Monahan for House 146
To the editor:
Voters in Maine House District 146 have the opportunity to vote for an amazing candidate on Nov. 8. Rosemary Monahan lives in Woodland where she raised her niece and nephew. She has coached Little League, served in the Woodland PTA, served on the Woodland Planning Board, and currently chairs the Woodland Zoning Board of Appeals.
A lifelong resident of the district, she understands the unique needs of Aroostook County. She is supportive of policies that will provide opportunities for new generations in agriculture, forestry, and tourism. Other priorities include high speed internet and cell phone access, access to affordable healthcare, and property tax relief.
Rosemary has a successful legal career working with veterans, children and the elderly. She knows the importance of listening to understand what people need. Her effective advocacy for people makes her the best choice for voters in District 146.
We need a Representative who lives in our district and is willing to listen to our concerns. I hope my neighbors will join me in voting for Rosemary Monahan on November 8.
Troy Jackson committed to the little guy
To the Editor:
This letter is to share my wholehearted support of Senator Troy Jackson, Democratic candidate for Senate District 1.
Given the proximity of the citizens of SD 1 to Maine’s capital, I suspect that few of you have an opportunity to visit Augusta during the legislative session. I thought I’d share with you my observations of Troy while he’s working in Augusta.
Jackson started his legislative career in 2002 as a State Representative. His first year, he presented over 20 bills – something that’s very rare. Most new legislators take time to get their feet wet before taking on a significant workload. Not Troy, he had a fire in his belly. I can hear him saying “there is a lot I need to do to help the people back home.” That was his mission – always – “to help the people back home.”
Over the years I have followed Troy Jackson’s political work. He is committed to helping the little guy and a tireless advocate for workers. Time and time again I have watched Troy fight big business to make sure people like loggers are protected.
Above and beyond Troy’s stance on labor issues, he is a solid human being. Pragmatic in his approach, always a gentleman and, no matter what side of the aisle you sit, Troy always extends the same level of courtesy to all his legislative colleagues.
If you want someone in Augusta who will fight for you and stand up for issues that matter to you, while being civil and professional, you have to vote for Troy Jackson.
Years ago I worked as Troy’s Legislative Aide, later, as I lobbied, I watched him run legislative committees and testify passionately about issues important to the “people back home.” I’ve seen Troy in action. I can assure you Troy Jackson is very deserving of your vote.
Monahan is the real deal
To the editor:
We need someone to look out for District 146 in Augusta. Rosemary Monahan is that person. She is a mature, reflective thinker, not a knee-jerk reactor, nor a blind party loyalist, but someone who will study the issues, involve constituents and vote in their best interests.
Monahan understands the struggles of our small town neighbors because for 30 years she has been a tireless legal advocate, working and winning for Aroostook County veterans, seniors, working families and children.
Monahan will be a champion for Aroostook County, committed to work in concert with other County legislators for the benefit of all. Soft-spoken, but tough, Monahan knows the value of consensus-building and problem-solving. That’s what she’s good at.
We can elect only one representative on November 8th. Let us choose the one candidate with a proven record of success advocating for the families of Aroostook County.
Please join us in voting for Rosemary Monahan for House District 146. She is the real deal!
Richardson serves us well
To the editor:
I am writing to discuss the support of Melissa Richardson in her quest to continue as Registrar of Deeds for Southern Aroostook County.
Melissa is currently serving as the appointed Registrar of Deeds and is well reversed in the managerial aspects of running the office, meeting the public and overseeing three employees.
Melissa is uniquely qualified as she worked previously four years as a data entry specialist in the office. She knows the “ins and outs” of the computer system used in the office.
Melissa has also had the advantage of working in a law office which handles a significant amount of real estate.
As I am sure you are aware this is a “political” position only in that you have to be elected to it. Melissa is committed to providing all members of the general public the same level of dedicated and prompt service with no consideration as to one’s political affiliation.
Please vote Melissa Richardson for Registrar of Deeds and preserve the continuity of a well working County office.
Our downtown is for all, not just for some
To the editor:
I am a business owner in the Downtown Mall in Caribou. I write in support of a “Yes” vote on the upcoming referendum question: “Should the City of Caribou continue to own and maintain the Downtown Mall parking lots?”
The Downtown Mall is a predominantly public space in the heart of downtown Caribou. The parking lots are public property, the sidewalks and lawns are public property, the red-bricked walkways between the buildings are public property. Only the buildings are privately owned; their footprints being the extent of their foundations — islands in a sea of public space. This was all done in accordance with the Urban Renewal Plan, and this is how it has existed for over 40 years.
Since 2013, the City of Caribou has divested itself of a significant amount of the public parking that used to exist in downtown Caribou. The parking lots of the Downtown Mall and the parking lot situated on the easterly side of Hatch Drive are all that remain as public parking lots.
For the City to further dispose of public parking is to sow chaos where it need not exist. If we are going to have a functioning downtown, people need a place to park, and parking options have been glaringly narrowed in recent years. Witness the signs on Herschel Street and the westerly side of Hatch Drive telling us who can and, more importantly, who can’t, park in those formerly public lots.
Unlike the thorough and comprehensive plan under which the Downtown Mall was erected, there is no countervailing plan for its dismemberment. Those that urge the City to dispose of these public spaces would do so without a plan, crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. It is crucial to remember that, wishful thinking to the contrary, once these public assets become private, the individual landowner will then unilaterally decide how the assets will be used; hanging in the balance are all of the public uses of these properties to which we have all grown accustomed.
This issue highlights a larger question facing our community: How much of our civic property and assets are we willing to give up? Think back over what we have lost in the past 5-10 years, and you might agree with the notion that we are watching the slow erosion of our public assets in Caribou.
Voting “Yes” on this referendum will signal a desire to step away from the slippery-slope of attrition; the prospects of future growth in our community do not lie with ridding ourselves of assets. As with the public pool and numerous streetlights that have been shuttered, I worry that once they are gone, these assets are gone for good.
Bill and Hillary’s hypocrisy
To the editor:
Hillary Clinton reminds me of Lady Macbeth from Shakespeare’s play, “The Tragedy of Macbeth”. The essence of Lady Macbeth’s evil character is defined by her candid revelation of the ruthless steps that she must take, in order for her to fulfill her destiny to become the Queen of Scotland. In this play, Lady Macbeth persuades her wavering husband, Macbeth, to murder the king, so that they can become the king and queen. The pair believes that the killing of the king will allow Macbeth to fulfill the prophecy that the three witches have made concerning his royal destiny. After the Macbeths murder the king, they go on to murder several more innocent people, in order to secure their hold on the throne. But things do not go well for the homicidal duo; Lady Macbeth eventually goes mad and kills herself, as their plans unravel. Finally, Macbeth is slain by Macduff, whose wife and children the Macbeths had murdered in order to maintain their power.
It has been the single-minded goal of each of the Clintons, from an early age, to become the President of the United States. However, Hillary knew that she could not accomplish this feat on her own; she would need more than a male version of herself. Her plans required a charming, glad-handing, corruptible politician, “Slick Willy” Clinton, in order to succeed.
Thus, the burdensome task of controlling the political damage from Bill’s sexcapades fell to his prime enabler, Hillary, to her martinettish aide, Betsy Wright and to Hillary’s evil henchmen; who, I believe, hired goons, who threatened, destroyed, paid off, or just plain terrorized into silence the victims of Bill’s sexual predations. Hillary, that crusading defender of women’s rights around the world, responded to her husband’s sexploitations with vicious attacks on Bill’s female victims.
It is my opinion that throughout their twisted campaigns to co-rule America, the corrupt Clintons have left a trail of violence and destruction, that often targeted women. It is very interesting to watch the prevaricating performance of Bill and Hillary during their January 26, 1992, appearance on “60 Minutes” (you tube). Bill can’t, or won’t, bring himself to deny outright that he ever had an extramarital affair, especially with Gennifer Flowers. Their disingenuousness would be hilarious, if one did not know the actual story of Bill’s 12-year affair with Ms. Flowers and about the craven harassment to which she was subjected as a result of her story surfacing in print.
The ruthless Clintons seem to believe that losing their souls, in order to win the world, is a viable course of life. They should consider the mournful words spoken by Macbeth, upon learning of Lady Macbeth’s suicide: ”Out, out brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” (Macbeth: Act Five, sc. 5, lin., 26-30).
Just as the evil Macbeths saw their dreams evaporate, so shall the amoral Clintons. In God we trust!
Strong in the Senate
To the editor:
Last week I attended a public candidate forum, a fine civic event sponsored by the Presque Isle High School social studies department. The staff and students are to be commended.
During the event, I heard presentations by Aroostook’s two Democratic senate candidates, Troy Jackson (District 1), an Allagash logger, former legislative leader, and fighter for labor and working families, and Mike Carpenter, (District 2), Houlton lawyer, small business owner, and former State Attorney General. Each spoke eloquently with passion and pride of their County roots and dreams for returning prosperity. They spoke of hard times in The County with loss of jobs and influence while maintaining that, given a level playing field, Aroostook County students and workers can successfully compete with those anywhere.
Jackson and Carpenter pledged to level the playing field by bolstering educational opportunities, and making sure that Aroostook gets its fair share of resources and attention. These seasoned legislators will need no on-the-job training. They will be ready on Day One to go to work for all County families.
Unfortunately, we don’t know the views of their respective Republican opponents who chose to skip this community opportunity. (Jackson’s opponent has stated that in failing to show up, he’s just doing what he has been told. By whom? What’s to fear from sharing his view publically with folks whose vote he seeks?)
Aroostook needs strong, experienced leadership in the Maine Senate. Please, on November 8th, send Troy Jackson and Mike Carpenter to Augusta to work for all of us.
