To the editor:

Former Gov. Angus King’s announcement that he plans to run for U.S. Senate was no surprise, though perhaps a disappointment for some, or at least for me.

I have great respect for Angus King and truly believe he has much to offer our state — though not in politics. He has a strong record of support for alternative energy, particularly wind, which is so misrepresented in our state, and thus poorly understood by many.

It is in this area I think his strength lies, and also, a vulnerability, as so many still oppose those issues.

On one matter in the past, I feel he made a major error as governor, in doing away with the requirement for helmets for motorcycle riders.

“Let the rider decide” was the cry, and interestingly, both Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe went along with it. This makes as much sense as “Let the driver decide” whether to use a seat belt, or “ Let the taxpayer decide” about paying taxes.

One can wonder how this would translate into his thinking in the Senate. Finally, announcing now, after Sen. Snowe’s decision to not run, does seem opportunistic. If he had had a real desire to serve in the Senate, an earlier statement might have been more appropriate.

We need him and his experience in our state, but not in the Senate.

Dr. Richard K. Jennings,
Brunswick

letters@timesrecord.com