LETTERS: Say Grats at Dinner

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To the editor:

When we read about problems and tragedies it’s easy to become distressed. To increase happiness, think about things for which you have gratitude. My family does this at the end of dinner when we say “grats.” This involves one person telling us three things for which she or he is grateful. Then we have a conversation about what was said. Being the old guy at the table, I often discuss how one of those things was different in earlier times.

For example, if televisions are cited, I might talk about how, when I was young, we didn’t have one, and that the first tv’s had small screens and took a while to “warm up” before a low-quality black and white image grudgingly appeared. The only rule we have is that grats shouldn’t involve a person at the table. Otherwise, they can be anything–big or small.

Examples: freedom of speech, paper towels, email, volunteers, toothbrushes, friends, pie, plastic, sunshine, living in America, electricity, teachers, parks, and music. Grats has sparked a lot of good conversation and made us more appreciative of the lives we have. Try it. You’ll like it.

Gary Jump,
Itasca, Illinois

LETTERS: Supports two RSU #18 candidates

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To the editor:

Early voting begins Monday, October 6.

There is an important election coming up for RSU #18 community. There are two open seats for the school board. It is important to have school board members who are capable of reflecting on what’s best for the students and making progress while maintaining the strengths of the district.

I am strongly endorsing two of the candidates for the board; Alicia Barnes, in Oakland, and Heather Neal, in China. I am currently a board member, and this endorsement is from me personally.

Alicia Barnes is a veteran, having been deployed to Iraq. She’s been involved in the planning board in Waterville. Her educational priorities include: a safe, high quality education for every student; transparency of the board while engaging all stakeholders; sensitivity to taxpayers needs in balancing the school budget; inclusion of all members of the community in discussions.

Heather Neal: has enormous budget and financial experience professionally: as well as community service including leadership in the China School parents organization F.O.C.E.S.; places a high value on all members of the community being heard and included; and importantly is a parent of students currently in the system!

Unfortunately, there is a third candidate; Mr. Stubbert, running for the Oakland seat. I don’t know him. However, he previously served on the board. Records show that he barely attended half the meetings! One his few policy suggestions was to increase administrators salaries.

RSU #18 community deserves board members who will attend meetings.

Please vote.

John Soifer
China

LETTERS: Brings back good memories

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To the editor:

On Friday, August 22, 2025 there was a crash at Bangor International Airport. When I was about to pick up my dad and friends from the airport, my mom called. She said there was a plane crash outside of the fence and there was one fatality. My mom was not sure if his plane would be rerouted. There was a huge delay for all the planes, and sure enough, he was rerouted. They did not have enough fuel to keep circling. The plane was vibrating so they did a touch-and-go landing before finally landing at Portland Airport. They released everyone at Portland for a time. When the runway was re-opened at Bangor, they came back and got off the plane again.

I was at Bangor International Airport for four hours. Right before my mom called, there was a song playing in our van. The song made me think of the plane crash. It said:

Close your eyes, and I’ll kiss you.
Tomorrow I’ll miss you.
Remember I’ll always be true.
And when I’m away, I’ll write home everyday.
And I’ll send all my loving to you.

The song was All My Loving, by The Beatles.

This song always makes me think of the plane crash, the death, and problems that day. I feel bad for the family and the airport. I am sad for the family – they lost a family member. It is very sad. I hope this song and note brings back good memories for the family.

Hannah Mars
10 Years Old
China summer resident
Florida full-time resident

LETTERS: Secretary Collins up to speed

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To the editor:

As I read Gary Kennedy’s Veterans Corner in the Sept. 4, 2025, issue of The Town Line, I wonder where he’s been for the past eight months.

The Trump Administration’s policies to reduce waste and fraud led to massive reductions in the federal workforce. Within the Department of Veterans Administration, this reduction includes core medical staff as
well as ancillary staff leading to longer wait times and more community referrals to an already stressed medical pool. Budget cuts
halted some vital clinical studies, affecting thousands of Veterans, and forced cancellation of contracts for waste disposal and record security services. These issues are not limited to Togus VA but affect VA facilities throughout the US.

Contrary to Mr. Kennedy’s speculation that DVA Secretary Doug Collins cannot move “at the speed of Trump”, I think he is, indeed, on board and up to date with the administration’s policies.

Mr. Kennedy is right in pointing out the problems now facing our veterans. We can help address these concerns by contacting our Congressional and Senatorial representatives,

Deborah Marlett
South China

LETTERS: Affordable by whose standards?

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To the editor:

I believe it’s said that America is the richest country on earth. If so, why do we have such a homeless problem? We have friends who are living in a tent in the woods right now. Why? Granted they have made some poor life choices, generational alcoholism, lack of education, lack of health and dental care, etc., but now at 50 or 60 years old…unemployable, on disability. How can anyone live on $700 a month? A one bedroom apartment in Waterville is over $1000 and can be over $2,000 – $3,000 to move in. I was told that just a one room (hotel type) rents for at least $220 a week.

They’re tearing down buildings in Waterville to make way for ‘affordable’ housing, wondering what is meant by affordable…affordable by whose standards? The Maine Housing Authority website says the wait for assisted housing is several years…the homeless shelter helps a few, but the need far exceeds what is available.

I’m not talking about drugs or alcoholism now, but people who are trying to get their lives together and have no way to get started.

I have no answers, just a lot of questions…

Linda Morrell
China Village

LETTERS: China Area Golden Agers

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To the editor:

The China Area Golden Agers has no structured organization or agenda. We do what gives us enjoyment and have a good time with neighbors and friends. If we had a product it would be laughter. Laughter is great medicine. During our Wednesday meetings we have lots of fun and our troubles and cares are put aside for a short time.

We like to do activities as a group that we probably would not do as individuals, like trips. We have taken several bus trips over the last three years and are planning our annual trip to Cabbage Island for the traditional “Downeast” Clambake. Twenty Golden Agers have signed up for this year’s trip on August 24. These trips are open to anyone that may be interested in the China area. You do not have to be a member of the Golden Agers to enjoy getting in on our excursions. For the second year we are planning a trip to Boothbay Harbor to the spectacular show of “Gardens Aglow”. We will be starting a sign-up sheet for this event in September. Please try to put this on your calendar and join us on this beautiful adventure. More information will be available in September.

We also plan on going out to eat lunch as often as we can. We go to MAJEK Seafood & Grill, two or three times a year and enjoyed our third BBQ and potluck lunch on July 30, with 34 attendees. Will try to keep the China area folks informed of all our activities so you can plan on joining us.

Stay safe and enjoy.

Sheldon Goodine
For the Golden Agers Group

LETTERS: John Jones not related

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To the editor:

I read Mary Grow’s biographical essay on John “Black” Jones (July 24 issue) with great interest. The reason this article caught my eye more so than most of Grow’s excellent work was the fact that my Jones ancestors arrived in South China a long time ago. Since I read it I have discovered John Jones is unrelated to my family, which, based on what I learned about him, came as a great relief.

John Jones, born in 1743, was a surveyor, which apparently was a big deal back then. He lived in China for a period and was the first to survey China Lake, according to Grow. But this Jones was not exactly someone I would call a model citizen. He was described as “lithe of limb, flippant of speech,” “replete with sensation and romance,” and “the incorrigible and dauntless tory of Fort Western in Augusta.”

A tory! For a while he would “use his influence to disturb town meetings and bother the popular party generally,” which sounds like our current day politicians, but his support for the British during the revolution went too far. Jones enlisted with the British Army with the rank of captain and actively fought against our people. Eventually, and deservedly, he landed in jail, twice, yet somehow escaped each time.

Here is my point: there is an island on China Lake named John Jones Island, located across from Fire Road 38 and China Primary School. It’s possible the name doesn’t refer to this traitor. (Surely it does!) Having read Grow’s essay we must not be indifferent to this grave mistake. The Town of China should never honor traitors and criminals in this manner, especially since there are so few islands on China Lake. I urge those with authority to consider renaming this island with all deliberate speed. There are many other good Joneses from which to choose.

Geoff Hargadon
South China

LETTERS: Nominations for awards open

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To the editor:

With so many older Mainers making a difference in our communities every day, AARP Maine is proud to once again honor one outstanding individual through the annual Andrus Award for Community Service. I’m writing to encourage Mainers to nominate someone age 50 or older who has gone above and beyond in serving others. The nomination deadline is July 15, 2025.

This award is AARP’s most prestigious volunteer honor and is named after Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus who founded AARP at age 73. It celebrates people whose selfless work has improved lives and inspired those around them. Nominees do not have to be AARP members or volunteers; they just need to live in Maine and have made a meaningful impact through unpaid service.

As a volunteer myself, I’ve met so many people who give their time quietly, never asking for recognition. Whether delivering meals, mentoring youth, helping neighbors age safely at home, or running community programs, their acts of kindness often go unnoticed. That’s why this award matters, and it shines a light on those who lead with heart and action.

Last year’s recipient, Pamela Partridge, of North Anson, is a perfect example. She is a retired educator who continues to give back, improving lives and inspiring others long after retirement. I believe there are many more Mainers like her, and they deserve to be seen and celebrated.

If you know someone who you feel would be worthy of this award, please take a few moments today to nominate them. Details and nomination forms are available at www.aarp.org/andrusaward.

Let’s celebrate the people who make Maine a better, stronger, and more compassionate place for all of us.

Dr. Erica Magnus
AARP Maine, Communications Volunteer
Windham

LETTERS: CMP and the ospreys

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To the editor:

My friend Marty and myself are convinced that CMP – Central Maine Power, is responsible for placement of the osprey nests on the power line poles. Have you ever noticed that these nests are typically adjacent to the road? You can look through the clear cut area and see multiple poles, but the nests are on the pole immediately next to the road. There are numerous examples of this on Turner Ridge Rd., the 105, and along Highway 95. south before Fairfield. With all these options … Why would an osprey build a nest on the exact pole next to the road ?

You may say that it’s close to the road to allow these birds to eat road kill. To my knowledge osprey catch live fish and it’s typically crows or vultures that eat road kill. My wife Margaret talked to the CMP crew that was installing new power poles about this question and they just had a good laugh at our expense. I have Googled the question and there are some examples of CMP intervention to relocate Osprey nests that could cause harm to the birds or cause power outages. It shows some type of human intervention but it still does not answer the question about CMP placement of nests adjacent to roads.

The purpose of this letter to the editor is to solicit feedback on whether it’s true or false that CMP is responsible for the placement of these osprey nests.

Okay, I know I’m retired and I have extra time on my hands to ponder these types of questions. So please if you have any facts on this subject please write your own letter to the editor to The Town Line with the information. Please help us in this debate!

Gary Mazoki
Palermo

LETTERS: Disagrees with article

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To the editor:

I was very disappointed in the uncredited May 22 article entitled “Local students go to state house to support girls’ sports and spaces.” Not only did it display a shocking amount of bias, but it was also poorly researched and nonfactual. It made the claim that, “most Mainers recognize these bills are commonsense policy that needs to be passed.” It fact, the vast majority of individuals who showed up to testify, including many female student athletes, were testifying against these anti-trans bills.

I won’t include numbers here for every bill (testimony available to all at https://legislature.maine.gov/Calendar on May 8), but just one of the bills, LD 1337, had 92 testifying for it and 477 testifying against, with two neutral testimonies. That is more than five times as many individuals who do not believe that these bills should be passed. I am not writing here to make an argument on the bills myself, but I strongly encourage readers to look at the words of their fellow Mainers themselves and check out some of the testimonies. The bills in question are LD 233, LD 868, LD 1002, LD 1134, LD 1704, LD 1337, LD 1432, and LD 380.

I have lived in East Vassalboro since I was six and have been an active member of the community, including stage managing a play at the local Grange with proceeds to benefit The Town Line. It is incredibly disheartening to me to see this paper, which should represent our community, showing blatant prejudice against myself and many other queer members of the community.

Kala Freytag Wistar,
East Vassalboro