Legislative delegation delivers results

To the editor,

Senator Donna Bailey, Rep. Lynn Copeland, Rep. Maggie O’Neil, and Rep. Lori Gramlich have delivered for our area and deserve our support in their re-election.

Donna has done an incredible job since I left the Legislature with her thoughtful and consensusbuilding approach, crafting a responsible budget that promotes our values as a member of the budget-writing committee.

Lynn champions our coast with her compassionate leadership, passing legislation ensuring the state plays an important role in addressing erosion caused by the Camp Ellis jetty.

Maggie empowers youth to participate in the legislative process from bill ideas to passing legislation like her bill becoming the first state to pass a law requiring public divestment from fossil fuels.

Having served with Lori on the Environment Committee, she isn’t afraid of taking on lobbyists to protect children from toxic chemical exposure and working with DEP to implement beach management strategies to curb erosion.

Justin Chenette
Saco

Re-elect Sheriff Bill King

To the editor,

As a former 1988 elected official to the Sanford School Board and hardworking Republican over the past 30 years active in various leadership positions within local, county and state government, I am urging Democrats, Republicans and Independents to vote for Sheriff Bill King.

It is in the best interest of fellow citizens to continue with the leadership of a man who has been loyal to his constituents of York County for the past eight years. During his 40-year career, he has worked with leadership throughout the US and various areas of law enforcement having a Master’s Degree in Management, a graduate of FBI National Academy, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

When it comes to such a high level York County management position we need to “VOTE FOR THE MAN” who is experienced and qualified with true leadership experience “NOT VOTE FOR THE PARTY” because the public safety depends on it as well as our own taxpayer pocketbooks. Please join me and RE-ELECT Sheriff Bill King!

Donna Flanagan
Springvale

Vote Lori Gramlich for HD 131

To the editor.

Lori Gramlich is our House District 131 state representative for Old Orchard Beach. Lori serves on the
Environmental and Natural Resources Committee which is important to me, as environmental issues
impact all of us.

Many of the bills that Lori has sponsored or co-sponsored have been widely accepted and signed into
Maine law. For example:

• HP702 Shore Damage Mitigation Project in Saco Bay
• HP1417 Prohibit the contamination of clean soils with so-called forever chemicals (PFAS)
• HP1401 Continue supporting safe drinking water for Maine families
• HP1189 Mitigate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination of land and ground
water.

This is just a small sample of the many issues that Lori has addressed. Google Lori Gramlich State Rep
to see the complete list. Lori has accomplished much over the past four years, and to me is the obvious
choice for State Representative for Old Orchard Beach.

Michael Brennan
Old Orchard Beach

To the editor,

The measure of a public servant is not their political party, years of service, nor involvement in political
banter. Success is measured by how engaged they are within the community they serve. Lori Gramlich is
that person. She volunteers at the Rock the Park Concerts where she is Vice President for “Friends of the
Ballpark.” She supports the Special Olympics and local businesses through her involvement with the
Chamber. We frequently see her on the beach checking on the health of this precious resource. Lori is a
member of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Her office sends
frequent communications with valuable information on bills, events and health resources. We will vote
for her in the upcoming election and urge you to do the same. For more information about Lori, we
encourage you to visit her website at https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/housedems/gramlichl/index.html

David A. Walker and Deborah R. S. Walker
Old Orchard Beach

Commissioners should vote yes on dredge

To the editor,

As soon as next week, York County Commissioners will vote on a purchase of a hydraulic dredge under American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding from the federal government, and we urge a vote yes, led by our Commissioners Sicard and Dutremble. Both have been extremely helpful in guiding this application with the right questions and insight.

Our group came before the county last summer, on hopes that with over $40m of ARPA funds coming to York County, that less than 5% of these funds could be directed for acquisition of dredge equipment without harming any other county needs. We lose more and more of our shoreline due to sea level rise, a changing climate with more violent storms and, locally, a jetty directly causing the loss of Camp Ellis beaches. But doing nothing is not an option, as man-made problems demand our action. A dredge is a valuable tool in the toolshed to restore sand to Saco Bay shorelines for all to enjoy, plus keep maintain and retain commercial activity for our Southern Maine harbors.

All the pieces are in place for a robust dredge operation in Southern Maine, utilized and paid for from municipal, private marina and even Army Corps projects. But first must come the dredge purchase. We can talk about and study our shoreline issues to infinity, but the time is now to bring this infrastructure to Maine, put Mainers to work and show we are serious on saving our shorelines and harbors for generations to come.

Kevin Roche
S.O.S. Saco Bay