To the editor:

It is not often that I can unequivocally endorse a person with impeccable qualifications such as Hilary Koch, who is running for the Maine State Senate, representing Waterville and several other towns in central Maine.

Hilary is a candidate who is gifted with a yearning for the common good. Unlike many ideologies who go overboard with their mission, Hilary, first, has an open mind and is known for her keen sense of active listening. She harvests all of the facts and ruminates over them prior to making a decision.

Common sense is an attribute that colors her inordinate sense of fairness and justice for all. Two areas that come to mind are her fierce endorsement of education and the unacceptable high prices for prescription drugs.

Hilary will not be distracted by ideologies and high priced lobbyists who represent corporations and the donor class whose efforts are often contrary to the needs of the middle class.

Hilary is recognized as a strong, resilient candidate whose only allegiance will be to the people she represents.

I look forward to applaud Hilary’s rational and responsible leadership in Augusta.

Lawrence Griffin
Waterville

To the editor:

Could this letter possibly slip in between all the pros and cons relative to who is running for office? Yes, I know politics are important and time is short, so everyone is getting their two cents in for their favorite.

Just a thought: How many running for office have even touched on the terrible toll this virus is wracking on nursing homes and their devoted staff? Not one, I wager. The nursing homes are underfunded, under staffed and people are hard to find as the pay is usually low, which is terrible considering what these caregivers have to endure and made even worse due to the pandemic.

So, if you writers to the editor heap praise on your favorite, please ask him/her what their plans are when it comes to helping the healthcare facilities, who are charged with one of the most demanding jobs, which they handle with grace, as they try to comfort their patients and, of course, suffer with having to wear a mask during working hours, which makes it hard to converse, too. So, please ask your favorites, again, what their plans are for saving the nursing home disaster.

Frank Slason
Somerville

To the editor:

I have been a voter in the town of China for 62 years and served on every board, elective and appointed except the planning board, from 1962 until 1982. During those years, and all the years since, those who served their town as participants as firefighters have always had my deepest admiration. They are on call 24/7, all the while knowing they are in potential danger. They are the best of the best and deserve to be accorded their due. In voting for the board, please consider voting for board members who will support the firefighters and their departments.

I have known Blane Casey since he was a boy. He was one of my scouts and I watched him start and grow a company into a very successful business. I don’t personally know Brent Chesley, but as another successful businessman we could not have better representatives on the board than these two men.

Tim Theriault’s history here in the town is well known. He has been involved in Boy Scouts, Little League and the China fire department for over 40 years as well as representing us ably in the state legislature and deserves to be re-elected.

Reaching from the town to county elections, Ken Mason has made an excellent sheriff and he, as well, deserves to be re-elected. A former Marine with years of law enforcement experience, vote to keep him in office.

Donald D. Pauley
China

To the editor:

I cried as I mailed my beloved wife an anniversary card, marking our 62nd one. I cried, because of Covid-19, I wasn’t able to see her for three months during the lockdown, and now, I am lucky to see her twice a month, outside, six feet apart at a table. With a mask on it’s so difficult to talk to my wife because she is a soft talker. So, since March 13, I have seen very little of my wife and, believe me, I’m sure, others in the same boat are hurting, too. Also, we loved ones on the outside know what an awful stress it is on those caretakers who not only have to wear a mask at work, but have to listen to the woes of those stuck inside, and still try as best they can to make life as comfortable as they can for their patients.

I was told that in November we will be able to Zoom to visit, but I remind people that a lot of us elderly don’t have computers, smart phones, etc. We are praying that maybe the homes will loosen up and at least let us visit inside once in a while. I realize we would still have to wear masks but would love to be able to just give my wife a big hug, and unfortunately, can’t kiss her. What a way to live, eh?

I sure hope all the readers are praying for an end to this pandemic as for us people, old and suffering with love ones in nursing homes, maybe add us in your prayers as it sure looks like only a miracle will save us before all us old folks die before enjoying our short time left, hoping to see and love our loved ones.

Frank Slason
Somerville

To the editor:

While I’m glad to see some members of the Maine press finally taking the Gideon family tax lien scandal seriously, I can’t help but notice some grave inconsistencies in the answers provided by Sara Gideon to the press.

For one, she told WMTW that she “did a couple hours on that project”, but she told the BDN that she “worked for the company briefly in 2006 and 2007.” Both clearly can’t be true.

What is clear is that this business was for a development on Gideon’s Way, Sara was listed as the marketing director, she set up the website, her husband was on the paperwork every year and that the LLC’s address was their home address.

That means that together, they were involved in a $4 million development that resulted in 77 tax liens, and eventual foreclosure, while Sara was on the town council, voting repeatedly to increase her neighbors’ taxes while not paying her own.

It’s clear that Maine voters don’t yet know the full story, but they deserve to before they cast their vote. If this is how the Gideon’s handle their personal affairs, Sara clearly isn’t fit for higher office.

John Picchiotti
Fairfield