In a recent article, “Portland inspects 49 restaurants, 39 fail” (Sept. 22), you informed the public that 48 of those establishments were inspected by the city of Portland and there was one establishment that was inspected by the state of Maine. The one inspected by the state is where I am employed: DiMillo’s On the Water.

You listed the 39 restaurants that failed, and you included DiMillo’s on that list. You were wrong. We did not fail our inspection — we passed.

I spent three hours with state health inspector Joel Demers on a busy Friday. There were a few things that needed to be addressed, and they have all been. Lisa Roy from the state Health Inspection Program confirmed that we passed.

Randy Billings, who wrote the article, as well as his boss, Steve Greenlee, the managing editor, said they got their information from the city of Portland.

When the general public reads an article on restaurants that fail a health inspection, they are not thinking about a missing thermometer in a cooler or a trash can not having a cover. They are thinking dirt, grime, bugs and rodents.

I can assure all that this is not the case at DiMillo’s On the Water. The DiMillo family, myself, my fellow managers and all of my co-workers take pride in what we feel is one of the cleanest restaurants in the city, if not the state.

A bit of advice, if I may, to the city and the Press Herald: Get the facts straight before any article is printed for thousands to read. DiMillo’s employs 155 year-round employees who are affected by this type of irresponsible reporting. Your words cannot be taken back, and they can be quite damaging for any business or individual.

Tony Quattrucci

kitchen manager, DiMillo’s On the Water

Portland

Editorial misrepresents AARP’s effort to educate

I am writing in response to the Portland Press Herald’s reprint Sept. 7 of an editorial from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Another View, “Future retirement plans a concern for all ages.”

While I appreciate the writer’s interest in AARP’s initiatives, I would like to clarify a few points.

AARP launched You’ve Earned a Say in 2012 to ensure that every American, regardless of age or AARP membership, has a voice in the discussion of the future of Social Security and Medicare.

AARP is providing balanced information — both pros and cons — regarding the options that are likely to be considered by the next Congress in 2013 about changes to these critical programs.

Already, AARP has engaged with millions of Americans, including thousands here in Maine. Through nonpartisan You’ve Earned a Say Voters’ Guides, town hall meetings and other events, we will continue to share information and listen.

Additionally, while the writer painted a bleak picture of Social Security’s solvency, it is important to note that, according to the latest Social Security Trustees’ report, Social Security can continue to pay 100 percent benefits until 2033 and 75 percent afterward.

Making modest changes sooner rather than later will ensure the long-term solvency of this program for current and future generations.

One-third of Maine’s Social Security beneficiaries 65 and older rely on their benefit for 100 percent of their income. Careful stewardship, combined with an understanding of the crucial nature of Social Security and Medicare, can keep these programs strong for all Americans, both now and in the future.

Dr. Erica Magnus

AARP Maine communications volunteer

Windham

Felon gave up hunting rights by committing major crime

A recent article published in the Portland Press Herald provided some disturbing news for the hunting community as well as the state as a whole.

To recap, on Sept. 10 in Kennebec County Superior Court, Justice Michaela Murphy granted permission for Paul Bonin of Chelsea to bow-hunt deer after Bonin petitioned the court to change the conditions of his probation (“Ex-Maine convict allowed to bow-hunt,” Sept. 12).

The problem is that Mr. Bonin is a convicted felon who served 12 years in prison for a heinous crime where he shot an 18-year-old boy three times and then proceeded to rape the boy’s 17-year-old girlfriend and cut her with a knife.

As a convicted felon, Mr. Bonin is prohibited from carrying a weapon, which would include a gun as well as a bow. That is, it was prohibited. Justice Murphy changed all of that with her decision that day to allow Mr. Bonin to hunt with a bow.

This is one of those decisions that make little sense. Mr. Bonin may be rehabilitated and may now be a contributing member of society, but Mr. Bonin should have to abide by the laws that are in place for convicted felons.

In addition, Bonin should lose his privilege to hunt in the state of Maine forever. He has no business in the woods with a gun, let alone a bow. Justice Murphy made a serious error in judgment in changing the conditions of his probation.

Does Justice Murphy’s decision now open the door for other rehabilitated felons to petition our courts for permission to hunt? I hope not.

Chuck Fagone

Registered Maine Guide

Portland

Critics make unconvincing case against wind power

I am sick of people saying how wind power is going to destroy their way of life.

My firsthand experience with wind power is at my brother’s house. He has two big and, I think, beautiful windmills less than a quarter of a mile from his house.

I did not feel any low vibrations or hear any noise from them. I slept just fine, and I don’t hear him complain or his wife. The only time I hear the windmills is when I get less than a tenth of a mile from them.

Oil and gas are not going to last forever. The wind might last a lot longer than us humans.

Germany is investing in wind, solar and other renewables. Germany is not stupid. They know in the long run they will be ahead of the curve. In the long run, they will be saving money by investing a little more up front.

Let’s get smart. We may have to put up with some things we don’t like, but it is not the end of the world.

Miles Gray

Limington