
I hope King and Collins will give the people of the Katahdin region a New Year’s gift and a reason to be optimistic about 2016 by declaring their support for a national monument and working to make it a reality.
Wayne Curlew
Millinocket
‘Christmas Month’ in Bangor
In regard to the Hello Kitty Christmas tree issue, it seems we no longer have tolerance in our community for a great tradition. To be politically correct is to be dishonest when one refers to a Christmas tree as a “holiday” tree. I do not remember these trees at Halloween or even Valentine’s Day, which is named after a Saint, by the way.
Instead of offending the majority of the folks in Bangor and all around the region who enjoy celebrating Christmas, I would like my fellow colleagues on the Bangor City Council to consider declaring every December “Christmas Month” in Bangor.
Bangor can have a citywide tree decorating competition. We can involve our school children, downtown merchants, nonprofit organizations, retailers at the Bangor Mall and other organizations. As a retail hub, we may find we could boost our spirits and the economy at the same time.
People all over New England will know Bangor as Christmas town. We could be the Hallmark-like town of New England for many years to come. Believe!
David Nealley
City councilor
Bangor
Falling gas prices
When the cost of gasoline went through the roof a few years ago, the cost of survival followed. Groceries became more expensive “due to the cost of shipping and transportation.” In Bangor, the taxi companies raised fare cost “due to the cost of fuel.” The cost of traveling by plane and train increased “due to fuel costs.”
Now I look at the price of fuel at the pump and listen to the news about the drop in gas prices, but I don’t see any decrease in the cost of travel or groceries. It seems to me if everything became more expensive because of the cost of fuel, it should become less expensive with the drop in fuel costs. As a consumer struggling to make ends meet, I’m confused.
If anyone can make sense of this and enlighten my clouded mind, I would appreciate the feedback.
John Wadlington
Bangor