Letters

Published
June 5, 2014

Letter to the editor: Vote ‘no’ to give Congress Square best chance to succeed

On June 10, Portland voters are being presented with an ill-conceived referendum that appears to be about protecting public parks, but in reality seeks to overturn the City Council’s decision to sell part of Congress Square Plaza for an event center. Portland’s Downtown District has supported this sale from the start. Yet we are advocates […]
Published
June 5, 2014

Letter to the editor: A ‘yes’ on park plan could lead to a better solution

My office is on the fourth floor of the State Theatre building on the High Street side. I overlook Congress Square. In two short months, the park has been transformed. It is clean. It feels safe. People come to the park to eat lunch at the Small Axe food truck. They sit or lounge on […]
Published
June 5, 2014

Letter to the editor: History will affirm a ‘no’ vote on park plan

In her May 29 Maine Voices column (“With park’s perpetual protection insecure, Portland voters should have final word”), former Mayor Anne Pringle wrote in support of the upcoming referendum that would make it more difficult for our elected leaders to sell or subdivide public space. Ms. Pringle cites two examples of the loss of public […]
Published
June 3, 2014

Letter to the editor: VA chief has positives in his legacy

The inexcusable delay in medical treatment at Veterans Affairs facilities and the accompanying bureaucratic deceptions were appropriate reasons for VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign. However, people should also remember that in other ways, he was an extraordinary champion for veterans. One episode in which I was involved illustrates why I have such respect for […]
Published
June 3, 2014

Letter to the editor: King is prepared to lead as York County sheriff

I am writing in support of the candidacy of William “Bill” King Jr. for York County sheriff. Bill’s professional career has prepared him for taking a leadership role in county law enforcement. He began his career as a Portland police officer, moved on to become assistant director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and was […]

Published
June 3, 2014

Letter to the editor: Vote no on Question 1 to invest in Congress Square

As Portland residents and business owners, we’re urging our neighbors to join us in voting “no” on Question 1 on June 10. While this referendum effort claims to be about protecting our parks – and who wouldn’t want to do that? – what it really does is undermine the approved plan for the revitalization of […]
Published
June 3, 2014

Letter to the editor: I-295 in Portland doesn’t ever need higher speed limit

I hope the new limit on Interstate 295 will never include the section skirting Portland. The exits in this section are very close to one another, and they are right on top of the entrances. Incoming vehicles pay no attention to the yield signs. It takes quite a bit of quick, nerve-wracking maneuvering to get […]
Published
June 3, 2014

Letter to the editor: Tuttle’s work makes him good Maine Senate choice

Looking ahead to the primary election June 10, we are supporting the re-nomination of John Tuttle for Maine Senate in District 3. One of the Democrats elected in the 2012 Democratic surge, he has proven to be a legislative leader with a strong voice on grass-roots issues. He has a 100 percent rating for supporting […]
Published
June 3, 2014

Letter to the editor: Portland’s parks matter for a multitude of reasons

I am pro-parks because I am pro-business. Parks make money for cities – long-term money from new residents and tourists, not short-term money from single construction contract and low-paying service jobs. Portland’s boom – and all the jobs and tax revenue from building new housing – resulted from its unique appeal to transplants and tourists […]
Published
June 2, 2014

Letter to the editor: Cumberland County Sheriff Joyce merits re-election

Re: “PAC spends $100,000 to topple Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce” (May 31): I am a retired law enforcement officer of 30 years, having served in state, local and county law enforcement. I retired from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in 2005, having served briefly as commander of the Criminal Investigation Unit. I have worked […]

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Letters