Friday, October 28, 2016

Dear Editor - From Kate Wallace, Yarmouth



Dear Editor,

I would like to voice my support for Rachel Lyn Rumson for Maine House District 67. Rachel Lyn is honest, charismatic, and incredibly hard-working. She has proven herself to be an excellent community organizer and a strong voice for the people. 

Rachel Lyn Rumson's background in facilitation and group process makes her uniquely qualified to bring people together with widely differing views. We need more voices like Rachel Lyn's in the Maine Legislature. Vote Rumson on November 8.

Kate Wallace
Yarmouth

Dear Editor - From Fred Collins, Portland



Dear Editor,

Dear Windham Eagle readers. The following story is about a carpenter, but it could be a story of many walks of life, never the less it is an eye opener.

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife and family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.  The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he would build one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. 

It was an unfortunate way to end his career. When the carpenter finished his work, and the builder came to inspect the house, his employer handed the front door key to the carpenter. 

“This is your house,” he said. “My gift to you for the many years of faithful service!”

What a shock! What a shame! If he had known he was building his own house, he would have done it so differently. Now he had to live in the house he had built none too well.

So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up with less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we find that we are now living in the house we built. If we had realized that we would have done it differently. 

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or make a wall, build wisely. It is the only life you will build. Even if you live it for only one more day, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. Your life today is the result of your choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of the choice you make today.

Submitted by,
Fred Collins
Portland

Dear Editor - From Louise Lester, Raymond



Dear Editor,

We have certainly been flooded with rhetoric from our candidates. Maybe I’m just not remembering past elections, especially presidential, but it seems this year and a half has been a preponderance of fast shot advertising and of course the debates. Some candidates have made themselves available to the public to discuss issues which is wonderful. I believe that conversation and information are critical to our political issues and thank all our candidates for trying to give us what we need in order to make an educated decision at the polls.

One candidate, Mike McClellan Republican from Raymond and running for the Legislative seat from District 66, is one person who strives to keep his constituents informed and has been for his years in the legislature. He is available and ready to give information and knowledge to anyone who calls on him. His weekly blog by email has been a great source of information to me and many others as well as his desire to answer people’s questions by phone, email, US mail or in person can’t be understated. I hope that concerned voters will exercise their duty to vote on November 8th and send Mike back to Augusta for another term. He is there to help us and the State of Maine.

Louise Lester
Raymond

Dear Editor - From Ann-Marie Grenier, Raymond



Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my support for Sue Austin for State Representative.
 
I have known Sue Austin for many years. Sue has continually proven herself to be highly approachable, fair minded, engaging, hardworking, pragmatic and honest.
 
On my trips into The Maine Statehouse, I have witnessed Sue in action, working tirelessly for the citizens of Maine, and especially the citizens of the district in which she represents. 

Sue is one of a handful of legislators who has a 100 percent attendance record. She has not missed one vote; that's right-Sue has not missed one single day of work!
 
Sue Austin is a valuable resource for Maine; her dedication is top notch. I ask you to join me in supporting Sue Austin for State Representative. 
 
Thank you,

Sincerely
Ann-Marie Grenier
https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gifhttp://sueaustin.org/

Dear Editor - From Diana Froisland, RSU14 vice chair



Dear Editor,

I will be supporting Mike McClellan for re-election as our representative for House Seat 66. I have known Mike during my time serving on the school board for RSU 14, and also as a neighbor. One of Mike's roles in Augusta has been to serve on the Education & Cultural Affairs committee. Mike created a weekly email blog that he sends to educators, administrators, and school board representatives in his district to keep us informed about the house schedule, bills concerning education, or other information that impacts us.  

I am impressed with Mike's genuine attitude of service. He is always seeking feedback or ways in which he can be of help and responds quickly to any questions or concerns. Mike has also served as a school board representative in Raymond, prior to consolidation, so I feel confident that he understands the difficult decisions we regularly face. He also volunteered in the Raymond schools and was instrumental in the construction of the Raymond Elementary School. 

Like many of us, Mike loves his community and has been very active in coaching sports, volunteering for committees and helping in the schools. He is a strong advocate for children and that is why I hope you will join me in supporting Mike McClellan for reelection to Maine House 66!

Sincerely,
Diana Froisland
RSU14 Vice Chair

Dear Editor - From Jessica Fay, candidate



Dear Editor,

It is a tense time in politics. Both my opponent and I have had signs removed without our permission and some have been vandalized. This is unacceptable behavior and I would urge everyone to remember that we are all neighbors. We can certainly disagree on issues in a substantive way, but taking or vandalizing campaign materials does not help our dialog, and it is illegal.

What else has no place in the race for House District 66, or any other race, are negative campaign tactics from outside groups.  I believe that money in politics has caused many of the problems we see in this year’s national elections. I cannot take campaign funds from corporations or PACs. My campaign cannot coordinate with any special interest group or PAC.  I would be disappointed if anyone thought that negative campaigning had a place here in Casco, Raymond and Poland.  

If I haven’t stopped by your house yet to talk about your concerns and how you would like to be represented, I encourage you to get in touch! You can reach me at jess4maine@gmail.com. I’ll be out in the district knocking on doors until Election Day, I hope we have a chance to chat.

Jessica Fay
Raymond
Candidate for Maine Legislature
House District 66
Parts of Casco, Raymond and Poland