Letters

Published
April 22, 2017

Letter to the editor: Death with dignity is not the same choice as suicide

Recently, you have published opinions of your readers concerning those dying of a terminal illness with months to live. My own son, Ethan, contracted a virulent form of cancer at age 41 that was untreatable and terminal. He was born and raised in Maine and a graduate of Yale in the sciences, with a doctorate […]
Published
April 22, 2017

Letter to the editor: Remember Armenians and the world’s victims of violence

As April 24 approaches this year, I know how important that date is to me. Not many people pause to reflect on that date in history and what it meant to an entire nation of good, prospering people in the year 1915. As an American-born citizen of several biological origins, I grew up not fully […]
Published
April 22, 2017

Letter to the editor: Progressive political rally in Portland was a sham

At the Tom Perez/Bernie Sanders Progressive rally Monday night, at the State Theatre in Portland, Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez was not well received. The organizers at the venue compensated for his handicap by playing very loud music when he was introduced at the podium. One could hardly hear the boos through the noise, […]
Published
April 21, 2017

Letter to the editor: Tax on hybrid vehicles doesn’t add up

Rep. Andrew McLean’s bill L.D. 1149, as described in the April 12 article “Bill calls for hybrid fees, gas tax hike to fix roads” (Page A1), is misguided. While I understand that hybrid and electric vehicle owners currently pay less gas tax than owners of traditional gas-engine vehicles, mandating that they pay a $200 annual […]
Published
April 21, 2017

Letter to the editor: Tax on car weight makes the most sense

Yes, Maine roads are in horrible condition, but why should I, the owner of a hybrid weighing in at less than 2,500 pounds, be surcharged $200, while the owner of a vehicle weighing in at 5,500 pounds pays no surcharge? Weight damages roads. If the gasoline tax cannot produce enough revenue to properly repair roads, […]

Published
April 21, 2017

Letter to the editor: Some hybrid owners would be happy to pay some more

The Portland Press Herald recently reported that the Maine Legislature’s Transportation Committee is considering an annual surcharge on hybrid and all-electric cars to help raise the funding needed to properly care for our roads. As the owner of a hybrid, I say, “Do it!” I bought the hybrid because it was less costly to run […]
Published
April 21, 2017

Letter to the editor: The best thing Sen. Collins could do for Maine is resign

So Susan Collins wants the option where she could help the largest number of Mainers? She could resign from public office and help them all. Christopher Brent Kennebunk
Published
April 21, 2017

Letter to the editor: Schools have dress codes for valid social reasons

Regarding “Wearing defiance (but not on her sleeves),” on sixth-grade Portland schoolgirl Molly Neuner’s protest over a dress code (Page A1, April 13): Schools are not only for education – they are also stages where young people may learn the power of dressing appropriately for the circumstances. It was more than a “distraction” when a […]
Published
April 21, 2017

Letter to the editor: Like it or not, LePage won election, deserves to speak

The University of Southern Maine student who said Tuesday that letting Gov. LePage or Rep. Larry Lockman speak is (as paraphrased by the reporter) “concerning because it makes people think that their views are the norm” obviously didn’t notice that LePage won the election. Hello?! He received more votes than any other candidate; therefore, his […]
Published
April 21, 2017

Letter to the editor: Maine has reasonable crop of candidates for next race

Thankfully, we Mainers have such respected and talented people willing to step forward and provide sensible, balanced leadership. Recently, we have been hearing that Susan Collins and Shawn Moody are considering a run for the Maine governorship next time around. I would like to see Janet Mills and Peter Cianchette give some thought to this, […]