Vote in the Maine caucuses
Maine caucuses are the gathering of neighbors in the tradition of town meetings. The Hancock County Democrats are preparing for a large turnout at the March 6 caucuses. All Maine residents are eligible to participate if they will be 18 years old or older on Election Day, Nov. 8. You are invited to come and help pick the Democratic choice for the next president. Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and Martin O’Malley are our fine candidates.
To participate in the Democratic caucus, you have to be a registered Democrat. You can participate if you are a Republican or Green Independent and re-register with your election clerk at your town office no later than Feb. 19. If you are unenrolled or unregistered in a political party, you can enroll with the election clerk at the caucus location but it has to be before the caucus starts.
The Maine caucuses will take place Sunday, March 6. Each municipality holds its own caucus, and you can find your caucus location, time and when the registration begins by visiting HancockDems.org or by calling our office at 664-6012.
Registered Democrats who are unable to attend their town caucus can request an absentee ballot by visiting MaineDems.org and clicking on “request absentee ballot.” Absentee ballots may be filled out and sent in online but must be submitted by 5 p.m. March 2.
To work, democracy cannot be a spectator sport. You are needed. We invite you to join us as we work together for all.
Gary Pinder
Brooklyn
Charles Stephens
Blue Hill
Caucus team co-chairs
Hancock County Democratic Committee
Wounded Warrior needs to clean up its act
After reading the Jan. 29 article about how the Wounded Warrior Project has misspent donations, I am somewhat confused about why the charity is needed. I am a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I am constantly bombarded with TV ads and mailings from Wounded Warrior Project and hesitate to donate. I send donations to the DAV and VFW, whose leaders do not get paid for leading these wonderful organizations.
I also receive great care from the Veterans Administration in Togus and the clinic here in Bangor. I have seen the need for separate care for veterans, but things could be streamlined if veterans, especially the disabled, could go to doctors and hospitals of their choice once the VA approves their disability. I know there is a program in place, but that seems to be bogged down.
Veterans, especially those with disabilities, should have an insurance card from the VA, much like an ordinary health insurance card, that can be presented to any doctor or hospital for payment. Imagine the money that would save the VA.
The Wounded Warrior Project is going to have to clean up its act if it wants my money.
Ed Hamm
Bangor
Mess up Trump’s hair
After many months of raw worry and honest puzzlement at the popularity of Donald Trump, I think I’ve come up with a way to permanently remove him from all serious consideration for president. My solution is shocking, nonviolent, unforgettable and visually pleasing. All we of sound mind need to do is find someone willing to walk up to Trump as if to shake his hand and, at the last minute, mess up his hair.
Just take a minute to imagine what Trump’s reaction would be to having his strange hair mussed by an underling. Is there, or has there ever been, a candidate for president who has so much invested in his or her hair?
A lot of people are assured Trump will not be nominated or elected and that as Election Day draws nearer voters will get serious and all amusement at his antics will cease. Some of us are aghast that there has been any tolerance of him at all. I’m very worried for us. If I could get next to him, I would disarm him by my sweetness and light. Then, I’d mess up his hair.
Kathleen Garcelon
Machiasport
Bangor library lost its beauty
Sadly, urban renewal in the 1960s resulted in the loss of many elegant historic buildings in Bangor. But at least we could still take immense pride in our beautiful library. When my guests came to town, I always took them to see the library, and they invariably were impressed. I will no longer do that.
Yesterday, I went to see the recent changes to the library. I couldn’t have been more shocked. The renovations have ruined a once beautiful interior. The ceilings are too low, the lighting is harsh and the rooms are without charm or beauty. Instead of marble or wood the floors are covered in cheap carpeting, and the stacks are uninviting and cold. The once adorable children’s section is now sterile and lifeless.
The plans for the exterior obscure the elegance of the addition designed by the famous Boston architectural firm Robert A.M. Stern. This devastation to the most beautiful building in Bangor is a terrible loss to the city and to the residents of Bangor.
Heidi Godsoe
Bangor
Rising from the ashes
On Jan. 3, my family and I lost our farm in Pembroke. Because of unknown causes, our barn and then our house burned to the ground. Both structures and their contents were a total loss. Because of the age of the mobile home, it was not feasible to insure it. Not only did we lose the structures and their contents, there was no money to replace any of it.
I have to say the event has restored my faith in humanity. Hundreds of people and organizations poured out in droves. Many came to the fire scene while it was still active and gave their support to my family and me. Monetary and material donations flooded in from all over the state and country. A benefit dinner was held and thousands of dollars were raised to aid in our recovery.
I am happy to announce the resurrection of the farm will begin in the spring. The people of this great state and country made it possible for us to do this. Without them we would have been lost in the cold, and for that we thank them with every ounce of our beings. Look for big doings in Pembroke when the weather warms.
Tony Bennett
Pembroke