An
important vote is coming up on March 3rd for all Mainers, one that could
jeopardize the health and lives of many innocent children, especially the
immunocompromised.
You
may have noticed the blue signs up and down our roadways proclaiming, “Yes on 1-
Reject Big Pharma”.
You
may be surprised to learn that these signs have nothing to do with Big Pharma.
They are an attempt on the part of some to retain archaic religious and
philosophical exemptions to childhood immunizations, which put all Mainers in
danger of contracting vaccine-preventable disease. This is particularly deadly
for children being treated for cancer or who otherwise have compromised immune
systems, as well as adults.
Voting
NO on Question 1 March 3rd will keep the vaccine law as it currently stands,
allowing medical exemptions only, and actually making them easier to obtain by
expanding the numbers of medical professionals allowed to write medical
exemptions. Vaccines represent only 3% of Big Pharma’s profit margin, meaning
it would reap a much greater profit from a mass epidemic than ensuring the
population stays healthy through vaccination.
Voting
NO does not mean children will be banned from school. The only change will be
parents who choose to opt out will be choosing to homeschool their children.
The time has come for immunocompromised children to no longer have to
jeopardize their lives to go to school because some parents choose not to
vaccinate their healthy children for philosophical or religious reasons. No
major religion opposes vaccination. Not vaccinating also endangers school staff
as well as the general public. Vaccines do not cause autism, and the incidences
of vaccine injury are miniscule.
Voting
NO will ensure a healthier Maine for all of us. Herd immunity in some parts of
Maine has dropped as low as 50% in some places. We have an ongoing pertussis
outbreak in Maine with one of the lowest immunization rates for pertussis in
the country. There is a direct correlation.
Voting
NO will keep us safe from vaccine-preventable diseases and their complications:
death, paralysis, blindness, deafness, meningitis, encephalitis and sterility,
to name a few. This is not about personal choice. This is about living in a
community where the choices we make affect those around us. Please join me in
voting NO on Question 1 March 3, NO to measles, NO to polio, NO to
vaccine-preventable disease.
Janis
B. Price
Windham,
ME
Dear
Editor
We
the citizens of Windham are very fortunate to have a highly dedicated crew that
comprises Windham’s Public Works Department. This is especially true regarding
the extraordinary individuals in the Highway Division who keep our roads secure
and passable through all types of weather conditions. Led by supervisor, Mike Constantine, this
tireless team of professionals often times work around the clock during the
winter months fighting snow, ice and cold temperatures to keep our roads safe
for passage.
Since my days as a former member of the
Windham Rescue Unit I have kept a scanner in my home allowing me to listen to
the radio conversations of the fire, police and public works personnel.
Listening to the exchanges among the public works crew as I work in my office
at night is not only revealing, but heartwarming. Their on-the-job
professionalism while dealing with all types of challenging weather, equipment
that often times needs emergency repairs and mostly their concern for each
other is impressive and compelling.
As
they perform their plowing, sanding and salting duties throughout their
individually assigned routes it’s not uncommon to hear offers of assistance to
each other as an unexpected emergency occurs. The unrelenting obligation to
their responsibilities and to each other never waivers regardless of the trying
conditions they face including working long hours without time to sleep.
Supervisor
Mike Constantine’s outstanding leadership is clearly what makes this team
function at such a high level. It’s a
team built on pride and loyalty to their profession and to protecting the
people who drive on our roads.
On
behalf of the Town of Windham I say “Thank You” for keeping our roads safe and
for the incredible stamina and determination you continually display day and
night. And when you’re on one of your
straight 36-hour shifts plowing and sanding those dangerous roads know that we
appreciate all you do even though we don’t say it enough. We’re proud of you.
Senator
Bill Diamond
10
Crown Point, Windham, Me.
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