Support a worthy cause
Dear Independent,
Dan Petruzzella has been selected to represent our community's football team at the 19th Annual Shrine Lobster Bowl in July. Dan was so impressed with the work that the Shriners do for children with unimaginable medical problems that he set a personal goal to raise $5,000 in support for those efforts.
To be a Shriner one must be a Mason. The Masons of St. Aspinquid Lodge #198 are calling out an appeal to our membership to help Dan meet his goal of $5,000. I am putting out an appeal to anyone in our community who knows and understands the good works of the Shriners in their orthopedic hospitals and Shrine burn centers throughout our country to support this young man and his most noble endeavor.
Tax-deductible donations may be sent care of Daniel Petruzzella, P.O. Box 813, York Beach, ME 03910.
Bob Hoyt
St. Apsinquid Lodge
York
Choose Pingree on June 10
Dear Independent,
Our economy is hurting, and it's not just a short term issue - the U.S. has slowly been losing its competitive place in the world as a result of failed policies for years under disastrous Republican terms.
How do we climb back? We can do it, I'm convinced - we still have the most innovative and entrepreneurial economy on the globe, and if the American people decide to do it, nothing will stop us.
But we need leaders who are smart enough to understand how national policy helps or hurts our economic promise, and who have the strength and courage to say what's right, to set a course, and to fight off the special interests and put the people¹s interests first.
We need a Congressional representative who is ready to get things done the day Congress convenes in 2009 - our problems are urgent, and we have no time to waste in getting to them.
That's why I support Chellie Pingree for U.S. Congress from Maine's First District, and I hope you will vote for her on June 10 in the Democratic Primary.
Chellie has proven that she has the courage to stand for what she believes in. She was publicly opposed to the war in Iraq when it was unpopular to take that stand. She led the fight for the nation's first prescription drug pricing bills, Maine RX. Chellie was a lonely champion as one after another of her colleagues told her to quit so she wouldn't lose the financial support of pharmaceutical companies. The fight went all the way to the Supreme Court and Maine won, and the bill has been a model for states around the country who have tried to lower drug prices. And it's true; the drug industry hasn't supported her since. No problem.
Chellie understands that a healthy economy depends on a healthy middle class. She supports a tax system that gives the middle class relief and cancels Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy. She supports a windfall profits tax for oil companies so they share in the transition to alternative energy whether they want to or not. She knows that our educational system has slid from second in the world to 18th, and she'll work to restore our schools' excellence so our citizens can compete in the world markets. And she understands that many families are one major illness away from bankruptcy; she will work for affordable healthcare for everyone.
Chellie grasps the extraordinary opportunity we have today to nurture the next big technology economy: converting to a thriving energy system based on renewable sources - wind, solar, wave energy and efficiency. She will fight to ensure that the huge cash that will be generated from a carbon cap-and-trade system such as the one Congress is debating today - projected to be $150 billion in the first year alone, $3 trillion in the next few decades - will go to developing alternative energy or efficiency programs and not into the pockets of oil and coal companies. This money could fund an energy audit and improvements for every Maine citizen that would cut our heating bills, reduce Maine's carbon footprint by a third and put a lot of contractors to work making those home improvements. And it would get us off the oil addiction.
And Chellie has the street creds in Congress that we need to be effective. Chellie recently served as president of Common Cause, a national group that works for election reform, campaign finance reform and government ethics. That job took her to Congress on a number of occasions to work with the Speaker of the House and the Senate President as well as members of both Houses. They already know her and consider her a respected colleague.
Chellie is running for the First District US Congressional seat in the Democratic primary on June 10 with a half-dozen other Democrats, an impressive group. But Chellie stands head and shoulders above the rest because of her experience and her integrity. And it would be good for Maine to send a smart and strong woman to Congress who is a Democrat for a change!
I hope you'll join me in voting for Chellie on June 10.
Rozanna Patane
York Harbor
Thanks from Land Trust
Dear Independent,
The York Land Trust, the Trust for Public Land and our other partners in the Mount Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative extend a very enthusiastic thank you to the voters of York for your support of Warrant Article 68 on the May 17 ballot to appropriate $500,000 to help purchase and permanently protect 151 acres at Highland Farm. We appreciate your encouragement, your vote of confidence and your generous contribution to the local conservation efforts being led by the Mount Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Coalition.
The town funding represents about one-sixth of the total project cost. Although, we still have a way to go to secure all of the funds necessary to save this extraordinary land from development, the town's appropriation takes us a huge leap forward and will help leverage critical funding being sought from state, federal and private sources.
Your commitment to helping protect the land at Highland Farm is a worthwhile long-term investment in the future of York as the property will be available to all for hiking, hunting, cross country skiing and to simply enjoy the lovely views of the York River.
We look forward to celebrating another great community land conservation success with the people of York.
With gratitude,
Doreen MacGillis
Executive Director
York Land Trust
Congrats and thanks
Dear Independent,
Congratulations to Mike Estes and Cathy Goodwin for their win on May 17. I wish them the best in tackling the issues that our town and elected officials face.
I also want to send heartfelt thanks to each and every one of my 1,262 supporters who cast their vote of confidence in me; neither disheartened nor discouraged, I hope to continue serving the town of York and its people.
Torbert H. Macdonald, Jr.
York
Praise for Zotos
Dear Independent,
Marilyn Zotos ran unopposed for the York School Committee seat and I want to sing her praises.
This will be her third term, the start of her seventh year in office. Her commitment to run again speaks volumes toward her commitment to advocating for our students. We are so fortunate to have her long-term perspective and continuity on issues such as the district consolidation (now, thankfully, beaten back) and our educational strategic plan. Her life has been busy with the types of personal and professional issues these past six years we all deal with, but she is a testament to keeping service to the community in the mix as an important priority. She proves one is never too busy to give back to the community with service.
When you see Marilyn Zotos, be sure to shake her hand, give her a hug and thank her for running again and for her great service to York. She deserves our recognition.
Sincerely,
Patty Hymanson
York
Thank you, York
Dear Independent,
The community voted on Saturday, May 17, to support the budget for the York Schools and two capital projects, including the music instructional space for York High School. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted in support of the York Schools and for the "vote of confidence" for the work we are doing in our schools.
The administration and staff of our schools are dedicated to student success and the continual growth of student achievement. We are very fortunate to serve in the community of York and we appreciate the confidence the community places in us.
I am proud of the staff of the York Schools and I am proud of being able to serve the students of York.
Thank you,
Dr. Henry R. Scipione
Superintendent of Schools
A family's appreciation
Dear Independent,
The family of Richard H. Anderson, Sr., would like to thank all those who sent cards, called to offer support and contributed food during the past several weeks. Your kind words of comfort, caring actions and thoughtfulness have been greatly appreciated, helpful and comforting during this difficult time.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Russo, Dr. Worth and the ICU medical staff at Maine Medical Center for their professional, attentive care of Richard and their compassion toward the family.
The family is greatly appreciative of the Maine Military Funeral Honors Program from the Augusta Armory for providing seven Army servicemen who served as pallbearers at the funeral services, who performed the firing of the three-gun salute and who played "Taps" at the cemetery services. Their precise teamwork and professional conduct affirmed Richard's pride in the U.S. Military and his love of country.
The family would also like to thank Pastor David Avery of the Eliot Congregational Church and Brian Pelkey from J.S. Pelkey Funeral Services for their compassion, attention to detail and personal touches in planning and conducting Richard's services.
The family would also like to thank Peter, Patrick and Connie Hughes of the CuttySark Motel for their generosity in providing accommodations for family members who traveled long distances to attend the services.
Thank you to all who attended Richard's services and reception. Your presence reminded us of the many lives that Richard touched. Your kind words and caring support provided consolation during this difficult time and will continue to comfort us in the future.
With sincere gratitude,
The Family of
Richard H. Anderson, Sr.
Cape Neddick
Energy forum an inspiration
Dear Independent,
The York Energy Efficiency Committee would like to thank everyone who contributed to our energy presentation on May 2.
We would like to thank the following: York Public Library for providing the venue; The Bagel Basket for their donations of refreshments, Patty Raitto and her fourth-grade class at Coastal Ridge Elementary School for their awesome and informative presentation on CFLs; YHS seniors Hanna Mitchell and Bridget Rhinehart for their presentation on LEED certification; Kathy Kaknes's class for their renewable energy brochures, and a big thank you to our guest speaker, Kurt Adams of Maine Public Utilities Commission, for coming to speak about climate change in Maine.
We appreciate everyone who attended. It proved to be an inspiring evening for all.
Heather Henriksen
Energy Efficiency Committee
York
Celebration at Dockside
Dear Independent,
134 first grade students and their teachers from Village Elementary School would like to thank the Lusty Family, owners of Dockside Restaurant, for donating a delicious luncheon on May 21.
This was our eighth year of celebrating the birthday of Mary Cassatt at their restaurant after learning about the Impressionist artists from MaryJane Merrill throughout the school year. We end the study with the culminating activity of "The Luncheon."
One student at the luncheon said, "This is the best lunch I ever had. I'm going to get married here."
Another boy remarked, "This is one of my Top 10 Days."
"I like it better than eating lunch at school, can we come to Dockside every day?" someone asked.
Others commented, "We love the crispy French fries, the juicy watermelon and delicious food. I like the politeness of everyone."
The Lusty Family has again been very generous to provide a wonderful experience for our first-grade students. Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
First-grade Students and Teachers
Village Elementary School
York
Mail and food get through
Dear Independent,
Once again, not only did the mail get delivered but food was picked up and delivered to the York Food Pantry. It just gets better and better.
The letter carriers from the Woodridge Road Post Office picked up in excess of 3,000 pounds of food on Saturday, May 11. This was a record year and involved multiple members of the postal staff.
Food Pantry volunteers were on hand late Saturday to receive the five truck loads of food. This represents about four to six weeks of distributable food to Food Pantry clients.
A big "Thank You" to those postal carriers and to you, York citizens, who contributed the food for pickup.
Tom Whalen
York Food Pantry
