Letters to the Editor – November 2008

To the editor:
Every August, I look forward to the Washburn August Festival. The town becomes alive with anticipation and excitement. The Washburn August Festival represents what community spirit is all about. It gives its citizens and others in surrounding communities a way to enjoy wonderful events, such as music in the park, a large parade, beautiful fireworks and various other attractions during this weekend celebration. Many return home during the Festival to see old classmates and friends, visit with relatives and family members. Class reunions are scheduled to collaborate with this event. It truly is a time to gather, reminisce, and enjoy.     This past August, I was very surprised to see a float in the parade asking for donations to help save the August Festival. I assumed that the August Festival would always be around. It bothered me a great deal to think that it may not. I have fond memories of this annual event growing up and would hate for my child not to grow up without those wonderful memories of the Festival. As my curiosity peaked about this “Save the August Festival Crusade”, I began to ask organizers about the status of the August Festival. Are the citizens really in jeopardy of losing this special time? How can we ensure that generations to come will have the opportunity to partake in such a wonderful event? I soon learned that there are not enough volunteers and donations to keep the August Festival going at the same level that we have gotten accustomed to over the years.
I was concerned enough, that I have volunteered my time to help keep the Washburn August Festival alive. We can all make a difference no matter how big or small and we need your help now to keep the Festival going for future generations. The Washburn August Festival is one way to demonstrate the pride that we have in the community in which we live, work and do business. I am asking you to show your pride by volunteering your time and talents to help in any way you can. We are also seeking donations of any kind to provide the level of festivities that you have grown to expect and deserve.
It would be very disappointing to see the Washburn August Festival end and it would be greatly missed by all in the community. If you are able to help in any way, please contact me at 455-8464 or attend the next meeting held at the Washburn Civic Center at 6:30 p.m. on January 14, 2009. Your help will make a difference and be greatly appreciated.

To the editor:
The diabetes epidemic has no bounds — even here in Maine. Children, co-workers, caregivers, minorities, and the elderly are some of the many faces of diabetes in our community. Could you be one of these faces?
Nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes and another 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes, which puts them at serious risk for developing type 2 diabetes. It is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and lower limb amputation. Unfortunately, many people are unaware they have diabetes or are at risk for developing the disease.
The burden of diabetes in Maine is extensive; more than 80,000 adults in Maine are living with diabetes and waiting for a cure. What can the people of Maine do to help stop diabetes in its tracks?
As we are preparing for American Diabetes Month in November, it is an ideal opportunity to get involved with your local American Diabetes Association. Participate in an event or educational program. Volunteer. Be a Diabetes Advocate and write your local government representative urging them to support diabetes-related legislation. I welcome readers to learn more about diabetes at the American Diabetes Association’s website, www.diabetes.org, or to take the diabetes risk test online at www.diabetes.org/risk-test. For those who do not have access to the internet, information and the risk test can be obtained by calling 1-800-DIABETES.
The future of our community is at risk. What are you going to do to help the many faces of diabetes?

To the editor:
In honor of National Hospice Month I would like to recognize an outstanding group of people. They are caring, compassionate Hospice Volunteers who are willing to run errands, hold a hand, sit quietly, be a listening ear and most importantly … be a support to a terminally ill patient and their loved ones.
The outstanding success of Hospice of Aroostook is but a reflection of the ever increasing dedication and enthusiasm our volunteers display. They give so generously of their time and hearts to be a support to patients and families at a time of need.
Recently 13 people made a commitment to complete a thirty hour training to become hospice volunteers. I would like to welcome: Julie Albert, Caribou; Laurel Beaulieu, Fort Fairfield; Lisa Daigle, Madawaska; Mary Donovan, Caribou; Mildred Forbes, Stockholm; Sylvia Garey, Perham; Elizabeth Long, Caribou; Georges and Rose Marie Sullivan, Madawaska; Cynthia Thibodeau, Presque Isle; Daniel and Joan Turner, Easton.
This training would not have been successful with out the thoughtful community presenters who generously gave of their time to be a guest speaker. Thank you to Judge O’Mara, Jim Mockler, Rev. George McLaughlin, Ruth Collins and Gail Phair-Kirk.
I am grateful for this opportunity to share a very sincere and heartfelt “Thank You!” to all of the Hospice of Aroostook Volunteers!

To the editor:
While many consider our current political and economic status historic, if not downright tumultuous, it is worth noting that some things remain the same. Our community continues to give outstanding support to those in need.
Recently, I have been in contact with local businesses and individuals as we prepared a benefit supper and silent auction held Monday at Caribou High School. In past years, the public has asked for a public dinner to once again be held at the high school, in conjunction with parent teacher conferences. This year, we have a faculty member with over 30 years of service to this school system who is facing a difficult medical situation. Thus, this year a dinner and silent auction was planned to benefit our beloved teacher, friend and colleague.
I have made numerous phone calls and visits to Caribou businesses concerning the silent auction … and not one has turned down the opportunity to donate an item. Furthermore, several businesses and individuals have called me to ask what they can do to help.
Yes, we are facing uncertain times. Nonetheless, I feel it worth sharing that we live in a community that is still able to remember that people — and their needs — come first.
Thank you to all who have donated or helped with planning in any way.

To the editor:
I am attending the Caribou City Council meeting on Nov. 24 in one last attempt to save Caribou Pet Rescue from being dissolved.
I am sorry I stepped down from the presidency. I felt the new shelter leadership would be very competent. I am extremely disappointed. At the last executive session on November 6th, I left the meeting in tears after resigning. I wish I had been able to maintain control of my emotions, but I was just too frustrated, tired and full of sorrow. I let the animals down by resigning.
The city council has been supportive of my hope to keep CPR open. I hope they will offer help in convincing the current board to return the corporate rights and the 501c3 back to me and help us through this rough time.
Paula (Larry) DeMerchant is the current CPR president. Please call and let her know you feel CPR needs to stay open. The CPR board plans to close the shelter on Dec. 31 and turn all assets and animals over to the Central Aroostook Humane Society shelter in PI. This decision doesn’t make sense. If the Presque Isle shelter is always full now, how will they handle an additional 700 animals each year.
There are no good reasons to close CPR and many good reasons for CPR to stay open. We had a shelter we could be proud of and the animals were well cared for. CPR provided five part-time jobs for residents and after adopting a pet, people would shop in Caribou for the needed pet supplies. Why do we want to give this up to Presque Isle.
In a CPR news item, this board announced on WAGM-TV that the closing was due to the economy. The following week in the Aroostook Republican column, one board member wrote that it was due to the last founder resigning. In my recent attempt to talk with a board member, I was told it was because they were worried about my doing too much. Another member told me that she voted against my having the corporate papers and 501 c3 back because she is scared of Obama and what his leadership will do to the country. So many human fears — and no compassion ever mentioned about the animals.
The CPR board was asked to reconsider this decision and again on Nov. 20 they voted to not turn the full corporate rights of the Caribou Pet Rescue papers back to me along with the 501 c3 so that I could continue to help Caribou and the surrounding communities with their animals.
I have been advised by the Department of Animal Welfare in Augusta that for me to offer any food and shelter to stray animals would require a new and separate license from Caribou Pet Rescue. This means that I would need to reestablish the corporate papers and fees and to then apply for a new 501 c3 for the new shelter. This would amount into another investment of $1,000, and it would also take about six months of time for government processing which would leave Caribou animals this whole winter without adequate help. Add also in the initial costs of rent, insurance, etc. while we get restarted. Doesn’t simply turning the corporate rights back to me make better sense.
I currently have 10 CPR foster animals that are under my direct care here at home.
I realize that I have been very emotional over the changes in health issues with CPR over the last few months. I apologize for feeling so passionate about quality animal care. I was trying, on behalf of the animals, to get someone to listen to me, but the new policies made that impossible. This was extremely frustrating to me. That frustration and fatigue is why I left the last executive session in tears over the animal care issues. I thank God for the fact that three citizens complained to the Department of Animal Welfare in Augusta and an investigation occurred with a quarantine being enforced.
I was upset when several employees quit in just a few weeks’ time. I was floored when those employees told me they had been threatened with being fired if they called and told me about the ill animals. I do not believe the latest and most recent suggestion of the well water being the reason for the Giardia and Coccidia problem because why did it affect only a few animals. All the animals drank the water as did the employees. If the problem was the well, why did it take three months to investigate that avenue when a gallon of bleach would have quickly resolved it.
This current board needs to reread the CPR mission statement.

To the editor:
I am troubled by all of the news about everyone not being able to support their animals and having to bring them to, or turn them over to rescue facilities. These facilities, for small animals, and large are already over populated and under funded and staffed. And even closing. Fortunately, the home breeding of small animals and horses has lessened.
When a family is in need of food, donations are sometimes brought to their door. The family is not separated and sent to live where the food is, like many years ago. Perhaps this would work for the animals too.
Would it be emotionally and physically better for the animals and their owners to attempt to supply food to animals where they live now, rather than displace the ‘family?’ How could I help or begin such an undertaking?

To the editor:
I was listening to the television news report the other evening and heard a story of a small convenience store in Maine taking bets on when our new President would be assassinated. At that moment, I experienced intense shame to be a citizen of a country where that was happening.
We are a nation of diverse peoples, diverse religions and diverse opinions founded on principles of freedom to be different. I have watched the increasing level of fear over the past eight years accompanied by a decrease in acceptance of others. We are now facing a time of unparalleled fear and distrust of others, at the national level, that is producing far-reaching consequences for all of us.
This news story may represent, at the local level, the depth of how far we have strayed from the Founding Fathers’ ideals. This is a time when we need to be working together and if we don’t, we deserve the intense pain and loss that is surely coming.