Letters to the Editor

School board candidate will bring professionalism

To the editor,

We enthusiastically support Susan Holleran as RSU 21 School Board representative from Kennebunkport. Her educational background distinguishes her as eminently qualified. Susan earned two master’s degree on a part-time basis while working full-time for a global consulting firm. Susan’s knowledge of global affairs and her professional skills will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the RSU 21 School Board. She also has an impressive volunteer history around the state from business leadership to support for public art.

With two daughters, Susan has a particular interest in the social and emotional well-being of our children. Both her daughters attend Kennebunkport Consolidated School. Susan believes classrooms are environments that can nurture students in their social skills and in their emotional health as well as in the acquisition of the knowledge and skills needed to lead successful and happy lives.

As secondary school teachers for four decades, we believe Susan will bring outstanding professionalism and incredible commitment to the well-being and progress of RSU 21.

Barbara and John Ripton

Kennebunkport

Thanks for another successful May Day Festival

To the editor,

After a wet, cold, dreary week leading up to the 25th May Day Festival, Mother Nature gave us a banner of a day!

As you can imagine, an event like this takes a great deal of planning and lots of volunteers. We are so lucky to live in a community where so many want to help. Between those that gave their time, their talent, necessary materials and, yes, money, the list is long and we would like enlist your help in thanking them;

Adventure Climbing, A Joyful Noise, The Animal Welfare Society, American Legion Webber Lefebvre Post 74, Black Jack Chimney Sweep, Bibber’s Memorial Chapel, Bowley Builders, The Brick Store Museum, “Captain Blueberry” the Mascot, Coastal Cruisers, Community Harvest, Community Outreach Services, DC Towing, Domino’s Pizza, Downeast Flowers & Gifts, “Drip” the Mascot;

Duffy’s Tavern & Grill, Dunlap Highland Band, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Freedom MD Luxe, Girl Scouts of Maine, GoNetspeed, Gym Dandies, Interact Club, Kennebunk Baptist Church, Kennebunk Center for Health & Rehabilitation, Kennebunk Free Library;

Kennebunk High School Band, KKA Chamber of Commerce, Kennebunk Little League, Kennebunk Land Trust, Kennebunk Recreation Department, Kennebunk River Band, Kennebunk Rotary, Kennebunk Safety Personnel, KK&W Water District, Kennebunk Police/Fire & Rescue, Kennebunk Light & Power, Kennebunk Savings Bank, “Kenny Bear” the Mascot;

Kennebunk Twirlers, Kennebunk Walk-In Care, Kora Shrine Log Rollers, Kora Shrine Renegades, Legion III Cyrenaica, Lucky Pup Rescue, News Center Maine & Stormy, Other Nice People, “Rotary Chicken” the mascot, Sand Witches of the Kennebunks, Southern Maine Athlete Academy Obstacle Course and the Waterhouse Center Zamboni.

In order to make this a reality each year, we extend our gratitude to all the May Day Festival volunteers, parade participants, our Kennebunk Police Department and Kennebunk Public Services.

We’re already jotting down ideas for next year and we hope you’ll consider joining us when planning begins in early 2024. Until then Happy Spring!

Linda Johnson

Kennebunk May Day Festival Committee

Proposed budget reflects needs

To the editor,

The Kennebunk Select Board takes its responsibilities to the taxpayers very seriously. We understand that increases in taxes can be a serious burden to many families. We believe the proposed budget reflects true needs.

Mr. Morin’s recent letter was quite disingenuous, considering that he voted in favor of every article in the budget and is fully aware of the work we put into it. I’d like to address a few of his points.

1. New full-time positions in the Fire and Police departments were critical to providing proper service to the town. When an ambulance or fire truck is needed and there aren’t enough people to properly staff that call, that’s just not OK. The per diem staff that the police and fire departments have used in the past are no longer available.

2. Increases in pay for town employees resulted from an analysis of local communities’ pay scales and the need to attract and retain employees. We all know that filling positions, whether it be in a restaurant, or on the police force, has been extremely difficult since the pandemic.

Everyone, including our town employees is facing rising costs. They can choose the best job for their needs and we want them to work here.

3. Amendments to the state cap on taxes for the elderly will help make that law sustainable.

4. Our new town manager is working with surrounding towns to find ways to save money to counteract the budget increases.

Please join us in supporting this budget.

Miriam Whitehouse

Kennebunk

Budget process was thorough, thoughtful

To the editor,

After reading last week’s letter from Dick Morin, I was compelled to respond. I serve on the Kennebunk Select Board, and I attended every joint meeting between the select board and the budget board. I was present at every vote. The select board does not act alone in this process. Both boards went through the municipal operational and capital budget line by line, department by department, and Mr. Morin voted ‘yes’ in every single vote. Let me repeat: Every single vote.

Afterward, Mr. Morin asked for an extra budget board meeting to air his apparent change of heart. After questioning the former finance director, he said, I’m good … I wanted a final figure. He did not challenge any part of the budget at that meeting. Subsequently, Mr. Morin again told the select board that he was not happy with the budget. In response, he was offered another joint meeting with the select board to reopen parts of the budget for discussion, but he never followed through to schedule that meeting. His request was not ignored.

I disagree that this budget is uncontrolled spending. It was a thorough and thoughtful process, reviewed line by line, and approved by a majority of both boards.

Please go to the town website and search for Municipal Budget. There, you can find truthful information about the budget, and listen to the joint select board and budget board meetings. If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out through the website. Thank you.