Hard to believe state’s taxes would be raised more

Editor:

  On April 17, 2008, a Maine newspaper, published a scathing editorial titled “Democrats slip in tax increases with night vote.”  The paper described LD2247 – the beverage tax – as   “taxation without representation.”  Late in the evening of April 15, Maine legislators, voted to increase taxes on beverages, health insurance claims, and more, in order to fund the failed Dirigo program. This bill will raise the cost of living in Maine by more than $55 million dollars. Consumers had no chance to voice their opinions in a public forum.  

It is hard to understand why legislators would raise any taxes to increase the cost of living in Maine, especially when many residents will have trouble heating their homes this winter.  It is hard to understand why legislators would raise taxes without first holding public hearings.  

We need fairness and transparency in Augusta. We need legislators who will cut spending, cut taxes, and create jobs through business growth.    Jessica Sullivan has helped her husband start and grow a business that now provides jobs for 40 people.  She is from a Cape farming family, and she understands Maine’s heritage of hard work and free enterprise. Jessica will work hard to cut taxes, not raise them or shift them.  She will work hard to cut spending.  She knows that Mainers need jobs and careers, and a business friendly climate.  We urge you to vote for Jessica on Nov. 4. 

Tim Thompson

Third-party negative ads have tainted Allen’s bid

Editor:

  Eighteen months ago, in February of 2007, third-party special interest groups supportive of Tom Allen ran a negative ad against Collins during the Super Bowl. Where was Tom Allen back then to denounce negative third-party advertising?  Fifteen months later, in May of this year, after nine similar negative third -party ads (against Collins) by out-of state special interest groups (supportive of Allen), which cost more than $1 million,  Allen held a press conference asking third party groups to stay positive. Even then, Allen did not specifically denounce the ads, which had been running against Collins for more than a year.  Allen’s plea was too little too late and it was, in my view, disingenuous.   

   Third party negative advertising in support of Tom Allen’s bid for U.S. Senate has set a new low for campaigns in Maine which start too early, last too long and cost too much.     

   Susan Collins has been a tireless advocate for Maine families, veterans, and seniors.  She has served with distinction and put Maine people first during her twelve years in the U.S. Senate.  She is a champion of small business, the backbone of Maine’s economy and she has passed numerous laws, which make our country safer and stronger. She deserves to be re-elected and she has my vote.

Barbara E. Struzziero

Cape Elizabeth

Larry Bliss can lead community

Editor:

   I am writing this letter in support of Larry Bliss, as a candidate for candidacy in Senate District No. 7 covering part of Scarborough, all of South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. I have known Larry Bliss for more than 10 years. He has lived nearly 20 years in this current Senate District so he knows the issues that are important to the residents of Senate District 7.  Larry has a mix of public and private work experience that will continue to serve him well in Augusta. During his eight years in the legislature he has worked with small businesses on environmental issues and on consumer protection and energy issues.  He is recognized by all of his peers as a leader and a voice of reason in Augusta which is not always an easy thing to find  in the legislature.  He has a keen sense of how to work with Republicans and Democrats in order to build a consensus on important issues for his District and the State of Maine.  I know that Larry Bliss will continue to serve with integrity, honor, and a tireless work ethic that will benefit all the residents of his section of Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth.  I strongly encourage you to join me in voting for Larry Bliss on Nov. 4.  

Neil D. Jamieson, Jr.

Scarborough

Chair, Scarborough Democratic Committee

Vote Mary Townsend for Cape Elizabeth School Board

Editor:

    We strongly endorse Mary Townsend for election to the school board.  It’s clear the school board and our community will face a difficult challenge navigating through the current economic downturn. Mary Townsend has experience in developing educational programs in a constrained budget environment. As members of St. Alban’s vestry, we were fortunate to witness and support Mary in developing a youth education program for middle school age children. Mary reached out to parents and built consensus around the priorities of the educational program. She communicated the need to be open minded and consider various approaches to how best reach and teach our children. Acknowledging the funding constraints most non-for-profits face, Mary marshaled and maximized all available resources to create a thriving, growing educational program. 

    Cape’s residents may differ on the appropriate size of the school budget. However, we can all agree that we need a board member who thinks creatively, builds consensus and brings experience, perspective, and energy to the process. Mary will embrace the challenges created by these economic headwinds never losing sight of the long-term importance of our children’s education to the vitality and financial well being of our community. Mary is the right person at the right time. 

Michael Moore

Frank Governali

Cape Elizabeth

It’s a critical time for Kevin Glynn to be elected

Editor:
   I served eight years with Kevin Glynn in the Maine Legislature, two years with him on the Banking and Insurance Committee and another two seated near him on the floor of the House.

   In the spectrum of Republican politics, Kevin is to the right of me on many issues; but what distinguishes Kevin is his willingness to dig in, do his homework and come to creative compromises.

   He was a key figure in creating the governor’s Dirigo insurance law. He authored many of the provisions that led to substantial Republican support for the original legislation.  Since the shortcomings of the program have become so apparent, he is now a constructive critic and is one among many of us who feel that Dirigo must either be dramatically reformed or scrapped as a failed experiment.

   Kevin is a smart legislator and an expert on banking and insurance issues. He is also a powerful advocate for his hometown of South Portland.

   He has just completed his two-year sabbatical made necessary by term limits. Returning him to the Legislature at this troubled time would be a great service to his district and to the state of Maine. 

State Senator Peter Mills

Cornville

Morrison works hard for SoPo

Editor:

   I am writing in support of Terry Morrison’s candidacy for State Representative in South Portland, District 122.  Terry managed my city council race, and he was a dedicated, tireless worker.  He knocked on many doors in this city on my behalf, and he would always tell me the concerns and thoughts of the people he met.  As your state representative he would continue to listen to your concerns, and he would be a great advocate for us and our district.  His enthusiasm and hard work make him the obvious choice for District 122 State Representative.

Anton Hoecker

South Portland

Collins works hard for Maine

Editor:

   For 12 years Susan Collins has applied the common sense Maine values of hard work and integrity, serving Maine people in the U.S. Senate. Senator Collins is an independent Republican in the tradition of Margaret Chase Smith and Bill Cohen. She is strong on national security, pro business and a tireless worker for our state and our country. In her 12 years she has never missed a single roll call vote. 

    In times of crisis Senator Collins has reached across party lines to achieve solutions to serious problems facing our state and nation. She had a major role in reshaping and reforming FEMA. As chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Senator Collins chaired more than 25 oversight hearings, questioning federal, state, and local government officials, Republicans and Democrats, about their flawed response to this terrible storm. The purpose of her hearings was not partisanship or to embarrass public officials, but getting to the root of the problem and fix it.  That’s the way government is supposed to work. 

Jim Hewes

Cape Elizabeth

Now is not the time to raise taxes in the state

Editor:

   My late husband and I tried to do everything right.  We worked hard and both retired from state government.  We paid our mortgage and now own our home free and clear.  But I am very close to having to sell the house and move to another state so I can afford to live.  The reason is taxes that go up every year, especially property taxes.  So many of my friends have had to sell their homes in South Portland and have moved away because of taxes.  I do not want a handout, but it does seem older people are being punished for owning a home for a long time.  The people I vote for are never able to control spending, and just keep imposing new taxes.

   I watched the South Portland candidate forum last week and Brian Durham was the only candidate who looked into the camera and committed himself to not raising taxes.  Now is not the time to raise taxes, we are all hurting.  I am a lifelong democrat and am going to vote for Brian Durham.

Mary Foley

South Portland 

Larry Bliss – putting people first

Editor:

    I am writing this letter to ask you all to join me in supporting Larry Bliss in his candidacy for the Maine State Senate.  Larry has given tirelessly on a personal and professional basis to positively impact his community, district and state for over 20 years.  Larry has fought to ensure that all his constituents have a voice in Augusta.  Larry has been the benchmark of environmental advocacy in Augusta.  From co-sponsoring legislation that protected and improved our lake water quality to leading the fight for passage of the RGGI greenhouse gas initiative, Larry has and will continue to put our environment first.  Larry fought for state educational aid, tax reform and health care reform that has and will continue to benefit the people of District seven and the state of Maine.  Larry is a man of great integrity, character and stature who will put the people of District seven first.  Please join me in supporting and voting for Larry Bliss for State Senate on Tuesday, Nov. 4.  

John Jamieson

South Portland 

Terry Morrison will ‘serve city well’

Editor:

    I met Terry shortly after I moved to Knightville three years ago.  We were members of the neighborhood asssociation. In addition, we have both served on the South Portland Democratic City Committee and the Cumberland County Committee. I mention this because I have seen him, first-hand, organize  county picnics as well as city events.   He is able to handle the logistics and stay calm when things take an unexpected turn, as they so often do in life, especially handling events.  He worked tirelessly on these events — the first to arrive to set up and the last to leave to ensure the venue was left as it was when we arrived. Terry is an intelligent, energetic, well organized individual who is dedicated to South Portland and well serve our city well in Augusta. He knows how to get results, and this is the person we need to strengthen our city and state. His experience in the business world has brought a very real understanding of the economic situation we have here in Maine, and the fact we need to develop a healthier, friendlier climate for businesses to grow and create jobs. He has my vote, and I trust he has yours. 

Judith Clough

South Portland

Cape fortunate to have Townsend 

Editor:

    For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of knowing Mary Townsend — I am honored to be able to weigh in on what makes her such a supremely qualified candidate and incredible citizen.

   Though I now call her a friend I met her in her role as activist. I was immediately drawn to her particular set of values and her quiet competence. Her presence can almost immediately add calm and sensibility to a room. This quality ought not be confused with weakness. Mary Townsend is a dogged worker, with the strength of conviction, focus and organization.

    I have first hand knowledge of her wide and deep skill set. In managing my 2004 State Senate campaign, she was responsible for the plan, budget, schedule, mobilizing and motivating volunteers, reacting to crises, designing and disseminating materials, coordinating with disparate organizations and individuals all while keeping the task at hand front and center.

   Mary did these tasks, and more, with competence and grace. She is brilliant, warm, funny, focused, hard working — and perhaps most of all — one of the handful of people I know who is genuinely respectful of difference. We all say it; most of us mean it, but few of us can pull it off.

   If you elect Mary Townsend to the school board you will be proud of her work when you agree with her and even more proud, for the model she sets, when you don’t. 

Sen. Lynn Bromley

South Portland

Thank you for your support

Editor:

   I would like to thank those in the community who have taken the time to express their views regarding the High School Renovation Project, Middle School Consolidation, and future redistricting of our elementary school. It is clear to me that the majority of you believe:

1. The High School Renovation project needs to be based on “needs,” not “wants.” We should also demand equal consideration from the State of Maine in terms of providing funding for any work we do there. 

2.  Middle School consolidation means throwing away two more buildings. How can we be  talking about renovating the Armory and discarding Mahoney and Memorial schools?

3. Redistricting should never happen again. Neighboring communities pledge that if you start in school X, you finish in school X. South Portland should make that same pledge.

   If elected I’ll do my best to bring this perspective to the school board. While I have disagreed quite strongly with actions the school board has taken I recognize that they are volunteers and clearly have been doing what they thought best. Whether I am elected or not I will be available, if asked, to help them if they believe my perspective has value.

    For more information on my candidacy go to www.jaytallen.com.