Yes on ?Question 2

Breeding, training and racing standard bred horses has been a tradition in Maine for well more than a century, and our family is proud to be part of that history.

We operate Searway Stables in Cape Elizabeth, and we also have a breeding operation and racing operation. I’m a judge at Scarborough Downs, and my wife Laura works as an outrider and race marshal. She also works at a large breeding farm in Saco, Dupuis Farm. We love the horses and we love working on a daily basis with great people.

Question 2 on the Nov. 8 statewide ballot would allow Scarborough Downs to relocate to Biddeford, as part of a new $120 million entertainment complex.

This project will help the harness racing industry, and it will also generate millions of dollars annually for worthy causes, including the agricultural fairs that we’ve been enjoying this fall. It would also pay for scholarships for the University of Maine and the community colleges.

It really is a win-win situation for the industry and the people of Maine in general. Help make Biddeford Downs a reality by voting yes on 2.

Charles Eaton III ?and Laura Searway

South Portland

Corthell ?for council

I am a resident of Scarborough, and I will be voting for Kerry Corthell for Town Councilor in the upcoming (Nov. 8) election. Kerry is a well-informed, creative-thinking, problem-solver. As important as those characteristics are, Kerry is also compassionate, fair-minded, and concerned about her town and her neighbors in her community at-large. She is an active listener and effective communicator. Kerry currently is an alternate member of the Scarborough Planning Board. She thoughtfully considers the issues that come before the Board and her participation clearly demonstrates her knowledge of the guidelines the Town has put in place. Kerry has also been creating and emailing a newsletter to keep residents of Scarborough informed of the town meetings, issues, and agendas. She has been actively encouraging the town staff to be more transparent by making information available online and promoting extensive use of the town website to keep residents informed. Kerry’s enthusiasm and commitment to Scarborough make her an excellent choice for my support for Town councilor. Please join me in electing this well-qualified candidate.

Joan Lourie

Scarborough

School Board endorses Wentworth plan

On Nov. 8 Scarborough voters are being asked to approve funding to replace the Wentworth Intermediate School serving grades 3-5. We, the School Board, unanimously endorsed the recommendation of the Wentworth Intermediate School Building Committee in July. The Town Council also unanimously approved putting the question to voters. The replacement of the Wentworth school is due. There have been more than four postponed or unsuccessful proposals for Wentworth over the last 20 years.

The health and safety concerns of the current Wentworth were well documented over the last year and a half. Repair costs are continuing to rise for the current structure. Over the last five years $1.3 million has been spent on repairs. The current building is energy inefficient with an outdated heating system and little to no insulation. The roof structure is not built to current standards and will not allow additional insulation or even a full warranty on the roof repairs.

The school as proposed will continue the existing programs in place in the building. For example, the central kitchen at Wentworth currently services both Wentworth and grades K-2 at the primary school and will continue to do so in the new building. The new building maintains the central kitchen for grades K-5 keeping the operating efficiencies we have today. A classroom for special needs students will move from what originally was a locker room in Wentworth today to a classroom in the proposed building.

Classrooms in the Wentworth proposal are now at state recommended sizes (700 square feet) and more effectively grouped. The proposed Wentworth building can accommodate 900 students, ensuring Scarborough will not have the issues currently facing the middle school which opened new too small 15 years ago. The gym and cafeteria are large enough to support future growth. These are expensive spaces to add on to in the future but very cost effective to build for future needs initially. By making the gym and cafeteria larger future needs are met while bringing the cost per square foot down. Additional cost information can be found on the website www.NEWWENTWORTH.com.

Please join the School Board in endorsing the Wentworth school project on the town ballot. After 20 years of stops and starts on solving the needs of the elementary grades 3-5 children in town it is time to move ahead. Please contact School Board members or see the website above if you have questions.

Scarborough School Board

Scarborough

Vote for Ahlquist

I have known Ron Ahlquist for many years. He and his family have been busy in our town for many years. Ron’s business experience and devotion to our town is needed. Don’t let him get away. Vote for Ron again for our Town Council. Ron understands our needs and the town’s established rules and does use common sense to accomplish them.

There are many words that describe Ron, but respect and good judgment are tops. He is an asset in any environment.

Bud Hanson

Scarborough

Rosenblatt for county commissioner

It is with great enthusiasm that I write this letter is support of Annalee Rosenblatt for county commissioner.

Anna-Lee is an active member in the Scarborough community and Cumberland County. She was elected to the Scarborough School Committee and has served as the chair of that Committee. As a contracted employee of Cumberland County, Annalee served as the county’s Management Labor Negotiator for many years, currently serving in that capacity for several counties in Maine. Her experience in these positions will ensure her strong leadership as our county commissioner.

As a proud member of the Scarborough Kiwanis Club, Annalee served as the chair of the Scarborough 350th Committee. She worked with a team and folks throughout the Scarborough community to ensure successful and well-attended events.

I am very excited to see Annalee elected as our county commissioner – she will serve us well.

I encourage all of you to vote for her on Nov. 8.

Ruth Summers

Scarborough

Yes on Wentworth

There was an article in the papers a few weeks back questioning why a replacement for Wentworth was not on the priority list for the Department of Education. I understand in recent history the middle school was funded in large part with “state money,” while the High School additions and renovations were locally funded. “State money” only goes so far. There are schools throughout the state that are in dire need of assistance. Many communities are unable to remedy issues on their own and are well beyond their capacity. Ranking projects is done through a variety of evaluations: safety, consolidation or systemic building problems. The state defines the need. The article also stated Wentworth was ranked 66. Wentworth actually ranked 51 of 66, when it last appeared on the “list.” On that list there were 20 projects funded, while the current list of 71 schools released this spring does not indicate how many will be funded with scarce dollars.

Conditions at Wentworth need to be addressed; local money has been thrown at these problems. These fixes are short term. It is estimated at least $2.4 million will need to be allocated over the next three years to address the issues while deferring the inevitable. Due diligence has been done to review how our school stacks up, however we can ill afford not investing in our school until the state is able to help fund a project. Do we realistically believe the current Wentworth is able to sustain the costly patchwork and band aids until the state has money or as a community are we willing to invest in our schools and build for a future?

Chad Reed

Member, Wentworth ?Intermediate School ?Building Committee

Architectural designer

Scarborough

Support Corthell

I am a Pine Point resident and this Nov. 8 I’m voting for Kerry Corthell for Scarborough Town Council. Kerry currently serves as a member of the Scarborough Planning Board. Her energy, commitment to community, ability to communicate effectively and knowledge of the issues are just some of the reasons why Kerry has my vote. If you want a change in town, vote for someone who listens well, is thoughtful, does her homework and will work hard to serve the community in a fair and balanced manner. Vote for Kerry Corthell.

Judy Shirk

Scarborough

Vote for Rosenblatt

I would like to urge the voters to elect Annalee Rosenblatt for the office of county commissioner in District 1, which encompasses Scarborough, Gorham, Standish, Sebago, Baldwin, Bridgton and Harrison.

As a county commissioner, she will be involved with the budgets and policies of several departments: the Sheriff’s Office, the DA’s Office, Registry of Deeds, Registry of Probate, Emergency Communications and the Emergency Management Agency.

Some of my experience with Annalee involves her work on the Scarborough Board of Education (chair), where she thoroughly combed through budgets to find savings to help find funding for technology programs. She also has an extensive background as a small business owner, a county and municipal management consultant for many years including Cumberland County, and member of the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce. Annalee’s impressive resume includes a Master’s degree in education, and she has the background credentials needed to serve as our county commissioner.

Her service experience includes: Scarborough Chamber of Commerce – Past President; Scarborough Kiwanis- Executive Board Member; Scarborough 350th Committee- Former Chair; National Public Employer Labor Relations Association- Past President; Board of Arbitration and Conciliation- Former Management Member; State Civil Service Appeals Board- Former Chair; American Business Womens Association- Former Chair; Youth Alternatives Association- Former Chair; Girl Scout Leader; and Junior Achievement Mentor in Scarborough and South Portland Middle Schools.

While this particular election is non-partisan, Annalee is a registered Republican. As former chair of the Cumberland County Republican Committee and current chair of the Scarborough Republican Committee, she has been involved locally and at the county level. She is the only Republican candidate for county commissioner on the ballot.

As a fiscal conservative, Annalee Rosenblatt will carefully allocate our tax dollars. I am confident that she will serve the citizens of Cumberland County with pride and professionalism. Of note, Annalee is not supportive of the proposed $33 million in public taxpayer money to renovate the Cumberland County Civic Center.

On Nov. 8, please join me in supporting Annalee Rosenblatt for county commissioner.

Heather Sirocki

state representative

District 128 (Scarborough)