Time for LePage to grow up
As a Maine voter, I am asking our governor to remember that he represents all of us, not just himself and his opinions. Thus, I would expect Gov. Paul LePage to be considerate of the potential impacts of what he says and does, before he does them.
I also ask him to please build in the one trait that he seems to lack most of all: the ability to look at himself through others’ lenses, and to adjust to the messages that those offer. It’s time for the governor to grow himself.
Douglas McCown
Portland
Don’t bend to donor’s threat
I was pleased to learn that the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum has welcomed its newest neighbor, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, by offering its staff office space in the museum. I was, however, distressed to learn that a corporate donor to the museum is using its charitable donation to coerce the museum into not providing office space. Charitable contributions should not be used to promote personal political agendas.
I urge the museum to not bend to this financial coercion and continue to be a good neighbor to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
I will be making a contribution to the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum to help offset any loss of contributions, and I urge others to do likewise.
Jim Mroch
Master Maine Guide
Salsbury Cove
Veilleux for Legislature
My wife and I have a good friend and neighbor, John Veilleux, whom we have known for many years. He is running as a Republican to represent District 127 in the Maine Legislature this fall. Voters could make no better choice for Maine and Maine families than to vote for Veilleux.
He is one of the most compassionate, honest and hardworking people we know. He has a large and close family with five children, and he and his wife also are foster parents. Veilleux cares about the people of Maine, and he has solid ideas for addressing the terrible impact of drugs on Maine children, their families and community. He follows through on what he proposes to do. If elected, he will listen carefully to others, their concerns and ideas, and he will work with other legislators to find answers.
Believe us that voters cannot go wrong to help elect Veilleux to the Legislature in November.
Ruth and Bill Shook
Bangor
Inside Bangor’s methadone clinics
The average person does not get to see what goes on inside a methadone or Suboxone treatment center. I worked security at two different clinics in Bangor. Ever wonder why these clinics have security in the first place? Could it be to make the nursing and other staff feel safer? Could it be to discourage drug deals in the parking lots by some of the clients? Could it be to prevent fights from breaking out between clients? Could it be to try and reduce the profane language and keep the clients more civil while waiting for their dosing?
I’m all for treatment, but I do understand why the city of Bangor feels it is doing its part but is unable to accommodate anymore folks in recovery. It’s too bad these clinics could not have an “open house” when the average Mainer could come to observe how it all works and judge for themselves if more capacity would be better in our area.
David Winslow
Brewer
Trump the bully unfit for Oval Office
On Sunday, Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence called Donald Trump “plain spoken” to explain some of Trump’s statements. Please remember Trump’s nasty, mean, untrue statements to President Barack Obama about his birth country, a Gold Star mother, a decorated prisoner of war, a disabled journalist, too many women, Muslims, undocumented Mexicans, blacks and an American judge of Mexican heritage. His statements are examples of bullying.
Grandparents, parents, church leaders and schools are trying to teach respectful, kind and courteous communication skills to our children to reduce bullying and lying. Bullying and lying do so much damage to our younger generation and all people.
Americans deserve a mature, respectful and caring president in 2017 because this person will be the leader of the free world at a time of many great international and national concerns. Trump does not meet the criteria to be the next president of the United States. Hillary Clinton does meet the criteria.
Pamela Person
Orland
Landowners double standard
I am trying to figure out why when Plum Creek Timber Co. wanted to do whatever it liked with its land in northern Maine, the company was defended as private landowners who should be able to do what they wanted with their private property. But when Roxanne Quimby does what she wants with her private land, it is out-of-state elitists trying to tell us how to live. Apparently double standards do apply.
Julie Ashland
Richmond
Marble for Maine Senate
I run a small, family-owned business in Etna. I love what I do, but as any small-business owner would admit, it is never easy. So when it comes to the decisions and policies coming out of Augusta, I need to know my legislators have the back of small businesses. After all, small businesses make up the vast majority of the state’s businesses. That is why I am voting for Dennis Marble, an independent candidate for Senate District 10.
I’ve talked with Marble while he was out on the campaign trail meeting voters. He is someone who really listens and cares about what is going on with local families and businesses. On top of that, he has valuable experience. Marble managed a small organization with a half-million dollar budget for 20 years, while also serving on the board of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce. He will use this experience in Augusta for the betterment of small businesses throughout rural Penobscot County.
On the contrary, I have watched his opponent, Republican Sen. Andre Cushing, continue to accept donations from out-of-state lobbies and corporations. Marble has pledged to never attach himself to special interests like that. As a state senator, Marble will put Maine residents and businesses first. I urge everyone throughout District 10 to support him.
Hannah Todd
Etna