Candidate is a

dedicated leader

I am writing to wholeheartedly encourage voters to return Joe Rafferty to the Maine Senate in November. As a former employee of RSU 21 (speech-language pathologist), I was always impressed – and grateful – that Joe was such a dedicated leader on the local teacher’s union team. As chief contract negotiator, Joe put in many long after-school hours – far beyond what the small stipend could compensate – pushing to get teachers and other staff the contract terms they deserved.

Don’t let his low-key and somewhat self-effacing demeanor fool you: As the saying goes: Joe “is a workhorse not a show horse.” Over his term in the legislature, Joe has applied the work ethic he always displayed as a union leader to pushing for laws that would improve the lives of all Mainers.

This is why I’ll be voting for Joe, and I hope you will, too.

Tom Berry

Kennebunk

 

Wealth isn’t

a negative

It’s no surprise to see so many negative letters about President Donald Trump, especially about his net worth and how he became a billionaire. They seem to imply he did nothing to create his wealth.

What difference does it make how much his father gave or lent him, it’s what he did with it that counts. Did he use the money to build things and employ people, especially union workers? Did he pay millions in taxes while doing it. Were there some bankruptcies, so what, they’re part of a free enterprise system, remember General Motors, Chrysler Corp., and recently Toy’s R Us, Bed, Bath and Beyond with a 16.2 % increase in 2024 alone?

The criticism comes mostly from the left who fail to point out how many multi-millionaire politicians there are who have never risked their own money, like the Clintons, Pelosis, Obamas, and Bidens. How did they become so wealthy?

One writer pointed out a documentary named “Lucky Loser;” I wish I could be so lucky. I recommend a book written in 1958 by Cleon Skousen, 65 years ago, called “The Naked Communist.” Check out the 45 goals, especially 15 to 26, to see how they’re doing and why it’s important for them to win the next election.

Remember what the National Socialist Party was?

Bill Case

Kennebunkport

 

Work on building

up community

I have a yard sign that reads, “Let’s Make America Kind Again.” I got this sign years ago when I sensed the public discourse becoming increasingly uncivil with fearful and sometimes violent rhetoric coming from all sides.

Along with that sign, I now have several other signs on my property — political signs of Democrats running for office, including Kamala Harris. In addition, I am a volunteer for Democrats of the Kennebunks and Arundel, coordinating the distribution of signs on roadside public access areas.

A continuing issue is that Democrats’ signs are getting stolen, defaced, and destroyed on roadside public access, as well as on private property. People have reported that when placing signs they have heard jeers of vulgar, obscene, and even violent language from people in cars passing by.

Removing or defacing Harris/Walz signs is not a practical problem. We simple replace them with more signs. The more critical issue is what this does to our community. We are all passionate about what we believe and good debate over issues is vitally important for democracy. But abusive language and vindictive acts are not. They only degrade and diminish our community and ourselves.

So, let’s all — Democrats and Republicans alike — strive to be our “better angels.” Let’s work on building up our community. Let’s learn to listen to each other without making quick prejudgments. Let’s respect the dignity of everyone because all human beings are worthy, no matter what they think or believe.

Let’s “Make America Kind Again.” And let’s begin with our neighbors.

Dan Riggall

Kennebunk

 

Town meeting system

is worth preserving

As former members of the Kennebunk Select Board, we have proudly served this community, upholding the values of open government, transparency, and active citizen participation. We are writing today to express our strong opposition to the proposed changes to the town of Kennebunk’s charter, which will be voted on this Nov. 5.

The current charter, which provides for a town meeting and select board format of government, has served Kennebunk well for generations. This structure allows every citizen to have a voice in important town matters, including ordinance changes and spending decisions. The proposal to shift to a town council system will eliminate this direct participation, concentrating decision-making authority in the hands of a few council members. While we understand that the town is growing and change is inevitable, removing citizens’ ability to vote directly on ordinances and budget decisions runs counter to the principles of democracy that our town was built upon.

This change is not just about government structure — it’s about the very heart of our community. Kennebunk’s town meeting system ensures that all voices are heard and that elected officials remain accountable to their neighbors. A town council system, on the other hand, risks isolating decision-makers from the people they represent, creating a system where critical spending and policy decisions are made at the hands of a few very powerful individuals.

Equally troubling is the proposed recall process embedded in this charter change. Under the new rules, it will become nearly impossible to recall an elected official, even if they fail to act in the town’s best interests. A functioning recall process is essential to holding our leaders accountable, and the proposed revisions would strip residents of this important check on power.

We urge the citizens of Kennebunk to think carefully about the long-term implications of this charter change. Will it make government more responsive and inclusive, or will it centralize power and reduce the role of everyday citizens in shaping our town’s future?

We believe that Kennebunk’s current form of government — where citizens have a direct say in key decisions  provides the best path forward for our community. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to vote no on Nov. 5 to preserve our town meeting tradition, maintain transparency, and keep decision-making in the hands of the people.

Haven Andrews, Jr, L. Blake Baldwin, Wayne Berry, Peter D. Brewitt, Chris Cluff, Ed Karytko, Jim McMann, Richard Morin, Tom Murphy, Frank G. Paul, David Spofford, Kelly Wentworth

Kennebunk

 

Subtraction created

a funding issue

The community sent a message. That is what I hear repeated about the school district budget cut. But the only message sent was bad math.

Subtracting $400,000 from the RSU 21 budget didn’t add money for teachers. It made the district liable for existing contracted employees in the system administration cost center without a funding source. It reduced the pool of money available for teachers, for programming, for flexibility.

Because the only message sent was subtraction, reduction that will strain our ability to meet our existing bills and eliminate our flexibility to grow needed areas. Instead, we are forced to take money from other cost centers to meet that need.

Subtraction is just subtraction. There is no positive. There is no gain.

Amanda Downing

Kennebunk

 

Advocate for

district residents

We are writing this letter to express our support for Wayne Parry as he seeks re-election to the Maine House of Representatives. We’ve known Wayne for years and have always found him to be a passionate advocate for the folks in our House district.

As ranking member of the Transportation Committee, he has been instrumental in making sure transportation initiatives statewide have received adequate funding. This includes upgrades to Alfred Road – one of the most heavily traveled secondary roads in the state.

More importantly, Wayne is a strong advocate for fiscal sanity in a state where government spending is increasingly out of control. Maine is a beautiful state that is ranked amongst the bottom of all states economically while bearing one of the highest aggregate tax rates. Having a representative at the State House that understands this burden and fights for responsible spending of our tax dollars is critical.

Scot and Kristeen Macdonald

Arundel

 

Summer Street

Halloween tradition

On Aug. 22 the town of Kennebunk issued a press release stating that Summer Street would not be closed for vehicular traffic on Halloween this year. The notice listed four reasons: resident concerns with restricted access; stricter state regulations for roads; public safety, and community impact. I would like to address each of these claims.

There are 26 houses on Summer Street between Park and Depot. A neighbor surveyed each home. 24 of the 26 (92%) confirmed their desire to keep the street closed for Halloween to insure the safety of the trick-or-treaters and their families.

Another neighbor called MDOT to inquire about the referenced “stricter regulations” and confirmed that there have been no regulatory changes since 2015, and no restrictions that prevent road closures for community events like Halloween.

The “public safety” claim is also puzzling. Opening Summer Street for bi-directional traffic with over 2,000 costumed children full of sugar and adrenaline makes no sense. The town’s proposal trades a time-tested and proven safety measure in favor of a scenario primed for accidents.

And finally, the press release cites “community impact” – noting “as more people flock to Summer Street, [it affects] the traditional community spirit across the town.” This is not a new phenomenon. I trick-or-treated in this neighborhood in the ’80s and again with my own children more recently. Families will continue to enjoy Halloween wherever they feel most comfortable, not according to the town or Chamber’s prescription.

The select board was expected to discuss the topic on Oct. 8. Let’s hope common sense prevails. Regardless of outcome, there will be a spirited Halloween celebration on Summer Street once again this year, and everyone’s invited.

Norm Archer

Kennebunk

 

Maintain housing’s

positive momentum

A dent is being made in Maine’s housing shortages. Mainers are benefitting and Rep. Traci Gere has been at the forefront of positive changes to the housing landscape.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the Joint Select Committee on Housing (co-chaired by Traci ), the Maine Legislature, and Gov. Janet Mills’ administration, progress has been and is being made. Inroads include a decline in the number of people experiencing homelessness by 28% from 2023 to 2024, an increase in affordable housing production, and the development of long-term policies designed to fix the systemic obstacles to housing.

Traci understands that securing a place to call home is potentially life changing for renters, first-time home buyers, and the unsheltered. Most of us can relate to the challenges connected to securing housing. I know I can, which is why I am voting for Traci. As for our unsheltered sisters and brothers, I am voting for Traci so that the unsheltered in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Biddeford will have an advocate in Augusta.

There is additional depth to Traci’s work. She also serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing. In this capacity, her education, experience, work ethic, expertise, and character have enhanced outcomes related to the intertwined issues of housing, workforce development, and the impact of climate change and sea level rise on our communities.

I urge you to cast your vote for Traci. Let’s send her back to Augusta, where she can continue to refine and implement policies that will benefit our towns and state for years to come.

Joanne Hulsey

Kennebunk

 

Candidate has

proven track record

I have known Henry Ingwersen for almost 40 years-as a teacher for my children; as a role model for parenting; as a good friend; and for the last several years as treasurer for his political campaigns. He has a proven track record that he is an effective representative in his first term in the state senate, supporting our district and working across party lines.

Henry is once again running for senator in District 32 because he sees more work to be done to improve education for the students in Maine and support for our teachers, him having been one. He sees more to be done for small businesses in Maine, as he and his wife are running one – beekeepers on their family farm in Arundel. He wants to protect our environment, so that his 10 grandchildren will a healthy world to live in.

So, don’t forget to vote in this year’s election, by absentee ballot before or in person, on Tuesday Nov. 5. I hope that you will vote to have Henry once again represent District 32 in the Maine Senate.

David Strassler

Arundel