Editor:

I commend Sen. Susan Collins, for her tireless effort to support Maine’s small business. As a local physician and owner of my own solo Internal Medicine practice in Cape Elizabeth, I appreciate that Susan Collins appears to focus on the issues affecting small business, which is the back bone of Maine’s strained economy.

During the tough economic times, small businesses are struggling to provide high quality services and commodities in an environment that is faced with rising energy cost and inflation. As a solo female  physician, I am forced to  conform to  not only  federal guidelines, but many state rules and taxes specific for small business, which is  a daily  challenge. To be able to survive and make a living at it is a pure labor of love in this state. As a medical practitioner, I must not only deal with the art and science of medicine to provide quality care with a tremendous liability risk, but also deal with insurance regulations, a multitude of taxes, and management of payroll and   employees. Like many other self employed business owners this is an overwhelming task that requires day to day monitoring and tremendous responsibility. You don’t just walk away when your shift is done or when you leave the office. It is always with you as an integral part of your life and family with many inherent lifelong risks. 

My understanding is that Susan Collins has repeatedly received a 100 percent rating from the National Federation of Independent Business during her 12 years in the U.S. Senate.

Her commitment to Maine Small Business is nothing new. Prior to her serving as New England Administrator of the US Small Business Administration, she was also the founding executive director of the Center for Family Business at Hudson College in Bangor. Hats off to Senator Collins for her devotion to Maine’s business women and men.  I hope for her continued support and success, as  there  is still  lots  to do. 

Dr. Sheila Pinette

Cape Elizabeth