Solving lawn problems
Emmet Meara in his July 5 BDN column struck a blow for all suburban men. By hurling the weed whacker across his weed-strewn acre he asserted the male need to be free of meaningless chores.
Perhaps the Olympic Committee would consider weed whacker hurling for the next Olympic games.
My solution to lawn problems has been to mow as little as possible and to plant wildflowers over large parts of my lawn. People driving by know these as weeds, but anything that supplants the grass can’t be all bad.
John Hubbard
Bangor
DHHS food stamp error unfair
Back in May, I read that the state government had made a mathematical error and paid out too much money in food stamps. The article went on to say the Maine Department of Health and Human Services sent letters to recipients asking them to pay back the overpayment made in error. If the recipients did not pay, some recipients would face reduction in food stamp benefits, seizure of income tax refunds or garnishment of other federal benefits.
I say tough luck to DHHS. The department made an error, so how dare they ask for food stamp recipients to pay that back? I asked an official who has been working in the system for 30 years whether it is legal for the government to make a mistake then ask for money back? His answer was, “Yes, they can ask, but no one will pay it back because it’s so ridiculous.”
I wish a reporter would follow up on this story and get interviews from people and see what they think about this unfair situation.
Ananur Forma
Rockland
Maine should accept monument gift
The weekend of the Fourth of July was evidence of what it could be like here in the Katahdin region as visitors increased the population by tenfold. There were people in the inns and motels and lined up along the street for the parades, packing the restaurants and parked along the streets. It made everyone happy to see so many here, business people and residents alike.
It could be like this year-round, as we already have four-season recreation available. The “Katahdin Visitor’s Guide” has maps and directions to activities for all seasons, including hiking, biking, snowmobiling, fishing, paddling, hunting and sightseeing activities, on the land we hope to see become a national monument. The National Park Service would ensure visitors with their brand.
In a May public meeting in Orono with Sen. Angus King and National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis and a subsequent public forum in June with Rep. Bruce Poliquin, the support was overwhelming for the designation of a monument. When will King and Poliquin support this investment in their district of Maine? We elect our leaders to pay attention to an offer of this magnitude with this level of public support.
Marsha Donahue
Millinocket
Accept people with mental illness
I’ve mused politely a number of times throughout the years, but what would it look like for someone to live effectively with a schizophrenic mind? Think of the constant bother of things unseen to everyone else. How would we deal with it?
Unbeknownst to me, I mused often because I have a schizophrenic mind. What most people labeled as overactive imagination most my life was actually my brain out of tune. I face barriers that keep me from functioning “normally” in society. It has caused me homelessness, ending of relationships and being destitute and unable to work. I barely survived, but I survived.
It’s true, for most, a conversation with someone who is labeled as mentally ill can be difficult and awkward. Why? What is inherently different? We have dreams and aspirations just as anyone else. We may not always be able to process information as expected, but we still work very hard to focus on keeping everything in perspective for the sake of our long-term sanity.
Please, don’t look down on anyone with mental illness, they are like everyone else but with other challenges. Don’t close the world out just because of some emotional pain. Pain is temporary.
The bottom line is that disabled people in this country are much too exiled. We need community, too. Just because our bodies or brains work differently doesn’t mean we’re less than human. Treat someone like a human today, the way we would like to be treated. Spread some positivity today.
Aaron Parks
Caribou
Cross Center needs better handicap parking
Recently, a friend went to see Cirque du Soleil at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. He went early to get a handicap parking space and was told they were taken. All the spaces were empty. The attendant explained they were paid for by the owners of the VIP boxes. He was told there were handicap spaces up over the hill toward the race track.
I went over to check the handicap spaces up over the hill. They had handicap spaces. They were fine if people don’t use a cane, walker, wheelchair or have any difficulty walking any distances. The asphalt was chewed up and poorly lit.
I spoke with someone at City Hall and asked if we, the taxpayers, still owned the building and what was the handicap parking policy. I was informed the group that runs the facility set the policy. They assured me it was legal. I talked to Alpha One, and appalling as it was, it is legal.
I am disappointed because most handicapped people are not in the position to have a VIP box and pay extra for a handicap spot. City Hall did say they had a million dollars set aside to improve the parking area near the track. But the residents of Bangor know it will be destroyed in no time when the fair comes to town.
I personally would like to see all the parking spaces in the front parking area for handicap parking during large events, such as Cirque du Soleil and Ringo Starr. Keep the parking area as is for smaller events.
Betsy Glanville
Bangor