Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

With the support of family, friends, and neighbors, I am pleased to announce that I am a candidate for the Maine House, District 25 which is the western half of Windham. Public service has always been part of who I am and was how I was raised. I am committed to representing the whole community - regardless of political party - because everyone deserves to have their voices heard.  

I taught high school mathematics for 31 years; 27 of those years here in Windham. I always encouraged my students to reach their full potential. I believe it is crucial to invest in education. All students in Maine need opportunities to be successful and have role models both in and out of the classroom. Excellent Pre-K through post-secondary education, no matter what zip code, is how Maine will keep and attract younger people. Augusta needs to live up to the will of the voters and fully fund education at the 55 percent level.

Also, I am deeply committed to finding strategies to help Windham residents age in place, especially since becoming a caregiver myself. I retired from teaching full time four years ago to care for my mother who had a stroke. She has lived with us for many years but is no longer able to accomplish many everyday tasks. I was fortunate to be able to retire and help her, knowing many others are not able to do that. Maine is among the states with the oldest median age in the country so these situations are going to be even more common.

I have volunteered in many capacities with the Boy Scouts, Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church, the Down East Ski Club, the Windham Recreation Department Advisory Committee, Windham Schools and Windham Athletics. 

My primary goals in the House are education, aging in place, and a balanced approach to budgeting. For more information on my campaign, visit my Facebook page: Jennie Butler for Maine House District 25. My website: jenniebutlerwindham.com is under construction.

Jennie Butler

Windham

Dear Editor,

They [Windham High School students] were focused deliberate in thought and totally involved, as they eagerly expressed their ideas about instituting long-term school safety policies in the Windham Raymond School System. 

We, as the Windham and Raymond Legislative Delegation requested a “listening” session with a group of Windham High School seniors [in Kelly Anne Rush’s class], in the hopes of learning from them - new ideas and specific steps that could be taken to improve school safety both locally and possibly across the state.

State Representatives Mark Bryant, Patrick Corey, Jessica Fay and Sue Austin, and myself, sat with the students for nearly an hour for the sole purpose of learning from them . . . and we did, far beyond our expectations.  

We heard well thought out, practical ideas that should be considered and, if deemed appropriate by staff and school administration, implemented as significant safety improvements in schools throughout RSU 14.

Listening to these impressive seniors who are about to end their high school careers and move on to the next step in their lives, was an inspiration to say the very least. Their sincerity and true caring for the school system and for their fellow students was striking.  

Above all else we, as legislators, came away from this session with a renewed spirit and confidence in the future of this next generation of leaders. I only wish their parents and grandparents and the community could have witnessed the commitment, dedication and insight demonstrated by these amazing students.

They made me and the entire delegation very proud . . . and they would make you proud too!  

Senator Bill Diamond