Local Letters to the Editor
Clean water is Maine’s unsung natural resource
To the Editor;
When I went to forestry school many, many moons ago, water was barely discussed and then as mostly a hassle that interfered with the harvesting of timber products. Now, with the increased pressures around the planet on fresh water, it’s become one of if not the most valuable products of the Maine woods. And most of us who live here don’t realize that fact, probably because we’ve taken it for granted in such quantity and quality for so long.
But that global demand is quietly already here and growing, and we Maine residents are quietly waking up to the fundamental question: who “owns” water? And what’s the difference between surface water (our rivers and lakes) and ground water (our well supplies), and how do they affect each other? We can’t continue to take water’s historical availability for granted anymore, and need to start making more proactive decisions about its stewardship.
In the 1980s when the water-hungry state of California was once looking northward to possibly divert the flow of the Columbia River for the use of Los Angeles, the governor of Washington, vehemently opposed to the scheme, was reputed to have said “Let them drink Perrier!” Similar proposals today, as farfetched as they may seem to us in water-rich Maine, are entirely possible in the not too distant future. We can live without oil, but we can’t live without water.
As warming temperatures continue to effect weather patterns, most of the computer modellings show that the northeastern part of the North American continent will continue to be blessed with abundant precipitation as other areas (notably the Midwest and Plains states) become drier. We actually will probably have more precipitation than “normal.”
Legal and social patterns of property ownership that are centuries old and based on the assumption that water supply is inexhaustible are beginning to be challenged in the face of its scarcity on this continent, and we should probably put our heads together now about how to manage this essential resource.
Sam Brown
Cambridge
Respecting Sunday morning
To the Editor;
The recent passage of LD 216 which allowed the sale of liquor starting at 6 Sunday morning when it falls on Saint Patrick’s Day is just another brick added to the growing stack of events which disrespect Sunday morning. Considering it is a sad state of affairs that our esteemed lawmakers deemed it an emergency to have the bars open at the crack of dawn, it would be laughable under other circumstances. But in truth it is a sad state of affairs that we walk around with money in our pockets which proclaim “In God We Trust” and disrespect the very day that has been set aside as a day of worship.
I would pray that we as a Christian community start doing a better job at paying attention to what is happening in Augusta. I for one will not be supporting anyone who voted in favor of LD 216 or any other law that chips away at the moral fiber of our society. I pray we can stand united in bringing back respect for Sunday morning.
Stephen Dean
Abbot and Brownville Junction
Barriers to access our elected officials
To the Editor;
In an interview on a local TV news station (WGME News 13), District 27, Senator Doug Thomas of Ripley, stated that he was applying for a concealed gun permit. His announcement came on the heels of an accidental fish spill that happened during an Inland Wildlife & Fisheries restocking process. Was this accidental spill a threat to Sen. Thomas?
Perhaps the proximity of events is coincidental, but the situation leads me to wonder if any of Maine’s politicians — or even federal elected officials — are capable of understanding that they are not threatened when dealing with controversial issues that affect their constituents, and perhaps the nation and world at large. Elected officials should expect controversy on issues and be ready to listen to and represent the concerns of all their electorate.
We would not knowingly allow an emotionally disturbed, mentally challenged felon or other person to possess a weapon, let alone a concealed weapon. But consider that a first-time OUI offense can be classified as a felony these days, and some politicians have been able to use their influence to have their own arrest records overlooked. Maybe we should do a serious background check on Sen. Thomas and investigate whether what he perceived to be a threat was intended as such. And if the action was a threat, the State should provide him with protection until the end of his current term, at which time he should not seek another term. If no threat is proven to have existed, he may, at his own expense, provide his own security, but not with a concealed weapon that makes him judge, jury, and executioner based on his guilt-induced fear!
Who knows? The next person Doug Thomas approaches may also be holding a concealed weapons permit. Does the situation then escalate because “I know Doug is holding a concealed weapon so I better shoot first”? If I don’t know that a person could be holding a concealed weapon, I am less likely to feel threatened by his approach. But now that I know that my elected official could be secretively armed, I am less likely to approach him because I will be wondering if he will use his weapon on me as a result of his offence at my words or the misconception that I pose a threat.
Arming the elected representatives of the people puts a barrier to the people’s free access to their elected officials. In effect it fends off the public. This seems especially misguided at a time when corporate money is overly influencing our officials and limiting their ability to represent the people’s voice.
Ellen E. Johnson
Abbot
Access to affordable health care: A compassionate, common sense step forward
To the Editor;
In the next month, Maine lawmakers are likely to decide whether Maine should accept millions of dollars of federal aid under the 2010 Affordable Care Act to offer health insurance to uninsured Mainers, including thousands of Mainers age 50 to 64.
We hear too often from Maine people who have lost a job, have no health coverage, struggle and fall ill. The dignity of a secure retirement often becomes unreachable as they try to manage food and fuel costs, keep a roof over their heads and get the health care they need to battle illness.
Under the Affordable Care Act, Maine can help hard-working people who have lost their health insurance get Medicaid health coverage if their incomes are less than $16,000 a year or 138 percent of the federal poverty level. This means that 69,500 Maine people who are not currently insured could qualify for health care coverage in Maine. This includes more than 16,300 Mainers ages 50-64 who have lost their jobs or are working in jobs without health benefits. Many who need this help have worked hard and have paid into the system through state and local taxes all their working lives.
Anyone who has unexpectedly lost a job knows how demoralizing and frightening it can be. However, studies show that it takes longer for older workers to reenter the job force compared to their younger counterparts. Once they lose their jobs, older workers face unemployment lasting, on average, more than a year. For many, purchasing individual coverage isn’t an option. For others who can find individual coverage, it can mean spending retirement savings. Having access to health care coverage is especially important for older adults who are not yet eligible for Medicare. These individuals are more likely to face the onset of health conditions that if left untreated could inevitably impact their productivity and increase their need for more expensive acute care treatments and use of long-term care.
The fiscal benefits of accepting these funds for Maine are quite remarkable. Under the law, the federal government will pay the entire cost of covering newly eligible individuals for three years beginning in 2014 and 90 percent starting in 2020. This means that Maine presently has an opportunity to provide health care coverage to thousands of Maine residents who would otherwise be uninsured in 2014. Medicaid can provide these people with health coverage in case they become seriously ill, but just as important is the access to preventive care to keep them from getting sick in the first place, such as mammograms, prostate exams, cancer screenings and other benefits.
Such preventive care can yield tremendous benefits — literally saving lives. It also can save millions of taxpayer dollars by reducing the need for people to seek care in an emergency room — in most cases, the most expensive setting in which to deliver health care.
Accepting federal funds will also save Maine taxpayers money due in large part to reducing the need for other medical service programs that are currently paid for entirely by the state such as mental health services. Accepting these funds will enable people who desperately need care to access it at the right time and the right place for less money.
Governor Rick Scott, a Republican, from Florida was the seventh Republican Governor to back Medicaid expansion. He called his decision “a compassionate, common-sense step forward.” Other Republican governors who have recently voiced support of expanding coverage to their uninsured include Chris Christie of New Jersey, John Kasich of Ohio and Rick Snyder of Michigan. Governor LePage should consider joining them. Access to affordable, quality health care isn’t a Republican or Democratic issue — it is a human issue.
We hope Mainers will voice their opinion on this important matter by urging their legislators to accept the federal funding available to extend affordable health coverage. Providing health care coverage to more Maine people makes sense both for the health of Maine residents and for the state’s economy. As other states have made clear, it is a common sense decision and the right thing to do for our families.
Lori Parham, Ph.D., AARP Maine state director
Sara Gagné-Holmes, Esq.,
executive director,
Maine Equal Justice
Good Saturday night entertainment
To the Editor;
I would like to express my gratitude to all the young folks that enlightened the audience at the All District Choral Night recently in Dover-Foxcroft. As a fortunate grandfather I can honestly be accused of being biased (prerequisite of a grandparent) especially when one of my own was part of the group filling the gym with pleasurable melodies but I challenge you to find anybody who didn’t enjoy themselves that night. When my foot starts tapping, some semblance of rhythm begins taking place on my knees and I find myself singing along can only mean I was captivated!
Mrs. Kaitlin Young has been a breath of fresh air since her arrival and Mr. Joshua Guthrie made one heck of a first impression on me; what an opportunity to see the younger students working with a group of high school pupils. The years between them so close that the older ones I’m sure could not help but remember being innocent not so very long ago while pondering what is ahead as youthful eyes literally looked up to see faces that would become their own all too soon.
SeDeMoCha Middle School that evening was for awhile a magical place where a person of any age was able to find diversion from life’s realities; I see two concerts slated in the near future: May 11 at FA and June 6th at SeDeMoCha giving me something to look forward to; thank you all for your hard work and dedication!
Dave Richards
Dover-Foxcroft
Need to know what’s in our food
To the Editor;
Thanks to Rep. Paul Davis for co-sponsoring the historic and important bill LD 718 “An Act to Protect Maine Food Consumers’ Right to Know about Genetically Engineered Food and Seed Stock.” The sentiment contained in LD 718 is shared by consumers in Maine and throughout the United States. According to a recent poll, 93 percent of Americans want to know if they are eating genetically engineered food. As a constituent, I appreciate your commitment to Mainers’ right to know what is in our food, and I look forward to your continued support on this issue.
Genetic engineering differs from traditional plant breeding. DNA from entirely different organisms gets inserted into a food crop so that the crop then has traits that it couldn’t otherwise have in nature. For example, many crops have been genetically engineered to be resistant to otherwise lethal doses of the herbicide glyphosphate, also known as Roundup.
Knowing what is in our food is very important to our health as a population. I often look at the calorie and nutritional information on the foods that I buy. I support the labeling of Genetically Engineered (GE) food, also known as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), because I have serious concerns about their safety for human consumption. The safety of genetically engineered food is not known because these foods do not have to be tested before entering our food supply. There have been no long-term human feeding studies done on the impact of GE foods on human health.
Thanks to Dr. Don Huber of Purdue University, we have information on what effect GE foods have on animals. Dr. Huber and other scientists have conducted studies that link genetically engineered foods with infertility and abortion in cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, poultry, hamsters, mice and rats. Animal consumption of GE foods has also been linked to increased rates of birth defects, premature aging, organ damage, and low birth weight.
Dr. Huber says, “We can anticipate with that broad spectrum of animal species, which is extremely unusual, that it will also be with humans. We’ve seen an increasing frequency of miscarriage and a dramatic increase in infertility in human populations in just the last eight to 10 years.” United States citizens seem to be unwittingly undergoing a scientific experiment without our consent.
Unfortunately, scientists’ warnings have been ignored by the FDA, and GMOs have become very common in our food supply today. In fact, many people don’t realize that 86 percent of all corn grown in the United States is genetically engineered, and over 93 percent of U.S. grown soybeans, canola oil, cottonseed oil, and sugar beets are also genetically engineered. All of these crops form the basis of many packaged foods in Maine’s supermarkets. As a result, the average American eats over 190 pounds of GE food each year. Unless we require labeling of GMOs, Mainers will continue to be in the dark about what’s in our food supply.
Sixty-two countries around the world require labeling of GMO foods, including Europe, Russia, China, and India. I commend Rep. Davis’ support of this bill LD 718 and hope that others convey their appreciation for your support of Maine consumers’ right to know what is in our food. I do not want my self or my friends, family or community to continue serving as lab rats without our knowledge.
Mary Margaret Ripley
Dover-Foxcroft
The two faces of Dexter
To the Editor;
The Governor has experienced a partial victory in the battle over the hospital debt. The Democrats have conceded that it is a good idea to pay back their debts. In most circles, this would not be viewed as any great accomplishment, as most regard this declaration as everyday common sense. But for the Justin Alfond Democrats, such a statement of even a small admittance of a need for responsibility has sent shock tremors through the very core of Eastern Seaboard causing even “Punxsutawney Phil” to completely foul up his forecast.
Now we must realize these are baby steps for Democrats. They still don’t want to pay the whole debt. Just a portion, then raise your taxes and promise to pay the rest off the new the tax revenue. I’m sure the hospitals of Maine are confident, in light of the past track record and Justin Alfond’s comments that we shouldn’t even pay the hospital debt, that the Democrats will keep their word. If you believe that, I’ve got some other stuff I can sell you …
Yet to this we have come as a State and as a Nation. When the Democrats can have some smug satisfaction in a partial promise to pay a portion of their debt, nearly 40 years in the making, and Republicans find a victory in forcing Democrats to admit they must pay their debts. This leaves many of the frugal Maine residents scratching their heads in dismay. How can so many of those elected to represent Maine become so detached from the Maine they represent? The answer may lie in study of two political faces from a town called Dexter.
Justin Alfond grew up on Acadia Street in the affluent side of Dexter — when Dexter had an affluent side. His family owned the famous Dexter Shoe Company. The Alfond family sold Dexter Shoe to Warren Buffet and one of his conglomerates. Consequently, the company moved out of Dexter costing the small town some 1,500 jobs.
Another political figure also has his roots in the little town of Dexter. Paul Davis grew up on the corner of Lincoln and Water streets, which Dexter residents will tell you are a decidedly different part of town, the other side of the tracks, if you will, or, in the case of Dexter, the other side of the stream. Paul Davis grew up learning the value of a hard earned dollar. He also learned from experience how hard it is to keep a dollar and how devastating debt can be.
Now the lessons of thriftiness and frugality are not exclusive to poverty nor are they exclusive to wealth for that matter. But as a wise man once said, “By their fruits you shall know them.” And there is plenty of fruit from both these individuals to see the standards of their fundamental core.
Justin Alfond has most infamously stated that we should ignore the hospital debt and treat it as a “meaningful cut.” He has also led the Democrats in a dogged obstruction of the Governor hoping to keep him from paying the hospital debt. Now they have capitulated to the Governor, but only in part, still maneuvering for an opportunity to raise taxes off the backs of Maine residents. The only candidate that the Justin Alfond Democrats have put forward to run for Governor states that, since the 40 years of mandated regulatory hell that Augusta has placed on rural Maine has pushed many towns to “insolvency,” the answer is just to shut them down and move the people like cattle to more urban locals. This smacks of young men, who are used to having someone else’s money covering the mistakes of their poor decisions.
On the other side of the stream, we have Paul Davis along with Ray Wallace, who grew in the same part of town in Dexter, along with many other conservative Republicans who have held the line beside the Governor demanding that debts be paid. This columnist knows from personal experience that Davis has a dim view of debt and has lived his life by the “owe no man anything” precept. He refuses to purchase anything unless he can pay for it.
Wallace and many of his comrades share Paul Davis’ disdain of the slipshod accounting practices of the Alfond Democrats. They stand along with the Governor with their backs to the edge desperately trying to hold Alfond and his Democrats from pushing Maine off into the fiscal abyss.
Maine people need to decide which face of Dexter they prefer to see to their State’s affairs. The face of accountability, honesty and “pay as you go” approach to life that you see in Paul Davis and his allies, or the make promises, accumulate debt and then “cut and run” approach of Justin Alfond and his allies.
The edge for Maine inches closer, while the Governor, Paul Davis and their allies can only hold for so long. We must lend our voices to theirs, for be assured, that if Maine falls over the edge, Alfond will not go with us. He will cut and run.
Andy Torbett
Atkinson