Letters to the Editor
Remembering Vietnam
Dear Independent,In February 1968 while the full fury of the Tet Offensive continued throughout Vietnam, I was directed by my colonel to proceed to the U.S. Mortuary at Tan Son Nhut Airbase to gather information for a report on its operations.
The mortuary director was an African-American major from Louisiana. He received me courteously and gave me a 45-minute briefing on the phases of his mission. My driver remained with me, smoking throughout, an annoying habit. When he had concluded with his data and his charts, I got up and thanked him for his presentation.
"Where are you going?" he asked me. "We're not done yet. I want you to see everything."
He held a door open and gestured me through it. At that point in my career, I was a master sergeant with 16 years of service. I was seasoned but unprepared for that sudden nightmare. I never smoke; during that half-hour in which we toured his chambers I never had a lit cigarette out of my mouth, cadging them impatiently from my astonished driver.
Here in this room was the true cost of that administration's inaugural vow to bear any burden and to pay any price.
Here where a dozen embalmers labored to prepare these remnants and fragments for air shipment to their families. These sons, husbands, fathers and lovers had paid that price. As a parting note, the major gestured to a far wall against which shrouded remains in jungle-green body bags were stacked high to the ceiling in row on row, awaiting their turn for professional attention.
Military decorum prevented me from doing other than thanking the director for his time, and departing. Had I followed the instincts of my heart I would have dropped to my knees and begged forgiveness of God, saying all the while, "I have seen the dead of Tan Son Nhut."
And so, 38 years later, I tell my little story to you readers, some of whom in these present days of conflict may have felt the sting of sorrow. It is never too late for any of us to fall on our knees and beg forgiveness of God, who surely knows that the more it changes, the more it is the same.
Warren LeMon
York
Tootsie Roll Drive a success
Dear Independent,The Knights of Columbus would like to give thanks to the York citizens and businesses for their donations to our annual Tootsie Roll Drive over the Columbus Day weekend. We're proud to say we had another successful drive this year. The money we collected will be used to assist the special needs children in our local community.
We would also like to extend special thanks to all of the local establishments who let us stand outside so we could continue with our great cause. They are Rick's Restaurant, Bagel Basket, Village Post Office, Cape Neddick Post Office, York Beach Post Office, York Harbor Post Office, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Ocean National Bank, St. Christopher's Parish, Long Sands General Store, Anthony's Food Shop, Irving, Norma's Restaurant and to The Independent for the publicity in the time leading up to our drive.
Once again, we would like to thank everyone for their support from the Knights of Columbus Star of the Sea Council 11940, PO Box 172, York Harbor, ME 03911.
Robert J. McKenna
Tootsie Roll Chairman
John Flanagan
Worthy Grand Knight
Gary E. Smith
District Deputy
Nowell: where was the CEO?
Dear Independent,Isn't it just reassuring to read about our ever vigilant CEO Timmy Decoteau, cracking down hard on those dastardly developers wantonly violating state-mandated shoreland zoning? There is certainly no grass, growing under Timmy's feet.
Just think, under the cover of darkness, using construction equipment disguised as lawn chairs and construction workers posing as tourists, these guys thought they could pull the wool over eagle-eyed Timmy. Why I heard they even used faux police to control traffic in furthering the deception. So after about three weeks of clandestine construction, Timmy has cracked the case, amen.
Of course, it begs the nagging question of after three weeks of the largest construction project in York Beach in half a century, why did it take Timmy three weeks to awaken to the fact that it lacked the necessary permits? Also, why did it take citizen phone calls to DEP in South Portland, triggering a site visit by DEP, to alert Timmy to the illegal situation? After all, South Portland is 50 miles away as opposed to Timmy's headquarters located four miles and a light year away.
Unfortunately, we all know the answer; the incompetent fox is still in charge of the henhouse; i.e., Town Hall. Put up an illegal sign and expect the wrath of God. Commence and just about complete the biggest construction project in the history of York Beach and expect a tsk, tsk. It don't ever change, does it?
Ronald N. Nowell
York
Thanks from Gloria Layman
Dear Independent,I want to thank all of you who voted and supported me for another term as York County Commissioner. I will continue to serve the five towns (Kittery, York, Eliot, Ogunquit and Wells) your concerns and interests being my top priority.
To all of you whose strong support was most effective, again I sincerely want to say thank you.
Gloria Raleigh Layman
York County Commissioner
District #5
Windol Weaver says thanks
Dear Independent,I would like to thank all the people in York who took the time to vote on Election Day and for electing me as your state representative (District 150). My responsibility is to serve all residents of York as your state representative, and it will be my great privilege to represent you in Augusta.
As I campaigned throughout the town, I heard voters' concerns about taxes, affordable healthcare, the direction of state government, the needs of the elderly and many other issues. I appreciate those who took the time to speak with me, and I will keep their comments in mind as I seek to represent the town of York's interests in Augusta.
Please feel free to call me if you have an issue, a question, or if you'd just like to share an idea. Your input helps all of us be better legislators.
Thank you again.
Windol Weaver
York
An open letter to Torbert Macdonald
Dear Independent,How can the town even consider selling the town farm at this time? With the drainage issue a smoking gun, selling the area for further development would make the situation in this area worse than it already is. We keep referring to impervious surfaces creating these problems, but yet we continue to permit development without improving the infrastructure.
The Town Farm is one of the few open areas that really doesn't owe anyone anything. There is no cost to the taxpayers connected to the Town Farm. It has survived for 100 years and is now burning a hole in the "current" selectmen's pockets. Selling land the town has acquired for back taxes makes sense, as it is owed monies. The Town Farm, as I stated, doesn't owe us a dime. Is this board of selectmen that hungry for cash?
Town planning, as defined by Cambridge dictionary: "The planning of the way in which towns and cities are built in order to make them pleasant to live."
Howard Koeppel
York
Gregg thanks supporters
Dear Independent,I thank the voters of York for their support in last Tuesday's election. I am particularly grateful to those who graciously took the time to talk to me as I walked through their neighborhoods. Likewise, I congratulate Windol Weaver. You ran an upright campaign and I wish you well.
In 1778, more than a year before his epic battle with the British ship Serapis, John Paul Jones wrote "Before this War begun I had at an early time of life withdrawn from the sea-service in favor of calm contemplation and poetic ease."
Following the example of Jones, I now withdraw from strife until the next battle presents itself.
Kinley Gregg
York
Dawn Hill ready to serve
Dear Independent,A package from the Maine State House arrived on Friday addressed to Dawn Hill - Representative-Elect. As I stared at the addressee, both the magnitude of my role as representative and the groundswell of support received from District 149's residents that led to the role as legislator both humbled and exhilarated me in the same moment.
My gratitude to all of you goes beyond words. I hope to be able to express it over and over again as I work with you and for you to promote what is best for the district and this wonderful state of Maine.
The work starts now with legislative training sessions and introductions to Augusta's staff and systems beginning this week and continuing into December. I will be sworn in on Dec. 6. I want to share with you that the reception from the leadership and officers in Augusta has been more than gracious. I can hardly contain my excitement to get to the capital and begin serving with the many talented and special people that I know there.
But first I must focus on one of my campaign promises, which was to keep you regularly informed and, when appropriate, involved with matters before the legislature. To this end I am presently setting up databases for e-mailing to municipal officers and committees, arranging newspaper column opportunities and upgrading my website to be more comprehensive and interactive for posting information.
I will be scheduling meetings with municipal officers over the next several weeks to come up to speed on their departments, learn about current needs or concerns and discuss the best ways to stay connected. Securing a location where I can offer hours when back from Augusta to meet with constituents is also underway. I will announce the details once the above are in place.
Proposed bills for consideration in the 2007 legislative session must be filed by mid-December. Please do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible with ideas or proposals. My phone number is 337-3689 and my e-mail is dawn@dawnhill.org.
Legislative numbers for contact through Augusta will be assigned to me soon and I shall make them available to you as well at that time.
I promise to continue to listen to you, to continue to care about you and to carry your messages to August. Thank you for the opportunity to do so.
Sincerely,
Dawn Hill
Representative-elect
District 149
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
