Poliquin should condemn LePage’s racist remarks
As I write this letter, people all over the country are celebrating the life and accomplishments of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While we have made slow progress against systemic racism through the efforts of King and countless everyday people, we also are reminded that such hatred and ignorance does still exist.
Earlier this month, Gov. Paul LePage admitted he made “slip-ups,” when he turned the very serious heroin epidemic in Maine into a caricature of black drug dealers and used racial fear mongering about interracial couples to further lower the standards of our political conversation.
Thankfully, we have seen these comments denounced by political leaders from both parties, independents and leaders of all manner of organizations who have spoken out against the casual use of hateful, racist statements from our governor.
For those of us living in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, we are still waiting for Rep. Bruce Poliquin to condemn these racist statements. As citizens, we need to know our elected leaders will stand up for what is right and not bend to the pressure of their political allies. Please call upon Poliquin to condemn the racist statements made by LePage.
Mike Emery
Enfield
Ranked-choice voting improves governing
We have such an apathetic population who shun their right to vote. They rarely even try to develop an informed opinion because they think their vote doesn’t matter. Then there is the angry crowd that grabs onto the first demagogue with simple answers. Again, they feel as if they have been ignored.
This coming year, however, may allow us a chance to change the procedure that leads to this political acrimony, apathy and inertia. The push for ranked-choice voting may allow us to be able to open up the political process to a larger pool of candidates. If voters feel as though they really do have input about who represents them, they may take more interest in the political process.
When people rank their vote, they are not only saying who they want in office but who they would be willing to support if their first choice doesn’t get enough votes. In the end, the winner truly would represent the majority of voters.
To be polemic, representatives need to have opposite poles with no middle ground, and that makes governing difficult. To govern, representatives need to strengthen the middle ground and put the poles in perspective. Sorry, folks, representatives govern by compromise while they oppress by fiat, which is how the extreme ends of political parties rule.
Let’s bring good governance back and leave the demagogues barking at the moon. We need to get off our butts and vote for a common-sense approach to our political system — ranked-choice voting.
Stanley Paige Zeigler
Montville
Unlicensed contractors a problem
Why are there no requirements in Maine for building contractors to have a license? Electricians need a license. Plumbers need a license. We don’t want houses to burn down from faulty wiring or to leak water from faulty plumbing. So why is there no license required in Maine to assure competence in construction of buildings?
Homeowners can be left with poorly built, unsound buildings, and there is no recourse other than expensive lawsuits or paying someone else to come in to try to fix the problem. And the next contractor doesn’t need a license either, so homeowners could be compounding the problem.
Thieves who steal a few toys and get arrested can have their pictures plastered all over the print and television media. But a builder can take thousands of dollars, do nothing or dig a bad hole in the ground and walk away — like mine did. There is no jail for these thieves. There is no license to be taken away, no registration or review board to make sure builders meet even minimal requirements. Repeat performances of shoddy work are guaranteed when there are no consequences.
I was told by one contractor that anyone with a hammer can have a magnetic sign made, stick it on his or her truck and get into business. Think you’ve got a reputable builder because you found them at a home show? Think again. That’s where I found mine. Maine needs building contractors to be licensed.
Jane Rosinski
Holden
Don’t exempt polluters from reporting
The Maine Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee is considering a bill, LD 1494, that would exempt polluters from reporting spills of fuel of less than 10 gallons. This bill is misguided on many levels. Under current state law, companies can avoid penalty for polluting the state’s land and water if it is reported within two hours and cleaned up to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s satisfaction. This law seeks to reduce reporting requirements for companies when in fact it will potentially expose these spillers to greater liability if the spill is not cleaned up properly.
When a spill is reported to the DEP, a trained responder determines the type of spill, the potential impact on natural resources, the effects on human health and what type of cleanup is necessary. If a spill requires a cleanup, the department assists and supervises the process. A spill of less than 1 gallon can easily pollute a drinking water well or if spilled in a home cause health effects from the vapors in the home. The DEP, not the spiller, should make the determination if a cleanup is sufficient to protect human health and welfare and the environment.
Paul Nichols
Bangor
Is pay-as-you-throw a solid waste solution?
Much is being written about pay-as-you-throw programs for trash management. I am told it will be cheaper, but I do not believe this. Never do I see anything about the fact that we already pay for trash removal with our property taxes. And, of course, apartment dwellers have it factored into their rent. Would we all get a refund? Would our taxes go down? I doubt it.
I agree far too much is thrown away. But does making us buy those absurd new bags solve the problem? Who makes those bags? What sort of profit do they make? There has to be a more intelligent answer to the problem.
Cynthia Vann
Bangor