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This is your opportunity to express your views and opinions locally and globally about local issues, Internet issues, or whatever is on your mind. Letters may be edited for clarity and/or omitted due to time or space constraints. All letters must be signed and include the writer's address or email and telephone number. Please be non-libelous and in good taste. The Daily Me staff and/or advertisers do not take responsiblity for the views express in letters submitted. To The Editor; A good Town Manager, upon leaving, would leave a noticeable hole in the life of the community. I do not think this current one will be missed, nor leave a hole behind her that can not be easily filled. What do I think constitutes a "good" Town Manager, or any kind of manager for that matter?: one who is not "full of self". Rev. Richard J. Norsworthy To The Editor; As with all things, technology is also a factor in the consideration of the playground. There are new types out there that require much less maintenance and will better survive the rigors of Maine winters and the frost heaves which have done the most damage to it. All in all it was a worthy project which was as much fun to build as it was work. After a recent conversation with a young lady from Dexter, we discovered that there is the very first stirrings of a new committee to work on replacing the playground. It was a reminder of those days in 1988 when our own committee was forming to work on building the existing one. it was gratifying to see the next generation willing to step up and take action. The motivation for this young lady's involvement is truly a touching story. We'll let her be the one to bring that forth. The intention of this group is to have the existing playground removed and those timbers given to the Town for various projects. The area cleaned and leveled and a new modern playground to erected. The name will remain "Dexter Community Playground" and any existing plaques will remain. Those of us who served on the first playground committees fully understand the commitment it takes to accomplish a task such as this and wish them well in this endeavor. We would urge all the citizens of the area to support them in this effort. The Co-chairs of the 1st Dexter Community Playground. To The Editor; I try to select questions, among the many hundreds offered, that pertain to my district. There are certain bills that could possibly hold no interest to area residents. There were 5 initial questions, which the Legislative staff selected, regarding the budget shortfall and how best to resolve the budget with various cuts. Question 1 asked about cutting programs. 48% said yes. Question number 2 asked about raising taxes. 12% said yes. Question number 3 asked about decreasing the number of state employees. 58% said yes. Question number 4 asked about decreasing the state budget by a certain percent. 50% said yes. Question number 5 asked about having state employees share in the cost of their health insurance. 75% said yes. Some of the respondents suggested as much as 20% of the cost of the state employee's health insurance should be shouldered by the employee. It's interesting to note that there was a recommendation from the Legislature to have Legislators and the Legislative staff share in the cost of their health insurance. But the majority party quickly decried the suggestion as not worth consideration. Currently, state employee health and insurance benefits cost the taxpayer $192.2 million. Of course this includes all employees and retirees and the family members who pay a portion of their insurance. All Legislators are considered employees. The question that would repeal the school consolidation program was not addressed in the Legislature. There were many amendments brought forth modifying the original intent in the supplemental budget. The bill accepted by the majority of the Legislature, LD 2323, will remove some of the financial barriers the school districts have run into as well as give the Education Commissioner the ability to approve reorganization plans that may not fill all of the consolidation law's requirements. Respondents to the survey voted down the consolidation plan with a 72 to 28 percent vote. One bill favoring the merging of all jails throughout the state received a resounding no vote by 78% of the respondents. However, the bill did pass with the acceptance of those involved such as the county Sheriff departments and county commissioners. Basically, the law creates an oversight board instead of governmental control. Another bill asking for the ending of incandescent bulbs to be replaced by fluorescent bulbs by 2010 received a resounding no vote of 82% by the respondents. The bill died in the Legislature. The small wind power bill passed the in the Legislature and had the support of the respondents by a 72 to 28 percent vote. A bill to allow a tax credit for an employer who supported a wellness program such as exercise facilities, smoking cessation died in the Legislature. However, respondents supported the measure with a 51 to 49 percent vote. A free breakfast program for all children K-12 who are eligible and reduced price meals was passed in the Legislature. Responders supported the bill with a 54 to 46 percent vote. There will be no more novelty lighters designed to look like a toy, featuring a flashing light or making musical sounds. Responders supported the Legislature's termination of these kinds of toys with a 65 to 35 percent vote. An effort to amend Maine's Constitution to prohibit transfers from the highway fund for any other purpose than those purposes specifically related to highways died in the Legislature. This was in spite of respondent support of such a Constitutional change by a vote of 67 to 33 percent. If you have a question about any bill that went before the Legislature, please call me. I'll see what I can do to get you the information you need. I can be reached at 564-0820 or jmannis@midmaine.com. Rep. Jim Annis To The Editor; Pine Tree Hospice cannot thank Mayo Regional Hospital enough for taking us under their wing back in 1985 and supporting our mission for the past 23 years. PTH has been generously given office space on the campus of both hospitals and receives sponsorships of our programs and events as well as many in-kind services, all extremely important in our ability to maintain low overhead. Because PTH does not receive any federal or state support, and because we do not charge clients/families for our services, the support we receive from our local hospitals provides the life-blood of our organization and is sincerely appreciated. We couldn’t do what we do without you! On behalf of the Board, Staff, Volunteers, Clients and Friends of Pine Tree Hospice, I wish to extend a very Happy 30th Anniversary to our friends at Mayo Regional Hospital and a Happy Hospital Week to all. Cynthia Scott To The Editor; One “behind the scenes” result of the back to back winter storms this year is a cumulative 1600 pint shortfall in expected blood donations. These precious, lifesaving units of blood must be recouped in order to fulfill the expected blood needs of our local hospitals. Every day, no matter what the weather, there are patients relying on the medicine only volunteer blood donors can provide. Blood is used for a wide variety of life-threatening conditions, including people undergoing cancer treatment, trauma victims, surgical patients, premature babies and many others. This period of time, between the weather-related challenges of winter and the special challenges of the summer season, is a golden opportunity to shore up blood supplies for patients and recover this loss. Most people can give blood through the Red Cross. Donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health on the day of donation. For information about specific donor eligibility questions, or to find a blood drive near you, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit online at newenglandblood.org. The Need Is Constant. The Gratification Is Instant. Give Blood.TM Susan Parmer, R.N. To The Editor; So, we leave Peace in the hands of politicians and suffer the consequences. With our voice muted, they make assumptions and as politicians so often do - they get it wrong. There are approximately 725 hours in a month. Imagine if all of us took 1 of those hours to gather together to help our politicians understand our desire for Peace. Imagine thousands of people making an irrefutable statement. Imagine a statement that can’t be ignored. Imagine political machines disengaging their energies from developing the military industrial complex to vesting their creativity in education, health care, our environment and our communities. March commemorates one more year of war in Iraq. Our politicians need to understand we don’t want to commemorate another year next year. The only way our collective voice will be heard is if we express it. No doubt all of us won’t be able to find even that 1 hours. Times are hard. People are suffering. For those of us that can, we need to set aside that 1 hour this month to make a statement. In Maine, each county has organized a rally on March 15th to bring their communities together in Peace. Please join friends, neighbor and relatives for 1 hour in a call to end the War. For additional for your county’s county actions: www.everyvillage-me.us Sincerely yours, Ron Greenberg, Bar Harbor To The Editor; This letter is for your neighbors, friends, relatives, mailman, etc. Someone out there knows that you had many friendly cats, most of them of a beautiful orange color. They were definitely noticeable to someone. If you'd only asked us for help instead of abandoning these poor, hungry cats out in the middle of nowhere, they would all be safe, warm and dry now. Instead by leaving them at the end of our long driveway to fend for themselves, they are scattered throughout the acres of woods surrounding our home. They are too frightened to come near us or our live traps. They sit and look at us from a distance and cry their hearts out. They are bewildered by the sudden change in their lives brought on by the person they trusted most. They are cold, wet, exhausted, starving, and yet are still hanging around waiting for their person to come back and get them. They are a perfect target for the predators in those woods or for cars traveling too fast down our dirt road. The ones we did manage to catch are loveable, wonderful cats once they are inside and can start to trust people again. The others weigh heavily on our hearts and the hearts of our neighbors, especially the ones who discovered them in the road, on the snowbanks and on the edge of the woods that night. If these neighbors hadn't come along at just the right moment, the cats might have all scattered into the woods and died slow, horrendous deaths with nobody even aware of their existence. If anyone has information to share about these cats who were dumped between 5:15-5:45 pm Monday, Jan. 26th, on the Bolstridge Road in Corinna, please call 278-2175 or 991-1806. All calls will be kept confidential. There is a modest reward for info leading to the person who abandoned these cats. We really need to know how many cats in total were dumped here, so we can continue to try and round them all up and get them safely inside before they die. Right now, we don't even know how many to search for, and we are searching day and night. A big thank you to everyone who has already stopped and helped us with these cats. For anyone else considering doing something like this with their pets, please instead pick up the phone and make calls. It may take multiple calls, but there is help out there, so keep trying. Dumping animals on the side of the road is NOT an option. Laurie Mountain To The Editor; As a mother of 4 and one who is concerned about our nation and our local communities, I know we need someone who can bring the importance of family back to the United States, as well as good intention and a solid foundation in moral principles. This is the impression I get from watching Huckabee on the Republican debate and reading about him in the news. He appears honest, straight to the point and true to what he promises. I don't think anyone can fully agree to every politician's views but what I value as important, such as a strong traditional family, hope for the working class and respect for the quality of life from the womb to our last breath. This is what I see in Huckabee's stance. I don't think a lot of the other candidates running can fully relate to the average American worker, those struggling with paying our bills week to week. I welcome those who are unfamiliar with his position on all the issues to check out his website. Other candidate sites are vague on some of the issues but I did not find that with the Huckabee's website. If you look under the Newsroom section you can also read transcripts from his interviews and debates and watch video. And those who are looking for local supporters to join them, please check out: http://mikehuckabee.meetup.com/336. Happy voting! Mrs. Susan C. Stratton To The Editor; Huckabee left the ministry because he wanted to make a difference. When he ran for office as a Republican in an extremely liberal state, he was shunned by people who had once been his friends. While he still has a deep faith in God, he is not trying to be Pastor of the United States. People should be free to believe in God or not. But he does not want to see God removed from our nation either. The fact that he is a Christian means that he will be a president with a conscience. As president, Huckabee wants to bring spending under control, secure our borders and send illegal immigrants home, stay on the offensive with the terrorists, finish the job in Iraq, revise the tax system, fix social security and make the government smaller and leaner. He wants to put more of our own money into our hands so we can spend it how we see fit. Gov. Huckabee had a picture in his office that said the boss. He put pictures of the Arkansas citizens in there to remind him and his staff who the boss is. That is a man of character and that is why I support Mike Huckabee for President. Sincerely, Amy Hale To The Editor; Some state departments are complaining bitterly that they are already cut to the bone and any further cuts will affect programs. As a former school board member and chair of a 6,000 student system, we used to use the cry that we'll just have to cut art, music and sports in order to make the mandated school budget work! Hopefully, it would shake up the powers in charge of funding and they would concede to our demands. Never worked then and I don't think it's going to work in the case of the state budget regarding programs. During my 12-year tenure on that school board, I was selected to be finance chairman. A position no one envied! Many budget line items that could be reduced, without a severe consequence to public education, included health insurance and salaries. These two items were a start. Unfortunately, salaries were negotiable with the union as was health insurance. However, layoffs, or downsizing, weren't negotiable. And sometimes we had to resort to those actions. After all, 75% to 80% of any budget consists of personnel salaries and benefits. The University of Maine System has threatened that tuition rates will have to be increased by 12% unless the Legislature accedes to their demands of a budget increase. And, get this; a University line item called “sabbaticals” has a $7 million funding! And that's just one bloated line item! During our recent discussions in a House caucus no one brought up the subject of salaries or health insurance. I don't think the people of Maine realize that the State employs 14,239 people and this doesn't include higher education. And one fellow Legislator informed me that I really didn't have the full employment scope – it's much larger than that! Nobody in the caucus suggested layoffs within the state as a way of reducing the budget! To fund one state employee, it requires the support of 18 taxpayers! The average state employee earns $46,000 a year and an additional $23,000 for benefits! And, only recently, Anthem has included visits to the Wellness Center for employees and their spouses/domestic partners as a bonus! Let's go exercise folks! Programs within the Maine State Government system are usually headed up by a supervisor overseeing a group of subordinates. In some cases, these programs are staffed by a group of three or four people. Kind of expensive, isn't it? Is it time for a State supervisory “reorganization?” You can bet your life! Oh, I'm sure there will be a hue and cry over this suggestion. We don't need to cut programs – we need to cut overhead such as supervisors, managers, directors and others. Perhaps it's time to put down the coffee cup, volunteer for more work, if only to support the poor financial state of the people of Maine. Businesses have shown us that they can't survive in this state and are leaving in droves. And with job opportunities gone, workers are leaving too. Sounds like to me that our tax base is looking to reach zero! The health insurance plan for state employees is preposterous. I know, I have that plan as a “state employee.” And I contribute nothing toward that plan! And our prescription plan is the best the taxpayer can afford! Why can't state employees contribute to their health insurance program? Taxpayers in the private sector generally contribute 20% to 30% of their pay toward health care premiums. Wouldn't state employee contributions help dearly toward reducing the burden on the taxpayers? Or is the taxpayer of little consequence? When I was employed at Pratt & Whitney I was contributing to my health insurance plan long before I retired in 1992. A “product” sold to airlines funded our health insurance plan. It wasn't funded on the backs of the taxpayer. Until the majority of the Legislature wakes up to the fact that the people of Maine can't afford their ambitious and extravagant activities anymore, it will only get worse until the State of Maine is in bankruptcy and there are no more people to tax. Sincerely,
To The Editor; LURC should stand firm and Hold the Line Here and Now against any further encroachment on the North woods. If not, more will be given away to flunky corporations every generation in favor of the great lie " We need more balanced growth" A satellite photo of the United States blinds us with the lights of sprawl all across our land. Maine's North Woods stands out in stark contrast as the largest wild area east of the Mississippi River, like a dilated cat's pupil seen by campfire-light. Seattle-based Plum Creek Timber Co. will usher in a storm surge of development that would wipe it all out, leaving only an Alice in Wonderland fat-cat smirk to taunt us from away, after destroying yet another wild area to satisfy insatiable corporate greed. Some of the best times I've ever had were in, on and around Moosehead Lake. I remember glorious black winter nights, the darkest I've ever known, lying on my back on Moosehead after checking my lines for cusk. I would watch the sea of stars showering across the infinite night ocean, and hear coyotes yowling in the night, their eyes illuminated by the occasional wandering snowmobile. I remember getting caught in blinding snow squalls, and finding our way home by dead reckoning with compasses and luck - before the days of GPS. I remember cooking red hot dogs and rib-eyes, even an occasional fish, at high noon, sheltered by cliffs from a "blue norther" bellowing down below zero. I remember heading out from Sugar Island toward the Allagash, and feeling like I was heading into the Arctic as we pulled our canoes across the sandbar at Kineo. These experiences will not exist for our children if the Land Use Regulation Commission lets Plum Creek have its way with Moosehead, thereby setting a precedent for unlimited development that every other supposed "timber company" and corporate landowner will follow. Only one-third of traditional jobs in the woods are left because of relentless automation and outsourcing of secondary production, even as the forest is strip-mined in giant clear-cuts. We need to recognize the importance of jobs that cash in on the long-term potential of the land to supply permanent work in the recreation industry. Plum Creek may bring a brief spasm of home construction jobs, but the majority will most likely be filled, in the predictable crunch, by "guest workers" from away. It is high time all Maine people unite in a shared vision for the future of our common outdoor cultural heritage. We must preserve access for all Maine people to all traditional uses of the land - hunting, fishing and camping by car, ATV and snowmobile. We must protect wildlife and wilderness, fragile ecological communities on the small scale, and scenic beauty on the landscape scale. We must protect the dignity of traditional hard work in the woods with a whole new line of outdoor jobs that build on the values espoused above, as Americans from all walks of life seek solace and spiritual rebirth in the wilderness. If we do not draw a line in the sand at the present gateway communities, a wave of cookie-cutter development will march relentlessly across the woods, as every other landowner seeks to cash in on windfall profits. The North Woods will be sliced and diced out of existence. Residents of northern Maine, who saw a national park as anathema to their traditional way of life, might well be looking back fondly on the concept as a Garden of Eden, in the coming years. The cute little gated communities of almost 1,000 trophy homes, exclusive golf course resorts, shopping centers, three RV trailer parks, and a 1,000-acre "industrial park" will be accompanied by the usual nasty "Private Property," "No Hunting," "No Fishing," "No Trespassing" signs plastered everywhere, as in southern Maine. The shores of some of our most treasured waters will be dotted with porch lights, manicured lawns with show-off gardens - every one with a little aluminum dock and an over-sized boat or two. At some of Plum Creek's other sprawling developments, they won't even talk to a prospective buyer with less than $3 million in the bank. Plum Creek's real future plans for the region lurk behind the smiling masks of the PR reps they send repeatedly to "reassure" northern communities. The so-called "no future development zones" are a farce. Most of the areas set aside for "preservation" are surrounded by swamps or wetlands, or otherwise already off limits. And Greenville itself is bypassed by many of these purported economic opportunities. If there ever was a pig in a poke, this is it! LURC should not buy it for us. If we all do not act now we will all be just Plum out of Luck! Paul Liebow MD FACEP
To The Editor; Our Board of Directors has worked hard in the past few years to become more effective in their leadership of the organization. They have developed a new vision for Pine Tree Hospice that will carry us forward to expanded palliative care services for people with life-limiting illnesses without the constrictions of a six month "time limit." They have worked with interested volunteers in the community to provide services for grieving children called Evergreen, The Pine Tree Hospice Center for Grieving Children and Their Families, and have recently funded a leadership position for this program. They identified the need to split the financial and organizational leadership role from the clinical services, and have hired staff for both positions, Amy Madigan-Dube as Coordinator of Volunteers and Client Services, and Cynthia Scott as Executive Director. There is a new energy at Pine Tree Hospice which is contagious (we hope). And in this time of gift giving, remember what we also receive as Pine Tree Hospice volunteers: the gift of meeting new people who need our support, the gift of hearing the deepest hopes and dreams of these people we meet in their homes, the gift of touching another person's life at one of the most meaningful times of life, the gift of knowing we have made a difference, the gift of being privileged to witness what many people hide, the gift of becoming closer to understanding our own mortality and thus increasing our awareness of today. This truly is a wonderful season of gift giving and receiving. I am pleased to be able to share our success and to plan for the future of Pine Tree Hospice. Lesley Fernow, MD
To The Editor; I was diagnosed at the end of April 2007 with a rare cancer. At least four other town employees have also had a serious illness in 2007.We all seem to have been treated differently, except for being told that we had been put on FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) without our knowledge, which would expire in ten weeks from the first day off on sick leave. The Deputy Town Clerk was given only two days notice and was terminated the week before her back surgery. I was told that I was eligible for "up to ten (10) weeks of leave" and my FMLA would expire on July 2, 2007, which I saw as a termination notice. I could not return to work then and I challenged this, since I still had several weeks of unused sick time left. I was eventually allowed to use this and given unpaid medical leave. Two other employees did resign after receiving similar notices while they were very ill. I have heard that they both regretted it and one person tried to withdraw his resignation when he was feeling better, but was denied it. While I appreciate eventually being granted extended leave, it was only after supplying multiple doctors' notes and after support from vocal library patrons. At no time was I shown any compassion (the exception being Librarian Liz Breault and councilors Rick Goodwin and Sherm Leighton) or given any idea what I could expect. When other employees and even department heads have tried to find out what the policies are, they have been told conflicting stories and even that the Union (of which I am a member) makes them terminate sick employees after ten weeks, which is untrue. The town can easily grant more time as they did to me. It costs nothing to extend unpaid sick time. Staffing concerns have been given as a reason to not extend some leave; however, the library was understaffed since the other 20 hour/week position was vacated in Nov. 2005. It was not filled until June 2007, after I was on medical leave and one of the library substitutes had quit. I also understand that although there was some shuffling around of jobs, there is still less staff at the town office than there was before the deputy clerk was terminated. No one new was hired. The Town Council and Town Manager need to reflect the values of the residents and taxpayers of Dexter. At the last Town Council meeting Chairman Roger Brawn made comments regarding the aging workforce in the Town of Dexter, and the cost of benefits. New hires may need to expect fewer benefits, but to use catastrophic illnesses as a way to terminate long-term workers who otherwise could not be fired, and to imply that sick workers shouldn't be able to use their accumulated sick leave is questionably legal and definitely immoral. An aging work force problem takes care of itself as people retire, not by forcing dedicated long term workers out of their jobs. I have decided that I need to concentrate on my health, my family and the positive things in my life, so I have resigned my position at the library. I hope to see it filled soon. I want to thank all the library patrons and friends who have given me support and hope. Kathryn Pearson To The Editor; Sunday, November 11, 2007 Thursday night several hangars at the Dexter airport were broken into. Taken were a red Craftsan air compressor, a quantity of copper and brass valves, circulators, a generator and a quantity of aluminum metal. Entrance was gained by using bolt cutters. If anyone learns of any of these items being available please contact Dexter PD.
To The Editor; Thursday, November 01, 2007 Honoring Our Veterans Even at the End of Life Americans across the country celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th, a special day of awareness to help all Americans understand the values, commitment, and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. It is a time when we pay tribute to those who have served our country. Pine Tree Hospice stresses that honoring our nation's veterans includes supporting them throughout their entire lives, even at the end of life. Many Americans might not realize that more than 50,000 veterans die each month; that's roughly 28 percent of all deaths in the United States. “Brave men and women in all branches of the service have made sacrifices and dedicated their lives to peace and the defense of freedom,” said J. Donald Schumacher, President and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). “The liberty that we, as US citizens, enjoy comes at a price paid by these valiant men and women.” All Americans should take the opportunity to reflect on the contributions made by veterans. They are our family members, neighbors, friends, and co-workers and we should extend our gratitude to them all. Our nation's veterans have given their last full measure in service to their country, it is only fitting that we provide the highest quality of care for them when they are nearing the end of their lives. If you are a veteran or someone interested in providing compassionate care to veterans living in Piscataquis County with a life-limiting illness, please contact Pine Tree Hospice at 564-4346 or e-mail us at wecare@pinetreehospice.org. If you know a veteran who is in need of the special care hospice provides, serve them by reaching out and helping them learn more about care at the end of life. Information is also available from NHPCO's Caring Connections at www.caringinfo.org or by calling the NHPCO HelpLine at 1-800-658-8898. Cynthia Scott, Executive Director To The Editor; Monday, October 29, 2007 Maine Politicians seem intent on finding ways to spend the Public’s money while finding new ways to keep us from knowing what they’re up to. The Legislature is trying to pass “Emergency” Legislation (LD 1878) that would end the requirement for Maine Government to post legal notices in newspapers. The legal notices in the classified section aren’t the most noticible part of the paper, but sometimes contain the most important information for the Public. This bill would move legal notices onto a website and a phone hotline, but these would only be useful if you have access and skills to use the internet, or if you know what you’re looking for (or just have lots of free time to spend browsing or calling). In most cases I know of, people who found Legal Notices of interest only came across them by chance when browsing the paper - they wouldn’t have known that there was anything of concern to them on some website or hotline they don’t necessarily even have access to. Legal notices in newspapers have helped people in Maine find out about Public Hearings and plans for incinerators and landfills in their communities. They provide a way for us to stay informed of government activity and to have an effective voice in the decision-making process. The legislation to get rid of these notices is classified as an emergency because Maine Government apparently doesn’t have the money to fund printing legal notices published in the paper. At the same time, this Government is pushing for Voters to approve a multi-million dollar bond. Question 2 (the Maine Technology Institute bond) would provide $5 million in Public tax money to FAME and the Maine Rural Development Authority. These entities helped funnel millions of tax-payer dollars to the Casella landfill in Hampden and the Red Shield incinerator in Old Town. Casella is profiting by importing millions of tons of out-of-state waste in Maine, and Red Shild is burning Casella’s toxic construction and demolition debris in its malfunctioning incinerator. For some reason this Government can't afford to keep the Public informed of these projects in the newspaper (or keep local schools open for that matter), but they have millions to throw at out-of-state businesses that couldn't make it without Public tax-payer money. Sincerely, To The Editor; Thursday, October 25, 2007 I write this letter in support of Pete Johnson in his run for election to the House of Representatives in District 27. Greenville and the associate towns in District 27 would be extremely well represented by Pete. I got to know Pete personally as we manned a booth at the Piscataquis Valley Fair for several days this summer. We talked about many things – his hopes for his district, what can be done to better serve his potential constituents, his experience on various school boards, his leadership position in the American Legion, and our military service. We both served in the Army in the same type of unit. He as a Colonel, I as an E-5 Specialist. Becoming a Colonel in the military shows exemplary leadership. And his type of leadership I can easily respect. As we talked, I found myself questioning his knowledge of legislative procedures. He surprised me with how well informed he was in the workings of the Maine State Legislature. He was extremely interested in how he could put forth his ideas, concerns and efforts into proudly representing his potential district. Pete embellished some points I offered with good sound offerings. He never stopped surprising me. During our many and frequent chats Pete showed me that he would not only make the best representative for the people of District 27, but the only one to be considered for the job. He showed integrity, honesty and determination to take on the demands of being a State Representative. The people of District 27 will not go wrong by electing Pete Johnson as their representative to the Maine Legislature. I can think of no finer candidate. To the Editor; The November 6 election is fast approaching. One of the most important questions on the ballot is the election of Town Officials. Ask yourself, what is important...
I was born and raised in Dexter along with 6 brothers and sisters, grandparents, several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Not until I was hired and worked for after 8 years; and then fired while on medical leave, did I know how town business was conducted or how much information is being kept from taxpayers and some of the Councilors. I support long time Dexter residents, Judith W. Craig (Judith Wilbur Craig), Erlfred (Fred) Sherburne and Albert C. Tempesta. Who do you support? So, citizens of Dexter, don't you think it's A Time For Change? Voters, if you can't make it to the Town Hall on Election Day, call the Town Office at 924-7351 and have an absentee ballot sent to you. A lifelong resident and former employee of the Town of Dexter To the Editor; Message to Maine “Farm and Forest Conservation: Why Sportsmen and Other Outdoor Enthusiasts Support the Farm Bill” Fall is a magical time in Maine, a season that reminds us how fortunate we are to live in this special place. For many Mainers, the brilliant autumn colors, refreshingly crisp days and the departure of the most annoying insects mean that this is when we are most likely to take to the woods and other natural places to hunt, fish, hike, bird or otherwise enjoy the wildlife and spectacular beauty of our State. Many of these animals, fish, plants and the places they inhabit are still found in relative abundance and proximity to our homes because of the stewardship of Maine farm and forest owners. While our nation has magnificent public preserves and parklands, an estimated 90 percent of wildlife lives on private lands, and this is where the majority of hunting and wildlife viewing takes place. So it is not surprising that more than 40 hunting, fishing and conservation organizations, representing millions of outdoor enthusiasts, are playing an important role in shaping the 2007 Farm Bill, the first major revision of our nation’s agriculture polices since the 2002 Farm Bill. The farm bill contains many conservation programs that reward farmers for good environmental stewardship. Programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program, the Wetlands Reserve Program, the Grasslands Reserve Program, and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program provide technical and financial assistance to farmers to address soil, water, and natural resource concerns on their land. The programs also provide rental payments to eligible farmers to retire environmentally sensitive land from crop production, restore and protect wetlands, or other wildlife-friendly activities. The Conservation Reserve Program alone is estimated to have reduced soil loss nationwide by 450 million tons a year, restored 2 million acres of wetlands and adjacent buffers, protected 170,000 miles of streams, and supported millions of ducks, pheasants, and other waterfowl. All of these programs were reauthorized or increased in House version of the 2007 Farm Bill, which passed with my support this July. In Maine, many private forest owners are also farmers. These working men and women are facing increasing challenges as land prices and development pressures rise, markets for their products go overseas, and natural threats arise to their livelihoods. I am very pleased that the House 2007 Farm Bill includes a new focus on forest stewardship. By helping rural landowners become better managers of their forests, fish and wildlife habitats are preserved, water quality is improved, and the risks of fire and disease are reduced. The House-passed 2007 Farm Bill expands eligibility for many important conservation programs to forestland for the first time, and it also expands and reforms the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program. Another important provision in the House bill is the “Open Fields” Program. This program provides $20 million to help fund and augment state-managed voluntary sportsmen’s access initiatives. These so-called “walk-in” programs not only provide for improved public access to private lands, but also require those lands be managed to optimize their value to fish and wildlife. The result will not only be support for farmers and better access for sportsmen and other outdoor enthusiasts, but a boost to the economies of rural areas frequented by them. I’m proud to have supported these programs in the House-passed bill, which now awaits action in the Senate. The strong commitment to conservation programs in the House bill makes it more likely that the Senate will also support such efforts. Like thousands of other Maine families, my wife Diana and I will try to spend as much time as we can at our camp in Sebago while the weather permits and my busy schedules in Washington and here in Maine allow. I hope to get away for a few more hours of fishing—Maine anglers know better than to ask me where! There’s brush to cut and apple trees to get ready for winter. We’ll walk in the woods, catch a glimpse of the flocks setting out on their annual migration and enjoy the indescribable beauty as the leaves begin to turn from green to crimson to gold. At moments like these, I am especially aware of our tremendous obligation to preserve this legacy for future generations. I am pleased that the House version of the 2007 Farm Bill is heading us in the right direction. Congressman Tom Allen, First District of Maine To the Editor; I recently visited the Big E in West Springfield Massachusetts. First I must ask forgiveness for even thinking of leaving the state. As a person from away I have lived here for almost twenty years. My ancestors lived here way back in the 1700s. I have spent a few dollars in the local economy. In the days of high gas prices it would be nice to drive to Dover-Foxcroft and shop in the fabled Walmart. I remember one time there was even a Bonanza Steakhouse in Dover, Why not some more sprawl and put up a Wendy's and a few other fast food places. I hate to say this but our state is in a real pinch. Bob's Sugar House represented our area in an outstanding fashion they did well. I asked around and found out very few folks up our way take farm produce down south. Some have said farming could be our state's foundation, we invented canning up here At least we don't put poison in it like China. It is and was our greed for more that took away all the jobs. Look at it this way our best trade partner is a ruthless Communist regime that although nice on the outside still wants to dominate the world in all ways. Little old Cuba is even a trading partner with Maine. Actually it does make sense to pay some prisoner in some factory in China Pennies than to pay someone her $120 a day. . When your kid grows up and leaves for college do they have a desire to go elswhere.Any way back tyo the fair the potato was I believe four dollars and fifty fifty cents, Maine's Pavillion left much to be desired. Heck,there wasn't any rowing around in a kayak, no displays of our abundant wildlife, no freebies, not much in the way of blueberry treats. We didn't have any displays showing wood's products, educational opportunities, native cultures, job opportunities etc. The particular day I was there there were a number of high school bands in the daily parade from Conneticutt. On Maine day how many Maine bands will be there. I suggested some time ago that perhaps Maine could give each qualified returning soldier from Maine or attached to a Maine Unit a moose permit and free fishing permit, I think the state is angry because they can't tax the pay earned overseas. Thats okay because they can get money that the poor people spend for cigarettes, I wonder how the state can get more from the Hollywood slots and how many people have become addicted to gambling. I wondered about revenues and thought how we save money by not putting policemen near road construction sites as in Massachusetts, our roads are so bad all the police would be unavailable for law enforcement duties. Heck the State Department of Veteran's Affairs can only nod and say thanks and refer folks to Togus. What has Maine done for our soldiers. Some states have awarded small bonuses letters of appreciatian. Some private individual set it up so some vets could go to school. The state won't even offer tuition discounts, they want the GI Bill Money. When the governor initiates legislation out of the blue, ( School Reorganization) money won't be saved because you have even more staff. We must do something about education costs. Lets consider making the parents responsible unfortunately in Maine we honestly do have some poor folks who might have some difficulty. We could put a bus in every school district's town to fill with supplies it won't solve a thing. Consider the transportation costs, consider how much it costs to heat a building, and good Lord lets not forget the cost of the sports programs, thank God again we have Booster clubs. I read where NYC would not be able to handle mass casualties and all the money wasted for homeland security. In WW2 did the Civil Defense and Red Cross Volunteers who were trained both here and in our ally Great Britain fail in their mission? Why not institute a home guard here train folks throughout the country. We need to take a real hard look and consider the fact that things must change. I have heard that individuals formally addicted to hard drugs in our state collect disiability payments because of that addiction. An addiction that is illegal. We may even have some of those illegals right here in Maine who suck up the beenies. Some discussions revealed that folks might even come here for the easy access to bennies. People who do work in this state are paid wages far below most states. The majority of workers have no security. Why does anyone have a right to health care at the expense of others? Friends I hope that this note does not offend but I must say, yes we have some sort of social obligation to those less fortunate. heck why can't I open up a restaurant exclusively for smokers with a big sign saying enter at your own risk. What happened to individual responsibility and intiative. What is wrong in having a club exclusive to people of one sexual persuassion or another? Richard Coburn To the Editor; In recent months alarming news reports of lead-painted toys from China have prompted warnings from state and federal officials, and rightfully so. Over three decades ago our society recognized the damage posed by lead in our environment and began a process to eliminate lead from gasoline and house paint. Could it be that the rest of America is being protected from this known neurotoxin and carcinogen, while a cluster of communities in the southern Penobscot Valley are exposed to increasing amounts of lead? Stack test results of Red Shield Environmental's #6 Boiler (the so-called biomass boiler) show lead levels that threaten public health. The amount of lead getting past the electro-static precipitators (ESP's) averaged 0.098 lbs. per hour according to independent tests conducted this past June and early July. The maximum permitted lead emission of 0.106 lbs/hr is a federal standard regulated by Maine's DEP. At the average measured rate, 2.35 pounds of lead enter the environment every day, and over 858 pounds get into local communities on the Penobscot River each year. Looking more closely at the stack test results, we can see that the average figures were found by first doing three test runs of two hours apiece. Averages of these three separate time periods indicate a facility barely in compliance, emitting 92.45% of the hourly limit over the combined six-hour sampling. Actual results show that for two thirds of this time the lead emissions exceeded the 0.106 lbs/hr maximum hourly limit. The lead levels recorded were 0.117, 0.058, and 0.119 lbs/hr in the three separate tests. What are even more mind-boggling are the total amounts of lead that are entering and exiting Red Shield's premises. An unknown percentage falls directly on the pulp mill site, where it threatens the health of employees and visitors. The contaminated construction demolition debris (CDD) chips are surely the source of the problem, which when mixed with green Maine wood chips and burned, produce power and steam to assist in the pulp-making process. Red Shield was found to be in violation of the U.S. Clean Air Act by the EPA in May 2007; this was a regulatory action which did not include emissions from the CDD incinerator, and pertain to the pulp mill operations. It has often been stated by proponents of burning CDD in Old Town as well as by DEP officials that the plant's pollution controls capture 99% or more of harmful emissions. The lead caught by the electro-static precipitators is called fly ash and is mixed with the bottom ash and transported across town to the former mill sludge dump known as the State-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill. Using figures provided to the public by Red Shield and DEP, 0.098 pounds per hour of lead get past the ESP's, and represents only one percent of the total lead. The other 99% of the lead which ends up in the ash must equal over 232 pounds of dangerous heavy metal per day. If this process were to continue for a full year, and surely the plan is for it to continue for many years to come, over 84,000 pounds of lead will enter and exit Red Shield Environmental annually. It is no small wonder that RSE was cited by DEP this past spring for unauthorized handling of hazardous waste. What can be done about this threat to our current and future generations? I can offer a few suggestions, and people far more knowledgeable can surely add more solutions. We might start by refuting and challenging quotes such as those by Bryce Sproul of the DEP who said in a BDN article Sept. 13, "Red Shield's emissions limit for lead is already very low." To this one might counter that the maximum lead levels allowed in a rental housing unit equals approximately one pencil tip in a 10 foot square room. Mr. Sproul further said "They have an emissions rate that they met, and that emissions rate is very protective of public health." For four out of the six hours the stack tests were being conducted, the emissions limit was exceeded. The public can only conclude that sixteen hours a day Red Shield is in violation, but if they limit their emissions for the other 8 hours , DEP gives them a passing grade and allows this to continue. As far as this emissions rate being "very protective of public health", hopefully some medical experts can add their opinions. My opinion is that the current limits were set when lead was treated as a neurotoxin. Since that time, lead has also been classified as a carcinogen, and it seems that the emissions limits should be lowered. DEP Commissioner David Littell has stated in public that he was in favor of cutting the limit in half. Whatever can be done it is clear that silence on this issue will only compound the problem while the lead piles up in our yards and bodies. We should insist on a new stack test, and this time make it a comprehensive test of the entire process. The fuel should be tested that will be burned, and the rate of the fuel being mixed should be monitored during test periods. The ash produced during the test should also be analyzed. If the amount of lead found in the ash does not equal approximately 99 times that found in the stack tests, then we have been lied to. Surely the fuel should be tested more frequently- the majority of fuel tests I have seen were out of compliance, and nothing appears to have been done about it. Hopefully respected groups that are opposed to burning construction debris, such as the Maine Lung Association and Physicians for Social Responsibility, will speak out and demand a halt. Perhaps we need to seek a legal solution in the form of an Injunction or Cease and Desist Order. It is surprising that no enterprising law firm has brought a civil suit claiming damage to persons and property by Red Shield's management and Casella, their fuel supplier. Sincerely, To the Editor; Isn't it funny how a saying comes to you at the appropriate time? I found this saying recently and it inspired me to write this letter. “Decide on what you think is right, and stick to it.” by George Eliot (1819-1880) English Novelist I will start out by saying, like many other locals, I love my community of Dexter. My family of many generations have lived, worked and believed in our community and have been involved with other 'like minded people' in making Dexter a better place to live, work and raise our families. My daughters are now grown and are creating their own stamp in life, so it is my time to give back to my community. Sometimes it is very consuming, but at the end of the day, I am rewarded by seeing flowers growing in town, successful horseshows, my work with Dexter Reg. Development Corporation, successful Wild West Weekends and even Easter Hat Parades with glowing children's faces. I feel that our town has always been compassionate and value our Town Employees. I have been attending meetings expressing my concern about the employees, who through no fault of their own when reporting they are very sick, were terminated or are currently being terminated from their jobs. OR they resigned so they don't have to go through the embarrassment. While I am uncomfortable in taking such a public stand, I felt it was time to get out of my comfort zone, and do something about it! I am not pleased with the way some of the top town officials are conducting town business. I respectfully ask the questions, why is everything such a secret & behind closed doors, gag orders given or done in executive session? (Not just the employees' situation). Why are there double answers; depending who is asking the question, or no answers at all? While I know that everyone has the right to their own opinion, those opinions should be well thought out and informed when expressing them in public. That is why I and many others now attend meetings and are asking questions, to become informed. Last Thursday, September 13th, during a lengthy monthly Town Council meeting, the Public Forum took place. There were many people in the audience and we had lots of questions to ask. We sat through a long discussion one gentleman had, but then in a blink, the public forum was closed and Executive Session was announced. We all sat there in disbelief. The public forum never really was official closed as far as we could tell. It appeared to most of us it ended by the Council Chair saying, "Is that it?” We thought he was addressing the person in the audience who had been speaking. I would like to ask or maybe even challenge you, Dexter Residents and taxpayers to come to Council meetings. Call your councilors, ask question and demand answers. Find out for yourself what the mystery is. After all, it is our tax dollars being spent by our Council, who we voted for, and our Town Manager, who works for the Council and us. Are you ready to come out of your comfort zone? Join us the 2nd Thursday of the month, 7 pm at the Dexter Town Council Chambers for the monthly meetings. Respectfully submitted 
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