Letters to the Editor
Thanks to Pee Wee Football
Dear Independent,I am writing to express my gratitude to the York Youth Pee Wee Football Program. I was a parent who did not want my child to be a football player for many reasons, injuries and attitude, just to name a few. I was so sure that it was better for him to stay a swimmer that last year, when he became of age to play, I told him I forgot to sign him up and it was too late, maybe next year. He was disappointed and I was hoping that he would get over the urge to be "one of them." He didn't get over it, and when sign-up came around this year he was adamant about me getting there on time. I was more than leery, but went ahead with the enrollment.
I cannot begin to tell you what a positive experience this has been not only for our son, but our entire family. These coaches - Mark Kinton, head coach, and his assistants, Marcus Darby, Jay Donahoe, Albert Hall, Mike Hogan, Raymond Kelly, Bob LeClair, Dan Martin, John MacFarlane, Mark MacGlashing and Jady Newton - are some of York's finest men. They taught these boys not only the game of football, they taught them how to be team players and respect each other and their opponents; that family is first, school is second and football is last. These coaches did not just coach football, they were "life coaches." They took strong family values and carried them to the football field and drove it home to these boys three nights a week during their practices then again on their cherished "days off" Sunday morning games. These men were dedicated enough to volunteer their precious time during whatever weather, as long as it wasn't dangerous for the children to be outside on the field.
My son, and I do believe because of the reinforcement he received from his coaches, became a more responsible, more self-confident and not to mention a very happy boy. Sometimes children need to hear they are great from someone other than their family, and my son heard this from a well-respected, fair group of men with strong family values and good morals and ethics.
I am forever grateful for their commitment to these boys. It is not an easy job. I am not the only parent that feels this way about this program. I have heard many Pee Wee parents say they are sorry the season is over. It has been such fun and a positive experience for their boys as well. I attempted to get signatures from the parents who agree with this letter at the end-of-season banquet. Some of the signatures were difficult to decipher, and some of the parents might not have had the chance to read the letter. If you signed and I didn't type your name I apologize.
At this time, we would all like to take the time to thank the press also; this means a lot to these players, to see themselves or their names in the local papers!
Thank you, coaches! Go York Wildcats!
Lisa Moulton and family, Amy L. Burrell, Anthony A. LaMonica, Susan Lahme, Erin Kinton, Stuart and Marci Santoro, Diane Kelly, Jim Janetti, Jim and Shari Pratt, Michael and Susan Cusack, Sarah and Jeff Finitz, Terri Hogan, Dave and Karen McElwain, Jerry and Stacie Goodrich, Leigh Ann McFarlane, Tom and Julie Cifrino, The LeClair Family, Lori and Kevin Barrett, Mary-Anne and Charlie Szeniawski, Dave Reynolds, Nancy J. and Walter Pidgeon, Naomi and Mike Gauthier, Andrea and Bob Warner, Brian and Julie Young, Felicia Curtin, Jen Smith, Gary Orso, Guy and Deanna Mitchell, Brent and Mary Jane Merritt, Charlene Turgeon, Nancy Lindbom, Matt and Anne Donovan, Beth Donohoe, Lisa and Rick Frecker, Kristin Blake, Jaime and Tony Bock, A.J. and Yvonne Steffenberg, Shelley Martin, and Stacy Smith
Hospice offers "Lights to Remember"
Dear Independent,Hospice of York is once again pleased to provide an opportunity to participate in the visible symbol of remembrance of loved ones during the holiday season.
The gift of $5 will place a light on the Lights to Remember tree in honor of a living person or to memorialize a loved one no longer with you. There are trees located in Wells, Ogunquit, York, Kittery, Eliot and South Berwick, and they will be lit from Dec. 1 through 31.
Upon request, an acknowledgment will be sent to those honored or the families of those memorialized. Requests will be accepted throughout the month of December. Simply send $5 per light, your name and address, the name of who you wish to purchase a light for and, if wanted, the name and address to receive an acknowledgment to Hospice of York, 15 Hospital Drive, York, ME 03909.
Dee Bickmore
Hospice of York
Senator says thank-you
Dear Independent,I'm writing to thank the people of southern York County for their support during my tenure as their state senator. Over the past two years I have had the pleasure of representing my neighbors in the legislature and fighting for the issues that are important to us. Words cannot express how grateful I am for their support during my time in the Maine Legislature.
For personal reasons, I have chosen not to run for re-election this year and running in my place is a man who has spent many years serving the people of York County, former Sen. Ken Lemont.
Maine's people face difficult times with an unstable economy and an uncertain job market. As a former state senator and community leader, I am confident in Ken's experience and dedication to public service. He spent 12 years serving our community in the legislature and I look forward to Ken representing me again in the Maine Senate. I urge you to join me in voting for Ken Lemont.
Sen. Mary Black Andrews
State Senate District 1
York, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick, Eliot
Lemont for state senate
Dear Independent,I am writing as a constituent in support of Ken Lemont's campaign for state senate in southern York County. During the 12 years Ken served in the state legislature he was always there to help me with anything I have ever needed. With continuous health problems, at times things have been hard, but Ken has always done everything he could to help me and to make things a little bit easier.
I strongly believe in voting for the person best suited to do the job - Ken Lemont is that man. Ken is single-handedly the hardest working, most dedicated man I know. On so many occasions Ken was there as a community leader and an advocate. He helped me with my problems and he stuck by me until we could find a solution.
I urge you to choose Ken Lemont as your next state senator because he will always be there to help someone in need.
Clifton Smith
Kittery
Thanks from Brad Moulton
Dear Independent,I am writing to thank those in District 149 who voted in the election yesterday. Having grown up and worked local for most of the past 42 years, I was thrilled and honored to represent the people of this district y over the last two years. I enjoyed meeting so many people throughout the district over the last two campaigns. I heard a wide variety of views, many concerning the heavy expense of government, and did as much as I could to improve state services to people of this district and present your concerns in Augusta.
I especially wish to thank those who wrote on my behalf and contributed in other ways during this campaign, especially since a few people distorted my record and work in Augusta. I have always been impressed with the ability of many to ignore the negative and focus on substantive issues that we must all face in our daily lives.
For a few of us, Maine is still a place where we can spend our lives living and working together. It has been a great joy to me to be able to contribute to the improvement of people's lives, whether through my church, family, work or legislative work. For that I express my gratitude and hope that I may continue in that work, in whatever capacity I am able.
Brad Moulton
Cape Neddick
The Independent Letters Policy: The Independent welcomes letters and opinions on any subject. We do not accept anonymous letters. Letters should be 200 words or less. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, accuracy, and/or legal reasons and to reject any material considered unsuitable for publication. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of The Independent or its staff.
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
