LePage no stranger to hypocrisy

The lead article in the Jan. 4 edition in The Times Record discusses the pardon by former governor Paul LePage of convicted drug dealer Jeffery Pierce.  The writer seems to be surprised that LePage who, during his eight years in office, has been so vocal in his opposition to anyone involved with drugs, would pardon a drug dealer, let alone against the recommendation of his own clemency board.   I don’t think anyone should be surprised. LePage’s action is perfectly reasonable for one whose hypocrisy has long been evident.

William Locke ,

Brunswick

Pre-K is worth the cost

As a retired early childhood education teacher, I need to disagree with Liam Sigaud’s commentary published in the January 3rd issue of The Times Record, (“ The costs of universal pre-K are not worth the benefits”). I believe the costs of universal pre-K are worth the benefits.

The cost is an investment in the future. There have been several commentaries and letters to the editor by law enforcement officials supporting the early childhood programs. Evidence shows that the programs are preventative in that they give all children the opportunity at an early age to learn how to interact well with their peers and adults and to cultivate good language skills which can be helpful in navigating possible rough times later in their childhood.

Being able to attend pre-K in Maine would give children of all economic backgrounds equal building blocks, ( a good metaphor for a pre-school discussion) on which to strengthen their social and language skills as well as other components of early childhood education. Speaking of blocks, block building is a very important aspect of play and early childhood development. Visit any pre-school and observe the interaction, the give and take and negotiation that goes on when a group of children are enjoying time in the block area.

I support the idea of universal pre-K in order to give the opportunity for all children in Maine to be able to have an extra year in which to play and to learn together before moving on to kindergarten. I believe that the cost would be beneficial and would be a good investment for our future.

Nancy D. Bliss,

Brunswick

Thank you to community for support of women’s recovery residence in Camden

If ever our community wanted to demonstrate its commitment to address the drug addiction epidemic in our neighborhoods, the public support for the purchase of 63 Washington St. in Camden made it very clear: Our community supports recovery big time!

More than 400 individual donors responded to a plea for help for the Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition (MCRC) to raise $160,000 in only 30 days to save this historic building to become a women’s recovery home. The outpouring of support, in addition to the donations, was overwhelmingly positive. The news that “We did it!” was met with tremendous jubilation.

In the days that followed, many people offered to volunteer their time and others pledged ongoing financial support to ensure the women’s recovery house is a huge success.

MCRC is already well on its way to developing plans and securing more funding to assure the house is well run and that the women residents, some living there with their children, can live in an environment in which their recovery can thrive.

MCRC still needs your help. Only with the ongoing support of our community will this house succeed. We will need volunteers, in-kind services and further financial support. At the same time, MCRC is also applying to federal, state and local government sources as well as charitable foundation grants.

If you would like to donate further to sustain the success of 63 Washington Street, please send donations to MCRC, 411 Main Street, Suite 205, Rockland, Maine 04841. You may also visit www.midcoastrecovery.org and donate with a credit card.

Finally, if you wish to learn more about the house and how you can support its mission, please consider attending a community meeting at the Chestnut Street Baptist Church on 29 Chestnut Street in Camden on Thursday, January 24, 2018 from 6 to 8 PM. There is no need to RSVP. For any questions, please call 207-701-1182.

Ira Mandel,

President, Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition