Re-elect Tepler

Denise Tepler served an impressive 1st term in the Maine House, representing the people of the town of Topsham.

Many of us have been helped by her regular emails with updates on laws that affect our lives, and information regarding how we could be assisted by various state programs.

Denise unfailingly follows through on a constituent’s request, whether it be for help in dealing with a state agency, or concerns about issues.

Denise has been courageous in breaking new ground. It is not only we, her constituents, who have experienced Denise as an accessible, straight forward, earnest and successful advocate and legislator. She has been endorsed by several groups, including Maine State Employees Association, Maine AFL-CIO and Planned Parenthood of Maine Action Fund. Those and additional groups reflect how Representative Tepler is seen statewide, not just by us in Topsham.

If you voted for Denise Tepler in the last election, I ask you to tell her you made a good choice by casting your vote to re-elect her.

If you didn’t vote for Denise in the last election, please give every consideration to doing so this time, as she has served with distinction.

Most importantly, please go to the polls and vote on election day.

J. Gregory Shea,

Topsham

Please Vote for Seth Berry

I am writing to encourage residents of Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond and Swan Island to vote for Seth Berry for State Representative on Nov. 8. He is a man of integrity, a critical thinker who will truly represent our interests. He is a proven, effective leader. In his time in the Legislature, he led a bipartisan committee that passed landmark legislation to boost Maine’s workforce and economy. We need a representative who will work with members of both parties to focus on Maine’s economy; job creation; education and the environment. We need someone who will keep promises to constituents and never walk out on a vote. We need a representative who will not allow partisanship to serve as a guidepost for decisions on important issues affecting our communities and the people of the State of Maine. We need a leader. We need Seth Berry.

Janet Begert,

Bowdoinham

Support for Brownie Carson

The Big E’s — Education, Economy, Environment — all three are so crucial to the well-being of the people of Maine. Yet, they have been adversely impacted by the misdirected policies of the current administration, and the lack of action by many of the members of our state legislature, with no apparent end in sight. It is time for all of us to do something to change this dynamic!

Please join us in supporting and electing Brownie Carson to be our next state senator for District 24, succeeding Sen. Stan Gerzofsky. We have had the pleasure of meeting with Brownie, and believe that he is the right person to represent our district’s interests at this crucial juncture in our state’s evolution. He has the passion, the energy, the knowledge, and the leadership and management skills to move us in a positive direction. Maine is truly a great place to live. We want to see that continue, so we urge you to join us in voting for Brownie Carson on Nov. 8.

Andrea Sinclair and Skip Brimlow,

Brunswick

Keep Hobart in the House

I’ve known Brian Hobart, R, for seven years. A retired farmer and small business owner, Brian has also devoted the last 30 years to Public Service.

His positions have included: Director of Public Works (Lisbon), Board of Selectmen (Bowdoinham) and State Representative, serving on the Transportation Committee.

During his first term, Brian has supported the Second Amendment; release of Lands for Future Bonds; legislation to fight the war on drugs and drug treatment; veteran services; increase school funding; welfare reform; animal welfare; pay increases for law enforcement personnel ; continued revenue sharing to towns and cities; sportsmen’s issues and conservation.

Conversely, he took positions against the gas tax and mining regulations that threaten our environment.

Brian doesn’t cater to any special interest groups. He, furthermore, crossed party lines to support the Richmond Health Center. He is the kind of person I want representing me in Augusta.

There are certainly some issues that leave us shaking our heads during this year’s national election. I can hold Brian up as an example of what a true Public Servant looks like. So, please help us to keep Brian in the State House of Representatives.

Edna Walker,

Bowdoin

Print News Must Do More

Last weeks’s fuss over Chris Wallace’s claim that a debate moderator needn’t expose falsehoods highlighted the role of the media in a charged political atmosphere. If a debate moderator should pursue the truth, as some say, why not a newspaper? Most of the reporting in our newspapers is neutral, although often we can find “fact-check” stories in the paper if we look for them or care.

Wouldn’t it be a boon to readers if the news stories that run actually exposed lies and sought truth? Thus, instead of vanilla verbs like “said” and “stated,” reporters who come upon obvious, verifiable, attempts to deceive could themselves tell the truth. Examples: “‘In 2011 we reduced income tax from 8.5 to 7.95 and our income tax revenues went up,’ lied Governor Lepage.

‘So, higher taxes doesn’t mean more revenue.'” or “In an interview, Clinton prevaricated that she “‘came out of the White House not only dead broke, but in debt.'” or “‘Hillary Clinton supports open borders,’ fabricated Trump.”

On the other hand, some newspapers have parroted the pejorative illiteracy coined by southern Republican politicians when referring to “the Democrat party.” “Democrat” is a noun, as is “Republic,” not an adjective.

There is no point wailing about the impending demise of print media — why not do something about it?

Paul Kalkstein,

Arrowsic

LePage a Traitor at Best

For a period, and less than 100 years ago, Maine had tens of thousands of its residents involved as members of the KKK. Reportedly a higher percentage of population as any of the United States. The hate and cruelty of this Protestant bigotry was predominately directed at Catholics, French Canadian in particular. Few people of color lived in Maine. Our governor has a French Canadian Catholic background. A certain irony comes to me as I picture him covered in a white uniform on a horse roughly riding over those who differ from him.

A traitor at best!

Steve Musica,

Richmond