Question 4 would help Maine universities, base redevelopment

Since its formation 50 years ago, the University of Maine System has been providing Maine employers with skilled professionals and giving Maine students a quality, affordable alternative to more expensive four-year colleges that is close to home — increasing the likelihood they’ll stay in the state to live, work and raise their families.

As Deputy Director for the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, I’ve seen first-hand that Maine’s public universities not only support the retention and growth of existing Maine businesses but help attract new opportunity to our state. As we have worked to recruit more than 110 businesses to the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, one of the first questions we are asked is “Tell me about the access to talent.” In our experience, the key driver in business site selection is access to a qualified workforce and increasingly, employers want professionals with a four-year college degree.

That’s why I am voting Yes on Question 4, the $49 million bond for the University of Maine System that will invest in expanding modern workforce education and training in key areas of state need, like engineering and nursing. At the University of Southern Maine, where I am chair of the Alumni Association, the bond would double engineering enrollment through classroom and lab improvements and grow the state’s largest nursing program by 20 percent to help address a looming nursing workforce shortage.

Nearly 50 percent of the University of Maine System buildings have not been updated in at least 50 years. Investing in them now will ensure these campuses can provide Maine employers the prepared professional workforce they need to grow their business and our state’s economy. The fact that nearly every legislator and the Governor all support this bond and that it is well within the state’s borrowing capacity is all the more proof Question 4 is a good investment now for Maine.

On Nov. 6, I encourage you to join me in voting Yes on Question 4 so that Maine’s public universities and our economy can grow and thrive.

Jeffrey K. Jordan,

Brunswick,

Chairman, University of Southern Maine Alumni Association

Who incites mobs again?

There is a psychological theory about mob violence that goes like this:

There is one person in a group (‘mob’) that so lacks morals and is so impulsive they he/she is the first to incite or actually commit a violent act. Then a few more people that are a bit less immoral join in because they feel that the  initiator has given them permission to act. Then a few more, a few more and then you have a mob of people whose belief systems tell them that it is now permissible to act harmfully.  I think that this is a good explanation of what is happening in our country. This first person who gave others permission to act harmfully? I’ll let you draw your own conclusion.

Brian Hirst,

Harpswell