Letters to the Editor

Speech pathologists can help
with stuttering

To the Editor:
    International Stuttering Awareness Day is Oct. 22, and it’s a great time to remind your readers that there are speech-language pathologists in your area who specialize in helping people who stutter.

    The nonprofit Stuttering Foundation provides a free list of local specialists for your readers. Visit us at www.StutteringHelp.org or call 800-992-9392. Click on “Referrals” to see this list.
    In addition, parents can also use our website to find the new video, “7 Tips for Talking with the Child Who Stutters.” We’ve recently made the video available to 53,727 pediatricians across the United States. It features the leading voices on preschool stuttering who provide parents with answers to tough questions about stuttering and practical strategies they can use right away.
    As always, our materials are in more than 8,500 libraries nationwide. To see if your local public library shelves our materials, just click on “Check Your Library” at our website.
    Finally, it is important to mention that we provide the latest research information and self-help materials compiled by the leading authorities.
    Thank you for helping us reach those who stutter in your community.

Jane Fraser, president
The Stuttering Foundation

Center Theater show
well worth the long drive

To the Editor:
    It’s a 60-minute ride to Dover Foxcroft from Bangor, some of the roads are desolate and bleak, and in the scheme of things, it’s a long way to go to see a show, especially considering one can easily see something in the Bangor area.
    But I have to tell you, “The Woman in Black” is special, so incredibly special, that I would drive two or three hours to see it again, again and again.This show is a powerhouse and delivers a punch.
    There is often a misconception that theater has to be professional in order to be good, this show is living breathing proof that this is not so.
    The incredible production values, the innovative and brilliant directing coupled with atmospheric set, lights and sounds and blazing talent make this show one not to be missed.
    This show embodies what good theater is about. Well-crafted and rounded, with actors who not only go on a journey themselves, ever changed by play’s end, but who ask us, the audience, to join them, to use our imagination and to take that journey to Eel Marsh house and live it alongside them.
    If you do anything for yourself this weekend, call Center Theater’s box office and reserve yourself tickets to this incredible production.
    Support this show. Treat yourself to unbelievable performances by two local actors who truly have found the subtle intricacies of complex characters, and revel in the haunting beauty of this production.
    This is theater at its finest, this is professional quality work.
    This is not to be missed!

Elaine Lee
Bangor

The long journey
out of domestic violence

To the Editor:
    The other day I was trying to find a piece of paper quickly so I could jot down my doctor’s appointment. In doing that, I wrote my appointment down and turned to the very next page (of about 100-page notebook), and there was my writing. Initially, It bothered me quite a bit to re-read it after so much time … but then, in thinking about it, I thought, “Wow, look how far I have come since then.” In saying that, I went from fear to the feeling of freedom all in a matter of a few seconds just by reading my article. I am hoping to share it with others with the hopes it may help them as well. We need to help those who suffer not just during October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but every day of every month.

Freedom of Speech
(without the fear
of domestic violence) Anthem

    I am not sure of the exact words that I want to use tonight.
    But I am sure of some things about the words I will speak.
    I will not be ridiculed or called names like stupid or retarded for the words I use.
    I will not get slapped or beaten for the words I chose to speak tonight.
    My possessions, especially my most prized ones, will not get broken for the words I say tonight.
    I will not get called worthless or ignorant for the words I share tonight.
    My animals’ lives will not be threatened for the words I speak here tonight.
    I won’t have things that happened to me as a child thrown up in my face for speaking these words tonight.
    Finally I can speak words that others take for granted, without being fearful of the violent hands or the violent tongue of a domestic abuser.
    I owe Womancare so much for all they have done for me throughout the years. They have always been there with encouragement and kind words. As my journey goes in a much safer and kinder direction, it is a great feeling to know that Womancare is there to help the next person out.

Rose Lindie
Dover-Foxcroft

Hardworking Mainers deserve better

To the Editor:
    As most Mainers know, this year Maine missed the critical opportunity to accept millions of dollars in federal funds to expand affordable health care in our state. Because Maine declined these federal funds during the last legislative session, tens of thousands of vulnerable, lower income Mainers, many of whom are 50-64, will not have access to subsidized coverage through the health exchanges.
    These are hardworking Mainers. Some have lost their jobs. Others are in low-paying jobs that do not provide health insurance coverage. Leaving people uninsured without access to primary and preventive care can jeopardize even the most careful preparation for health and financial security in later life.
    We know of too many people in our state whose nest eggs have eroded because of their health care costs. Accepting these federal dollars in 2014 will help put an end to this for so many of our friends and family who are grappling with their living expenses and putting their own health care needs on hold.
    On behalf of our 230,000 AARP members and their families, we urge our elected leaders to do the right thing in 2014 and expand health care coverage for all hardworking Mainers.

Rich Livingston,
volunteer state president
AARP Maine

Disney’s newest
channel: Sangerville

To the Editor:
    The anchor program around which all the other sideshows will revolve will be the “Flippity Floppity Show” produced by the RBO group of Sangerville. This is the group who for the past several months, after signing on and pitching their lean-to under the awning of the larger CELDF circus tent, pressed the citizens of our town to pass a rights-based ordinance. Their argument was that nothing else would or could possibly work to slow or stop the perceived juggernaut bearing down upon our community known as the East West (Utility) Corridor. “No Compromise!” was their motto. Thus their behavior to the point that no one was to be heard or listened to who spoke for calmer action, clearer thinking and a more balanced approach to long-term planning. In fact, if one was to ask an intelligent question or to question their methods and/or intent, you were automatically targeted as the enemy. Heaven forbid if you declared yourself undecided while wading through all the paraphernalia of emotional propaganda, hearsay and half-truths surrounding this issue of the utility corridor and the associated moratorium.
    It turns out that the new show in town will now involve these same characters we’ve come to recognize as simply “actors” in a scripted mini-series. As with most “primetime” series, this one has a heck of a twist for the viewers. One of the lead “characters,” played by select person Melissa Randall, has now done a complete turnabout at a recent select board meeting. At this meeting she stated “we need to do our due diligence” and protect the people who want a regulatory approach to solving this East West issue. “It behooves us to check this out” … a reference to a different legal opinion, one she and her group tried to prohibit from being shared with the public at the special town meeting when voting on the proposed RBO. She now states that this alternative legal opinion “ … shows legitimate concern for a regulatory approach.” Of course now that the RBO group has used their “all or nothing” scare tactics on an ill-informed populace and gotten what they want, an ordinance that far exceeds the issues of a corridor, they suggest mildly that maybe we should do all that other stuff we’ve been shouting down.
    I hear that upcoming episodes of this theatrically “staged” show will contain RBOs for wind turbines, water extraction and even comprehensive land-use ordinances. We should all wonder what great lines the producers will come up with for their next series of arguments for these proposed RBOs.
    Now that these scriptwriters have tipped their hand as to how shallow their arguments are, “We must pass this RBO. It’s the only way to save us all,” perhaps similar lines will be received differently by the voting viewers?
    One can only hope. Stay tuned.

Irving McNaughton
Sangerville

LED sign would add greatly to school, community

To the Editor:
    I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to the sign ad hoc committee who worked very hard this past summer to craft an ordinance that will guarantee high standards for future signage for our community.
    Three years ago Foxcroft Academy started a capital campaign to support the building of an LED sign to communicate with community members. In the age of technology, a sign is still one of the most effective means to communicate events like parent/teacher conferences, athletic contests, and dances. The classes of 2010, 2011 and 2012 all made naming gifts to the sign project, along with other donors. The project has appealed to many potential donors as they see the need and importance to provide communication in this manner.
    Recently, I received a press clipping about a new LED sign that was erected at Erskine Academy. Many schools believe that using signage to communicate with its constituents is important. An LED or electronic sign is not about flashing neon, but about creating a structure that is of high quality. Using marquee signage with detachable lettering inevitably deteriorates in appearance and usability. The Academy’s current method of signage, “a saw horse with an attached poster board,” certainly is not up to anyone’s standard. Foxcroft Academy wishes to build something that meets its long tradition of high standards as well as the standards of the town of Dover-Foxcroft. From inception, we planned to share this as a community resource with other nonprofits.
    Again, thank you Fred, Will, Mary, Elwood, Cindy, Scott and Gail for committing your time to develop a common ground that will meet the community’s needs. It is my belief that you have achieved the goal. I would never tell anyone how to vote, but I have been known to say that we would appreciate your support.

Arnold Shorey
head of school
Foxcroft Academy