Letters to the Editor

Fireworks and traffic cost recouping to be decided Nov. 4

To the Editor:
    Among the many items to be voted on Nov. 4, two are specific to Dover-Foxcroft residents. First, voters will be asked if they wish to adopt the Town of Dover-Foxcroft Fireworks Ordinance to prohibit the use of consumer fireworks. 

    In 2011, the Maine Legislature legalized possession, sale and use of consumer fireworks in the State of Maine. Prior to this legislative change it was illegal to buy, possess and use consumer fireworks in Maine. In November, Dover-Foxcroft voters will have an opportunity to pass an ordinance which would essentially put the same restrictions in place in Dover-Foxcroft as were in place statewide prior to the law change in 2011. The legislative change in 2011 made it legal to buy, possess and use fireworks in Maine, but at the same time gave residents in each community the final say as to whether fireworks are permitted in their community.  
    Dover-Foxcroft residents will have a chance on Tuesday, Nov. 4 to have the final say on consumer fireworks. Residents may vote “yes” on the ordinance to prohibit consumer fireworks in Dover-Foxcroft, or vote “no” on the ordinance to continue to allow the possession and use of consumer fireworks.  
    The second item to be decided is the Dover-Foxcroft Traffic Incident Ordinance. This ordinance would allow the town to recoup certain costs associated with responding to traffic incidents. This would not apply to Dover-Foxcroft residents or property owners. Also, this would not apply to any business that owns property in Dover-Foxcroft. 
    The town’s location on major state highways leads to traffic incidents and first responder costs that are now paid by property tax payers. This ordinance would take some of this burden away from taxpayers. A “yes” vote on the ordinance allow the town to recoup some of the costs of a traffic incident from those involved in the incident as long as the person involved is not a Dover-Foxcroft resident or a property owner.  A “no” vote would not authorize the town to recoup first responder costs for these traffic incidents. 
    Copies of these ordinance proposals are on the town website and are available at the town office. The Board of Selectmen will be holding a public hearing on these ballot questions at their regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 13th at 6:30 p.m. 
    Please vote on Nov. 4 or by absentee ballot and help decide these important issues.

Jack Clukey
Town Manager
Dover-Foxcroft

Goggin has solid reputation as sheriff

To the Editor:
    In the mid-1970s, former Piscataquis County Sheriff Frank Murch appointed John Goggin as his chief deputy and assigned him to work with the District Attorney’s Office as a child abuse investigator.
    During these years I had the responsibility of working with John during the investigation and prosecution of child molesters. His skilled approach to this difficult job resulted in conviction and incarceration of dangerous child predators.
    In 1990, Piscataquis County elected John to succeed Frank Murch.
    Since that time John Goggin has modernized the sheriff’s department and hired high quality personnel to oversee both the jail operations and the law enforcement contingent.
    He has attracted new, younger, skilled patrol deputies and investigators. He has appointed Bob Young as chief deputy and assigned him to the DA’s Office as the child abuse investigator.
    Bob is close to being one of the most accomplished and talented child exploitation detectives I have ever worked with.
    Our office has worked closely with the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office for decades. John Goggin’s department has served Piscataquis County well and I have appreciated their cooperative approach with our office.
    John and I have occasional disagreements over the years on how and if to prosecute criminal cases. This is part of the natural tension that exists in our business. But he and I have resolved those differences in the professional manner deserving of our positions.
    Re-electing John Goggin as Sheriff would ensure the continuation of a top quality Sheriff’s Department and help law enforcement maintain its solid reputation in Piscataquis County.

R. Christopher Almy
District Attorney
Piscataquis & Penobscot Counties

Proud of Sheriff Goggin’s accomplishments

To the Editor:
    I have known John Goggin for many, many years. He, and his wife Bonnie, were students of mine, back when education and life were so much simpler. I remember when he joined the U.S. Navy and some of his reasons for doing so. Like many young people at that time and with war around the corner, his better instincts towards country and self impacted him greatly. I lost touch with John for a few years, but still managed to follow what his life was like during that time, including his decorated service in the Vietnam War.
    In the ensuing years we managed to reconnect with one another from time to time and our good relationship from his student years kept growing stronger, even more so after I returned to Greenville and our personal contacts with each other became more frequent, resulting in the friendship that we now have.
    From the beginning of our relationship, I always felt that John would someday make a difference in the lives of people and in the circumstances that surrounded them, and this he has done. I realize, as does John, that because of his involvement in law enforcement, some may not feel the same way as I do about him, but there are thousands of Piscataquis County residents that do, and for that he should be proud of his accomplishments and wear that badge with some very special feelings. I know that I am proud of him and our friendship.
    John has my unequivocal support for re-election as Sheriff of Piscataquis County.

Loren Ritchie
Greenville

Milo dump should be closed

To the Editor:
    I have been on the Penquis Solid Waste Committee for many years.
    It took a few months to obtain all the paperwork involved in the structure of the quasi-municipal corporation.
    The structure was set up with Milo paying 54 percent of all expenses, Brownville paying 32 percent, Lakeview Plantation 9 percent and the County of Piscataquis 5 percent. Each community has three votes on the Board of Directors.
    I believe the taxpayers of Milo are getting the short end of the stick, and a while back, the Brownville town manager agreed with me.
    But soon the attitude changed and since then, every vote was 9 to 3, with Milo being only three votes.
    With Milo only having three votes and 54 percent of the expenses and having 54 percent of the liability, I believe the dump/transfer station should be closed.
    To add insult to injury, we discovered liquids are not allowed to be dumped in with other demolition.
    We were told not to inform DEP, as it would be in violation and subject to a fine. We attempted to get cooperation and close the dumpsite.
    The dumpsite has no liner and the problem cannot be corrected, and under the present arrangement, the problem will continue.
    This dumpsite should be closed and a new true transfer station should be opened.

Richard Mullins
Milo