Local Letters to the Editor

Davis works for all constituents

To the Editor:
    The Maine Legislature is much like our country, it is a melting pot of different personalities and backgrounds. There are business owners, teachers, police officers, moms, lawyers and even farmers. Most of us are there to make life better for the people of Maine.
    Paul Davis is such a legislator. His strong sense of ethics makes him someone who serves all his constituents regardless of party affiliation or economic back ground. He enjoys getting the help people need to make their lives a little easier. He has gained the respect of his peers and shown true leadership.

    Paul Davis has become a good friend and mentor. The people of Senate District 4 could do no better than to return Paul Davis to the Maine Senate, a life time resident of central Maine and a true conservative.

Rep. Russell Black
(R-Wilton)

East-West Corridor moratorium for D-F

To the Editor:
    Last December, the Cianbro Corp. publicly announced that the E-W highway project was “continuing to move forward,” despite “a flurry of towns adopting measures to keep it away from their land.” (per the BDN). Nothing has been heard about it from Cianbro since.
    Many blame the uncertainty this is causing, and the specter of an E-W Corridor going through here, for helping to depress real estate values in our area which is renowned for its rural heritage. Low land values, of course, would be very advantageous to would-be developer, Cianbro Corp.
    Peter Vigue, CEO of Cianbro once stated publicly that the route would not go through any town that did not want it. Whether we should believe him or not is open to debate, especially since inquiries to Cianbro regarding that statement have not been responded to.
    As most of you know, the towns of Monson, Sangerville, Dexter, Garland, Parkman, Abbot and Charleston have already passed various resolutions against the Corridor going through their towns.
    On election day Tuesday, June 10, Dover-Foxcroft citizens can vote for a moratorium against the E-W Corridor. It will be Article 12 on the town warrant. A moratorium, by law, is a temporary measure to help protect us until a permanent ordinance can be devised and then voted on. In the meantime, it will also put Dover-Foxcroft on record as not wanting this Corridor passing through our town.
    Most of us think the E-W Corridor would benefit mainly Cianbro and Canadian corporate interests, but for those of us who live here … not so much!

Peter Brenc
Dover-Foxcroft

Where were the SAD 4 voters?

To the Editor:
    On Thursday, May 29, SAD 4 held its annual budget meeting for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2014-June 30, 2015. Of the 3,487 registered voters on their prepared lists, 26 showed up. For Parkman, there were three voters; one board member (We have three.), one teacher, and me. Most of the 26 were board members and other persons associated with the school. In 21 minutes, those voters passed a budget for next year for $7,356,770.11, with an increase of $116,457.92 over this year. (Notice all the commas in these last two numbers.) Last year, the taxpayers in most of the district towns saw significant increases in their school assessments; this year they will see additional increases as follows: Abbot, 8.31 percent; Cambridge, 9.69 percent; Guilford, 8.97 percent; Parkman, 11.68 percent (For Parkman that is approx. two-thirds of a mill just for this part of the town budget.); Sangerville, 8.08 percent; and Wellington, 9.99 percent.
    In the presentation of the new budget, the superintendent explained all the “cutting” the school budget committee had done to bring this budget to the public, making it appear that the swath of cuts was painful and bloody.
    I disagree. I was on the school committee for over three years, stepping down this last March, so I watched some of the board’s budget-building process. It goes like this.
    A call is put out to the appropriate people in the system to submit their budgets for the upcoming year. They throw in every conceivable thing they can think of to ask for. The total is, of course, always huge. The total is shown to the board; some gasp and shake their heads.
    This “dream budget-building” process has occurred every year that I watched the budget, which happens to be the last four years that I have been there. (Prior to that, I spent much of my professional career actually building school budgets.)
    At the same time that the dream budget is developed, we look to see what the state’s contribution will be to the budget, and we know, with a pretty firm certainty, it will be less than the current year, but the gap does not deter the building of an outrageous expense budget – not at all. Then over the next several months, the budget committee looks at “revised” budgets, which essentially take out many of the “dream” expenses of the original proposed budget. After a few goes at that, the budget committee presents the “revised” budget to the whole school committee for passage, which, no doubt, was unanimous now that I am gone.
    And at the district budget meeting, the superintendent explains how much cutting the committee did and how the committee has brought the budget down thousands of dollars to just a modest percentage of increase. The additions feature critical staffing additions to be made, but never shares the internal adjustments that have come about as a result of retiring debt, retiring staff etc.
    We always hear in detail about the increased fixed costs that a system can’t control; we never hear about the negotiated raises that also yield raises for all the non-union staff including the administrators who can offer no substantive proof that the students are learning more and acquiring more critical skills. Instead we hear about poverty and how it impacts learning. We never hear about poverty when the tax assessments are set, but I would suggest that we ought to! It only takes a look around these towns to see what is occurring.
    What isn’t real clear unless you are paying attention is that much of the cutting is of stuff that the district never had in the first place and, in fact, doesn’t need to be effective if it would more expertly use the resources currently available. The new budget includes such additions as a contingency fund which it rarely, if ever, has used. It is, however, a comfort to the in-house money managers, and nicely builds the system’s fund balance (a hard concept to grasp) year after year.
    It also includes at least one and a half “ghost” positions in special education that will be there just in case they are needed. (Another comfortable pad that discourages other possible problem solutions should the problem actually arise).
    In the meantime, the state figures come through, and low and behold, the district is receiving less subsidy. So the school budget committee has an increased expenditure budget and less revenue money from the state formula.
    The school committee passes the increases on to the local taxpayers, with a shrug of the shoulders that implies that that darn state is just mean to us.
    Now, I try to pass on that budgeting process to my personal finances just to see how I could possibly defend this kind of action. Let’s say I anticipate that my income this next year will be $50,000, but I know I probably won’t get as much overtime, jobs here being what they are, so it won’t likely be that high. But I decide that I will set my expenditures for next year at $100,000 and build in the purchase of a new car, some remodeling changes to my living room, and possibly a nice trip to Europe. Regrettably, as I get to the time when this budget applies, sure enough, I am not getting the overtime I had hoped for and my revenues will not come up to what I want, so what do I do? Well, you figure it out, but I wouldn’t be expecting any postcards from Europe if I were you. And, since I don’t have any wealthy relatives that like me a lot, I won’t be adding any of the above. I will, in fact, be trimming my standard of living to figure out how to pay my increased property taxes; my grocery, electricity, and heating bills; my gas bill to get to my job, if I am fortunate enough to continue to have one; and a few other of my “fixed costs.” Please note that all of the above figures and wishes are purely fiction here. This is simply an effort to put an example in front of the readers.
    In all seriousness, I have worked for years in the field of education. I have strived to put the needs of the students in front of the public but I know with certainty that effective education is not always directly tied to an increase of money. Effective teaching is a very complex issue. Neither do I think the problem of decreased revenues has an easy fix. But I do think the local taxpayers have had more than they can bear, but for some reason, do not come forward to district budget meetings where their voices and votes could truly count.
    The budget in SAD 4 on Thursday night passed 25-1. (Remember, out of 3,487 possible votes.) Let me ask the obvious. Where were the voters and why do they not think the passage of over $7 million is important enough for them to take a half-hour (21 minutes actually) to be active citizens?
    It is appalling and our increased taxes cannot be blamed on the state or any other entity. It is our own apathetic fault — every vote does count, as does every voice.
    Keep that in mind when you think about going to the upcoming polls to validate the budget of your school district next week.

Ann B. Bridge
Parkman

Calling all Sangerville volunteers

To the Editor;
    Sangerville’s Bicentennial is rapidly approaching — June 14, to be exact. A core group of people has worked for almost two years, spearheaded by the co-chairs Kathy Starbird and Pam Smith, to put this day together.
    As a member of the Bicentennial Committee, I would like to invite more citizens and businesses to step forward to help make this a day to remember.
    For more information and/or to volunteer, one can call the Town Office at 876-2814. Let’s all work together to put it together!

Tom Carone
Sangerville

Davis represents our core values

To the Editor:
    The election season is fast approaching and we must chose our state senator who will be our voice in Augusta. I, for one, will chose the person that best represents my core values; honesty, integrity, and good moral character.
    I have been married to Paul Davis for nearly 45 years. Is he a perfect man, no. During this time he has made it his life’s career serving the public. He finds great satisfaction making life a little easier for others regardless of party affiliation, economic standing, or even if you’re in his district. Paul will listen to your side of the issues whether he agrees with you or not, he will never walk away leaving you frustrated and unrepresented.
    It’s time that honesty, integrity and moral character be counted again. It is time to return Paul Davis to the State Senate in District 4.

Patty Davis
Sangerville

Davis is responsible to the public

To the Editor:
    This letter is being written in support of Paul Davis for the District 4 Senate Seat. Paul has shown himself to be a stand-up man of his word. Paul is approachable and reasonable. He is intentional and is a man of great integrity. Paul cares about the people he serves and works hard to stand up for what he believes is in the best interest of the taxpayers. Paul promises to be reachable and responsive to the public that he serves. He has proven true to this promise as evident in the multiple letters of support that he has received as well as the testimonies that can be heard on the street. Paul is responsible to the public and up front about how he votes and why, what you see with Paul is what you get.
    We applaud Paul Davis for not wavering or responding to negative campaigning. He will let his character and integrity speak for itself. He has once again demonstrated to us the strength of his character. For these reasons, we will be voting for Paul Davis on June 10.

Lucas and Johanna Greenfield
Dover-Foxcroft

Davis is ‘the right choice’

To the Editor:
    I encourage all Republicans, on June 10, to vote for Paul Davis in the Senate District 4 Race. Paul is always attentive to constituent concerns and problems, regardless of party affiliation.
    If you look up the word “stable” in the dictionary, it defines Paul. He is firm in purpose, steadfast, and constant in his devotion to all people in Senate District 4 and the State of Maine. What you see is what you get with Paul.
    Our family is enthusiastically supporting Paul Davis for Senate in District 4.

Bob Lynch
Sebec

When large-scale change takes place

To the Editor:

In
A rural working landscape
perceptions vary
depending on:
Whether one is from ‘away’ — just a visitor
holding a return ticket…
Caters to the tourist trade…
Or lives,
paycheck dependent
in communities providing services…
To the dirt guys:
those with manure on their boots,
and wood chips in their hair;
folks and their families wresting
livelihoods directly
from working
in the landscape.
Inevitably
because perceptions differ,
for the common wealth, implications will manifest
if, and when, large scale change takes place.
How such changes come about
remains a question of
How well we, with our differing perceptions
find congruence.
common — shared equally
wealth — sufficient resources
congruence — together

Bruce McAfee-Towl
Dover-Foxcroft

Paul Davis for state senate

To the Editor:
    I am writing to urge my fellow Republicans to support Paul Davis for State Senate in District 4 on Tuesday, June 10. It comes down to three basic qualities — character, integrity, and demonstrated ability.
    Paul has served this area with great distinction for a good number of years and has been recognized for his service by many organizations from the Catholic Church to the Boy Scouts. The people of this area know him well as a family man, a person of great principle, and a faithful public servant. We know where he stands on the critical issues affecting our area and the state.
 There is no better choice for State Senate than Paul Davis. Please give him your support on June 10.

Douglas M. Smith
Former state senator
Dover-Foxcroft

Why I’m running for office

To the Editor;:
    The citizens of Dover-Foxcroft will see my name on the June 10 ballot as one of five people running for selectman. Though I don’t pretend to be a politician, I thought it proper to provide a brief vita to help voters make an informed decision with respect to their choice for this office.
    I have lived in Dover for the past nine to 10 years, having moved back after a 30-year hiatus. My family moved to Dover in the summer of 1972 where I attended Foxcroft Academy (FA) through 1975. After finishing high school, I attended The Citadel, a small military college located in Charleston, S.C., where I took a degree in business.
    Following graduation, I worked for a financial institution before being offered a position with a commercial construction firm that operated throughout the Southeast. I worked as a project manager/estimator within that industry until 2005, taking a few years off to help my father on his farm. While working, I attended graduate school (The Citadel, again), eventually taking a master’s degree in history. Fortunately, a position became available in FA’s social studies department at the same time I completed that coursework. So, here I am, teaching history and economics at Foxcroft Academy, and it’s nice to be back.
    Since returning to D-F, I have served on the town’s Budget Advisory Committee (2013 and 2014). I have served on the YMCA Board of Directors since 2011, and have just recently joined the Thompson Free Library Association.
    When it was suggested I place my name on the ballot for selectman, I determined to give it a shot. My experience is not government, but neither do I consider that detrimental. What I do bring is a broad range of experience in both the private and public sectors, and I look forward to having the opportunity to help guide the town through the challenges that so many small rural Maine towns currently face.

William “Ernie” Thomas
Dover-Foxcroft

Defending our constitutional rights

By Bruce Poliquin
Candidate for Congress

    In great part because of the United States Constitution, our government “of the people, by the people, (and) for the people” has stood the test of time from one generation of Americans to the next. For 225 years, the Constitution has protected our “unalienable rights” of life, liberty and property which, in turn, have promoted economic growth and more prosperity and freedom for each succeeding generation.
    Members of the U.S. House of Representatives take an oath to “support and defend the Constitution.” There is no more important Congressional duty than doing so. If honored with this profound responsibility, I will thoroughly research every issue that comes before me to make the best decisions to uphold the Constitution and help my fellow 2nd District families.
    Increasingly, the principles of our founding document are coming under attack. Many elected officials believe that our Constitution is an old fashioned document no longer reflecting the values of our nation and citizens. Aided by the courts, they interpret the Constitution that bends the law to advance their political agendas. This is wrong and should be exposed and stopped at every turn.
    The Constitution details the specific rights we hold as Americans. It also limits the power of the federal government to be sure those rights are protected. We should all be concerned that Washington has apparently abused its power in a number of ways that have eroded our freedoms.
    The First Amendment to the Constitution includes our bedrock rights of free speech and assembly. It looks like the Executive Branch used the Internal Revenue Service to harass and intimidate Americans who hold different (conservative) political views. If proven true, those responsible for breaking the law must be held accountable.
    The Second Amendment clearly states “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” The State of Maine Constitution states that right “shall never be questioned.”
    Even so, the national debate about this important Constitutional right is likely to continue. That’s why it’s so important that Maine’s next Congressperson from the 2nd District understands the history and relevance of gun ownership today. I do.
    I’m a strong supporter of our Second Amendment rights and always have been. I do not support, and never have, the extreme objectives of national gun control groups, such as a federal directory of gun owners and expanded background checks.
    I’m honored to have the support of NRA instructors, Second Amendment leaders, gun shop owners, and sportsmen and women throughout Maine.
    Maine residents have a long history of safe and law-abiding gun ownership. We have one of the highest rates of firearms possession and one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the country.
    For generations, 2nd District families like my own have responsibly used firearms to enjoy our long tradition of hunting and target shooting, and to ensure the protection of ourselves, our rights, and our property. I still enjoy my .22-long lever action rifle that I bought at age 14.
    For several years, the National Security Agency has systematically tracked and collected our emails, phone calls, and other communications. Notwithstanding the counter-terrorism purpose and provisions of the Patriot Act, this surveillance activity of lawful Americans likely violates of our Fourth Amendment right against “unreasonable searches and seizures.” If so, these activities must stop and our laws should be tightened, and violators should be prosecuted.
    If privileged to serve as Maine’s next 2nd District Congressman, I will diligently support and defend our Constitution — the cornerstone of our hard-earned civil society, freedoms, and American way of life.