A Good Library is an Asset in Any Community

My daughter-in-law is a special education teacher. When her neighbor, a young mother of a toddler, asked what she could do to help her child succeed in school, without hesitations, my daughter-in- law replied, “Read to him.”

It’s a better world for everyone when children succeed in school and go on to lead positive, productive lives. However, having to buy a steady supply of books would be impossibly expensive. Thank goodness for public libraries.

Recently, I took a free course, offered at Patton Free Library. In five two hour sessions more than thirty local seniors learned how to use iPads, iPhones and other such devices. The librarian who conducted the classes also offered additional individual instruction time to anyone who needed it. I learned a great deal, including how to download library books and audiobooks to my iPad. They can be borrowed for the same amount of time as materials checked opt at the library itself

Whenever I visit the library I see several people using the library’s computers. Reference librarians offer advice. People check out large print books, audiobooks and movies.

Having a well-stocked, well staffed library is a definite asset in any community. I am grateful that, at its recent Town Meeting, Woolwich citizens voted to continue its support for the Patton Free Library.

Ann Pierson,

Woolwich

Council Wrong on School Paving Funds

The lead article in Wednesday’s Times Record set out that after the Brunswick School Board made council requested reductions in the Board’s budget the Council proceeded to make an additional $85,000 cut based on one Council member’s individual investigation outside of the normal councilor role and processes.

The council’s action is clearly a departure from past practice of respecting the judgment of and deference to the elected School Board’s decisions in determining how to best maintain the physical assets of our school properties. Those paved areas at the high school (I was the building committee chair when they were initially constructed) require substantial attention before they further deteriorate. The councilor’s simply driving or walking over them a couple of times and then independently talking to the town’s maintenance director is not a credible analysis of how to appropriately maintain the school’s pavement. Even if other Town paving projects require funding for maintenance that is a problem for the Town Council, not justification for line item cutting of the school budget.

Brunswick’s residents must not underestimate the extent of the profound change this action of this councilor and the council’s vote represents on the relationship of the Town Council and the School Board.

I specifically request my District 7 councilor, the District 3 councilor and the two at large councilors to move for reconsideration of the vote to remove the funds from the school board’s budget and reverse that vote.

Ervin D. Snyder,

Brunswick

Jay McCreight — Good News at Last

In contrast to much that is wrong with our representative government, Jay McCreight stands apart — she shines as an example of what could be. How fortunate we are to have Jay be a candidate for a second term, representing us in our state legislature!

Others have written praising Jay’s accomplishments as a first term Representative. I would like to share my thoughts and gratitude for Jay’s personal characteristics. For those of you who haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting Jay, you have a treat in store for you!

I first met Jay in the early days of forming a social justice group. In a gathering of maybe twenty of us, Jay stood out immediately. Careful listening and thoughtful consideration always came before offering her own, clearly expressed and creative ideas.

Working since then on our collective behalf, Jay has continued to use this facilitating talent for listening, to probe more deeply the desires of those she represents, to make bold suggestions and take action that most clearly expresses the broadest of interests and concerns. This, and her intuitive talent for considering multiple ways to solve a problem, make Jay the natural consensus builder we so badly need.

November seems a long way away, but I hope you will join me then in honoring Jay McCreight by voting for her to continue serving, not only those of you in the 51st House District, but all of us, as she uses her extraordinary personal talent to offer compassionate insight, propose broad based solutions and to encourage a more civil decision making atmosphere in Augusta — good news at last!

Sue Kennedy,

Brunswick

Correction to a Letter

I would like to thank Marla Davis for her letter of May 18 regarding the impact of the Legislature’s failure to pass health care expansion through LD 633, and her support of my campaign for State Senate. I am a strong proponent of increasing access to health care and appreciative of Senator Saviello’s efforts to move us in that direction. A slight correction: I am running to represent Senate District 23 (not 19 as stated) which comprises all of Sagadahoc County and the town of Dresden in Lincoln County.

Eloise Vitelli,

Arrowsic