Letters to the Editor
Durkin family shares gratitude
Dear Independent,
Dwyer Vessey delivered the "May Basket" to us on Tuesday night. The basked included items for each of us and brought smiles to us all. Friends, family, neighbors and particularly coworkers, once again went above and beyond. SUBMEPP employees made incredible contributions to the basket for which we can not thank you enough!
We would like everyone to know how grateful we are for the support we have received. From kind words, to prayers, to aid, to offers of every kind (from snow blowing, to rides for Chris and Lauren, and anything else you could possibly think of), people have been, and continue to be, there for us!
As Jason continues in his recovery, our family hopes to be able to one day return this same tremendous support and kindness to others who maybe in need.
Thank you all for being there for our family.
Sincerely,
Mike, Sharon, Jason, Chris and Lauren Durkin
York
Don't be fooled by Dorrian
Dear Independent,
Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me! Isn't that how that sage advice goes? I won't be fooled again by Len Dorrian in his bid for re-election to the selectmen's board. I worked on getting him elected the first time around. I will not be voting for him this election.
The revelation of his double-dipping of tax exemptions in both Massachusetts and Maine has made me question his honesty and integrity.
I have found myself disagreeing with Mr. Dorrian on issues that affect the town and its people more than agreeing with him. He has not been doing a good job for the people of York.
Mr. Dorrian was not a supporter of the much-needed arts wing at the high school last year. "It would increase the taxes to the citizens of York," was his battle cry. So, Mr. Dorrian, what has changed in a year that the citizens can now afford your extremely costly Town Hall you so desperately want built? $10 million dollars over the course of the bond is too much money for the citizens to pay for a Town Hall. Do we need a new town hall, yes... Do we need this too-large, too-costly, poor design version of a town hall? NO.
I won't be fooled again by Len Dorrian.
Nancy Martin
York
Kinley Gregg is the right choice
Dear Independent,
When I was a young father, new to York in the early 1960s, one of my first-born daughter's classmates in nursery school was Kinley Gregg. Little did I think that someday I would be urging my fellow York townspeople to vote her into public office.
I already did so last year when she ran for state representative and nearly pulled off a stunning upset. As a former Democratic officeholder, I was a sort of "senior advisor" to her campaign and I soon learned that here was a young woman with a mind of her own, a deep interest in issues, a strong sense of community and a willingness and ability to voice her opinions and do the homework necessary to be an effective public servant.
That was a partisan race. Now, she is running to serve all of us on a non-partisan basis in the office of selectman. I fully believe that her intelligence, fine education and love for our town should be put to work for the citizens of York. She grew up here and purposely came back here to live after receiving her education. To those who feel a change is needed in our town government, I can highly recommend Kinley Gregg.
Please vote for her on May 19.
Neil Rolde
York
Vote Ted Little for selectman
Dear Independent,
When Ted Little told me he was going to run for selectman, I was thrilled and excited. I am very happy to endorse and support his candidacy.
I know Ted very well as a fellow founding board member of York Ecumenical Advocates, a wholly voluntary group formed four years ago by members of local churches and other concerned citizens of York to help residents in crisis obtain confidential emergency assistance and support, including General Assistance. Our board members can attest to Ted's willingness to expend his personal time and energy to help a needy person deal with red tape and obtain critical assistance from various agencies and levels of government.
Ted knows York very well and cares very much about our town. His only agenda is whatever is good for all of us in York, including the proposed new town hall and a new public safety building. He wants to keep York as a livable town with a reasonably managed growth rate. He supports affordable housing, especially for families and for people who work here. He will work hard to contain taxation and help long-time residents avoid being taxed out of their homes.
I particularly appreciate Ted's focus on protecting York's home rule charter from state attack. He is very concerned about LD 1535, which can adversely affect our growth rate. He strongly opposes Governor Baldacci's effort to consolidate all of Maine's school districts. Our community needs to fight for continuing control over our schools, so that they do not fall into the hands of state bureaucrats who have no ties or accountability to York parents and students. Ted will labor long and hard for us on these issues.
Most important of all, Ted is a person of supreme integrity and his word is his honor. When someone approaches him with a problem, he will look for and work toward a solution that satisfies justice and helps everyone involved. This is a really good quality for a selectman!
John D. Madden
York
Coffenberry for School Committee
Dear Independent,
I am voting for Laurie Coffenberry for School Committee. I have known Laurie for many years and she is an intelligent and compassionate person who is very caring toward children.
These characteristics, along with her years of experience working in education, will help her make the best decisions for the schools and the town.
Mary Marshall
York
Dorrian has been good for York
Dear Independent,
I am writing to support the re-election of Len Dorrian to the Board of Selectmen.
Prior to becoming a selectman, Len was a major contributor to the York Tax Task Force. He was the author of the budget formula that is currently used by the town of York, a formula which saves the community thousands of dollars each year.
As a selectman, Len looks at the facts, acts professionally and responsibly, and he states his opinion. I support his clear thinking and will vote to re-elect him to the Board of Selectmen on May 19.
Sincerely,
Brian McGann
York
Thoughts on a new Town Hall
Dear Independent,
As the election nears, I keep thinking of the proposed town hall. I will again state that I am all for a new town hall, it is needed! Now is the time to move it forward. I can only hope that if it passes, the new Board of Selectmen revisit the design to make it more "New England." I would like to see the new board put it out for competitive design ideas. We have some wonderful examples of New England architecture in the area - homes, barns, etc., that can be used as models.
Also the size still bothers me as, in today's world, companies are interstate and international, not all housed under one roof. I, for example, am not interested in "registering my child" at the Recreation Department at the same time I'm registering my car or paying my taxes. I usually have one purpose for being there.
Again, we will have an opportunity to question size and design. If I'm correct, we are voting on the concept, not the building as proposed.
Howard Koeppel
York
Thank you from the York Schools
Dear Independent,
In honor of National Volunteer Week, the York Schools' Volunteer Department hosted a volunteer appreciation lunch at the First Parish Church Hall.
The York Schools are privileged to have a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers helping to enrich the lives of our students. To date, volunteers have contributed over 21,000 hours of volunteer time in our schools this year.
The following York Businesses recognized the value of these volunteers by donating many gift certificates and gifts as door prizes. We would like to thank the Dockside Restaurant, Kim Rochewski, Cathie Dennett (VES staff), Freedom Salon, Hope Ladd, Madjak Creations by Robin Cogger, Coastal Landscaping, The York Flower Shop, York Harbor Inn, York Adult Education, Stage Neck Inn and Ginger St. Clair (CRES staff). "Volunteers are the Heart of our Community" is truly evident in York!
Melanie Ladd
Community Resource Coordinator
York School Department
Bottle policy bad for business
Dear Independent,
The new policy announced by Hannaford Brothers on recycling bottles is yet another sock-in-the-eye to Maine consumers. We initially need to pay extra for our bottles in Maine, but no one minds that because we receive our deposits back and, besides, our roadsides are kept clean. Taking our bottles to Hannaford's to be returned is certainly good business for the grocery chain because it leads us to shop in their stores. However, they now plan to charge us - forcing us to buy bags in which to put our bottles - and, as far as we the undersigned are concerned, that may drive us to shop elsewhere. A penny-wise and pound-foolish policy, it seems to us.
Carla Rolde
Gloria R. Layman
Alberta Fuller
York
What about freedom of choice?
Dear Independent,
Memorial Day is coming up when we honor those who gave (military vets) the utmost of themselves so we have liberty (the freedom of choice) in accordance with the U.S. Constitution. We exercise those rights at the polls by secret ballot. Someone in town doesn't believe so and/or that we the people are ignorant, not knowing we can make our own choices, or we lack the mental capacity.
On the ballots for the upcoming annual town meeting budget some articles are grouped together, eliminating line item choice, some articles give no choice, having the same figures for yes and no vote. What and where is the choice? See articles 4, 8, 22, 42, 49, 50, 51, 53 and 65. Whoever is responsible should hang their heads in shame. It violates our freedom of choice. What a disgrace to all (living and deceased) military veterans. What did they fight for, so someone could make choices for all? If that's the case we need not be voting, just practice dictatorship.
The town manager and selectmen failed the citizens of York. The integrity of the Department of Defense policy (freedoms) and town of York have been compromised, not allowing voters their own choice. I'm not voting on some articles, hoping voters will also not be followers, as there's no choice. I'm surprised the legal profession hasn't stopped this before now. I truly believe the town voting warden should declare those articles illegal and call for new ballots allowing choices. Voters, it's your choice, yes, no or leave it blank, make it count - don't vote my taxes higher.
Frank Patstone
York
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