LETTERS: Smith supports hunting rights

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To the editor:

Hunting season is upon us, a tradition Mainers have looked forward to for generations. In this day and age with the rising cost of inflation hunting is now not only a tradition, but a necessity to feed our family. There is only one candidate in the race for the Maine House of Representatives who will ensure your right to hunt and to bear arms is never infringed upon and that is Katrina Smith. Endorsed by the NRA, Katrina Smith will stand strong and defend the 2nd Amendment, knowing that Maine is the safest state in the nation. Please join me and vote for Katrina Smith on November 8.

Paul Lucas
China

LETTERS: Gubernatorial positions on rising utility costs?

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To the editor:

With Election Day now just weeks away, I’m eager to hear where the gubernatorial candidates stand on one of the issues of great concern to Mainers, particularly older Mainers on a fixed income. Electric bills jumped by 30 percent for average use customers this year with no meaningful break in sight while winter is just around the corner.

No one should have to choose between necessities — such as medicine and food — and needed utility services. In a state like Maine with a widely distributed population, many of our most vulnerable residents live in remote corners of our state. All consumers deserve affordable utility service that keeps us warm in the winter, cool in the summer and with the lights on when we need them.

Where do the gubernatorial candidates stand on this issue? If elected, how will they protect Mainers on a fixed income from skyrocketing utility rates, and bring equity to Maine’s utility policy?

Pam Partridge
AARP Maine Volunteer Advocate
North Anson

LETTERS: Couple to vote for Hemenway

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To the editor:

My wife and I will be voting to elect Stephen J. Hemenway for State House District #39 during the upcoming November 8. election. Stephen is a retired deputy sheriff of 32 years. He currently produces a national public access family television program called The Children’s Corner. He is running for public office to offer an alternative choice for voters to bring prosperity and moral values back to the State. Stephen believes in the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Parental Rights and medical freedom.

In addition, Stephen is an advocate that Maine schools should be teaching our children the basic educational tools. These include but are not limited to, reading, printing, arithmetic, geography, history, civics, etc.

Many of our schools curriculum’s are crossing the line, teaching kindergartners and first graders about sex.

Also, Stephen recognizes that energy costs continue to rise and heating fuel is a huge financial burden during the winter for many Maine residents. We believe he will make an honest commitment to explore all common sense ideas for reducing energy costs to Mainers.

Finally, Stephen is convinced we should reduce the state regulatory and tax burdens on small businesses. He believes that family-owned businesses are the backbone of our great state! Maine small business owners suffered so much during the Covid shutdown. We must never forget how much damage Governor Mills caused the citizens of Maine by shutting down our state.

Kenny and Sandy Bowen
Belfast

LETTERS: Family support Hemenway

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To the editor:

Our family would like to express our full support for Stephen J. Hemenway for State Representative House District #39. We have known Stephen for over 10 years and align with his conservative values and want him to support our district and protect Parental Rights and Educational Freedom. Stephen J. has our vote on November 8. Thank you.

Eric & Linda Leppanen
Belfast

LETTERS: Stand with Sam

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To the editor:

After Covid, we need good news. Fortunately, in this mid-term election, there is a new face and philosophy on the political scene. Sam Hunkler, a true Independent, is on the ballot for Governor of Maine. Sam is no puppet manipulated by party strings but rather a man who thinks for himself while caring deeply about others.

Sam is a retired M.D. who has spent most of his adult life healing people across this country and around the world. He wants to bring that healing to the people and politics of Maine. His campaign motto is, “Let’s find Common Ground Using Common Sense for the Common Good.” He is not accepting financial contributions and will not be beholden to anyone. Sam’s running a grassroots campaign, having collected 4,000 signatures, mostly by himself, to get on the ballot.

You can find more information about Sam on his website-standwithsam2022.com and on Facebook-facebook.com/StandwithSam2022.

Leland Hanchett
Falmouth

LETTERS: Don’t cut grass, save our environment

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To the editor:

There are 142,153,010 residential properties in the United States. Let’s say just 42,000,000 of those properties get the grass cut. [It takes approximately] 1.4 gallons of gas used on average per lawn, per week; 25 weeks of grass cutting. [That comes to] 1.06 billion gallons saved if you stop that ridiculous activity. Then there is the life killed and oxygen-producing leaves being cut. All for image and appearance. Humans are absurd.

Brent Elisens
China

LETTERS: Boisvert for sheriff

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To the editor:

Dear Voters of Waldo County,

It may come as a surprise to some of you to learn that the Republican candidate for Waldo County Sheriff is Todd Boisvert.

Todd, currently the Chief of Police and the Director of Public Safety in Searsport, is extremely qualified, having over 30 years law enforcement experience. Additionally, he has recently obtained a masters degree in administration of criminal justice from Norwich University, in Vermont, and attended the FBI National Academy Session 274. As Uniform Division Captain at his previous employment of 28 years, he managed a staff of 65 sworn officers and 17 civilian staff members. He also managed a budget of several million dollars per year, proving his management capabilities and fiscal responsibility.

Waldo County needs a sheriff who is committed to improving the lives of all residents by having the goal of addressing the drug problem. Todd will bring energy and determination to the task and to the department. His management style will bring a new positivity to the sheriff’s department and boost morale.

Come meet Todd and bring your concerns and questions to a meet and greet at the Belfast American Legion, on September 2, from 4-7 p.m., during their usual Friday supper (spaghetti that night). You will come away with a sense of his professionalism and strength of character.

FMI: https://boisvertforsheriff.wixsite.com/my-site-1.

JoAn Petersen
Swanville

LETTERS: Electric heat the best

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To the editor:

In response to my extolling the advantages of electric heat and the writer saying it needs lots of insulation, those days are over. With the new super types of insulation the homes don’t even need to be [retro-fitted] to accept base board electric heating. Remember electric heat is safe, clean and quiet.

As to the writer’s reference to heat pumps, just a little background. Heat pumps were first introduced in the south and primarily for air conditioning. As the technology improved they decided to try heat pumps in the north. Even with the new improvements, the manufacturers and the engineers have said if temps go to 0-degrees or colder, they suggest back up heat, and the experts at heat pump suggested baseboard electric heat, and roughly most of the northern states have laws or codes requiring a heating backup system installed with heat pumps.

Also, as a retired electrical contractor/engineer and nuclear advocate, it should be noted that solar panels are not biodegradable and they will wear out. My fervent hope and prayer is that we harness nuclear fission and then we will be able to sustain the massive loads for electricity coming our way.

Frank Slason
Somerville

LETTERS: Albion is the best town

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To the editor:

I just wanted to say, how happy I am to live in Albion. I love this beautiful town. I’m so pleased to see the village bustling again. A few years ago Main St. was desolate. Now the village is full of people, new living spaces, and several new businesses are thriving. I’m just so pleased. The village is still small, quaint, & has all the country charm that I moved from China to Albion for.

I am so grateful for the wonderful people that run this town. A few weeks ago I had an issue that (to me) was important, but truthfully could’ve waited. But me, being me, went knocking on the town office door even though it was clearly closed. I should not have been surprised, but I was, when the door opened. I was given the info I needed right then and there. I then made contact with the town road commissioner. He answered my call, even though he was actively working on a job site. Within an hour he called me back with the info I needed. The state was not as helpful, but that’s neither here nor there.

By the end of the day, when realizing what a pain I am (lol) I went to bed thanking my God for the people in and the town itself of Albion.

Thank you to every town official and every town resident who make this beautiful country town the most perfect place to live.

Danielle Foster
Albion

LETTERS: LD-290 is insane

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To the editor:

Wake up people of Maine! Regarding LD-290, a sleeper bill that slipped through without any discussion called, “A tax relief program”, is a misnomer. Freezing a poor person’s tax increase on their home is ridiculous. Taxes rise and fall! Let’s hope and pray Gov. Mills spots this and vetoes it immediately.

To the idiots who created this bogus bill designed to cause mayhem throughout cities and municipalities with needless paper work and money wasted.

Now, if someone with common sense at the state house could come up with a sensible bill used in other states called, “The real estate tax deferment plan,” [there are] lots of similarities except for the increase freezing nonsense. It requires at 75, Homestead act on home for 10 years at the federal poverty level, and have been living in the home for a minimum of 20 years. So, LD-290 is not going to bail out poor people and give them more money for food. I sure hope the governor wakes up quickly and vetoes this insane bill. Bear in mind, deferred means not paying any taxes until you sell or die!

Frank Slason
Somerville

Editor’s note: A new property tax law passed in the most recent session of the Legislature is entitled LD-290 – An Act to Stabilize Property Taxes for Individuals 65 Years of Age or Older Who Own a Homestead for at Least 10 Years.” Very little information has been shared with municipalities on how the program will be administered. The state expects the application and more information to be available by August 8. This law applies to the tax year beginning April 1, 2023. Interested taxpayers will need to apply with the municipality where their homestead is located on or before December 1, 2022.