Letters to the Editor
Praise for York Hospital
Dear Independent,My wife and I recently delivered our first child at York Hospital. We chose to deliver there after hearing many positive birth stories from friends and relatives. As it turns out, we are extremely glad we made that choice.
My wife's labor and delivery were challenging, and involved some unusual medical situations. Throughout the entire process the doctors, nurses and support staff were consistently attentive, competent and very importantly, caring. We felt like we were treated with respect and dignity, as people rather than as patients. When some medical intervention was necessary, the staff took the time to patiently explain what was happening, and to make sure we were okay with moving forward. Also very importantly, they were not afraid to be themselves with us, making us feel more like we were in the hands of family rather than strangers.
We are indeed blessed to have such a wonderful institution in our community, and I encourage all who are reading this to support the good works of the birthing unit and the hospital in general in what ever way you can.
David Cohen
York
Bowman for Maine Senate
Dear Independent,I wish I lived in southern Maine.
Don't get me wrong - I love New Hampshire. But I so wish I could vote for Peter Bowman for the Maine Senate. Short of selling up and moving over the border before Nov. 7, I can only do second best - share the many reasons why he'd have my vote if I were a Maine resident.
We've known Peter as a friend since his days as base commander at the shipyard and through his tenure as president of the board of trustees of the Music Hall in Portsmouth. Peter Bowman is a determined and highly principled man. His idealism is based on an innate common sense, a wealth of life experience in both the private and public sector and a proven ability to roll up his sleeves in pursuit of the common good.
Peter has a firm grasp of the issues facing the state of Maine, and he is preeminently qualified to address issues concerning the shipyard and business. I am deeply impressed by the sincerely of his door-to-door campaign as he seeks to meet, listen to and represent his fellow citizens of Maine's 1st District.
Seacoast New Hampshire may just lie across the river, but decisions made in Maine affect us all. I could feel far more confident about our neighbor to the north if I knew Peter was representing southern Maine in Augusta.
Nancy Grossman
Portsmouth, N.H.
Dawn Hill for District 149
Dear Independent,Let me tell you about Dawn Hill, who is running for state representative, District 149.
I first met Dawn in 1999 when I was working at Irving Oil in York. She was introduced to me by her husband Jim. We hit it off immediately and since our first meeting our relationship has grown through a mutual love and respect of dogs and people. You may know that Dawn is the owner of a small business called It's a Dog's World, the largest canine activity and training center in the Seacoast area.
With the help of quality canine trainers, Dawn created an entirely "positive training canine facility" where canines and their human companions learn to work as a team through positive reinforcement methods and strengthen their already special bond. I have witnessed how Dawn does the same in her everyday relationships; through her integrity and independent voice, she is a positive leader and team builder.
On a professional level, Dawn is a big supporter of small business and higher paying jobs in Maine. Monthly, she attends a board meeting at Maine Mutual Group, a growing and successful insurance company in Maine, where she has served as a director for over 15 years. Dawn is wise, fair and caring about the outcome of situations; always listening to both sides before making a decision.
On a personal level, Dawn is a great mentor. Someone I look up to.
I think Dawn would bring a deserved change to the district. A change with straightforward thinking that equals results for everyone - something we need in York, Ogunquit, Moody (Wells) and Kittery.
Residents of District 149, I ask that you strongly consider voting for Dawn Hill, state representative, on Nov. 7!
Renee Gordon
York
Drainage bill must be paid
Dear Independent,Years of willful negligence by various selectmen, the Planning Board and complicity by the Code Enforcement Office in facilitating irresponsible development in the town's flood zones have resulted in a $38 million flood remediation bill to be paid for by York taxpayers.
Despite a petition by abutters against a proposed new development that would cause further disruption of the flood zone, Code Enforcement Officer Tim DeCoteau insists on approving the development, thereby adding to the $38 million tab. He does this without any reference to his greater responsibility of not causing harm to the town or its residents and, apparently, without any hindrance from the town manager or the Board of Selectmen.
Why the taxpayers of York are not marching on Town Hall to demand DeCoteau's head is a mystery.
In the absence of any other proffered solution I would suggest the May 2007 Budget Referendum be limited to a single item prohibiting all new capital spending and capping all municipal budgets and salaries in York at 2006 levels until the $38 million-plus flood remediation bill is paid in full.
Paul Mann
Cape Neddick
Hats off to York Beach Fire
Dear Independent,We were visiting in York Beach on the weekend of Sept. 16 during the Maine State Federation of Fire Fighters. There were firemen from one end of the state to the other end. The parade on Saturday and the muster on Sunday were outstanding.
Hats off to the York Beach Fire Department and especially Capt. Mark Gay for making this event such a success.
Helen Vose
Machias
YBFD says thank-you
Dear Independent,On behalf of the York Beach Fire Department and the Maine State Federation of Fire Fighters, as chairman of the 43rd annual convention, I would like to thank the following. First of all, I want to thank the membership of the York Beach Fire Department, because without their support this would not have been possible. I would like to thank all the businesses that supported the program book by placing an ad in it. Next, I would like to thank the former town manager, Mark Green, and the current manager, Robert Yandow, the Board of Selectmen, the York Police Department and the chamber of commerce for their support to host this convention. Thank you to York High School Principal Robert Stevens for the use of the high school for many of our events. I would like to thank the food vendors that were there, York Village Fire Department, the Kettle Boys popcorn, Mark Nedeau from Kennebunk (pig roast), and Tre Regazze Café.
I would like to thank the York's Wild Kingdom for allowing us to use a portion of their property to have the Friday night social and the pig roast; Coastal Landscaping for the pallets for the bonfire. Thank you to Ray Pape for making arrangements to us to use the back section of the old Goodwin Buick building for antique storage and York Village Fire Department for help during the pig roast and the parade.
Thank you to Scott Eldredge for the use of one of his flatbed trucks for the reviewing stand for the parade and for the muster. Other thank-yous include Enterprise for a rental car for our guest speaker and The View Point for his room, Nathaniel Perham for his sound system at the parade and Starkey Ford for use of a convertible for the parade.
Many, many thanks to all the people that worked the registration and merchandise tables and thank you to all the members that helped make this convention a success. Thank you to Fire Chief Bridges' wife, Carol, and their daughters, Angela and Kim; my wife, Sue, and our daughters, Stephanie and Meredith; Gretchen and Mary-Anne from Town Hall; Lori from the Senior Center; Wendy Tapley, Jill Norton, Sally Woods, Becky Osgood, Josh Travers and Lauren Adams.
Thank you to the judges that sat on the reviewing stand during the parade, Robert Yandow, David Marshall, Dwight Bardwell and Richard Fillietaz.
I am not sure who put the order in for the fantastic weather we had, but thank you! I know I was praying.
Mark W. Gay
Captain, York Beach Fire Department
Convention Chairman
50 years ago in Germany
Dear Independent,Fifty years ago: our infantry regiment was in Germany fighting the Cold War. One Sunday morning all was quiet in the barracks. Across the street from our main gate stood a stucco gasthaus, the Care Blint. Thither I went to see what was stirring. I was a bachelor corporal in my 20s, and saying my prayers was not foremost in my mind.
At the Blint I found a buddy, Sergeant Straw. He was buying, which was fortunate since I had naught. Two or three beers later his girlfriend, Maria, showed up, a beautiful redhead. He deliberately ignored her. She bridled at this affront.
"What is the matter with you, Straw? No manners? Drunker than usual?"
He stared at her: "I usually like to wake up with my wallet."
Cold horror struck me: if Straw had no money, what were we drinking on? I sat still, a frozen wretch.
"Straw, Straw: Shy do I go out with you? You're so dense! Put your hand in your left inner-breast pocket. Go ahead! What do you find?"
Sheepishly, with a breaking smile, Straw drew from his jacket a black wallet, a wad of bills protruding.
"Maria, I'm sorry. When I woke up…"
"Yah, yah! What a dumb-bell!"
She stood up in disgust and ran from the café.
Now was my opportunity.
"Straw, you probably want to go right after her. Can I touch you for a wee bit before you rush off?"
His chagrin and confusion were so deep that at first he handed me the entire wallet, then changes his mind and took out half the bills and gave them to me.
"I don't need all this," I protested.
Grimly he left the Blint in search of his redhead. I resumed the festival. It was all a great shame, however, because about a month later, in a drunken rage, he cut her face badly with a broken beer bottle and then strangled her. The Army dealt with him harshly as it should have. As bleak as it sounds, it is probably just as well that Maria died.
Where could a beautiful redhead go in those days after her face was destroyed beyond repair? Only beautiful girls were made welcome at the Blint. Quite a place. Quite a cold war.
Warren LeMon
York
Send your letters to the Editor at PO Box 6, York, ME 03909 or via email to editor@yorkindependent.net. Deadline for publication is 12:00 noon on the Monday prior to that week's publication
