Friends of Mitchell Field suit a slap in the face

In response to “ Friends of Mitchell Field sues town” (The Times Record, July 26): What a travesty, what a waste of time, talent and money. What a slap in the face to the Harpswell citizenry who have duly voted for the demolition of a 60-year-old plus, rusted water tower. I am no stranger to Harpswell controversy. As a resident for more than 18 years, I have lived through the L-& G debacle, the closing of the West End Harpswell school, the Mitchell Field reuse and demolition of the dock, etc. It was all carried out by due process.

The needs of Harpswell are many, and many are trying diligently to be of service. Getting the bus for local transportation, the food bank held once a month, the new Aging at Home organization, new EMT building and 24/7 servicing, the list goes on. So, do we really need to waste valuable real estate dollars (your taxes) for superfluous lawsuits?

I sense an ego trip here that can be laid at the feet of a very few overly-vocal persons. The claim seems to be that they will form a nonprofit to control the water tower and to oversee its maintenance and potential repurposing . The original plan was to turn it into a telephone tower, and the monies would pay for the upkeep. However, that plan has failed to bear fruit for five years! What happens when there is a legal issue after an unexpected injury, do they expect the town to bail them out?

While I no longer live in Harpswell, my friends, my church and a lot of my heart is still there. I do hope this issue will be laid to rest in August civilly, once and for all. Harpswell citizens deserve better than skirting their selectmen by an obscure provision of Maine law by having a notary public issue a warrant for a special Town Meeting. Let’s end this now and work for, not against Harpswell.

Kay Greenwood.
Topsham

Landrith’s assessment of Trump off-base

We are living in dangerous times and it was enlightening to read Dale Landrith, Sr.’s article “The conservative agenda” (The Times Record, July 24).

I have often wondered about President Trump’s supporters. Mr. Landrith thinks Trump is doing a great job putting the conservative agenda in place, tax cuts to mostly benefit the wealthy and reducing government regulations. Corporations can now pollute our atmosphere, our earth, our waters.

He wrote that wages are increasing — but not enough for a single mother who works and takes care of her children.

He bemoans that there is no money for infrastructure. The President’s tax cuts gave billions to the wealthy. Trump bragged about being smart enough to avoid paying income taxes. It is the millions of hard working people in our country who bear the burden.

Mr. Landrith writes that Conservatives uphold a moral order, that they uphold the rule of law. Trump does neither.

He also says conservatives protect individual rights. Perhaps men but not women who want to make their own personal decisions about contraceptives, family planning, abortion.

The Republicans are working to have a conservative majority in the Supreme Court to support the conservative agenda. They want to return to the past rather than adapt to changes that have been made to benefit all of our citizens.

Trump’s meeting with Putin was a world- wide eye- opener. When Trump offered to return a U.S. citizen and former ambassador to Putin for interrogation, even the Republicans voted that out. What else President Trump agreed to is unknown. His relationship with Putin is unknown.

We know that Russia interfered with our 2016 election giving the win to Trump. It is not surprising that the Republicans have chosen not to put cyber protection in place to prevent further interference.

Mr. Landrith who supports Trump’s agenda suggests we should wait to see the results of his meeting with Putin. That might make it too late for our country and democracy!

Gene Proctor,
West Bath