Scarcity of
Harris/Walz signs

I often think that the political right works hard to take things away from citizens – the freedoms, rights, and benefits offered to all in our Democracy. Unfortunately, they attempt to steal our right to free expression on local lawns and street corners.

You have likely noticed the scarcity of Harris/Walz signs on public ways in our towns over the past week. The Democrats of the Kennebunks & Arundel (DKA) track where and how many Harris/Walz signs they give to individuals for personal property and the signs placed on public ways. We estimate that hundreds have been stolen from private properties and public ways – nearly half of the 750 we have distributed. These are huge numbers compared to past elections and represent an attempt to steal our voices.

We will place more signs – even though I fear that someone will steal them. (A person can be charged and fined up to $250 for taking, removing, or stealing signs within the public right-of-way without authorization.) Keep in mind what this thievery shows about the perpetrators, and remember, your vote is your most powerful voice. Be heard on Nov. 5.

Penelope Gruen
DKA Chair
Kennebunkport

Where have
signs gone

So I overheard this conversation between two people while sipping a coffee in town today, and thought I’d share it here:

A: I’ve voted in every presidential election – typically I vote Republican even in 2016, despite some misgiving, but it was either vote, or not vote at all that year, so I voted.

B: Same. But for me 2020 was a game changer – what with election aftermath, terror, and turmoil. I was like “Make America Great Again”?!??! What about abiding by the laws of the land? With all that was revealed and all that’s still being revealed about Trump’s unlawfulness, I know I would never support him again in any way. NEVER.

A: Me too. Nevahhhh. The lawlessness he has spawned is now all around us. The fact political signs are being nabbed off people’s properties – as if that’s an OK thing to do! Well, It’s not. It’s vandalism and theft of property as well as an infringement on the most BASIC of rights – the right to Freedom of Speech and Expression.

B: Whoever is taking those signs should realize that the statement they’re making is that they consider themselves above the law. An exception to the law. And a disgrace to our Democracy. I’m voting Harris/Walz to safeguard our common rights as citizens of the US.

Andrea Roth Kimmich
Kennebunk

Sign violations
abound

Political signs are erected to inform the public about candidates running for political office. These signs are considered free speech, which is protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States. According to Maine law, “a person who takes, defaces or disturbs a sign placed within the public right-of-way in accordance with section 1913‑A, subsection 1, paragraph L commits a civil violation for which a fine of up to $250 may be adjudged.” Also, “a temporary sign may not be placed within 30 feet of another temporary sign bearing the same or substantially the same message.”

This election season we have been witnessing numerous examples of violation of Section 1913-A. The fine is substantial, however, rarely, if ever, enforced. As citizens of the United States, we should all understand that those who do this are actually infringing on one of the protections of our Bill of Rights when they take, mutilate or disturb these signs. Our Constitution is what is the basis of our freedoms, our democracy, and our country itself. Those who denigrate the constitution also denigrate each and every citizen of the US. They dishonor our citizens and especially our veterans who have fought and died to protect our country and our constitution. In Kennebunkport there is a memorial to Terry Drown, a graduate of Kennebunk High School and the University of Maine, who lost his life fighting for our country in Vietnam. The town of Kennebunkport does not allow signs to be placed in the area around this memorial and signs here are removed by the town. Signs removed by the town can be picked up by the sign’s owner at the Town Hall.

In our republic people often have strong feelings about their preferred political candidates and that is a good thing. But rather than removing signs, put up your own preferred candidates’ signs, read articles, attend events that will inform you about the candidates, such as those that are being held locally. It is against the law to abridge our freedom of free speech. So, keep hands off the signs of those with whom you disagree. Instead talk with your neighbors, erect your own signs and participate in civil discourse. The $250 per sign fine for taking, or disturbing the sign is significant but the impact of the deliberate restriction of free speech in our country is even more disturbing.

Jane Evelyn
Kennebunkport

Re-elect Dan Sayre
to State House

We need Dan in Augusta to fight for women in Kennebunk and across Maine.

Dan Sayre is a well-educated and experienced business leader, and passionate about women’s rights.

Dan, along with his wife Claudia, believe in and have long supported women’s healthcare, the right to bodily autonomy and a woman’s right to decide what is best for her and her family.

Dan understands that reproductive health care, including access to birth control and safe and legal abortion care, is an essential part of a woman’s health and well-being, and a fundamental human right of every woman to make such decisions.

He has championed legislation to Improve women’s health and economic security through funding family planning services, and legislation to protect health care professionals providing reproductive health care services.

Keep Dan fighting for our rights, for our daughters and granddaughters. Please join me in voting for Dan Sayre.

Jane Card
Kennebunk

Dan Sayre
for HD 135

Please join me in voting for Dan Sayre, who is running for reelection to represent Kennebunk residents in District 135 of the Maine House of Representatives. With his years of hands-on experience volunteering in the community Dan has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Kennebunks and an ability to make a positive difference.

Dan has shown through his actions that he will work to address the challenges that Maine faces, including investing in Maine’s vital land conservation efforts, increasing availability of affordable housing, improving access to educational opportunities and defending the human and civil rights of all Mainers.

Dan’s website, www.dan4maine.com, lists his many and varied endorsements, including labor, gun safety, educational and healthcare organizations. We need more people like Dan working for us!

Please vote on November 5th and please cast a ballot for Representative Dan Sayre.

Paul Coughlin
Kennebunk

Sayre is friend
of environment

It is my distinct pleasure to recommend Representative Dan Sayre (House District 135) for re-election. He has been endorsed by the Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund, earning an impressive 100% on Maine’s Environmental Scorecard. Honored as a Conservation Champion, Dan supported bills that conserved the environment and helped build healthier communities. Maine’s Defend Our Health Action endorsed Dan based on his voting record to protect Mainers and the environment from exposures to toxic chemicals.

Dan prioritizes many facets of environmental protection – land conservation, climate resiliency, clean air, and clean water – all which help foster healthy communities. We are honored to have Dan as our Representative. Re-elect Dan Sayre so he may continue his great work.

Kenny DeCoster
West Kennebunk

Recall changes
were asked for

In a recent Kennebunk Post, Richard Morin of Kennebunk says “Let’s be honest. The recall effort worked exactly as it was intended to.”

Did it?

Because I remember a recall where an extreme minority of registered voters (25 or 0.2% of total registered voters in the town) were able to start a process to remove duly elected officials. A process that is inherently divisive and cost the taxpayers of Kennebunk tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees due to lack of clarity in the Charter language. A process that allowed people to bring false accusations against elected members of our community and solicit those accusations around town on official letterhead. This doesn’t sound like democracy in action.

I am certainly not alone. The Charter Commission heard a majority of public comments regarding the need to strengthen the recall process so that it could not be so easily weaponized against elected members of our community. And with good reason, compare and contrast our municipal recall language (existing and proposed) against the recall language that exists for State Officials. State language only provides for recall of officials who have been convicted of a crime.

Responding to these comments, the Charter Commission provided a proposal for a strengthened and informed recall process. After our initial proposal, we heard feedback from residents that our signature requirements were too high. We responded and reduced the amount of signatures required to 500 (4.5% of registered voters in town) for the notice of intent and 1000 for the recall petition.

I hope that residents make these same observations regarding the recall that occurred here two short years ago and I hope voters seeing the need for strengthening the recall process will join me in voting Yes to the Charter Proposal during this voting season.

Chris Babcock
Kennebunk Charter Commission Chair

Traci Gere
proven legislator

Along with experience, judgment, intelligence, and energy, an effective legislator needs superior people skills. These include management, collaboration and communication skills. Traci Gere, now serving her second term in the Maine legislature, has proven herself in all these areas. She is an effective organizer who gets the important things done, working with a wide range of constituents and partners. By incorporating the input of others and building support through communication, she has been highly successful in creating and passing bills that directly help Maine people.

Case in point: The Housing First bill (LD2). Traci chairs the Joint Select Committee on Housing and, in 2023, shepherded LD2 to passage, assuring that Maine can provide supportive housing for the chronically homeless.

Traci is a good negotiator, another critical people-skill for a legislator. And she is, in her own words, “tenacious when needed.”

Case in point: Traci pushed through the bill (LD1931) that gives mobile home park residents the opportunity to purchase the park when it is going to be sold. This law is making it possible for 277 Brunswick families to keep their homes, preserving existing affordable housing.

Traci focuses on identifying and designing solutions for the root causes of problems facing Maine people, often by removing silos and duplication and by empowering people and communities to take action.

Case in point: She sponsored a bill (LD1673) that directed the Governor’s Office on Policy, Innovation, and the Future to convene a group from multiple government agencies to improve coordination and utilization of state resources in high-use commercial corridors and create a plan to promote smart growth and provide technical assistance to municipalities. This group is meeting now and will report back to the housing committee in January 2025.

Traci Gere has an outstanding track record of helping Maine people, something her opponent lacks. Vote to re-elect a proven legislator in November.

Steven Price
Kennebunkport

Demi for
U.S. Senate

This letter supports Republican Demi Kouzounas’ candidacy for the U.S. Senate vs Independent Angus King.

1. Demi is significantly younger than King and immune to cancellation by the Democrats. King turned eighty on March 31 and if elected could be 86 at the end of his term. Haven’t we been down this path before?

2. Senator King has been a strong advocate for wind power, initiating testing and construction of the first turbines. Currently there are over 370 turbines on Maine’s ridges and high points. Just one sticking point: who is left to address the pollution caused by these devices, the largest of which contains 1400 gallons of oil? Of course, leaks do occur and a double standard regarding environmental cleanup exists. Oversight is needed.

3. Demi has friends and respect within the Maine Republican Party and is
poised to represent our interests in Washington, DC. It is difficult to run against two Democrats, a bit of chicanery with ranked choice voting. Not only has King caucused with them but voted for Biden/Harris inflationary policies and endorsed Harris. Mainers suffering from inflation may rightfully thank King. Does he also endorse Harris’ alliances including that with Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers? Weingarten’s insistence on school closure contributed to an unprecedented mental health crisis in our teenage girls, recently attributed to lack of socialization during Covid.

It takes strength to preserve normalcy in our country. Demi has the courage and administrative skills to succeed at this task.

Susan Boak
Kennebunkport

Keep Maine
livable

I grew up in Maine, have lived away and planted roots 34 years ago in Kennebunk. We raised our family here and have 3 decades plus of great memories. I’ve paid my share of taxes in civic responsibility.

Being a retired senior citizen, income is limited to small Social Security increases and a modest savings. As a senior citizen I have watched my dollar be devalued while the cost of basic necessities has increased beyond reason.

Recently my property tax increased by 825.00. Part of that increase was to pay back the amount from the repealed senior tax freeze that the State initiated last year in order to help senior citizens. In essence, this tax cycle, I am billed as a retired senior citizen for two tax increases.

MY local elected State Representation voted along party line to repeal this senior tax freeze. They also voted party line to repeal a law that restricted the percentage a town could increase property taxes. This affects all of us. As a senior citizen, watching the cost-of-living increase substantially, I am not currently represented by someone looking out for my needs as a tax paying citizen.

It’s past time for change in Augusta. State leadership priorities have seriously changed. I urge you to consider voting for principled leadership and to vote for Scott Craig for Kennebunk, Elizabeth Jordan for Kennebunkport as our new State Representatives and to vote for Bradley Scott Ducharme district 34 as our new State Senator.

Reg Champagne
Kennebunk

Keep Parry
in State House

I am writing to express my strong support for Wayne Parry, our dedicated State Representative. Wayne has proven time and again that he is committed to the needs of our community, advocating for fiscal responsibility, lower taxes, and policies that support small businesses. As a champion of Maine’s working families, Wayne understands the importance of growing local jobs and protecting our way of life.

Wayne’s commitment to improving education, supporting our veterans, and ensuring that Maine remains a safe and affordable place to live is unmatched. His consistent, common-sense leadership makes him the best choice for our district. Let’s continue to move Maine forward by re-electing Wayne Parry.

Please join me in supporting Wayne Parry for State Representative—he’s the voice we need in Augusta.

Jim Rooney
Arundel

Concerns regarding
switch to council

The effective date of the proposed Kennebunk Charter Revisions, if passed by voters, will be July 1st, 2025. The proposed charter calls for currently elected Select Board members to become town councilors on this date. A town election will be held on the second Tuesday in June of 2025 in which we elect two Select Board members to three-year terms. If the charter passes, they will automatically become town councilors on July 1st, 2025. They will serve nearly a full term in an office that they were not elected to. Other currently elected Select Board members with terms expiring in 2026 and 2027 will also become town councilors effective July 1st, 2025 if the charter passes. If the current Select Board members want more power, they should be elected to the Councilor position that contains that power. They should not get an automatic “promotion.” Because of this and numerous other problems with the proposed charter, I urge a NO vote on the Kennebunk Charter Revisions.

Jared H. Hirshfield
Kennebunk

Return Rafferty
to Maine Senate

“Real men wear pink.” This was the slogan that came to mind when I first saw Coach Joe Rafferty in his pale pink oxford shirt at the 1996 KHS Fall Sports Awards Night. Our family had just moved to town and one of our three daughters was a cheerleader. I thought, “Wow! What a good example that coach is to the young men on his team. A tough guy on the field can have a softer side, too.” Ever since then I’ve continued to be impressed with Joe as a coach, a teacher, an active member of our community and as our State Senator.
My philosophy on elected officials is this: We can’t follow them around on a day-to-day basis telling them how to vote on the issues that affect our community. But we can elect someone who mirrors our values, leads by example, and works hard for his/her constituents. Joe Rafferty is that someone. Please join me in returning Joe to the Maine Senate on November 5th.

Jane Hecker-Cain
Kennebunk