Tidd for Bangor City Council
I am very pleased that so many women are running for seats on the Bangor City Council, and I’m glad to see that Amy Lee Tidd is among the candidates. We are long overdue for equal representation at all levels of government. Women’s perspectives, life experiences and leadership are clearly missing from today’s national and other policy-setting tables.
Born and raised in Bangor, Tidd loves her city and has settled here with her children and husband. She is concerned about the environment, health care for all, equal rights and fostering diversity. She is a strong advocate for those with the fewest resources and has firsthand experience delivering crucial health services.
When the call went out for volunteer health care help in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, Tidd was among the first to step up as a member of the first rescue teams to arrive on the island. She went back a second time when it was clear the emergency and damage from the hurricane would not be soon abating. Cool and calm under pressure, she will lend that same dedication and work ethic to her position as a city councilor.
Tidd has the strength and fortitude needed to run in this election and the leadership and advocacy skills necessary to hold public office. She is courageous and strong. I encourage Bangor voters to join me in supporting and voting for Tidd.
Ruth Lockhart
Bangor
Yes on Question 1
I taught for 25 years before retiring. For thousands of teachers who are struggling to care for loved ones, and for our students’ parents who are stuck caring for their children and their parents, I am voting yes on Question 1.
As a candidate for the State House, I know that Augusta has made some incremental changes like increasing the reimbursement rates for home health care workers paid through MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program. But in the oldest state, we cannot afford to tinker around the margins of our care system. We need a big change. A vote for Question 1 is a way for Mainers to deal with a challenge bigger than the Legislature is prepared to handle.
Question 1 also makes our tax system fairer, by having some Mainers pay more in taxes. I know a lot of teachers, none of whom make that much.
The Maine Education Association, representing more than 24,000 public school educators, has endorsed Question 1 because so many of us have seen the importance of caregiving in our lives. Please join me and my fellow Maine teachers in voting yes on Question 1.
I believe in Medicare for all. We will achieve this goal. In the meantime, we must take care of our people.
Cynthia Soma-Hernandez
North Anson
Gillen for Aroostook County sheriff
This Nov. 6, we elect a sheriff for the county of Aroostook. This spring I consulted my friends in the law enforcement profession on who would be the best candidate for sheriff. For sure, these people shall know best as they work with these candidates every day. It became very clear early on that Acting Sheriff Shawn Gillen was the man for this job. I ask everyone to talk with the people who have worked with both candidates.
Gillen is a proven leader unanimously endorsed and supported by the men and women with whom he works. This includes the deputy’s union, every police chief in the county and the prosecutor of Aroostook County. Many officers from other agencies also support Gillen for his impeccable reputation. For me this speaks volumes. We need a sheriff that has this reputation of working well with his team and other agencies.
Gillen reverently takes the oaths he took to our Constitutions very seriously and upholds the rule of law for our free society. The many conversations I have had with him, confirm to me how seriously he takes this job and his oaths. I strongly support and endorse Gillen for Aroostook County sheriff.
Mark Strelka
Fort Fairfield
Amend Maine’s Constitution
This November all Maine voters will be able to use ranked-choice voting but only for the U.S. House and Senate. The state general election races for governor, House and Senate will not use ranked-choice voting because of an amendment to the Maine Constitution in 1880 following a contested election for governor. That amendment included wording that a plurality was sufficient to win in these races.
The conditions that lead to that amendment no longer exist, although the plurality provision remains in our Constitution. To allow ranked-choice voting in gubernatorial and legislative general elections, the next Legislature needs to enact a new referendum for voters to again amend the Constitution if they so choose. Therefore it is important that voters elect legislative candidates who will support sending such a referendum to the voters.
There are many legislative candidates, mainly Republicans but also some Democrats, who still oppose ranked-choice voting primarily for reasons of short-term political expediency even though the system favors no particular party or candidates over the long term. It does favor the needs of the majority of voters over both the short and long term.
Robert Peale
Readfield
Support home care
Too many individuals in our state wind up being put into hospice or nursing homes, mainly because of families not being able to afford home care. Question 1 on November’s ballot will increase support for those working to bring care to their loved ones.
My mother worked in home care, taking care of my sisters and brother, we had to move a lot due to her low wages, and a “yes” vote on Question 1 will help people be able to get the care that’s right for them, not what their financial situation dictates. So please vote yes on Question 1.
Jacob Gray
Old Town
Golden for Congress
Feeling frustrated by the federal government? Wondering if anything you can do will make a difference?
In the 2nd Congressional District, we are represented by Rep. Bruce Poliquin, whose votes support President Donald Trump 96.7 percent of the time. We have the opportunity to make a difference. Turn out to vote and turnout Poliquin.
Turn out in large numbers to vote for Jared Golden Nov. 6.
Fred Stocking
Lamoine
Election notice
The BDN has stopped accepting letters and OpEds related to the Nov. 6 election. Not all submissions can be published.