LETTERS: Harwath defender of the underdog

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To the editor:

I have known Lindsey Harwath for more than 10 years, and I would characterize her as hard working, deeply principled, and a vehement defender of the underdog.  She is a farmer and has four children who attend the China public schools. She is passionate about education and is actively involved in the China Parent Teacher Organization.  Lindsey is not one to sit and watch others do the work;  if she sees a need, she speaks up, gets involved, and acts, which is why she has repeatedly run to represent the people of her community and why I support her candidacy.  Consistent with her independent nature, she does not affiliate with a political party, avoiding any commitment to vote a certain way based solely on party affiliation.

I am confident that Lindsey would represent her constituents with the same energy she has put into raising her family and fervently defending the causes she believes in – quality education, affordable healthcare, and equal rights for all people.  I urge you to support Lindsey Harwath to represent District #62 (China, Palermo, Somerville, and Windsor) in the Maine House of Representatives.

Janet Preston
China

LETTERS: Civility needed before, during, and after election day

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To the editor:

Discussion and debate has always been a part of rural America.

From coffee shops to the local co-op, rural residents aren’t afraid to show their loyalty for one candidate or another, share their thoughts on the issues of the day, and voice their distrust of the government. Sometimes opinions can spur disagreement and raise tensions. But, in the end, most of us will agree to disagree, shake hands, and go about our day.

Lately, this seems to have changed. The divisive politics of Washington have made their way to our main streets.

A recent poll from the Institute of Politics and Public Service found 72 percent of voters are concerned about the level of polarization in the country. This “us versus them” mentality has damaged relationships, harmed businesses, and affected our children.

While technological advances have brought the world together in ways our forefathers never imagined, those same changes have also torn us apart. Showing support for a candidate or issue on social media is often met with personal attacks. This will only accelerate as the Nov. 8 general election draws near.

Rural America is better than this. Here neighbors help neighbors in good times and bad, band together for school and civic events, and have lively discussions about the news of the day that always end with plans to meet again tomorrow. This sense of community is what rural America is all about.

Healthy debates and differing opinions aren’t wrong. But it is time to rise above the heated discourse. This is our chance to show the rest of America how to set aside differences and work together toward a strong and vibrant community.

Johnathan Hladik,
policy director, Center for Rural Affairs

LETTERS: Zeigler deeply invested in community

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To the editor:

Stanley Paige Zeigler is running for a third term to represent us in the seven towns in of District #40. He has been an active leader in the Maine House, sponsoring many bills which directly benefit residents, and which have helped to create a bipartisan vision for Maine’s future.

Last year, Paige sponsored LD 1659, An Act to Create the Maine Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator. This legislation addresses the $4 billion that Maine spends each year to import fossil fuels and the fact that vulnerable communities in Maine face the highest energy costs. The LD 1659 Accelerator substantially increases the availability of loan funds to help low and middle income people and small businesses weatherize to lower heating and energy costs. It uses the Green Bank approach which lowers interest rates and reduces barriers like credit scores and income requirements. It also puts Maine in line for $100 million in Federal monies to help finance climate solutions in Maine.

This bill is just part of Representative Zeigler’s work on the two legislative committee on which he serves, the Energy and Utilities, and Technology committee and the Environmental and Natural Resources committee, which has been addressing the PFAS crisis on our farms. Hard working and an excellent communicator, Paige hears the challenges we face in our communities. He covers a lot of ground as he campaigns on both two and four wheels in his newly-revised district; Appleton, Isleboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Morrill, Montville, and Searsmont.

Deeply invested in his communities, Paige works side by side with citizens as he and his wife Bernice operate the wood splitter at Waldo County Woodshed to warm residents. With 35 years in Merchant Marine officer, Paige listens with understanding to challenges of fishing, shipping, and creating a livelihood on our waters.

Let’s elect Stanley Paige Zeigler to continue his fine work in the Maine House!

Sarah Crosby
Searsmont

LETTERS: Sam Hunkler the best choice for governor

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To the editor:

This fall, we have a rare opportunity to choose a candidate for governor who has spent his life helping people as a medical doctor instead of playing politician. Sam has no political party behind him, and no wealthy donors own him. His face will appear on television only in an interview or as a participant in a debate. You will not see an attack ad accusing his opposing candidates of atrocities or maleficence.

Sam’s philosophy is simple. The citizens of Maine deserve something better than either of the political parties has to offer. As Sam says, “Let’s find common ground using common sense for the common good.”

A teacher once told his class that if all twenty-two football players got together, it would be easy to carry the football down the field. Vote for the man who wants to unite the teams and accomplish something for Maine.

Leland Hanchett
Falmouth

LETTERS: MaryAnne Kinney has her priorities

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To the editor:

Our government requires moral, upright, knowledgeable people who will make sound decisions for the common good of our people and our society.

MaryAnne Kinney has all these qualities in great quantities. She has represented us well in the Maine Legislature for the past eight years, and would like to extend her service to Waldo County by becoming our State Senator for Disrict #11.

Having a college degree in agriculture and being a farmer, her decisions as a member of the Agriculture and Inland Fisheries Department bave been made with a practical grasp of the implementation and implications of the laws. Additionally, her experiences as a small business owner gives her an enriched understanding of how laws will impact our hard working small business owners who are the life blood of Maine’s economy and future.

MaryAnne Kinney has her priorities in line with providing for the weakest and most vulnerable among us – our youth and our seniors, and she knows how to work with other legislators to get things done.

In voting for MaryAnne, you are voting for the person who will make wise decisions with us, for us.

JoAn Petersen
Swanville

LETTERS: MaryAnne Kinney a hard worker

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To the editor:

We have two individuals running for the Maine State Senate in District #11 who offer very different views of how we, the voters, should be represented. Both have established a record for themselves that should be a deciding factor when we vote in November. Character counts as well along with experience in state government.

Having known MaryAnne Kinney for many years both in the community, personally, and by paying attention to her voting record it is easy to report on her qualities: she is absolutely honest, forthright, personable and she keeps her word. Look at the record she has made as a member of the Maine House of Representatives promoting the interests of our farmers and veterans – she is on both committees. Her record can be found at https://legislature.maine.gov/house/ under Roll Calls. It is a list of votes looking after children’s education, reinforcing parental rights, backing first responders, and protecting us from the freewheeling spending policies of Chip Curry.

Do you have a taste for maple syrup? A visit to MaryAnne’s business, Kinney’s Sugarhouse, will validate her integrity (first class products) and business sense (a successful long running and expanding operation) – both of which we need in the Maine Senate. Yes, she is a hard worker and a community volunteer. Please let these facts and comments help you to make a good choice in the coming election: MaryAnne. And help spread the word on an outstanding, sensible, supporter of our families and community.

Vote “Kinney”!

Philip G. Carthage
Belfast

LETTERS: A vote for any other party is a vote for facism

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To the editor:

Fascisim didn’t die in the 1940s. There are candidates on our ballots who brag that they will be voting against human rights on their campaign platforms. To avoid abuses of power in the future, we need to vote for candidates who value democracy, human rights and know the difference between fact and fiction.

We can’t afford to ruminate – when we have our futures at risk. It is completely understandable if you’ve been disappointed by a party. Now is the time to stand in solidarity with the party that has the greater ability to weaken the fascist foothold at every level of our Government.

Please vote for Democrats that support equality for all, social security, healthcare, and our planet. A vote for any other party is a vote for facism. This is a critical year to protect our Democracy and your vote could help save our future.

Megan Marquis
China

LETTERS: St. Valle understands rural Maine

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To the editor:

Important issues are at stake in this election that will affect our access to healthcare, housing and equal justice. Storme St. Valle is the candidate for Senate District #15 who is best suited to guide us through the 131st session. As a local nurse, mental health advocate and parent, he knows of the human struggles and the systemic obstacles we face.

Storme also understands rural Maine, when so often our leadership in Augusta ignores us. Storme and his wife both grew up on their family farms and know firsthand the obstacles and joys of agriculture. Abigail, Storme’s wife, described their farm connection, “I grew up on a farm, and Storme and I used to help on the farm during summer breaks. Storme has thrown hay in the summers, and stacked and split cords of wood in the fall/winter. My family has lived and worked in rural Maine since they immigrated from Scotland in the 1700s. Storme grew up in rural Guyana where his dad is a farmer/artist currently. Which is one of the reasons that he moved to Maine. It’s rural and reminds him of his first home. Storme has a green thumb and spends whatever spare time he has in his garden.”

St. Valle will be the change we need in both the rural and urban Senate District #15. St. Valle has committed himself to make sure politics works for Maine workers and families. As a Clean Election candidate, St. Valle truly represents us. Please vote for Storme St. Valle for Maine Senate.

Jeanne Marquis
China

LETTERS: Swift will defend my families reproductive freedoms

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To the editor:

Please join me in voting for Pam Swift for Maine House District #62. As a multi-term, elected member of the Palermo Select Board, Pam has a public record of working cooperatively with others. As a former physician with two decades of experience, Pam will defend my family’s freedom of reproductive choice. Pam Swift is the only candidate with these two qualifications and is the best choice for District #62.

Robert Morrison
Palermo

LETTERS: Confident in Pam Swift’s abilities

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To the editor:

I am writing to express my support for Pam Swift as the candidate for Maine House of Representatives District #62. Although I did not know Pam prior to the last few months, I have been extremely impressed with her credentials, demeanor and commitment to the citizens of this district. Her Maine roots provide a strong sense of our culture and heritage.

With more than two decades of experience as a health care professional, she is obviously aware of the need to maintain adequate and affordable access to medical and health services for all of us. As an organic farmer, she knows the importance of healthy and sustainable agriculture and the need to protect our environment.

In her time as a member of the Palermo Select Board, she has stressed the need to communicate and work with her partners on that town’s needs and requirements. She understands the need for cooperation regardless of political or party affiliation. I have driven Pam to meet a number of registered voters in her district and was very impressed with her ability to communicate with and listen to their thoughts and questions.

I am absolutely confident in Pam Swift’s ability and desire to provide outstanding representation for the voters, and indeed all residents, of the towns of Palermo, China, Windsor and Somerville and Hibberts Gore; please give her your support as well.

Bob Bennett
South China