Cluchey for State Rep.
Today when I got home and pulled my mail out of the box, I immediately took note of a large campaign flyer among the envelopes. Automatic eye roll. I hate the big glossy flyers, as do most of us.Before I tossed it in the recycling bin, I noticed it had my neighbor’s name all over it, with all sorts of laughably inaccurate slander and ridiculous lies about her. My neighbor, Sally Cluchey, is running for State Representative in my district.I live in the dinky but excellent town of Bowdoinham, so seeing such a big, glossy, negative PAC-funded mailer typically used in gubernatorial and presidential races with my neighbor’s name on it was surprising and odd.I won’t list all the foolishly conjured up absurdities (according to the flyer, Sally, who helped coordinate our town Chicken Run 5k and has been my neighbor and a steadfast food bank volunteer for years, is a “DC Elite”! Seriously?! I can’t WAIT to poke fun at her for being a “DC Elite” the next time I see her! I hadn’t realized Bowdoinham was a destination location for DC Elites!), but it begged the question, who on earth would conjure up such ridiculous, even hurtful nonsense?The flyer was sponsored by an organization called “The Dinner Table,” which is clearly not an organization with much of a conscience or knowledge of the candidates they slander. For the record, my neighbor, Sally Cluchey, is beloved in this town. She is one of the most passionate and compassionate, kind-hearted and caring individuals I know. I am certain she will represent the people of Bowdoinham and Richmond and Bowdoin with integrity and the honest concern of, we’ll, a sincere and caring neighbor.And as for the idiotic waste of paper that landed in my recycling bin this evening, I’d say it’s evidence that she is winning. Because why else would the political crazies resort to such embarrassing tactics? Mainers hate that kind of foolish propaganda. We see right through it. It’s insulting — not just to the candidate, but to voters also. We’re smart enough to know better.I’ll definitely be voting for Sally Cluchey for State Representative on Nov. 8!
James Gale,
Bowdoinham
Re-elect Mattie Daughtry
I have known Mattie Daughtry for her entire life. One of the many benefits of choosing to raise your family in the small town in which you were raised is that you come to know there are people in your community you can truly trust. This is how I feel about Mattie. I know that I can trust her to fight for excellence in our schools and to fight for childcare and paid family medical leave. She made sure our kids have guaranteed access to food in schools no matter how much money their families have. As a nurse, I have come to her to encourage her to fight for lower patient out of pocket costs for life saving medications such as Insulin. She was also part of the majority that guaranteed dental coverage under Maine Care. I have found that she has taken on these fights, even before I presented them to her, and has been a fierce advocate for patients. She’s out there fighting for the things we all need to build a better life, and we should reelect her so she can keep up that fight. On November 8th, please vote for Mattie Daughtry, as she continues to lead the way towards a brighter future.
Jamie Bullock,
Brunswick
Off-the-wall flyer
I’m writing about a nasty political flyer we recently received in our district from a group calling itself “The Dinner Table.”I have lived in this town for 33 years, and let me tell you, the sorts of smears and falsehoods in that flyer haven’t been welcome at any dinner table I’ve ever sat at.As a longstanding Bowdoinham Food Pantry volunteer, I happen to know Sally Cluchey, who leads that organization with energy and intelligence. Whoever wrote that flyer attacking her has clearly never met her.I’d suggest The Dinner Table wash their dirty dishes and stop with the gutter politics. That’s not how neighbors treat each other in this community.
William Hamilton,
Bowdoin
Arford for House District 101
I encourage votes for Rep. Poppy Arford for House District 101 in Brunswick.
Poppy goes above and beyond in listening to her constituents and attempts to resolve issues that arise. She is one of the most accessible state leaders I have ever met.
I talked with her about an issue my youngest sister was having with a utility bill/deposit. Several avenues were pursued to resolve this and did not bring resolution. Poppy suggested another approach and it worked!
I am thankful to have Rep. Arford represent my town. She truly cares about the lives of the people of Brunswick and all of Maine.Lynn Ellis,Brunswick
Mere Point moratorium a welcome step
I recently heard of the moratorium on the Mere Point development project as described in The Times Record (Oct. 19, 2022). The moratorium was a wise choice and hopefully will lead to severely restricted development in the Mere Point/Rossmore parcel.Everyone in Brunswick should know that the Mere Point parcel was recently purchased in July 2022 by the Presidium group out of Austin, Texas. The same company also owns and operates Brunswick Landing Venture with properties including Mariners Landing and Woodlands Village.For many reasons, it is incredibly unwise to allow Presidium to build another 800-900 units, as quoted in the article, at the Mere Point parcel.
First, we are allowing an out of state group from Texas to build and destroy that area and then reap all the profits. Why would an enormous corporate company worth $2.5 billion based 2,300 miles away possibly care about the effects it’s developments might have on the local Maine ecosystem and its citizens? In addition, it would destroy a 283-acre buffering forest while leaving the people of Brunswick with eventually a dead bay.Second, Presidium alone operates 400 units and was planning to build 200 more by their own admission in the July 6, 2017 Times Record. Now, that is not enough for them.Third, the power grid (Section 31) feeding that area is already considered high risk per CMPs website with no estimate on when, or if, it will be fixed.Fourth, Presidium/Brunswick Landing Venture has proven to be less than truthful to pre-existing residents of the Brunswick Landing area and should not be trusted based on that behavior.Fifth, a topographical map clearly shows the giant “funnel” into the bay that is the Mere Point parcel. This parcel was classified in 2014 as an open space in the Harbor Management Plan and small portions are included in the 100-year flood area.I realize this will not end well because developers with big money on their side always win, but the Town of Brunswick should truly be ashamed of themselves if the Mere Point development is allowed to proceed.
Chris Norman,
Brunswick
Vote Becky Jauch
• If you believe that every child has the right to receive an excellent education at a great public school – she is endorsed by the Maine Education Association.
• If you believe that people should be provided with medically accurate education that advances the understanding of human sexuality, healthy relationships, and body autonomy – she is endorsed by Planned Parenthood.
• If you believe in candidates who will be strong advocates for our environment, communities, democracy, and climate future – she is endorsed by Maine Conservation Voters.
• If you believe in the practice and promotion of the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources – she is endorsed by Sierra Club.
• If you believe in evidence-based public policy and that immunizations promote healthier kids and communities – she is endorsed by Maine Families for Vaccines.
• If you believe that all people have a right to safe food and drinking water, healthy homes, and products that are toxic-free and climate-friendly – she is endorsed by Defend Our Health.
• If you believe in full equality for all Maine people regardless of their gender or sexual orientation – she is endorsed by EqualityMaine.
• If you believe in the goal of “A better life for working people” – she is endorsed by the AFL-CIO.
• If you believe in supporting front-line workers who “genuinely want to make a difference at work by helping Maine people” – she is endorsed by MSEA-SEIU.
We believe in Becky Jauch!
Jim and Leslie Byrne,Topsham
Lying mailers
Everyone is talking about all the lies that are being spread through PAC mailings and TV ads. Apparently, you can say anything — it doesn’t have to be true.Especially now, it’s important to gather “factual information” from each party directly as to what they plan to do if elected. The party platforms provide those facts and we should pay attention to what they say. To my mind, the Maine Republican party platform for 2022 and beyond is particularly bleak.Republicans are anti-choice. Roe v. Wade was settled law for almost 50 years and favored by a majority of Americans. Yet we saw it destroyed in June. Nothing would prevent the same thing from happening here in Maine and they plan to do it (despite individual Republican claims).Republicans are anti-LGBTQ and plan to severely limit what support schools can provide students — even though giving students a supportive space as they navigate natural issues of gender and sexuality is critical in avoiding mental health crises and youth suicide. Each child is different and family situations are different. But taking resources away from students only isolates them further.Republicans are against death with dignity and want to eliminate that right, too.The list goes on. Here’s a link to the platform: mainegop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-Maine-GOP-Platform.pdfIf the Republicans take control of the Maine State House or Senate, it won’t matter what any individual Republican candidate says they’d do. Their platform is established — and that’s what they plan to do. Please keep that in mind when you go to the polls.The Democratic platform can be found here: mainedems.org/sites/default/files/documents/MDP%202022%20PLATFORM.pdfI strongly urge you to vote for Democrats Cheryl Golek for the House and Mattie Daughtry for the Senate this November. Not only are they smart and strong advocates, but they will also work for the good of everyone in this district — and that matters.
LeAnne Grillo,
Harpswell
Re-elect Arford
Rep. Poppy Arford has my wholehearted support for re-election. Having become active in advocating for adults with disabilities, I have often reached out to many legislators and have always received a personal phone call from Poppy to follow up on my concerns, while hearing nothing back from other legislators. Poppy works tirelessly to understand the issues facing her constituents, and doggedly pursues answers to inform her of the best policy going forward. She advocates for Maine and her people with an eye to the future, working on affordable healthcare, clean energy, and fair taxation. Please join me in sending Poppy back to the Legislature to continue her important work.
Kathy Rickards,
Brunswick
Cheryl Golek: Constituent advocate
I’ve no doubt House District 99 candidate Cheryl Golek will know where and how to kick the system for her constituents needing help. She’s a listener, a mechanic, a business owner, a mother of four who has had to deal with state and local government systems as an advocate for herself, her children, her business and her community. I believe this because I’ve seen her do all this over the past 20 years. On a granular level: There isn’t any system, mechanical, computer, corporate or governmental she can’t and hasn’t navigated. Remarkable! Vote Golek.
Karin Blake,
Harpswell
Write-in Favreau for Brunswick Council
I urge the Voters in Brunswick’s District 6 to write-in on their municipal ballot the name of Nicholas D. Favreau for Town Councilor. He will make a fine councilor and will give voice to a hitherto unrepresented portion of Brunswickians, the young adults who are struggling to make their home here.
Public service is a strong tradition in Nick’s family. His great-grandfather, Dr. Dionne, served this community for decades and his randmother, Anne Favreau, served many years on the C=council back in the 1980s. Nick is already following in their footsteps. Please write-in the name Nicholas D. Favreau for a fresh perspective on the council.
Hallie Daughtry,
Brunswick
Breen for House District 98
When I vote, I need to know I will be electing a representative who cares. Orion Breen shows up for all of us. Breen answered questions at both the Lewiston Auburn Chamber of Commerce and the Unitarian Universalist Church candidate forums, the other candidate for House District 98 didn’t.
Breen talked about the needs of our local businesses and families when it comes to things like housing and childcare. The other candidate hasn’t said what he believes in or why he is running, or what he would do if he won. I’ve seen ads put out by political groups, but I haven’t seen hide nor hair of Breen’s opponent.
Orion Breen answers my questions when I call and email him. I can’t even find a website for, or contact info on social media, for the other candidate. Orion Breen shows up for the people of Durham, Pownal, Lisbon, Topsham and Bowdoin proving to me that he wants to represent us in the state legislature.
Lois Kilby-Chesley,
Durham
Re-elect Arford
As a former small business owner in the construction industry and current adjunct instructor of workforce training in the Community College System, I have met with Rep. Arford several times to discuss the need for Workforce Training in the State of Maine. As a result of those discussions Rep. Arford clearly supports the need for workforce training and a Comprehensive Career and Technical Education System in Maine. Please support the re-election of Poppy Arford as your State Representative in House District 101.
Ashley Richards,
Brunswick
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