Re-elect Angus King
It would be nearly impossible to express all the ways our Sen. Angus King has bettered my life as a young Mainer. Growing up in Maine public schools, his innovative and forward-thinking laptop program gave me the opportunity to explore technologies, which are now central to my everyday life; his work to protect the environment as both a governor and senator helped keep our forests and waters pristine and ripe for exploring; and above all, though, he has been an exemplary public servant at every level — a civil and well-reasoned role model for a Maine student interested in politics.
No matter whether you lived through the ice storm of ‘98 or were born during it, King is a representative of whom we all can feel proud. On Nov. 6 I hope you’ll join me in sending him back to Washington for a second term.
Alex Mukai
Cape Elizabeth
Yes on Question 1
I’m 82 years old with stage 4 cancer, but luckily have the resources to pay for someone to care for me every day, allowing me to stay in my own home. However, I’m taking the money from my retirement. Not every older or disabled person in Maine is even that fortunate. Because everyone with special needs should have the opportunity to receive home care, I’m voting this November for Question 1, the universal home care initiative.
Question 1 would provide professional, dependable home care for everyone who needs it, regardless of ability to pay. The cost would be covered by a tax on the highest incomes in Maine. In the first year of the program, the tax would be levied only on incomes above $128,400. In future years, the cutoff would be even higher.
As important as the accessibility of home care is the quality of home care. Question 1 would require levels of pay, benefits and training for home care workers that would allow them to stay on the job and do the job right.
Opponents of universal home care are trying to scare Mainers into voting no, which is sad. Making sure the elderly and disabled have adequate and appropriate care should not be a controversial idea. Home care — which, not so incidentally, costs much less than a nursing home stay — should be an option for everyone. Let’s make that goal a reality by passing Question 1.
Gerald Herlihy
Old Town
Mackey-Andrews for Maine Senate
I support Sue Mackey-Andrews for District 4 Senate seat based on my work with her, as a professional and as an advocate for young children and families. When I was executive director of Woodfords Family Services, a provider of services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, early intervention work with young special needs children were provided. I knew Mackey-Andrews then as an incredible advocating professional in Augusta insuring support for our programs with the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.
Mackey-Andrews’ extensive research with other states revealed best practices in early identification, treatment, practices and family support tools. This commitment to early identification work assisted Maine agencies’ work with all children. Restoration of the public health nursing program was one significant result.
Furthermore, Mackey-Andrews continues to live in Dover-Foxcroft despite long drives to Augusta and to other states for national consulting work. She is a notable and active part of the rural communities she serves.
My hope is that Senate District 4 views Mackey-Andrews’ expertise and commitment to serve as important reasons to elect her to the Maine Senate.
Rep. Richard Farnsworth
Portland
Giles for Maine Senate
A song that was popular in the not-so-recent past began with the line “What the world needs now is…” While it is easy to complete the line, it is appropriate to this election cycle to replace the familiar ending with “moderation” or “collaboration.”
What Maine needs now is experience in those ideas that will build small business, our local banks and those nonprofits that make a real difference in our communities.
What Waldo County needs now is an intelligent, honest and careful senator in the Legislature who knows our needs, has engaged directly with us for many years and is willing to seek the middle ground in the sometimes raucous activity at the State House.
Jayne Crosby Giles is my answer to what we need now. Please vote for Giles.
Philip Carthage
Belfast
Turner for House District 99
I urge all to support April Turner in November for District 99, which includes the towns of Burnham, Unity, Freedom, Troy, Thorndike, Jackson, Knox and Monroe.
I have known Turner for more than 15 years. As both a co-worker and friend, she has consistently displayed the drive and curiosity that will serve us well in Augusta. In addition to being a full-time working mother, she has carved out the time to earn her master’s degree.
I know her to be a warm, caring individual who listens first and then decides. That would be a refreshing change to the dogma-driven, political party-first shenanigans currently being played in Augusta.
I urge all to support Turner in November for district.
Dennis Harrington
Knox
Vote out GOP
All politics is local. If you are as disgusted as I am by the behavior of the Republican Party, you’ll remember this when you vote on Nov. 6. Are you sickened by the GOP’s war on women, their putting migrant children in cages, their massive tax breaks for the rich and handing us the bill, their destruction of the environment, their continued endorsement of President Donald Trump who cannot tell the truth and has filled his Cabinet with swamp creatures? Then do not vote for a Republican — any Republican.
As I vote in Senate District 7, I will vote for Louis Luchini, who has a proven progressive legislative record. I will not vote for Republican Richard Malaby, who has a proven record of voting with his party and against the rights of women, gay people and against sensible, affordable health care options. Remember: All politics is local, as is the opportunity to vote out the GOP.
Alan Parks
Bar Harbor
Election notice
The BDN will stop accepting letters and OpEds related to the Nov. 6 election on Oct. 26. Not all submissions can be published.