Tucker a Wise Choice for Brunswick School Board

For decades the Town of Brunswick needed a new police station; it’s no exaggeration to say the topic had been discussed, debated, and studied for 25 years or more.

Around 2009 the Brunswick Town Council got serious and committed to the project. I credit two former town councilors — Ben Tucker and Joanne King — for persevering, keeping the council on task, and stepping back and reloading when necessary. It took creatively, diligence, and measured good humor when the project faced inevitable obstacles. The new police station opened in 2013.

One of those former councilors — Ben Tucker — is now running for School Board.

Like the Town, the School Department has been struggling for years with the problem of how to replace an aging elementary school and junior high. Again, it is no exaggeration to say the problems at the junior high span generations. All these problems are nearly identical to those that faced the police station project.

Tucker dug in and maintained a steadfast determination to get the police station built before he left the Town council; he succeeded. If I were a voter in District 2 — particularly one with an interest in getting this school project done — I would want Ben Tucker to represent me on the School Board.

Benet Pols,

Brunswick

On the Candidates’ Debate

Thank you for your coverage of the recent Candidates’ Forum in Richmond. I appreciate that the candidates’ answers to my question about Medicaid expansion were prominently featured.

I was glad to hear clear commitments of support for this important, common sense measure from candidates Eloise Vitelli, Will Neilson, and Seth Berry. Accepting federal dollars to cover roughly 70,000 Mainers, including about 11,000 veterans would create jobs in Maine, bring money to Maine, and provide health care to many. It would also save lives.

I was disappointed to hear that Guy Lebida was strongly against this, and puzzled to hear that Brian Hobart “couldn’t comment on expansion without seeing a bill.”

Rep. Hobart did see a bill. In fact he voted on Medicaid expansion twice in the last two years. He voted yes once, and no once. These were Roll Calls 633 and 379.

I encourage Sagadahoc and Dresden readers who want positive steps to be taken on health care and a stronger Maine economy to vote for Eloise Vitelli for Senate, and for Will Neilson or Seth Berry for the Maine House.

Jane Fisher,

Dresden

Brownie Carson for State Senate

As a librarian and former lawmaker in the Maine Legislature, I am troubled by the deep polarization in our political process. At a time when we need to be coming together to solve problems, we see a disturbing decline in decency. Many wonder how we can get off this path of crass politics and partisan gridlock. For me, the first step is at the ballot box.

We need to elect lawmakers who treat each other with respect. That’s why I am proudly supporting Brownie Carson for State Senate to represent Freeport, Brunswick, Harpswell, Pownal, and North Yarmouth. I have known Brownie for more than 20 years, and he demonstrates all the traits needed in politics today.

Brownie is a man of character, integrity, passion, intellect, humor, and decency. To know Brownie is to respect and admire him.

Brownie has devoted his life to serving his country, helping people in need, and protecting our environment. As Executive Director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine for 27 years, Brownie helped clean up our rivers, reduce air pollution, and protect the natural character of Maine.

Brownie has a gift for connecting with people, listening to their views, nd learning from the world around him. We need more people like Brownie in Augusta. From my years serving as a legislator, including as Senate President, I know a decent, effective, and hardworking person when I see one. Brownie is such a person. Please join me in voting for Brownie Carson on Nov. 8

Beth Edmonds,

Freeport

What Good Is Trump?

I am a dyed in the wool, life long liberal. I would agree that Clinton is not an inspirational person. I’m not happy with her connections to Wall Street but otherwise, I’m probably pretty supportive of her policies and will vote for her.

I am mystified at what appears to be half the country’s support for Trump but I direct this letter to his supporters in Maine. What is it that you see in this guy? Do you not read anything about his past business practices, do you believe that the ‘liberal press’ lies about his doings, or are you behind him just because he says that he will kick out all the aliens and Muslims that you believe are taking your jobs and threatening our country’s safety when they aren’t?

Seriously, this is similar to the support for LePage which got our state nowhere. Did LePage ‘tell it like it is’? Yes, but to what end? I don’t think that it is enough just to tackle the problem of people on welfare who don’t need to be. This is an aggravating but really minuscule issue in the grand scheme of things. Do you think about this or is it enough that he huffed and puffed and blew down any progress in our political process that would have lead to needed progress in our public education system, the environment or attracting business? What business of any size would want to risk moving to this state when it knew that the governor was unwilling and unable to work with other politicians on business regulation, the tax climate, education system or political climate? Businesses want predictability. So we got my way or the highway governing and crazy, illogical sounding sputtering just as we will with Trump.

Please do not help saddle our country with four years of chaotic and misguided governance. Of course, at this time in our country’s history that could be said about the majority of Republicans, the party firmly entrenched in the economic and political thinking of the 1920s. How’d that turn out for us anyway?

Brian Hirst,

Harpswell