Letters

Published
October 12, 2014

Letter to the editor: Hyperbole and emotion contrast with facts in bear-baiting debate

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife determined that about 25 percent of bear hunters were successful. These figures indicate that even with bait, successfully harvesting a bear is a very difficult endeavor. TV ads and letters to the editor claim that 7 million pounds of bait are placed in the woods each year to […]
Published
October 12, 2014

Letter to the editor: Fairs spoiled by cigarette smokers

Another fair season is over. My husband and I went to Windsor, Oxford and Cumberland. We had to leave all three of those fairs because of all the people who were smoking around us – not to mention our grandchildren. My husband and I both have COPD and cannot be around cigarette smoke. When you […]
Published
October 11, 2014

Letter to the editor: Baiting, trapping bears is killing for reasons of money

I’ve been a big-game hunter for over 40 years and have guided many successful hunts, with trophies to prove it. None were taken by baiting or traps. As an officer or member of several sportsmen’s groups, I know hundreds of sportsmen-hunters. None baited or caught animals with traps. This isn’t sportsmanship – it’s simply pleasure-killing […]
Published
October 11, 2014

Letter to the editor: Democrat Bonnie Titcomb-Lewis running in District 67 lauded for her leadership, record

In District 67 (parts of Raymond, Casco and Gray), it is obvious that the candidate who displays leadership and speaks up for her constituents is Democrat Bonnie Titcomb-Lewis. In today’s partisan atmosphere, Maine needs legislators who do more than show up to vote. Maine needs legislators who are engaged with all 185 of their colleagues […]
Published
October 11, 2014

Letter to the editor: Referendum on bonds for Falmouth library worthy of support

Falmouth voters will have the opportunity Nov. 4 to vote on a referendum authorizing the town to issue up to $2.81 million in bonds to pay for half the cost of expanding the library, with a tax impact of about $32 per year on a home assessed at $400,000. The library trustees are committed to […]

Published
October 11, 2014

Letter to the editor: Food stamp work requirement troubling

Alanna Durkin’s article “Big changes next month for Maine welfare recipients” (Sept. 30) reports that new rules requiring employment of 20 hours per week to receive food stamps begin in October. Garrett Martin’s column, “Maine Voices: LePage’s work requirements make no sense in Maine’s down economy” (Aug. 28), analyzes why this is a hardship for […]
Published
October 11, 2014

Letter to the editor: Why does Question 1 ban trapping and hounding along with bear baiting?

Question 1 supporters say putting bait in the woods is bad for the bears and hunting over bait should stop. So why are they trying to stop trapping and hounding, too? A good bear hound can smell where a bear crossed the road from the back of a moving truck – and you don’t need […]
Published
October 10, 2014

Letter to the editor: Sen. Collins cried out for ‘common sense’ but stood for shutdown

I agree with Democrat Shenna Bellows’ campaign that Sen. Susan Collins failed to lead in the government shutdown last year. Collins voted for the Republican bill that tied funding to cutting off health care. She knew it would lead to shutdown, and then she dashed to the center crying for “common sense.” This is typical. […]
Published
October 10, 2014

Letter to the editor: Sen. Tuttle supports Maine’s traditional businesses, supports saving bear hunting and management programs

I am writing to encourage all of you to re-elect Democratic state Sen. John L. Tuttle, candidate for District 33. All the candidates tell us that they support growth in jobs, but many do not understand how or what is involved in the economy of Maine. Maine has a strong tradition of hunting, an industry […]
Published
October 10, 2014

Letter to the editor: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife employees should not be silenced on Question 1’s bear-baiting ban

Maine’s equivalent of the federal Hatch Act (MRSA Sec. 7056-A) prevents government employees (like Inland Fisheries and Wildlife workers) from endorsing political candidates, but it doesn’t silence their opinions on referendums, like Question 1’s bear baiting ban. Where was the public and media outcry when government employees so vocally opposed the proposed TABOR tax cuts […]

Sign In:

Letters