A sigh of relief
Whew. That sound you hear all across Maine is a giant sigh of relief that Susan Collins will stay in the Senate.
Peg Cruikshank
Corea
Davitt for Bangor City Council
In September, I did something I never thought I’d do: knock on doors for a political candidate in Bangor. Clare Davitt, a candidate for Bangor City Council, inspired me to do so. I hope you’ll join me in voting for her.
I am inspired by all Davitt does as a librarian at the Bangor Public Library. From helping those with limited computer access gain functional skills such as using email or Skype to helping people looking for work to being a knowledgeable and competent guide for all library patrons, Davitt has been a proactive, thoughtful and empathetic presence as a librarian in Bangor.
Davitt’s service extends beyond the walls of the library. Her work with Bangor Regional Leadership Institute and Emerge Maine not only strengthened her skill set and broadened her perspective, but also signals her dedication to the community in which she grew up. Davitt is on the Greendrinks board, which gives visibility to local businesses and funds important community projects. She also serves on Bangor’s board of appeals. She has done this and more with empathy and a drive to solve dilemmas we face as a community.
I was skeptical about Bangor at first, especially when younger Americans have many options available for them to call home. Davitt’s determination to make Bangor better moves me to stay and join that effort. I know her leadership on our City Council will inspire others to keep building Bangor up.
I hope you’ll vote for Davitt for Bangor City Council on Nov. 7.
Michael Dudley
Bangor
Free tuition program good news
Regarding the Oct. 11 BDN article “Smaller UMaine system campuses offer free tuition to lure students,” this is great news for the people of Maine. As a higher education professional who works with various institutions, including past projects with the University of Maine in Orono and Presque Isle, I am impressed with the state’s innovative response to the current crisis of college access and affordability.
In addition to University of Maine at Presque Isle President Ray Rice and other system leaders, I credit Joel Wincowski, who previously served as UMaine’s interim vice president of enrollment management and helped create the Way It Should Be program. Wincowski was also the architect of the Flagship Match program at UMaine, which offset falling enrollment — due to a demographic decline in the state — by bringing in far more out-of-state students.
He is working his magic again, this time directly serving Maine’s Pell Grant-eligible students in a way that not only secures their individual futures but also the University of Maine System and the future of the state’s workforce. It is, as the Presque Isle campaign is named, “the way it should be!”
Laura Sheehan
Newington, Connecticut
Negotiate drug prices
The high prices of most prescription drugs illustrate why health care costs are very high in the United States. In most countries, drug companies must justify the prices that they charge. But in the U.S., there is a law that bars the government from negotiating the price of medications covered under Medicare Part D.
I have sent emails to our congressional representatives asking what actions they are taking concerning high drug prices. Only Sen. Angus King responded. A web search found no indication that Rep. Bruce Poliquin is interested in this issue. Regarding Sen. Susan Collins, she is co-author of a section in the FDA reauthorization legislation that became law in August. This legislation speeds authorization of new producers of generic drugs that are in short supply or for which there are three or fewer approved products. But federal negotiation of Part D drugs remains forbidden.
King has co-sponsored several bills on drug costs. One would permit negotiation of Part D drug prices. Another would allow for the safe importation of drugs from countries such as Canada. Neither bill is likely to pass because of opposition from drug companies.
The politics and industry opposition that keep drug prices high are the same forces that keep overall medical costs high in the U.S. compared with other countries. We need to elect representatives who push for cost effective health care that favors consumers, not the health industry.
John Tjepkema
Orono
Trump nominee ally of chemical industry
In more than 30 years working as a family doctor in Maine, I‘ve dealt with countless illnesses that are preventable through immunizations, proper safety equipment or just common sense.
But I also know there are other risks facing our children that we can’t see, and few parents know about. Toxic chemical exposures are a threat to everyone, but they’re especially dangerous for children because some chemicals can seriously harm early childhood development. Chemicals used in everyday products and materials — from toys to furniture to cleaning products to paint to carpeting — have been linked to pre- and post-birth adverse effects.
Thankfully, Congress finally updated the Toxic Substances Control Act last year, effectively banning some of the more serious risks, such as those from formaldehyde and asbestos.
Unfortunately, President Donald Trump has nominated Michael Dourson to run the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s office charged with implementing the new law. Dourson has worked for decades with chemical companies seeking to loosen restrictions on toxic chemicals or downplay their dangers.
According to the Guardian newspaper, Dourson’s past clients include Dow Chemical, Koch Industries and Chevron. His research has been sponsored by groups representing the makers of pesticides, plastics, processed foods and big tobacco.
I urge Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King to oppose Dourson’s nomination, which would run counter to Environmental Protection Agency’s mission to reduce toxic chemical exposures that could harm our children.
Peter Millard
Belfast
Election notice
The BDN will stop accepting letters and OpEds related to the Nov. 7 election on Oct. 28. Not all submissions can be published.