Local Letters to the Editor

Maine group honoring victims’ rights

To the Editor:
    The Maine Chapter of Parents Of Murdered Children will be hosting a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week celebration on Sunday, April 21 at the Calumet Club, on West River Road in Augusta.

    This will mark the beginning of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time to focus on victims of crime and celebrate our nation’s progress in serving them. The theme this year is “New Challenges, New Solutions,” and in a period of economic and political uncertainty, we will honor the protectors of public safety, those who prosecute criminals, those who investigate crimes, and those who provide support for victims of crime.
    Since its inception in 1981, by President Ronald Reagan, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) has challenged the nation to reshape the future of crime victims by seeking rights, resources, and protections needed to rebuild their lives. Every year, we honor the past by celebrating decades of hard-earned progress and renewing our commitment to overcome the harm caused by crime and those who commit it.
    We will begin with a luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; a speakers’ program will follow. There is no cost, and everyone is invited to attend, so feel free to bring relatives or friends. In order to better plan for the luncheon, please RSVP, to Diane Gagnon at (207) 623-8642, or via e-mail at redcardinal1221@myfairpoint.com, if you are planning to attend.

Arthur Jette, chapter leader
Maine Parents
of Murdered Children

No choice

To the Editor:
    Kudos to the Penobscot County Commissioners for hosting an informational public forum concerning the proposed East-West Utility Corridor. They graciously allowed the public to ask questions and voice concerns alongside their own about this private project. Peter Vigue, CEO of Cianbro Corporation, was yet again evasive about the location of a route. Information regarding proponents including towns, businesses, individuals and investors was not forthcoming.
    I am weary of rhetoric about poverty and quality of life. Mr. Vigue has us practically dragging our knuckles in the dirt as we eke out a “hand-to-mouth” existence in the “hollow middle” of our state. Now, that’s just rude. If “quality of life” is a super corridor defiling the last vestige of pristine wilderness on the east coast, I say “no thanks!” If “poverty” means cleaner air and water, safe communities, loving friends and neighbors, bring it on.
    I wonder how the good people of Eastport feel about Mr. Vigue’s commitment to relegate their picturesque village to a concrete wasteland of a deepwater cargo port. I tire of his statistics from Forbes Magazine. It is not so gloom and doom. Maine ranks lowest in unemployment in the nation, one of the best track records for recycling, lowest national levels of mercury in our ground and water and some of the highest growth rates for organic agriculture in the past eight years. That sounds like a good quality of life to me, my children and grandchildren.
    The East-West Corridor is promoted as an economic engine, a connection with “global markets.” Though it may provide some short-term employment, its sole purpose seems to be the extraction and export of Maine resources and a conduit for the export of Canadian energy, leaving Enbridge and the Irving boys breathless with anticipation.
    With all of Mr. Vigue’s assurances that his first priority is the safety, health and prosperity of our communities, I’m still scratching my head. If that were true, wouldn’t he have approached us first for input to see if this was the direction we wished to take? Once the land is purchased, the permits granted and politicians placated, there is no choice.

Lisa Laser
Dover-Foxcroft

Chained CPI

To the Editor:
    Social Security is more important today than it has ever been as seniors are living longer and trying to cope with rising health care costs, prescription drugs, and utility costs. But right now there is a plan circulating in Washington that would reduce benefits substantially called the “chained CPI (Consumer Price Index).
    Supporters portray it as a more accurate reading of the cost-of-living. However, that is a profound misunderstanding of the real-life choices most seniors confront to make ends meet. The fact is that the “chained CPI” represents a significant benefit cut and, over the course of a lifetime, would cost the average senior thousands of dollars.
    The “chained CPI” would also take a disproportionate toll on women who typically live longer than men and are more likely to rely on income from Social Security. It also assumes that when the cost of something rises, seniors can simply switch to a lower-cost substitute.
    If only life were that easy for older Americans.
    For most seniors, it is not simply a matter of comparative shopping at the supermarket. Seniors already choose lower-cost options and also spend much of their money on health care and utilities that don’t have lower cost substitutes.
    Social Security did not cause the deficit and should not be cut to fix Washington’s budget problem. Surely our elected officials can find a way to strengthen the country’s finances without taking even more from Social Security – a self-financed program that provides earned benefits to millions.

Rich Livingston, president
AARP Maine

Supporting food consumers’ right to know

To the Editor:
    Currently, although almost all processed foods made with corn or soy (soy protein or oil, corn syrup or chips, etc.) contain genetically modified ingredients, none are labeled as such. According to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), 91 percent of Mainers want to know if the food they are buying contains genetically modified ingredients.
    LD 718, “An Act to Protect Maine Food Consumers’ Right to Know,” is a bill that will let them do just that. To help get it passed, you can attend a public hearing on Tuesday, April 23 at 1 p.m., in Room 214, Cross State Office Building, Augusta. You could also join MOFGA from noon to 1 p.m. for a rally and press conference at the Capitol Welcome Center and Breezeway between the Capitol (Statehouse) and the Cross State Office Building. MOFGA suggests you bring positive signs and banners to let the public and the legislature know that you are among the majority of Maine citizens who want GM foods labeled.
    FMI, call 207-949-7371 or righttoknowgmo@mofga.org.

Bob Lodato
Charleston

Proud of town’s efforts to build community

To the Editor:
    I grew up in the town of Dover-Foxcroft for most of my life, graduating from Foxcroft Academy in 2007. During my time in school, I had big dreams to move to a larger city, and so I did. Having lived, played and worked in the town of Dover, sometimes it can seem like there isn’t much to do, or maybe that you’ve done it all. Fortunately, there is a great group of people in the community working around the clock to put together events throughout the year for the citizens of Piscataquis County, as well as visitors and vacationers, and although I choose not to reside in my hometown anymore, I find myself driving back more and more for each of the events that take place.
    One of my fondest memories from high school, was taking long drives with my Mom, Jody Arno, after school. Sometimes it would be just to listen to the radio, other times it would be to talk about our day, and on several occasions, it was to look for a giant piece of grass for balloons to land. The dream for the Piscataquis Heritage Balloon Festival started many years ago, and although nay-sayers thought it would never happen, it’s floating on the horizon.
    On May 31, June 1-2, Dover-Foxcroft will be home to almost a dozen hot air balloons, filling the sky with color and excitement. The event has not only gotten the locals excited, but now hundreds of people from around the state and even New England are marking their calendars for the three-day festival.
    As someone who grew up, and then left Dover-Foxcroft, it’s been a joy to help out on the committee, and feel a part of the community again. One thing about people from Maine, is that we feel immense pride in our state and the towns or cities we live in or come from. I’m proud to say that I went to Foxcroft Academy when someone asks, and now I’m proud to say that our town is home to some of the best festivals in the state.
    I look forward to seeing what the future brings for my hometown as well as the state of Maine, because with a dream and a little perseverance, we can make anything happen.

Aspen Maquera
Bangor

Why can’t we collar the debt?

To the Editor:
    They are calling it “HatchetGate.” No, it’s not the latest Stephen King horror flick. It’s the latest assault on the Governor by the Democrats and their media allies. Three newspapers, Lewiston Sun, Bangor Daily News and Maine Today Media, launched simultaneous attack pieces on the Governor based on nothing more than the gossip of disgruntled government employees; there are a lot of those. The Democrat Attorney General, Janet Mills, has jumped in to the tantrums to launch a tax-funded inquiry into the hearsay and rants of those, who have the pouts against “The Blaine House Bully.”
    So what makes these government employees feel so “bullied”? The Party, whose symbol is an ass, wants Maine citizen’s to feel shock and outrage that the Governor is demanding accountability from state employees for their performance and ethics … cue sound of crickets. They only shock Maine residents are feeling is one of the more pleasant varieties, to hear that accountability is actually being demanded for a change in Augusta.
    But at least Democrats are showing some initiative. They are trying to get their legislative feet underneath them. But so far the Dems seem more suited for a bill for beer drinking on St. Patty’s Day (ah, the Celts were in full throat heralding the feat), a bill to take the Governor’s pension (to which the “Bully” said, “Bully, bring it on”, pay the debt), a bill to take the Governor’s mansion (Wow, I didn’t know it was theirs to take …) and a bill to regulate your daughter’s tanning habits (hmmm, not sure that’s any of their business either). Let’s review to date, the Democrats want to facilitate beer drinking, take some money away from a guy they don’t like, kick him out on the street and, oh, take over raising your children just for good measure. And who is the bully now?
    Realizing the legislative session is near at end; our blue clad politicians from Augusta have decided to round out their accomplishments for the year with 22 bills against the 2nd Amendment and one bill to ban flea collars. Flea collars??!! Didn’t you know? Why, the markets are infested with them! Hear the shrieks and cries of terror? We didn’t know? Why weren’t we warned? Eh, gads, grab your children, make for the bunkers and hide there until the brave men in the HazMat suits arrive.
    Yes, if Democrats have their way, flea collars will be banned from use by the lowly unwashed. They can only be purchased from and affixed to your trembling domesticated creature by a veterinarian, who is certified flea collar safe. I am sure the obligatory Agency of Flea Collar Safety and Education (AFCSE) is only a matter of time. Perhaps if you can complete the 30-hour course and pay the exorbitant fee, you too could be a Certified Flea Collar Technician (CFCT).
    But, what of the hospital debt? Why can’t we get a collar on that little nagging issue, the one Justin Alfond said just ignore? While the Alfond Democrats and their merry band of media scribes continue to paint the Governor a bully, the hospitals of this great state struggle to function beneath the weight of Democrat-mandated debt. The collar these liberals seem bent on applying is the one around our necks with a ball and chain attached. One consolation for the Bully of the Blaine House, if the nagging and whining gets too loud, he can always wave a flea collar. They’ll all dive for cover.

Andy Torbett
Atkinson

Background checks television ad
is misleading

To the Editor:
    Recently, an ad appeared on the of Citizens Against Handgun Violence website and also on local television stations featuring former SAM Executive Director, George Smith with the headline, “George Smith, Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine Promote Background Checks.” This television ad also included SAM’s name in the caption. SAM had no part in the creation of the ad and the use of the SAM name was without our permission.
    SAM has supported the voluntary application of background checks in the past for private sales, but given the highly charged political debate around gun regulation we think it is important the public understand SAM in no longer associated with Mr. Smith and his current political actions.
    This ad has confused many of our members and the public, we wish Citizens Against Handgun Violence and George Smith would discontinue using the SAM name in any and all ad campaigns and appearances when advocating their political positions or testifying on legislation in Augusta.

David Trahan,
executive director
Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine