Love affair with guns
Another mass shooting, this one in Florida. This time apparently targeting the LGBTQ community. How terribly, terribly sad.
In the past, other than hunters, most people who had guns at home used them for suicides and for accidental shootings. Very occasionally, someone would kill or injure an intruder or be killed or injured by one. There are no recent numbers on this because Congress, in its foolishness and with support from the National Rifle Association, has banned the collection of this data.
When will we end our love affair with guns? When we take the toys away from the boys?
Larry Dansinger
Bangor
Fiberight best choice
In March, the Bradley Town Council approved an agreement with the Municipal Review Committee for municipal solid waste disposal in 2018. This decision was not made lightly. Council members and I attended many informational meetings on the topic. Quite honestly, I did not know I could discuss trash to level that I have.
During this town meeting season, many small communities similar to Bradley will face the same decision. The voters who will make it generally want their trash service and their tax rate to stay the same — or to improve.
After vetting many different options, the MRC recommended to its member communities Fiberight, a new way of processing trash. Fiberight is not only cheaper, it is more environmentally friendly. The MRC board is made up of volunteer municipal representatives. They have the same interest as voters. I do not find it believable that this board would work so diligently on a project that would fail.
I recommended to the Bradley Town Council that the town sign the agreement with MRC. For 25 years, the MRC has fought on behalf of its 187 members. Nearly 10 years ago, the MRC began planning for 2018 and the expiration of PERC subsidies, paid for by Emera Maine ratepayers.
While the Fiberight technology is new, that does not mean it will not work. This new technology encourages recycling and waste reduction. Fiberight represents the next generation of solid waste management. The Town Council and I are excited to be a part of it.
Melissa Doane
Town manager
Bradley
Support ranked-choice voting
Elections are determined by the people who show up. But systems matter, too. Using a process designed for two candidates does not work well when there are three or more running for the same office.
Democracies, at their best, are vibrant and responsive to keeping voting open and fair. Citizen engagement promotes these qualities. The 15th and 19th amendments were not given to people of color and women; ordinary citizens fought for them. What seems obvious today was perceived as radical, costly and dangerous.
Ranked-choice voting is being portrayed in this manner. Recent columns opposing ranked-choice voting claim it is unnecessary, confusing and has no impact on negative campaigning. None of these accusations are true.
The governor’s urging to “just say no” to all the ballot initiatives mimics Nancy Reagan’s naive response to drugs. Clearly, Gov. Paul LePage has a simplistic and inaccurate view of issues, with which he disagrees.
Candidates for governor in nine of the last 11 gubernatorial races were elected by less than half of voters. In five of those races, candidates were elected by less than 40 percent of voters. This is not a representative democracy.
Having ranked-choice voting for all elections with more than two candidates is inexpensive, easy and effective. Portland’s mayoral election proved this. Voters were not confused, turnout was high, candidates had to speak to the larger audience on issues that impacted everyone. This is what democracy looks like.
Barbara Bixby
Winthrop
National monument a gift to Maine
The positive input from individuals of all ages and backgrounds deepens the discussion of the proposed gift of land in the North Woods to be preserved in perpetuity as a national monument. A professional voice of particular eloquence was the May 31 BDN OpEd by Richard Jagels, who underscored not only the potential economic benefit to the region through tourism but also the cultural value of “our unique natural forested landscape” as people continue to face the daily stresses of urban life and seek nature-based activities in their leisure time.
Although I am a central Maine resident and may never set foot on the land offered to us as a national monument, it is a place many of us value for providing the opportunity to experience Maine’s historic North Woods culture and landscape. Knowing the land would always be there, not only for my neighbors and my family to enjoy but for so many others as well, is reason enough to support this generous gift.
Jamie Gaudion
Dover-Foxcroft
Dads make a difference
As a father of four and CEO of a global business headquartered in Bangor, I know fatherhood matters. It matters to our children, and it affects how we serve in the workforce.
Recently, however, fatherhood has taken a beating in popular culture. You needn’t look any further than modern sitcoms in which the father is usually characterized as bumbling and stupid to see that “dad” isn’t as popular as he used to be.
I think we’ve downplayed fatherhood for fear of overshadowing motherhood. Indeed, the idea of a “bumbling dad” grew alongside the women’s rights movement. While fathers once were portrayed as wise and principled, they soon were cast as dolts at the center of every joke. This shift may have been a reasonable response to society’s push for equal rights, but in today’s world, where mothers and fathers share the workload inside and outside of the house, does the trope still fit?
In the real world, I see fathers earnestly trying to do the best for their children. There is no training, and yet fathers every day have an opportunity to guide their children in a way that neither minimizes nor trivializes the mother’s role. And, in the workforce, I see how fatherhood increases my employees’ empathy, focus and leadership.
So, this Father’s Day, despite what we see in the media and in popular culture, I’d like to send big kudos to all the dads who are making a difference in their children’s lives.
Chris Kilgour
CEO
C&L Aviation Group
Bangor