Letters
to the Editor
Letter
to the Editor:
Criticism
of political opponents is to be expected. It is hoped,
perhaps faintly, that criticisms will be honest and
truthful. Sue Austin has been criticized because she
did not do something constructive about the budget
problems and taxation in Maine. This criticism is
not honest and it is not truthful because the Democrats
have control of the Legislature and the Office of
Governor. Sue's Republican colleagues made several
thoughtful proposals that were simply rejected by
the Democrat majority without any serious consideration.
The Democrats would not want the Republicans to have
any credit for good suggestions; that would be good
for Maine, but it would not be good politics for the
Democrats. I am surprised that Donnie Carroll would
participate in these less than honest criticisms;
I thought that he held himself to a higher standard
of behavior.
Sue has been criticized because she did not keep all
of the Town of Gray in one voting district during
the recent redistricting. This criticism is doubly
not honest and doubly not truthful because Sue was
not a member of the Redistricting Committee and, once
again, the Democrats have control of the Legislature
and the Office of Governor.
The complaint about the voting districts is not honest
anyway because it implies that it is acceptable for
other towns to be divided but Gray should have a special
privilege to be all in one voting district. How very
shallow !
David
W. Knudsen, Gray
Editor,
The Monument:
Like
most people, I find it easiest to express what's wrong
with the world, rather than what's right. My taxes
are too high. I don't like the way they are used.
I can't afford health insurance. It's a struggle to
find money for bills. My car is so old friends cringe
when I park it in front of their houses.
But then along comes a beautiful spring day when friends
and neighbors gather to honor our veterans and remember
their sacrifices. We have a chance to reflect on the
things we value, the qualities we cherish in our community
and country. We think about friends and neighbors
who are serving in distant lands, far from the comforts
and security of their homes in Maine.
We here in Gray have much to be thankful for. Personally,
I'm grateful for good neighbors, a comfortable home,
and a safe community with an increasing number of
friends to warm my heart.
As a Vietnam vet on this Memorial Day, I am grateful
also to the veterans of earlier conflicts who guided
me through my war experience. And I am appreciative
to those of you who remember those of us who served.
One way or another, all of us contribute to the effort
to build healthy neighborhoods and a strong nation.
I want to do my part, so I am running for the office
of state representative in the new District 109, which
encompasses a large part of Gray, plus Pownal and
North Yarmouth. Please consider giving me your vote
on June 8, and in the election this November. If you
have any questions or concerns, let me know.
Steve
Bunker, Gray
Dear
Folks of Gray, No. Yarmouth & Pownal,
Representing Gray and a portion of New Gloucester
in the Maine State House District #41, I serve on
Business Research and Economic Development as ranking
Republican. I am running to represent portions of
Gray, North Yarmouth and Pownal in House District
#109. Change in district formation is due to ten year
census figures.
Each town with its distinct heritage and unique personality
has seen commonalities as our regional leadership
has worked successfully through the Central Corridor
Coalition to enhance municipal service efficiencies,
chart highway improvements and zoning alignment. The
Pineland Campus is a contiguous land connector for
our three communities.
Ern and I grew up in Gray. After college, we married
and built our home on Yarmouth Road. Our children
Brett, Brady, Blessing, Breanne and daughter by marriage,
Lindsay were educated in Gray-New Gloucester Schools
and have degrees. Before becoming a state representative,
I was employed ten years by Marden's.
I believe you want a healthy Maine economy as witnessed
by a balanced budget and government that spends and
saves wisely. State revenues are strong yet the Budget
runs a perpetual deficit. Seeking solvency will require
"Limiting Spending". Our financial structure
is strained and uncertain as evidenced recently by
Standard & Poor's drop of Maine's bond rating.
I believe in Home and Family living in an atmosphere
of local decisions. I continue to support these guiding
principles. I look forward to the opportunity to serve
you in Augusta! I ask for your support on Tuesday,
June 8th.
Sincerely,
Sue Wilkinson Austin
State Representative #41
Gray-New Gloucester
To
the Editor:
I
had quite a chuckle at last week's opinion letters
from Donnie Carroll and Sarah McCleary. It seems their
attack on Sue Austin's effort for tax reform was misdirected.
Maybe, just maybe, they should have directed their
attack at the party in control of the legislature,
THEIR party, the Democrats.
I, and MANY others, applaud Sue's efforts to get the
Democratic Governor and Democratic legislature back
to DO something this summer. In November, let's VOTE
Susan Austin, the ONLY choice if you want tax reform
in Maine.
Skip
Crane, Gray
To
the Citizens of Gray:
I would like to remind the citizens of Gray to attend
the Town Meeting this Saturday at Stimson Hall at
10:00 AM.
In recent years, a very small percentage of Gray voters
have attended Town Meeting, which means your voice
and your vote will have a much greater impact than
you may realize.
If you would like to change the proposed budget for
the Town of Gray, or if any of the additional warrant
articles are of concern to you, I urge you to attend.
After all, this is YOUR Town Meeting. You, the citizens
of Gray, are in charge, and this is the forum where
you implement your authority to make the final decision
for the operation of the Town of Gray for the upcoming
fiscal year.
I hope you take advantage of the power that ultimately
rests in you.
Thank you,
Gary Foster
To
the Editor:
Driving back home on some days has a special reward
when you are a resident of Gray. Such was the case
this Memorial Day. Having lived here for many years
now, I know I can count on the dedication of the volunteers
from the American Legion to make me feel proud of
my town with the wonderful display of flags, and for
this let me offer my gratitude. I didn't grow up here
in Gray, but I am a Mainer, and the small town dedication
I see displayed here reminds me I made the right choice
in deciding to raise a family in Gray.
Before we came back into town, I told my two-year
old son that we'd know we were home when we saw the
flags- I could have skipped them by taking the shorter
route home via Weymouth Road, but we all wanted to
see that Grand Display. While my wife and I enjoyed
them a lot, most important was my son's comment; "Daddy,
see the flags- we're home now"!
It is vital that we understand and remember what these
flags really represent; they are a gateway home as
my young son understands, yet he is only a toddler.
More importantly on days like this, and those not
like this, they are reason for us all to think about
those who have served and those who have given the
ultimate sacrifice so that we might go about our freedom.
My son will learn that, and I hope the rest of us
already know this.
Jon Ruona, Gray
