LePage unfit for office
The Old Town Area Democratic Committee is appalled by the recent revelation of the crude and threatening telephone message left for Rep. Drew Gattine by Gov. Paul LePage and the totally erroneous profiling of blacks and Hispanics by our governor.
For these unacceptable actions by him, together with the accumulation of his many other inappropriate words and actions, we censure LePage and ask for his resignation. His unfit behavior has become the shame of Maine residents and must not continue. He is not the model for our children, and questions about what the future will hold because of his misbehavior are frightening.
If he does not resign, we demand our legislators take steps to remove him from office immediately.
Julie Grab
James Varner
Co-chairs
Old Town Area Democratic Committee
Old Town
Cushing for Maine Senate
In these challenging times, when elected representative are faced with a lot of issues, it takes real leaders to make things happen. I am proud to work with Republican Sen. Andre Cushing, who is willing to work on positive solutions to the important matters that confront our state.
My husband Joe and I own a small business that serves many great businesses throughout our state. We see firsthand the issues that can help these folks survive and grow or really put a burden on them and their ability to hire people and serve the public. Whether it is our changing economy and the need for good jobs, the drug epidemic or the need to better support those who work in our communities serving us. Cushing deals with many of these type of issues, and he is always ready and willing to help find good answers and collaborate with us.
We have some great folks in the towns we serve, and they work hard to make their communities better. Cushing usually can be found at events to support them and meet with his friends and neighbors as he learns more about what is happening locally.
In Augusta, there are few senators who are as well respected as Cushing. He is diligent and effective in getting his message across and will work with anyone willing to do the right thing for our state. We need Cushing to continue this work, and that is why voters should join me in re-electing him Nov. 8.
Rep. Stacey Guerin
Glenburn
Military families aboard
With the start of the new school year, it is worth remembering that some children of military families are starting a new school in a foreign land. The language, customs and culture are different. The American child is a minority.
On Monday, my grandchildren went to their first day of school in Brussels, Belgium. Last year, it was Kansas. The year before, it was Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The neighborhoods are interesting but strange places. What sports will they play? What about Girl and Boy scouts? Where are their grandparents, aunts and uncles? Where are their friends from the first grade? Do they even remember their friends from those early years? Where is the grocery store and the baseball field?
How do these remarkable children adjust? How do they assimilate into this peculiar place? How do they make new friends knowing their time in this foreign land is transitory? But they do adjust with the love and support of their parents and distant family. These are some of the challenges the children of our military families on-front.
I wish to salute all the resilient children of our military families deployed abroad.
David Beckman
Boothbay Harbor
North Woods worth preserving
I grew up near the Schoodic Peninsula in a house with a back-porch view of Cadillac Mountain. I frequently saw folks, like myself now, with out-of-state plates clogging the local roads each summer to see the supposed “natural wonder” that is Acadia National Park and the Maine coast. I didn’t quite get why people were rushing to Maine. Surely there are greater places to spend their time off.
Many folks in northern Maine feel the same way about the national monument land as I did about the coast. What’s so great about preserving this black fly-infested land near Baxter State Park? Well, for one, most of America does not see it as black fly-infested land but gorgeous trees, fresh air and rushing rivers. Much of America does not have such beauty in its backyard.
When I did have Maine’s beauty close by, I took it for granted, and it was not until I did not have quick access to Maine’s pristine outdoors that I realized how good I had it. I think many Mainers feel the same as I once did because they see the beauty each day and take it for granted.
I am a national park enthusiast, and most of my vacations include visiting these treasures. I absolutely think the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is a worthy designation. It’s a treasure worth preserving — even if the locals think it’s infested with black flies — and I hope the residents of Maine, especially in the north, will eventually appreciate its preservation as well.
Billy Duke
Alexandria, Virginia
Veterans used as political ploy
I do not understand how anyone can belittle the sacrifice of any member of the armed services. But to hold one above all others as a political ploy to gain votes is just wrong.
These men and women come from many religions, races and walks of life. When I was a sergeant in a rifle regiment, I made clear to my men, who we were all green, there were no delineations as to these labels. We served our country, and that was that.
It is abhorrent to think either party would use the death of any soldier to win the votes of that soldiers particular race or religion. Washington tends to ignore the sacrifice of these men and women. Why is it practice to pretend to care now? Look at the veterans living with poverty, homelessness, addiction and lack of adequate medical care. Is either party going to change this? I doubt it.
John Fox
Newport