Fool us twice,

shame on us

It is very disturbing to hear that Phillip Urquhart, of Windham, has re-offended in a similarly bizarre and disturbing manner.

Despondent over news that his wife wanted a divorce, Urquhart dropped off his daughter on the side of the highway last month and proceeded to the Augusta Wal-Mart armed with a handgun to cause a standoff with police. After two hours – and intense negotiation – the standoff ended with Urquhart headed to Riverview Psychiatric Center. He was admitted April 20 and released May 10 on $100,000 surety bail.

On Monday, not even three weeks after being released, Urquhart led police on a high-speed car chase through three southern Maine counties. Property was destroyed and officers’ lives were put in danger. It was a chase that should have never happened.

His first offense should have brought with it a high bail amount, or perhaps no bail at all. There’s no way someone who sparks a standoff with police at a populated shopping area should be back out on the streets after 20 days.

Something isn’t right here. For people who have little faith in Maine’s criminal justice system, Urquhart’s hasty release offers little assurance that the system is here to protect the general public. In fact, this case bolsters those who believe Maine, and all of America for that matter, is soft on crime.

Though he was trying to get police to kill him, Urquhart’s reckless behavior in both circumstances could have have killed innocent bystanders. Authorities should keep him in custody not only for our sakes, but his own.

Honoring those who honor others

Howard Stiles and all those who donated time and money to make the Raymond Veterans Memorial a reality, should be very proud of themselves. Their efforts to bring the beautiful memorial to Raymond are admirable and should be remembered always.

By his acts, Stiles has proven himself a dedicated patriot, not only for this most recent accomplishment, but for erecting dozens of American flags around Raymond. With his wife Eileen’s guidance, Stiles single-handedly lined Route 302 in Raymond with beautiful American flags in 2003 as part of the town’s bicentennial. Each successive year, his duplicates this effort. The 72-year-old retired Army helicopter pilot personally climbs dozens of telephone poles to hoist the prized red, white and blue. If that’s not patriotism, what is?

With the memorial, he’s gone a step further. Working with a dedicated committee and getting help from important organizations like the Lions Club and Founders Day Committee, patriotism is as firm in Raymond as the black granite from which the new memorial was carved. Stiles can now drive by Panther Run with pride, as can we all.

The memorial is a fitting tributeas it commemorates all veterans with Raymond ties. The unveiling on Monday was equally fitting. Held under beautiful May skies and attended by a school chorus as well as respected veterans, the service was a day to celebrate not only the monument but that which the monument symbolizes – American strength.

Congratulations to Stiles for realizing a longheld vision. And congratulations to the living and deceased veterans of Raymond, who deserve such an effort.