Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

As I read The Monument's latest tirade on the actions of the Gray Town Council I had to stop and ask whether this was a call to arms, or another false alarm?

When I read a front-page quasi- editorial and an invasive interview based on technical procedures with which to publicly criticize the Council Chair I wonder what good selective reporting and public hammering of our elected officials is intended to serve?

Perhaps the intent is to expose Pam Wilkinson as a mean spirited and deceptive person -but most of us know better. Most of us were taught to respect and not bash elected officials or infer sinister motivation. We can, and should voice our disagreements openly and directly, but how we chose to do it does reveal personal standards of civility, mutual respect and old fashioned good manners. I continue to find such desired community qualities lacking in The Monument.

Surely the Editor as a former teacher knows that tactics of confrontation or attempted intimidation does not produce positive results or desired behavior modification, if that is the intended outcome. She was correct in pointing out three councilors complete their terms in June which provides an opportunity for citizens to speak their feelings. She failed to note as well that two newspapers serve Gray and citizens have the opportunity to speak their feelings by deciding which one to read, and which one to believe.

And so as was suggested I now have sent a letter to The Monument and completed the other points recommended in the editorial to "make a difference" - I hope I have.

Richard F. Barter, Gray

To the Editor:

Sound Off is the worst section of your newspaper. As a teacher, I spend much of my time teaching children to be assertive. I teach them to go to the person or people who are causing them difficulties and try to discuss and work out the problem. They would prefer to tattle anonymously then to speak honestly for themselves. I also notice that most adults would rather talk behind people's backs then to go to the person directly and honestly confront them about a disagreement. This is such immature and harmful behavior.

Sound Off encourages people to whine, complain, and attack cowardly without admitting who they are. Shouldn't we be willing to stand up for what we believe in? Are we that afraid?

Valerie Razsa, Gray

Editor Monument Newspaper: Elizabeth Prata

Just to let you know, the 1/13/05 recent editorial was outstanding. Better than outstanding.

As you know, I have been to many of the Council's meetings. Your perspective and insights are right-on. Thank you for being there for Gray citizens.

Andy Upham, Gray

To the people of New Gloucester,

The first issue before us this year is that of the budget and tax reform. In my opinion, the issues currently being debated in the legislature will provide no actual property tax reduction. What really needs to be addressed is not "tax reform" (which could simply mean a sharpening of the knives) but rather Spending Reform.

The MMA proposal on the ballot last November seemed to promise property tax relief, but that outcome seems unlikely, given the actions of the democrat majority in the Legislature, and the Governor.

Discussions in the committee have shown a serious and one-sided lack of commitment regarding spending restraint and adherence to responsible fiscal policy.

In contrast the Republican positions on public funding are as follows:
1. Immediately fund education at 55% as directed by the voters.
2. Impose spending caps at all levels of government.
3. Enact a permanent Constitutional Spending Cap for the Maine Budget.
4. Expand the "Circuit Breaker" and/or "Homestead Exemption" programs for immediate relief.

5. Freeze the State Budget at the Fiscal Year 2002-03 levels.

Government overspending is the basic cause of Maine's status as one of the highest taxed states, a permanent spending cap would fix this. Real reforms should grant meaningful sustained tax relief to the people of Maine and not just shift the burden from one group to another.

With your computer, you can listen to the legislature in action debating these and other issues at:

http://www.maine.gov/portal/government/legislature.html (Hear Live Audio)

Michael Vaughan, State Representative
New Gloucester