LETTERS: In support of candidate Katrina Smith

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To the editor:

Katrina Smith is the real deal. As the representative of District #62, Katrina has proven she truly cares about her constituents by keeping them informed about upcoming bills that affect not only the citizens of Maine but the nation as well.

She makes her viewpoints heard with untiring energy. She cares about the indoctrination of our young children, and about the addiction problems facing our older children and young adults in Maine.

She shows her care for working families, veterans and retirees facing high costs of energy, taxes, food, housing and health care by informing us of upcoming bills and trying her hardest to fight for all of us.

I am proud and confident of her and wish there were more people like her in the legislature. I am supporting her for re-election to the House of Representatives for District #62 and hope you will too.

Shirley Derrico
Somerville

LETTERS: Elise Brown serves her community

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To the editor:

As Mainers living in a mostly rural setting far removed from national politics, it tends to be our local governments – at the town and county levels – that affect our day-to-day lives. This is why our local elections and elected officials are so important, and this is why I am voting for Elise Brown for Waldo County Commissioner in District #3.

I have known Elise for several years. We serve together on our local ambulance, and we are both Emergency Management Directors for our respective towns. I have had the opportunity to watch Elise in action, whether it is responding to 911 calls together on the ambulance or working together during some of our recent bad storms to help get our town operations back to normal as quickly as possible.

I have been – and continue to be – thoroughly impressed by Elise’s passion, professionalism, and perseverance when it comes to serving the people in her community, and I am positive she will continue to impress as a Waldo County Commissioner.

Please join me in voting for Elise Brown for Waldo County Commissioner in District #3.

Mike Sherman
Palermo

LETTERS: Elise Brown person of unusual capacity

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To the editor:

I was delighted to learn that Elise Brown, of Liberty, wants to work for our community by running for County Commissioner. Elise has already been working for our community for over 25 years as a foster and adoptive parent, a firefighter, an EMT, co-owner of an employee owned company, a restorative justice trained facilitator, and a steward of her home and property.

Elise is a person of unusual capacities. She has a remarkable work ethic, is highly organized and can connect and relate well with everyone. I have seen her being quietly effective with a wide range of Mainers; formerly incarcerated men, county officials, parents, farmers, business owners, artists, neighbors and children of all ages.

She is a creative problem solver, an expertly adept communicator, and an all around great human being.

We are fortunate to be able to vote for Elise Brown for County Commissioner. I urge everyone who can to do so. Elise will be a great addition to this administrative board.

Lisa Kushner
Belfast

LETTERS: Urge support of Brown

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To the editor:

We urge residents of Waldo County to support Elise Brown for County Commissioner in November. We have known Elise for many years, counting her as a friend as we all raised our children sharing hand-me-downs, garden produce and school information.

We admire her experience as a first responder in the local community, an organizational administrator helping Maine’s girls and women, an innovator who co-founded business focused on energy efficiency, a hard-working farmer and all-around great
neighbor.

Elise’s clear communication style helps break down complexities for problem-solving. Her planning skills, collaborative style, and positive approach will be invaluable assets for this post. We’ll be lucky to have her at the County level, helping our towns work together on current needs and future challenges to benefit everyone. All this and she has a great sense of humor too!

Join us in voting for Elise for County Commissioner! Thank you.

Evelyn deFrees & Brad LaRoche
Searsmont

LETTERS: Let’s send Mike Ray to the Maine House

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To the editor:

With the summer vacation season coming to a close and schools about to start, voters will begin to focus on the November 5th general election.I will be among the voters in Appleton, Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill and Searsmont who will be voting to send Mike Ray to the Maine House of Representatives to replace the retiring Paige Zeigler.

Mike, who has served on the Lincolnville Select Board since 2020, has been a community leader. I know from my own experience that Mike listens, learns and follows through on constituent issues and concerns and cares deeply about his community. Among other things, Mike serves on the Maine Municipal Association Legislative Policy Committee and the Midcoast Council of Governments.

As a Maine State Representative, Mike Ray will work to secure reliable funding to ensure our roads are maintained, fight to lower costs for Maine families and to create more good-paying jobs, help our communities face the severe storms resulting from climate change and promote district-wide cooperation on land use, infrastructure and emergency services.

Please join me in supporting Mike Ray this November 5.

Bart Carhart
Lincolnville

LETTERS: Maine won’t wait on climate change

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To the editor:

Your voice matters in Maine’s fight against climate change!

The Maine Climate Council is updating the state’s action plan, “Maine Won’t Wait” and they want your input. This action plan addresses important topics such as strategies to protect our communities and prepare for the future.

Earlier this year, expert statewide working groups compiled draft climate strategies and presented them to the council. All Mainers now have the opportunity to provide feedback regarding these draft climate strategies.

The state’s action plan is incredibly important to our future and generations to come, which is why we should make our voices heard. Please consider taking the survey and sharing your thoughts so that the Maine Climate Council can continue to advocate for positive enhancements to our state plan.

To access the survey, visit www.maine.gov and search for “2024 Draft Climate Strategies & Survey”. The deadline to participate is September 20th.

Jane Margesson, Director
AARP Maine Communications

LETTERS: Mike Ray for District 40 State Representative

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To the editor:

Mike Ray is my idea of a great neighbor. He’s a regular volunteer for the Waldo County Woodshed, has served on many local committees and is currently on the Lincolnville selectboard. Mike deeply respects our natural environment, having led camping trips as a registered Maine guide and managed a woodlot. He’s a down-to-earth, regular person.

As a selectman, Mike understands firsthand the challenge of watching out for his neighbors’ pocketbooks while providing essential services such as education, fire/emergency services and sensible development.

For those living in Appleton, Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill or Searsmont, a vote for Mike Ray for State Representative will bring locally-informed, common-sense leadership to Augusta. And he’s done his homework … sitting in on legislative committee meetings to study how the legislative process works. Mike is ready to hit the ground running!

Bob Kohl
Liberty

LETTERS: Elise Brown will listen

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To the editor:

Mainers have the luxury of meeting the people who are running for office to represent us. Getting to know candidates personally makes a difference. I have met Elise Brown several times, and I’m voting for her to be Waldo County Commissioner in District #3.

In the past six months, I have spoken with Elise at the Searsmont Town Meeting, the Searsmont Memorial Day Parade, and at Hannaford, in Belfast. She took the time to come to a Searsmont Selectmen’s meeting to ask “What do you need from your county government?” and “What issues do you have with the commissioners now?” Attending that meeting as a newspaper’s town correspondent, I was impressed with her questions. I was even more impressed when she listened to the answers.

Elise also tells you when she does not know something. And, special for a candidate, she treats you like you are the only and most important person in the room. I’m old enough to appreciate these qualities, and to have experienced very different reactions and evasions in the past from people running for local, state and federal office.

In short, I have gotten to know something about Elise Brown, the person. Call her a breath of fresh air. Or call her the Waldo County District #3 County Commissioner. Come November, that’s who I hope she will be. I ask folks from Brooks, Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Liberty, Montville, Morrill, Palermo, Searsmont, Thorndike, Troy and Unity to join me in voting for Elise.

Michael Sirota
Searsmont

LETTERS: Let’s all support Laura Jones!

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To the editor:

I am excited and fully support Laura Jones’ candidacy for House of Representatives for our district (i.e., Vassalboro and Sidney). Laura’s Vassalboro ties go back four generations, and her dedication and devotion to our area and our state are remarkable. Laura recently retired from a stellar career in the military (which highlights her commitment to country as well as community). Laura has taken on a leadership role in engaging citizen participation in the community, providing opportunities for people to share ideas, activities, and ways to make our community better. Laura has the energy, enthusiasm and abilities to take her knowledge and skills and do the same things for us at the state level. Please vote for Laura Jones, House District #61 on or by November 5.

Amy Davidoff
Vassalboro

LETTERS: Elise Brown for Waldo County Commissioner

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To the editor:

We who live in Liberty are fortunate to witness Elise in action – as our long-time Director of Emergency Management and for many years as budget committee chairman. But what personally impresses me the most is her thoughtful presence at selectboard and annual town meetings.

No matter how controversial the issue, Elise articulates a common-sense path forward taking into account the facts in a manner that respects all views. To me, this is why Elise was honored with the dedication in a recent town annual report.

I hope more of you can get to know her as our Waldo County Commissioner. She’s a star. We’re willing to share her talents!

Bob Kohl
Liberty