Negative campaigning comes to Bangor
We have a long tradition in Maine of rising above negative politics. We elect people such as former Sens. George Mitchell and Olympia Snowe, who put aside partisanship and negativity to get results.
Unfortunately, on day one of his campaign for the state senate, N. Laurence Willey decided to embrace negative campaigning against our incumbent senator, Geoff Gratwick. It is one thing to have a respectful disagreement about policy; this is what we as Mainers expect. We want to be able to compare the positions of those who will represent us in Augusta. But name calling and mudslinging is the worst kind of politics.
It is a shame that Willey has decided to launch his campaign in such a negative fashion. We deserve better.
Robin Russel
Hermon
Legalizing marijuana bad move
According to an April 27 BDN article, we will have the opportunity to vote for legalizing recreational marijuana. Kudos to the lamebrains who came up with it. Something else that would make about as much sense would be to legalize drunken driving. Bring on the trains and busses because driving while distracted is about to get a lot worse.
Russ Irwin
Hampden
Veteran mistreated by retirement system
I am appalled by the Maine Public Employees Retirement System’s decision to deny retirement benefits to veteran Scott Couture. His two tours of duty in Iraq left him with post-traumatic stress disorder, a serious medical condition. But despite his condition, he tried to continue his job in the Maine Marine Patrol. Apparently his valiant effort to “appear normal and carry on” cost him his benefits. And now he and his family are at risk of losing their house.
According to the BDN, Scott Couture served in the Army Reserves with the 94th Military Police Company in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, for what would become the second-longest deployment of any U.S. military unit since World War II, including 15 months in combat zones, such as the notoriously violent “Sunni Triangle.”
Couture had not one but two tours of duty in Iraq, war-torn Iraq. Scott saw more destruction, violence, death, fire and despair than any of those with Maine Public Employees Retirement System can imagine. Yet, he is being denied benefits.
How can we let veterans lose their houses? How can we deny them the benefits they deserve? How can we let the state refuse payment and not respect our veterans? I am appalled.
Carol Lewandowski
Verona Island
Extended bus hours good for Bangor
I attended the Bangor city budget workshop last Wednesday and was encouraged by the positive attitude the council has taken on the issue of expanding the hours of the Community Connector. The city councilors suggested ways that expansion could be tried and are looking for ways to fund it.
There was agreement that public transit is a service that optimizes vibrancy in Bangor, a key element in making sure people get to work or to their education or to the many cultural, dining, and shopping venues the city offers in the evening hours. These events should be accessible to all. Please support the City Council in making this expansion possible in order to maximize the city’s dynamic possibilities.
Patty Alcott
Bangor
Portland priorities: Health clinic or restaurant?
Way to go Mayor Ethan Strimling. Thank goodness someone in Portland government is challenging City Manager Jon Jenning’s proposal to close the India Street Public Health clinic.
Hopefully, Strimling can get answers to questions, including what is the real reason India Street is being targeted?
Surely the $292,000 (about one-tenth of 1 percent of the proposed $236 million budget) the city contributes to the operation of the India Street clinic can’t be the reason. The clinic receives over 80 percent of its funding from grants. The city contributes just 20 percent.
In fact, the amount the city contributes to the India Street clinic is actually less than the city contributes to the operation of the Riverton Golf course restaurant. Riverside Grill currently receives more than $366,000 from city taxpayers to run a restaurant.
Jennings’ proposed budget actually calls for a 7.3 percent increase to the funding of the Riverside Grill. That is almost enough money to pay for the upgrade to electronic medical records, a deficiency that has been often cited as a reason to close the clinic.
Which is more important to fund? A golf course restaurant or the only STD clinic in the entire state and the largest HIV primary care clinic in the state?
Closing the clinic might save the city $292,000, but eliminating such a unique and vital part of Portland’s public health system could have dire consequences. I hope the City Council will take the time to consider if closing the clinic is in the best interests of the people of Portland.
Karine Odlin
South Portland
India Street clinic fills important health needs
The future of federally funded health centers is at risk because of the political climate in Washington, according to the Campaign for America’s Health Centers. “The Health Centers program faces real threats to its future,” the campaign says. “Federal support for the expansion of Health Centers has already been reduced … Proposals to change the Medicaid program could undermine the financial stability of every Health Center.”
What so-called “progressives” in Portland are doing to India Street Public Health, conservatives in Washington, D.C., are doing to Portland Community Health Center. Yet, the city proposes the services provided at India Street be transferred to Portland Community Health Center. If we gut local public health, then national public health gets cut, what will we do? Start from scratch?
The city should just pay the insignificant amount of money to keep India Street open. Let’s make sure that whatever happens to the Portland Community Health Center because of Washington politics, Portland has at least one locally supported, quality health care facility — India Street Public Health.
Public health care is not just a line item on a budget, it’s not something to gamble with in uncertain times. It’s a life-saving service that everyone depends on to be there when they need it. It’s unwise to put all our eggs in one basket, particularly a basket that’s dangling over a fire.
Help save India Street. Like and follow “ Save India Street Public Health” on Facebook for updates.
Michael Anthony
Bath