LETTERS: People need respectful representation

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To the editor:

This letter is in response to Senator Scott Cyrway’s false and misleading press release announcing his candidacy for the Maine House of Representatives. Cyrway falsely claims that removal of the Shawmut dam on the Kennebec River, “…would result in the closure of the Sappi mill, resulting in the loss of tens of millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs.” It is unfortunate that Mr. Cyrway apparently feels that he has to lie to the people of Maine in order to be re-elected. In my own experience with him at the State House, he called me aside and tried to coerce me from exercising my First Amendment right to free speech. The people of Maine need and deserve representatives in the legislature who respect the U.S. Constitution and the truth. In my opinion, Mr. Cyrway seems to respect neither.

John M. Glowa, Sr.
South China

LETTERS: Thank you for article

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To the editor:

Thank you for the kind article, we were honored and humbled.. We are blessed and very aware and thankful for so many things….our family, our church family, the community, and….each other. China, Maine is truly a special place.

When we came to Maine 38 years ago we had no idea what we were going to be doing, but we felt we needed to leave the big city and find a better place to raise our children. We had no idea what God had in store for us. Living in this beautiful place with so many wonderful people, whom we’ve truly come to love as family. Some might think we have not had a lot nor done a lot of things by the world’s standards, but we have been richly blessed.

We have learned to enjoy the simple things and not expect perfection. Living life together and dealing with adversity can make a relationship stronger, if one chooses to commit to the long haul. We believe God brought us together 58 years ago.

Pastor Ron and Linda Morrell
China

LETTERS: Supports Tuminaro for House

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To the editor:

My name is Tim Theriault, and I am currently the House Republican for District #79, which is comprised of Albion, Benton, China and Unity Plantation. With the new redistricting that occurred, China, Windsor, Palermo, Somerville and Hibberts Gore are now House District #62. It’s been a pleasure serving the good citizens of his district, but I will be termed out this year, and I want to leave it in good hands. That is why my endorsement for my vacating seat for House Representative of District #62 is for Jennifer Tuminaro.

I have known Jen and her family for many years. Her husband, Michael, and I worked together when he was with the Sheriff’s Office and I was with the China Fire Department. Since then, I have had the opportunity to spend many hours talking to Jennifer and have encouraged her to seek this position. I know she will represent the district well.

Jennifer embodies all of the ideals that make up a good representative. She is a hard-working, resourceful, driven leader who supports those around her. She grew up in the New York area but moved to Maine over 20 years ago, to seek a better quality of life for her and her family. Her first language is Spanish, as her parents immigrated to America in the ‘70s. She loves Maine, and she’s looking to keep it the great state that it is currently.

Jennifer has a master of business administration degree from the University of Maine and currently works for the CDC as a finance manager. She and her husband manage two small businesses in town, a private investigations firm, BlackRock Investigations and Consulting, and a guide service, Maine Upland Guide Service. With her business experience and her passion for education, I know that she will represent and lead our community well.

A resident of China for over 20 years, Jen has volunteered at China Primary School teaching Spanish to our youngsters, has coached soccer in the China Rec program for years, and has substituted at Erskine Academy.

I wholeheartedly support Jennifer Tuminaro for the House seat of District #62. I hope you will, too.

Tim Theriault
China

 

 

 

 

 

LETTERS: All electric, all in

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To the editor:

As we keep adding wind and solar power to remove carbons at bay, we are overlooking one important fact, and that is, in my opinion, we are trying to play catch up at too late a time. It won’t matter how much we augment fossil fuels for electric generation because if [all] goes according to plan, in the next decades we will all be driving EV (electric vehicles), and this is just one of the inevitable loads we will be adding to the electric grid. Also, scientists are saying we will need to build new homes with total electric amenities, i.e., heat, air conditioning, and a host of other electric needs. It should be noted that resistive electric heat base board or space heaters all are 100 percent efficient. In other words, for every dollar spent on electric heat you get a dollar’s worth of heat. No other system can make that claim.

So, in summation, if we don’t go to nuclear power all the solar and wind in the world will never catch up to our electrical demands. I should add [that] once EVs are made mandatory most homes will have to upgrade their electrical systems as most 100 or less ampere services will not carry two (2) EV cars if both drivers have to charge their vehicles at the same time.

I was laughed at when we moved to Maine in 1999 and built an all electric home. Can’t understand so many people’s aversion to electric heat. Most say it’s too expensive, but if the home is built for it, it is not only reasonable but quiet, safe and clean.

Frank Slason
Somerville

LETTERS: Interesting message

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To the editor:

The article about the Fort Hill Cemetery, in Winslow, (The Town Line, January 20, 2022), was a very good story.

About 40 or more years ago, when wandering through the cemetery, I came across a handsome stone with an interesting message. I hope it is still there.

The message:

“Here lies the body of Richard Thomas;
An Englishman by birth. A Whig of ‘76, now food for worms.
Like an old rampuncheon-marked, numbered & shooked.
He will be raised again and finished by his Creator. He died Sept. 28, 1824, aged 75.
America, my adopted country. My best advice to you is this: Take care of your liberties.”

Isn’t it amazing?

Marion Woodbury
Winslow

LETTERS: Letter to Maine vets

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To the editor:

Your service to our country has always been appreciated by patriotic Americans. We are thankful that our country has men and women like yourselves that were able and willing to defend our freedom. To say thank you again would simply not rise to what you put on the line, in service to our country. America has remained the greatest nation on earth, in large part because of men and women like yourselves.

Today you remain good citizens. However, citizenship in the USA comes with rights and responsibilities. Patriotic Americans recognize that without sober and mature acceptance of their responsibilities, their rights can become distorted and manipulated to suit an agenda.

Veterans in Maine are not getting their voices heard at the ballot box. In fact, they are significantly under-represented as a demographic. Your responsibilities did not stop when you were released from service. All that you fought for is on the line at every opportunity to vote, regardless of the level of the election.

We are coming to the Congressional mid-term elections this year. Our Country is at a cross-roads in culture. Voting is part of your responsibility to our Country. It certifies that you still care. It furthers what you fought for. It reinforces the integrity of our Flag. It honors all that have sacrificed their life for our Country. It is important that you still participate in the dreams of free people.

Your country still needs you. Get out to vote.

Don LeFante
Cape Neddick, ME

LETTERS: Palermo Community Garden gives back

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To the editor:

We are halfway through the SeedMoney Grant Challenge, which ends on December 15, and have raised over half of the goal of $650, but your support is still needed. The Community Garden provides freshly picked organic greens, herbs, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, and root vegetables every growing season for our friends and neighbors who come to the Palermo Food Pantry. The hard work has taken its toll on our tools and many need to be replaced. You can help by donating any amount, and it’s easy. Just go to https://donate.seedmoney.org/5907/palermo-community-garden and press the “donate” button. Please follow the instructions and know that your money is going to a good cause, right here in Waldo County.

We appreciate your support and look forward to showing you the garden next summer. It’s right behind the Palermo Community Center, on Turner Ridge Road. Thank you and have a joyous and healthy Holiday Season!

Connie Bellet
Palermo

LETTERS: High prescription costs affect the whole family

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To the editor:

When it comes to prescription drugs, we can all agree that rising prices have become a critical issue. Some Mainers are going without their required prescriptions as they can no longer afford them. Others are cutting pills in half or going without daily necessities like decent food to keep up with the costs. It is time to help assure Maine families that they will be able to pay for necessary prescription drugs.

So why isn’t Congress fighting to do just that? The White House and Congress released their “Build Back Better” framework for a $1.75 trillion social spending bill. This bill does not including anything to address the high cost of prescription drugs.

This is the moment when Congress could include a provision to allow Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. But this provision isn’t in the bill!

If you are reading this letter then I hope you will pick up the phone and call Congressman Golden and tell him Mainers need lower Rx prices.

High costs like this affect the whole family. Soaring drug costs mean that some people aren’t able to stay healthy or eat properly. It shouldn’t be this way!

Let’s advocate for what’s right. It’s time for Medicare to be able to negotiate for lower drug costs so we can afford the medications we need. Congress is debating the bill framework right now. Please call today. There is no time to lose!

Paul Armstrong
Palermo

LETTERS: Turn the wheel for ourselves

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To the editor:

The market economy is one of mankind’s greatest achievements but it works best for society when there is competition. Starting in the 1980s the application of anti-trust laws switched from “anti-competition” to “anti-price fixing”. Since then we experienced an explosion of mergers and acquisitions that has resulted in fewer providers of goods and services and fewer employers to choose from.

For example, 73 percent of all meat sold in chain grocery stores are provided by only four giant companies, like Tyson Foods. Here in our local area we saw cable company Adelphia bought by Time Warner Cable, which lied to us thousands of times per day. Remember, “high speed internet starting at $14.95”? Then TWC was bought by Spectrum, which is owned by Charter Communications. How long will it be before all of that is owned by Amazon, Disney, or Google? In the past year Spectrum has raised my monthly subscription twice, the last time by 28 percent. “He who owns controls” – and we have no control. Working with small companies we can create the competition that Spectrum doesn’t have.

Due to the hard work of some local citizens who have experienced, “Taken Enough Already” and, like those Boston “Sons of Liberty,” who were sick and tired of dealing with a giant corporation, the East India Company, we have the opportunity to be free of the tyranny of Spectrum. Instead of dumping tea we can be dumping the burden of making some financial elites even wealthier. We can own, and therefore control, the infrastructure that provides internet service.

Once in place, rates will rise only if we say so. The quality of maintenance will be determined by us, the local community. We need not be the frogs in the boiling water.

Everyone knows that owning a house is less expensive than renting. Renters always have the risk that their home will be sold to some distant owner that will keep raising the rent. Let’s break free from this system that sends our local wealth to people who care nothing for us. Let’s take a hold of the wheel and turn it for ourselves.

Vote Yes for our own Fiber Optics internet.

Brad Sherwood
China

LETTERS: “Hell, Yes,” on China’s Question #1

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To the editor:

China Citizens are being asked to vote Yes or No on the creation of the China Broadband Fiber Optic Internet system to serve every home in China that wants it, all without raising taxes, by issuing a Bond that will be paid back by subscribers over time.

Last week our China Broadband committee reviewed the Hawkeye Fiber report where the whole town was surveyed, and maps and detail were provided. It showed the costs and the six problem areas where it will be more expensive to serve.

The Town of China selectboard continues to look for dollar certainty on the China Broadband project and even with a “Yes” vote of citizens, the select board will be able to reassess if this project is in the town’s best interest.

The big picture is how this system will benefit the Community. It creates competition where we currently have an unregulated monopoly provider that can set any price it wants. There is no regulatory “PUC” or Public Broadband Commission to set rates for internet service.

The alternative is real competition with multiple providers. Competition keeps money in the pockets of citizen subscribers.

For a rough example, if a subscriber saves $40 a month compared to an incumbent provider, this is $480 per year and $4,800 in ten years. Say we get to 1200 subscribers; in ten years this is $5.7 Million dollars in the pockets of China Citizens who subscribe to this new fiber service.

To me, this makes it an easy “HELL YES!” vote for Community Broadband!

from Bob OConnor, Citizen of China concerned about connectivity since the 1980s and serves on the China Broadband committee