Letters to the Editor

Keeping the community safe

To the editor,

Our school board and administration are being bullied by a handful of anti-maskers. The anti-maskers are angry that their kids and their kids’ teachers and staff (and therefore to a degree, our whole community) have been kept safe in this ever changing, never-been-here-before pandemic environment. I don’t have a kid in the school system, but I’m a community member who’s grateful for all that the board and administration have done. I want to express my gratitude for their cautious approach to keep our community safe.

That said, I don’t like wearing a mask, covering my nose and mouth. It’s unnatural and uncomfortable. I hate it, actually. I really wish I didn’t have to do it. I really wish students didn’t have wear masks, either.

I also don’t like having my teeth cleaned or cavities filled, exercising regularly, or eating healthily instead of choosing something fast, fried and sweet for every single meal. I make these healthier choices for my future self, which is also why I wear a mask.

And the deeper reason I wear a mask is to protect others since the masked person is still vulnerable and is protecting those around her by wearing the mask more than she’s protecting herself. So for my community, for people working in stores, doctor’s offices, theaters, the post office, etc, I wear a mask. It’s not fun. I don’t like it.

I imagine that all of the health care providers, including those that did my cardiac catheterization, would have preferred to not wear masks (or gloves for that matter). They do it to protect their patients. And they do it all day, every day. I’ve never heard one of them complain about it. I revel in the hope that wearing masks is not forever.

In the meantime, thank you, school board and school administration of RSU 21 and specifically Dr. Terri Cooper, for doing all you can to keep our community safe during this pandemic. I am grateful.

Lisa Eaton

Kennebunk

What’s really at stake?

To the editor,

“There is a metastasis growing on the body politic. The next two elections will determine for decades if we will be a democratic country under the rule of law, or if the strong will rule at the expense of the weak because the majority of voters believe it is the natural order of things.” – Stephen E. Schmidt, political analyst, former Republican campaign manager.

Kennebunk mirrors this diametric. On March 29, voters will be asked where they stand: are equity, diversity and inclusion fundamental to democratic governance or not? What values will Kennebunk choose for its children? That all people matter – or not? That equal rights and protection are for all – or just some? This is not just about who leads. It’s a choice between democracy and autocracy.

This is no small-town skirmish. A larger battle rages in our country. School boards in every state are being targeted by those quietly seeking local power to push their anti-democratic agendas, by whatever means necessary.

If we allow these tactics of fabricated personal attacks and disinformation campaigns to disrupt the lives and end the tenure of school board directors like Tim Stentiford, the qualified problem solvers we need to attract and retain on our town boards in the future will think twice about running.

Your no vote on this recall is of extraordinary importance, if we are to insist on civility, transparency and an unfailing regard for facts to address our problems and bring covert issues to the surface where we can effectively deal with them.

Also crucial is your yes vote for replacement, Gayle Spofford. Should there be an organized campaign to write in a mystery candidate, one voters would not back if they could educate themselves about the candidate’s views prior to the election, your support for Gayle would pre-empt such anti-democratic tactics. Gayle, like Tim, has demonstrated her commitment to insuring the values we choose to teach our children are universal ones.

Circle March 29 on your calendar, or request an absentee ballot from the town clerk now. Vote no on the recall. Yes for Gail Spofford.

Jane Card

Kennebunk

Of theater and disruption

To the editor,

The RSU21 school board meeting of Feb. 28 was riddled with theater, orchestrated and carried out by anti-mask activists. From the outset, the school board members made clear the mask requirement to participate at an in-person RSU 21 public meeting. The requirement is general and applied to every participant. Virtual participation is fully available. In addition, school board members made ample effort to adapt to speakers needing accommodation by allowing a speaker at the podium to unmask while speaking.

Due to the anti-maskers disruptive and threatening comportment, and following repeated requests by the board chair for compliance, the meeting was abruptly adjourned. As a result, RSU 21 parents, tri-town district taxpayers and interested stakeholders were denied critical district updates, reports and information.

School board member Ken Levesque pled with attendees to do the right thing so that reports could be presented as anticipated and detailed on the agenda. Mr. Levesque was a voice of reason urging de-escalation. Unfortunately, his reason did not prevail. And, as Mr. Levesque made clear, the disrupters were the individuals responsible for the absence of information that attendees and district supporters had hoped to learn that evening.

Despite myriad hurdles and bad behavior placed in front of them, Dr. Cooper and school board members continue to return not only to meaningful work, but also to their sensibilities and responsibilities to lead this district. My appreciation to each of them for their commitment and steadfastness.

The belligerent, uncivil behavior toward our volunteer school board is consistent with the aggressive tactics we see playing out nationally, locally and with the misguided March 29 recall election. Join me in rejecting these tactics, vote no, vote Spofford.