Letters to the Editor

To my Friends and Neighbors,

We are writing to ask you to support Sue Austin for State Representative which is Gray and part of New Gloucester.

We have known Sue for many years. Her commitment to our communities is unparalleled. Whether as a school board member, a councilor, or one of her other dozens of past civic duties, Sue’s common sense family values really come through. Common sense values that we need in Augusta. Sue was appointed by Governor King to the Pineland Conversion Committee and worked very hard for us on that committee for a viable long-term re-use of the campus. Sue is also working very hard on the Opportunity Farm for Girls project.

Sue has a real understanding on our needs here in New Gloucester and in our state. She has shown us she has the ability to serve as our voice in Augusta in this difficult time. Please vote for Sue Austin for the Maine House on November 5th.

Kay and Earle Zachau, New Gloucester

To the Editor:

On November 5, we have the opportunity to elect individual men and women to represent us in the operation of our government. The state of Maine is a leader in voter turnout as we brag about our nearly 75% participation. Good for Maine, good for Gray/New Gloucester for being leaders in this area.

What does this really mean? Simply put, one in four eligible voters stays at home and ignores their obligation as a citizen in a free society.

Would we accept giving only 75% of the people an education in our public schools? Do you think we would accept letting one in four law-breakers be set free? Would we be as complacent if only one in four people were allowed not to pay their taxes? Would we find it acceptable for one in four people to ignore their obligations to pay their fair share? We would sit back because someone else will take care of it and everything will work out fine? Is that what we have become in America? I hope we would all be irate and demand more.

Why is it so many people get worked up about others not carrying their own weight, yet they sit home and do not vote? Why have we become a society of letting the other guy do it? Are we really that busy?

Maine has a tremendous system. You can get an absentee ballot for any reason. You can register to vote on Election Day. Gray opens its polls at 6 a.m. to accommodate all the commuter workers. It only takes a matter of minutes to mark the ballot.

This is not about political parties. This is about democracy. Democracy is not a spectator sport –put down the remote and get down to the polls and VOTE on November 5th.

Donnie Carroll, Gray

To the Editor:

The Fine Arts Boosters of Gray-New Gloucester would like to very belatedly, but very sincerely, express their thanks to the individuals and businesses listed below for their generous donations to our Second Annual Fine Arts Auction which took place late last spring. Due to the generosity of these fine folks and the folks who came, saw and bid at the auction, the Fine Arts Boosters were able to increase their annual awards to outstanding students in the areas of vocal music, instrumental music, visual arts and performing arts. We will also be able to maintain our support of all students involved in those areas of the Fine Arts throughout the present school year. Our heartfelt gratitude is expressed to the following:
Ann Baiocchi
Jim and Jessica Blanchard
Bonnie Brown
Cabin Creek Candlery
Rob and Susan Cole
Cricket's Corner
Bill and Lainey Duffus and Family
Fit-n-Trim-Wendy Russell
K & K Reel Vision Video
Deb Kramlich
Pat Libby
Marilyn Keating-Porcaro
Margaritas Restaurants
Angela Marzilli
Memory Book Workshop
Miller Refrigeration-Fred and Nancy Miller
Cynthia Morse
Mudheads-Flo Eslinger
Pine Tree Garden Seeds
Raymond True Value
Tim and Marie Reimsnsnyder
Jori Rynberg
Annette Tynes

The auction was a great success due to the participation not only of those listed above, but also those who bid and/or purchased the fine items available. Many thanks to those patrons as well.

To all of you, please know that the belatedness of these thanks reflects only on the ineptness of the secretary, not on the sincerity with which the gratitude is offered or the wonderful organization I represent.

Maureen Mingo, Secretary, F.A.B.

To the Editor:

It is a privilege to write a few words about an intelligent and talented woman who, with your help, will represent District #41 after November 5.

Susan Austin grew up in Gray, and was educated in Gray-New Gloucester schools. With her husband Ernest, of thirty-two years, Sue has four children, all of whom are college educated and on their own. As a busy wife and mother Sue found the time to be involved in community and school affairs. She served five terms on the School Board, was appointed to the Pineland Comnversion Committee, and currently serves on the Gray Town Council. She has been asked to be a liaison to the School Board. Sue fully understands the needs of her town, Gray, and also the town of New Gloucester, thorugh her service on these boards.

As wife and mother of four Sue Austin understands kitchen table economics, the difficulties of stretching a budget to meet household needs as well as the problems that working mothers face.

Sue wants to represent District #41 because she understands that the party in control in Augusta is out of control. Our State budget is out of balance not because of too little income going to Augusta. It is out of control because of the prolifigate spending that takes place there.
Each year a new crop of programs appear that need to be sustained and which will inevitably keep growing. Those in power in Augusta find a way to spend every dime that looks like a surplus without any thought of an economic downturn.

Sue Austin will be a thoughtful, considerate Representative for us in Augusta. Her decisions will reflect her knowledge of needs and concerns of her contituents in District #41.
I urge you to join me in November, and vote for Sue Austin.

A. Dean Neal, New Gloucester

Dear Monument News:

I write this letter in strong support of Karl Turner’s candidacy for state senate representing District 26, Cumberland, North Yarmouth, Windham, Raymond, Gray, New Gloucester and Pownal. In these uncertain economic times Karl is hands down the right person to lead our state to fiscal responsibility. Everyone knows Maine taxes are too high. We are the highest taxed state in the nation even though we are one of the poorest. Karl will work to cut taxes and slow government spending while strengthening essential services.

Karl’s business and civic experience make him the ideal state senator. Karl has worked for large corporations and run small ones. Karl has led town councils, boards and committees. Through Karl’s civic involvement he understands the issues that are important to Maine citizens including affordable housing, healthcare and the environment. Please join me in supporting Karl Turner for state senate.

Very truly yours,
Paul E. Peck, Cumberland

To the Editor:

I’d like to respond to both of the letters which made me their subject last week:

First, David Knudson has shifted to this paper an exchange between us that originated in the Gray News some weeks ago. It began with his comment that he hadn’t seen any Democratic leadership in fifty years. As someone who became a Democrat because of the party’s leadership on issues I consider important, I couldn’t let such a ridiculously partisan statement go unchallenged. My factual response to his demagoguery unfortunately aroused even greater clouds of bluster and historical fiction from Mr. Knudson, culminating in last week’s tirade at my good-faith offer to switch the discussion to current events. The offer still stands. However, if his latest comments are the best that our local Republicans can do when challenged on the issues, I’m more confident than ever about Democrats’ chances to win in November.

As for Fran Monroe’s claim that I misinterpreted the recipients of her threatening email message: she should reread the document while consulting a grammar book. I have no idea what Monroe is thinking when she engages in one of her overwrought crusades. All I can do is judge the public record. On that basis, the intended recipient of the message is quite clear. Sue Austin’s email address is listed in the To: field, while Richard Barter’s address is listed in the Cc: field. In business communication this universally means that the email is intended for Austin, with Barter receiving a copy for informational purposes only. Also, the sense of the message is singular, even after allowing for its mangled syntax. And regardless of who it was intended for, the message tone is inappropriately threatening. If Monroe wants to intimidate people, she should make an effort to do so coherently.

Paul Proudian, Gray