Letters

Published
September 19, 2014

Letter to the editor: Roosters can be annoying, but there are ways to cope

I read in the Local & State section that the early birds crowing in Cape Elizabeth could lead to a rooster ban there (“Rooster causes uproar in Cape Elizabeth neighborhood,” Sept. 8). I went through the very same problem last year. A rooster was crowing all the time. He was 4½ months old, too. He’s […]
Published
September 19, 2014

Letter to the editor: Candidate Michaud puts emphasis on clean energy, less pollution

It is uplifting to hear a gubernatorial candidate speak about his commitment to protect Maine’s environment. At the Sept. 5 annual meeting of Sierra Club Maine, I heard U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud speak about the excellent performance of a model wind turbine that recently completed its first year of testing off Castine. Rep. Michaud is […]
Published
September 19, 2014

Letter to the editor: Get involved and help shed light on money in Maine elections

I spent a recent Saturday morning (Art Walk Saturday, Portland) collecting signatures for Maine Citizens for Clean Elections. This campaign is aiming to collect around 70,000 signatures, which would enable the Clean Elections Initiative to be on the ballot in fall 2015. If passed, it would strengthen the Clean Election legislation we’ve had since 1995. […]
Published
September 19, 2014

Letter to the editor: Candidates in two other states do right thing in three-way races like Maine’s

Just as in Maine, the states of Alaska and Kansas had close three-way elections coming up. Unlike Maine, these states weighed their options and found solutions that work to their benefit. In Alaska, the unpopular Republican governor was campaigning against an independent and a Democrat. The Democrat is now running on the independent’s ticket as […]
Published
September 18, 2014

Letter to the editor: Baiting an ineffective way to limit bear population

Numerous studies clearly demonstrate that bears’ biology is regulated by food availability. With plenty of food comes early maturation of females, more cubs per litter and higher cub survival rates. Hence, baiting, which the Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Department touts as a means to limit the bear population, has the exact opposite effect. Bait piles […]

Published
September 18, 2014

Letter to the editor: War the least effective path to peace

As Americans, we are alarmed and repulsed by the aggression and brutality displayed by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria; certainly, a response by the U.S. government is called for. However, the approach outlined in the president’s speech Sept. 10, while understandable, is likely to lead to protracted, painful and ineffective consequences. We need not […]
Published
September 18, 2014

Letter to the editor: Hope Elephants praised for work with Rosie, Opal

The tragic death of Dr. Jim Laurita, founder of Hope Elephants, is heartbreaking. My interest in elephants was spurred this summer during a trip to Thailand on a program with Loop Abroad, where I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Elephant Nature Park, a world-renowned sanctuary. I learned about these sentient creatures, as well […]
Published
September 18, 2014

Letter to the editor: Congregation Bet Ha’Am supports help for asylum seekers

The board of directors of Reform Jewish Congregation Bet Ha’Am in South Portland has taken a stand on the ongoing controversy over whether asylum seekers in Maine will receive General Assistance benefits. We strongly oppose state actions to terminate those benefits, and we strongly support the actions of Portland, South Portland and other Maine communities […]
Published
September 18, 2014

Letter to the editor: LePage could find waste by looking at what he spent on welfare report

Does it strike anyone else as ironic that the $1 million that the supporters of Gov. LePage accuse Democrat Mike Michaud of wasting on immigrants is almost the same as the amount LePage awarded the Alexander Group in a no-bid contract for a report on how to reform Maine’s welfare system? Then, when the “report” […]
Published
September 17, 2014

Letter to the editor: Starting school later poses safety risk at end of the day

I agree with letter writer Kathryn Pluto (“Stop making excuses for sleepy students,” Sept. 4) regarding changing school hours to start later in the morning. This would not be a good idea. Do we want our children traveling over icy roads (which we do have in winter months) in the 5 p.m. traffic, which can […]

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Letters