Letters to the Editor
Help the York Lions Club
Dear Independent,
The York Lions Club needs your help to continue its goal of serving those in our community with visual and hearing impairments. We are now providing services to Ogunquit and Wells along with our hometown of York. If there is any question of need, check with your school nurses, social services agencies and the many local eye doctors who refer their patients to the Lions Club.
But this expansion of services is stretching our budget. If you can donate a gift certificate or merchandise to our upcoming fundraising auction, please contact us at P.O. Box 114, York, ME 03909, or leave a message at 363-5873.
To those who have already donated, we wish you a heartfelt thank you.
Howard Koeppel
York
P.S. Don't miss the auction under the big tent on Aug. 3 at the York Beach Ball Field. Live auction starts at 6:30 p.m. with a preview at 4 p.m.
Restrictions threaten new post
Dear Independent,
I write this letter to the editor to express my concerns why a company as large as Hannaford Bros. refuses to work with the veterans and members of the American Legion Post 56 here in York.
It seems that when purchasing the land that the store in York is now setting on, approx 50 acres, an agreement was made between the owners of the land and Hannaford to donate a parcel of land to the American Legion to build a new facility. This agreement was met and approximately 5.74 acres was deeded over to the American Legion, and the American Legion is very appreciative of the gesture.
But, after spending years and well over $50,000.00 of its own money, it seems that Hannaford has put such a tight restriction on the deed that no bank in the area will loan money against it. After contacting Hannaford Bros. in order to resolve this minor problem, they refused to make any concessions that would allow a bank to loan the American Legion money.
Hannaford also put wording that if the American Legion doesn't start construction within two years of deed date the land will revert back to the company. That time runs out this Dec. 22, 2007.
This same company asked the American Legion to support them when they were trying to move into the town of York and needed the help of the veterans and all members of the town in order to get past the Planning Board. Now Hannaford seems to be turning its back on the same people/veterans that went to bat for them.
The American Legion and its veteran family only wants to build a great community facility and give back to all members of the town and now this complex is being stopped by a minor change to the deed. I guess I just don't understand. Any help?
Stephen LaPointe
Facility Manager
American Legion Post 56
Long history of war's toll
Dear Independent,
The death of any soldier in any war occasions a brooding grief - particularly within the family of the deceased.
In 1879, Great Britain mounted a campaign against the king of Zululand. Living in England at the time - at the invitation of Queen Victoria - were the deposed Empress of France, Eugenie, and her son, Louis, whose father had been Napoleon III. Louis was a recent graduate of the British Army school at Woolwich.
Louis was eager to go to war. His eagerness caused an immense quantity of concern on the part of Eugenie, Queen Victoria, the British Government and the army, which would have to quarter and feed him and keep him safe. An arrangement was reached by which the Prince Imperial would travel to South Africa as a "spectator" and be kept out of harm's way.
Some months later the small party of British cavalry he had joined unexpectedly stumbled against a dozen Zulu warriors in the bushes. The officer specifically charged with his safety abandoned the prince in flight and lived in deserved disgrace thereafter. Young Louis, age 22, found himself absolutely alone. He was stabbed 17 times and bled to death on the coarse South African grass. Word of his demise rocked the British high command and devastated the Queen and Eugenie.
In remarks before his own death in 1964, General MacArthur quoted Plato, "Only the dead have seen the end of war."
Warren Lemon
York
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
