Election letters

To the editor,

I am thrilled to support Megan Michaud for the RSU 21 School Board seat in Kennebunkport and I ask you to support her as well. The election is Tuesday, June 8, and absentee ballots are available now. Megan is exactly what we need. She brings a balanced, yet ambitious approach to improving our already incredible school district.

She will work hard to bring a safe return to five-day-a-week, in-person learning. She is a problem solver with tenacious determination along with a calm, reasoned approach to ensuring that every child thrives. She rejects bigotry and exclusion and is truly an advocate for every student – no matter who they are. She understands that the school board is not about politics, but rather about ensuring an excellent education, while balancing the needs of all stakeholders in the community.

Many of you may remember that I was on the school board for nearly a decade. I am grateful for all your support and it was my pleasure to serve you. But there is still much work to be done – and Megan is just the one to do it. If you are a Kennebunkport resident, please vote for Megan Michaud on Tuesday, June 8 (or beforehand by absentee). If you live elsewhere in the district, please support her with your voice. This is so important right now.

Matt Fadiman

Kennebunk

To the editor,

We are writing this letter with unwavering support of Kortney Nedeau for Kennebunk selectperson. Kortney is a true community asset and has done quite a bit for town. Kortney is a true example of a “local girl done good.” She came up through the Kennebunk school system, has coached softball for KHS, and selflessly donated her time to assist local families with childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as countless other situations where she put the rights and feelings of others above her own.

We truly admire her dedication to Kennebunk. Our family has been conducting business and been civically active in town for the last four decades, we think we have a pretty good sense as to what is right for this town, and who can help get us there. Kortney represents the next generation of leadership that this town needs – but balanced with the perspective of being a lifelong resident of town.

Please join us in support of Kortney Nedeau for Kennebunk selectperson.

Beth and Tim Fossett

Kennebunk

To the editor,

Peter Senter, an RSU 21 School Board candidate from Kennebunk, deserves your attention and your vote. While Sentner’s skills in budgeting, finance, and risk management assessment are exemplary, he offers unique experience in two much-needed areas for RSU 21’s students, teachers and staff.

Sentner’s family is racially, societally, and ethnically diverse. His family has lived the equity and inclusion issues that challenge today’s society, developing positive perspectives among themselves. They all share these experiences with those around them on a daily basis, encouraging others to adopt positive interaction strategies in daily living.

Developing and implementing strategies and tools to address the stresses of daily living have been a major component of Sentner’s professional experience. He has the unique knowledge and skills to assist the people of RSU 21’s constituent communities to ameliorate some of the strain that all have endured. He has publicly stated that he is willing to share and implement his expertise in coping with these challenges.

Sentner is a knowledgeable, competent, compassionate person who works with all groups to bring about consensus, much-needed principles in our school district.

I strongly support Sentner as a positive agent for RSU 21. I will vote for him. I hope you, too, will cast your vote for him as a best candidate in this upcoming election.

Brenda Robinson
Kennebunk

To the editor,

In response to Richard Morin’s letter to the editor last week, I think we all enjoy living in the “safest” town in Maine – if that is even true. However, I seem to remember this town being pretty safe even before school resource officers were created in late 2018. I think a valid question to be considered would be: Is having school resource officers the only way to have schoolchildren bind with police officers? I doubt that is the case.

I do not know, and have never met, John Costin. But I am aware of him (through coverage in the Post) and I think some of his arguments for not having school resource officers makes sense. It is sad to see Morin (whom I do know and consider a friend) personally attack and demonize Costin (and his family) for having a different viewpoint. The use of the term “defund” appears to be a dog whistle used to imply that Costin wants to “defund the police.” Also, the suggestion that Costin’s contrary opinion on this issue represents a “misdeed” is regrettable. A “misdeed” is defined as “a wicked or illegal act.” While Morin may disagree with Costin, it is not fair to characterize him as being wicked or criminal. Further, to suggest that a vote for Costin will endanger the safety of “our town and kids” is unfair and misleading, at best.

It would appear to be in the interests of all sides too stick to the issues in these discussions and not make personal attacks on political opponents. A little civility in our political discourse could go a long way.

Doug Lotane
Kennebunk

To the editor,

Peter Sentner is a terrific candidate to represent Kennebunk on our school board.

Peter recently retired after a 45-year career and wants to devote his time to our school district. After getting his master’s degree in social work, Peter spent his career administering mental health programs, as the clinical director at Catholic Charities and director of regulatory affairs at Spurwink. These were senior leadership roles where he listened to all sides and then guided strategy.

Peter is also a 36-year Kennebunk resident whose children and grandchildren have gone through our schools. He has served for two years on the school district’s Policy Committee and now wants to take that experience to a full school board seat.

In conclusion, Peter is an experienced administrator, listener, and leader. As a friend and fellow parent, I have seen how he absorbs all sides of an issue, how he considers its effect on everyone involved, and then makes a careful decision. I encourage you to vote for Peter Sentner for school board.

Bill Hetzel
Kennebunk

To the editor,

I am writing to encourage my Kennebunkport neighbors to vote for (Joyce) Megan Michaud for RSU 21 School Board. We attended RSU 21 schools from Consolidated School up together; as a classmate I found her extremely intelligent, kind and respectful. Now that we are both raising children here, I am inspired by her commitment to our school district through volunteering on several school board subcommittees and PTA in addition to her full-time job.

I appreciate the experience and insight Megan will bring to the school board. Megan’s education and professional background in public policy (from her previous experience on Capitol Hill to her current position with MECEP) bring a level of intelligence and expertise we would be lucky to have in our three towns.

Megan is thoughtful, knowledgeable, and the type of person who “walks the talk” that will help our school board move forward efficiently and collaboratively.

Leah Adams

Kennebunkport

To the editor,

I am writing to express my extreme disappointment in your decision to print two election letters in the May 21 issue of the Kennebunk Post.

As far as I can recall, letters to the editor during election times have either been in support of a candidate, or to express an opinion about a certain issue. I do not recall seeing the Post resort to printing letters of personal attacks against candidates. Letters in the May 21 issue from Richard Morin and Bob Wuerthner both contained such attacks.

Negative attacks, the likes of which we unfortunately witnessed last year between Susan Collins and Sara Gideon, not to mention the presidential race, have no place in Kennebunk’s local political races. I would like to encourage the Kennebunk Post to refrain from printing these types of letters in the future. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think we have all witnessed enough negativity and mudslinging to last us for several years to come.

Steve Askin

Kennebunk