tried to make a point with this true story: in Northern Maine at a gas stop, the clerk told him to fix the roads, but don't raise taxes, it like being told to get some food at the store, but you are not given any money.
Why I say this? Someone above said: The police should do their jobs.
I agree that it is getting more dangerous on the roads, with the state of the economy, the anger, fear, distraction ( and it seems, stupidity) dial has been cranked up super high. (plus other factors, of course)
Budgets have been cut and cut and cut. We expect all our emergency personnel to do more with less. Do more with less, so after they respond to murders, rapes, assaults, robberies, other violence, other crimes, then of course conduct interviews, investigate, research, file all the paperwork, testify, protect people, etc...and how I would LOVE if I could call and say: there is this idiot on the road who is tailgating, roadraging,etc...for that I would have to be willing to pay more taxes.
There is no dispute, no signal usage, having dogs on your lap should be just as illegal as texting!!!!, and the guy raging about the woman on the cell is just a road rager, and all of it just makes me want to stay home, which of course in Maine, one can't--

I am sure there are several versions out there and yet there are only three people who know exactly what happened.

However, the reality that I experienced is backed up by emails and recorded phone messages. AND a couple people involved, one in particular who was pulled into it, was lied to and while she was a person "in charge" had no idea what had actually happened and made huge "assumptions" which she put in writing to me. From what happened I could actually see why she might be angry if what she thought was true. It was not. Those assumptions can be proved wrong by the other documents. And, I have witnesses to the events (involving a representative of the city of Auburn) that began the whole nightmare. It was clear that the supervisor mentioned above was never told those facts.

My feelings about the events is one thing and are subjective. The details that are recorded in documents are undeniable. The timeline of events and who perpetrated them is very clear. Never in any of that situation did I say or do anything dishonest. Yet, I do know that there are some very different versions of that story out there. There always are. That is why I kept all documents and recorded conversations. I learned that painful lesson a long, long time ago. He said she said is not evidence enough.

I am sure you are sincere in your belief that you know the facts,you seem very sincere. Sadly, believe me you do not in this situation. No one was more shocked or disappointed by his and another elected official's actions at that time.
I stated right up front that I did not know the details of Ms. Roy's situation. And I do not know the background of the funding "issues" regarding the laptops. I am not in support of dishonesty.

I believe the people of Auburn deserve better. I also firmly believe that there IS a pattern here that should not be ignored.

In these two situations "hostile environment" was created. I could honestly use words; bully and intimidate are the first to come to mind.
So, I was writing to say that there is a pattern. The actions were intentional. Intentional. When one makes a mistake that is one thing, but a pattern of intentional aggressive behavior that is unethical and dishonorable is cause for grave concern.
The people of Auburn should be insisting on better representation. When he does this and it IS intentional, he does in in the name of the people of the city of Auburn. I believe they are better people than that.
THAT is why I wrote.

I do not know the specifics of this story, but I do know the specifics of another. Mr. Aho has a pattern of conducting himself without ethics or morals. So, given what I know, I will assume this is true. It fits the pattern. The people of Auburn deserve so much better.

FACTS: WE were not there and were not privy to ALL the details.
FACT: To Kill someone with a guilty verdict -BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT is a serious thing and no one ever proved that she killed her, no one proved how she died, There IS REASONABLE DOUBT. So quickly we sit in the director's chair and are willing to send someone to their death because we do not like her behavior. Granted she did lie, she clearly did not act in a way that I approve of, but that does not mean she murdered her child.
It is absolutely terrifying to me that those in the public who do not have the facts, but have been persuaded by the Media, ridiculous "talking heads" who could do nothing but "give their OPINION", It is further terrifying that you all believe this. If you were in her shoes, were depending on our justice system to work. You would feel very differently.

As the alternate juror who WAS THERE said this morning, the prosecution DID NOT PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT that she murdered her daughter.

Further, if you understand the dynamics in a household where sexual abuse/incest is happening, then you have a sense of perhaps why her behavior is so outrageous, perhaps, I said. Out here in California I find I am not the first person to question why she never said who the father of her child is? Does that not make you wonder? As her fiance just said, she and her mother had a very adversarial relationship from the moment she told them she was pregnant. Just take a breath and THINK about that. Who is the father? Who? Who might be terrified that it would become obvious who the father is?

Just the fact that there is SO MUCH we do not know, is reasonable doubt. It can suck. However, I am grateful that our justice does work this way.

Having been the subject of rumors and lies and media coverage.And some of those outright lies, STILL exist as truth in Lewison Auburn, and they are absolutely NOT TRUE. I KNOW first hand that you can NEVER believe what you see and hear and read at face value. You have no idea what is really going on.
I trust my fellow citizens that I believe had 6 weeks to decide.

It does bother me about Cailee's death, it should bother all of us. But we cannot convict someone because we do not like her or how she acts, that sounds alot like Stalin, Hitler, should I go on???

We live in U.S. afterall. Be grateful that our justice system did work as it was supposed to this time. In this way we are all better. NO one ever said our justice system was perfect.

Proving beyond a reasonable doubt should be a criteria before convicting someone to the death penalty.

Mr. Reed, it is so sad and regrettable to see a former leader as yourself make such nonconstructive comments. It IS racism. There is real and serious racism in this community. I encountered it just yesterday. Racism is deadly to a community. It inhibits everything good.
Dan only spoke what is true and sadly what I KNEW was coming after that article. Being predictable is not attractive.
There are so many lies and totally ridiculous rumors that persist out there, even 10 years later~it is crazy, but racism always is, especially in the protests that come from people who refuse to see.
Fear, misinformation and ignorance continues.
What I celebrate in this letter is the good work of our faculty and staff in our education system. I admire those who are willing to face bigots and judgement to do the right thing.
Our children, our future economy are richer for their dedication and excellent work.
Thank you to all involved.
What I cannot understand? Can anyone here really "get" what it would be like to be living in your home, your country and be terrorized? See people killed, live in a terrible, horrific place that has had no government for 20 years of war. To be driven out of your country by death and destruction, rape and torture -- to be permanently shell shocked and marked by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Does anyone here know or appreciate what living in a Refugee Camp really is? The horror of it? To then be "relocated" and not have a choice about where... just sent and dumped somewhere.
As a mother or father to watch your children and feel so hopeless to be able to protect them? To leave all that you know, all that is familiar to you and have to adjust. This is not a choice, it is forced on them.
Now they come to this place seeking a decent living. They have different customs and beliefs. And if you went through all of that, would you not have some side effects? Would those horrors not follow you for a very, very long time. Ask any soldier if the horrors of war stop when you get home, or get a job? And that is with them coming to a place they know. Imagine seeing the, living the horrors of war for years upon years and then, being dropped in a place that is totally different, nothing that you "know" to put your feet down on.
I can go on and on. Yes, there are struggles and difficulties. There are differences.
Where is the compassion for a fellow human being?
And less, Mr. Reed, you whine about "why should we take them in" --The United States, a country built by immigrants takes in a very embarrassing low share of the world responsibility of refugees. On any given day there are at least 2 million refugees. The year the Somalis began coming to our community, the U.S. of A.'s "allowable" refugees to this country? 65,000. And we did not even allow that many in the country that year!!
So for the world's greatest nation, richest, most powerful, we take in a pitiful amount of the world's neediest. Shame on us. And shame on all those who whine about it. We are a selfish nation at times. THis is one of those times. You know what, it is NOT a good laugh. There is nothing to laugh about when children face terror and horror and then get judged about being here. And yes, they have obstacles to get over. Doing that with post traumatic stress disorder, well ask a vet... who is an adult and they try to understand what it is to be a child and have to cope.

of it. Dr. whoever you are, I don't know you. I DO know that I have always believed, worked for and supported Equality for everyone. I am proud to be a Mainer. We do ALOT of things right, in fact better than other states.
There is a culture of fear here. Fear and ignorance. AND there are good, loving and kind people here. It is this love and acceptance we must encourage and nurture to grow.
This is not an issue that benefits from pettiness, rather education, outreach and continued effort to teach acceptance and tolerance of all who are different, whether their gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. ( There is still racism in Lewiston/Auburn that saddens me, but I call people on it every time I hear it- not angrily, but gently with correct information)
We have alot to work on, but what humans do not? What it takes is people being willing to speak out and not remain silent in their support. Bigotry will end. It is just a matter of time now.
Marriage Equality IS coming to Maine. It is just a matter of when. It IS coming.

Jennifer, your courage and strength and leadership in this situation truly is an inspiration. It just made my day reading about you this morning. Your vision inspired the best in others and we get to see the best in ourselves, in our community.
Thank you.
As you have blazed this path, as I hear with such grace and positive energy, you have cleared away some obstacles for others. Your endeavor will open opportunities for others in similar situations.
Leaders like you always do.
Thank you and I so wish you all the best. You are a gift to our community.
Kaileigh A. Tara

Mary,
I remember you from when I worked at Advocates for Children and came in the school with their programs.
I've always been impressed with your style and the obvious love you brought to your professional work.
Thank you so much for all you have given. So many take the gift that educators such as yourself offer our communities and of course, our children.
It certainly does "take a village". All those who's lives you have touched are all richer for that experience.
Thank you, Thank you.
Hon. Kaileigh A. Tara (former Mayor of Lewiston)

as leaders in getting technology to our students. Did you know that Mr. Lessard?
Yes, I am grateful to those courageous visionaries who keep at it, wanting to give the very best to our children.
I believe that even with what we offer, WE STILL ARE NOT GIVING OUR CHILDREN THE HIGHEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS. Some of that is due to the constant limited and low resources the School Departments in both cities work miracles with to date.
However, the other holdback is the fear and ignorance of people who just do not understand the longterm ECONOMIC implications of not having the most techno educated and informed students ( who are our FUTURE WORKFORCE)
Such short term, I only want to look down at my toes, thinking. We must prepare our children for JOBS THAT DO NOT CURRENTLY EXIST.
I was a substitute teacher in the Auburn and Lewiston School systems for 6 years. I can't do it as a profession. They are demonized, NOT appreciated, always accused of some selfish ulterior motive that really does not exist - they spend so much of their own money in the classrooms on a regular basis, what other profession who people just spend their own money on regularly -? CRAZY.
They are NOT paid what they are worth. Absolutely NOT.
This fear of technology, the restrictions, and those who hold it back, with be responsible for the stagnant future economy and vitality of our communities. But perhaps they really DON"T CARE...they want THEIR current needs met, who cares about the future, huh??? SAD..
Like any profession, ANY GROUP of people, there are those are not the best teachers, or perhaps who should not be there, I saw definite burn-out, that probably would not be there, with more respect for the profession. However, the vast MAJORITY are dedicated, caring and compassionate professionals who go above and beyond all the time for OUR CHILDREN.
People sacrificed for your education, Mr. Lessard and all the other naysayers...we must give our children EVERY advantage...it is CRUCIAL. it is not optional...it is required!! If you are not part of the solution, PLEASE GET OUT OF THE WAY of those who are doing/ living the solution. We have no time for your negativity and restrictions, Nor do our CHILDREN.

First, Mr Farrell and Mr. Herrick have shown their --y'know I cannot come up with one word, lack of respect, lack of maturity, lack of knowledge and certainly not one ounce of true statesmenship...they are the reason that people make fun of elected officials...and why people don't run...shame on them.
I am just at the point that I "just shake my head" and just when I think they have hit a low... here they come...
and the comments here...Blows my mind how regular citizens are quick to rush to judgment about "how to respond to an emergency, Mr Turner" You have got to be kidding, what training do you have? and I guarantee that you would be the first to complain/sue if you had an emergency and the "right" response was not given you...
Kudos to those of you below who have tried, in a logical and rational manner to explain and educate. That is a noble gesture. What I learned while in public office is there are the kinds of people who question and who earnestly want the best and are willing to learn and engage in the process for change...if/when it is needed.
THEN there are those who live in a very paranoid, negative world, who only distrust and complain, not usually with accurate information. THEY have no intention of creating change for a positive reason, they just love the arguing, the anger, the fear and the judgment, they live for the high of intense encounters... BUT they do not serve a higher purpose in their actions.
There are a group of individuals who are very active in responding to stories/letters who fit that description. It is truly a waste of time to engage with them.
Keep engaging those who honestly want to understand and participate.
AND to ALL First Responders who we pay insultingly low salaries to for the dedication, required training and ALL they give that is NEVER compensated for: I ADMIRE AND RESPECT YOU ALL. I AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU DO. DON'T LET THE IDIOTS GET YOU DOWN. YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU. BLESSED BE.

Cheer if she is put to death. This is a terrible tragedy. I do not pretend to condone what this woman did.
However, before we run out and stone her, I will take a deep breath. I do not know all the details. If she is not mentally ill, the self-inflicted torture she will have to live with is far worse than anything we could do to her.
HOLD on... I did not say that we should not, as a society, hold her accountable, Oh, Yes, we should. Justice, when all the details are assembled regarding the murder of this child, should be immediate and administered appropriate to the severity of this crime.
I just cannot find it in myself to celebrate anyone's death. It diminishes me, my soul, takes from my life source. Do I believe that OBL being dead is the right thing? Yes, with no doubt. However, I will not celebrate it. Adding more darkness to darkness, hate to hate, does not create light or love, rather just more hate and darkness.
I have learned that even when something is completely right, done for the right reasons, good outcomes are never assured.
Our justice system is flawed and I have seen many, many examples of it being broken.
A young, beautiful innocent child was killed at the hands of his own mother, allegedly. Justice is required here. It is tragic all the way around.
See the movie, Gone Baby Gone, to understand that justice, what is "right" can have bad results, I do not have the answer. I simply see and feel the horror and tragedy of the human condition- and sincerely hope that Justice prevails.

I can certainly understand and appreciate the pride and Yankee stubbornness that is inherent here to take care of ourselves.
What really gets me is you say hiding this- we are not talking about a few weeks, a month, even a few months, -- how could people who cared about this person miss all of this? Really?
C'mon.
I agree with Mark LaFlamme's article today- that Richard Burton was then scapegoated- because people dropped the ball- NO ONE noticed how this man was living- or not really living- existing and no one caught it.
Now THAT is a HUGE statement of the lack of respect we have in this society in our culture for our elders. They are throw away. Oh, we would never say that. Yet, one only need look at how we are structured in our society to care for them. How we treat them in our language, our medical system, how we treat people as they age... it is all there.
My immediate questions were where was the family? They said the daughter gave permission for them to go in and deal with the horror inside.
The real question our community should be asking is: How could we let this happen to this man? It really does require an examination of community conscience. Where were the stopgaps? If any.
How could we all look the other way, while this happened?
There was time for those cats to get into the walls, for the death and the feces and the filth. While I love animals and see the tragedy of the loss of the animals and their suffering, I am horrified that this man was suffering. He was suffering before the first cats died, I am sure. He was suffering before the kittens got into the washing machine. So why did everyone around him remain silent? Or did someone try to help and there are no services, -- What happened here? The cats are the symptoms, if we focus on that we are missing a real, huge problem. Wake up, people, who will be there when you are elderly and need help?

Thank you, Tom. I have been concerned for some time about this mantra of wanting to keep our young people here.
While the quality of jobs is important, there are other factors.
As a mother, I want my two young adult children to feel free and believe that they can do anything they want to, that they can fly. Our family loved learning and exploring when they were growing up.
I hope that they are curious, confident, open young people who are willing to learn, take risks, grow and explore. So, far, they seem to be doing just that.

There is a whole world out there! It is amazing, there is so much to see and do and learn.

Attracting people to live, work and play here is the responsibility of all community members. If in doing this, people, -young people see the kind of community they can find good jobs in, raise their families, make a living, great!!
If not, how selfish to say..."let's keep our young people here" and you take care of us and fix these problems, too.

Jobs are certainly a very important, vital part of a decision to live in the state of Maine, but other factors certainly weigh in, such as is the community welcoming of who I am? How are the schools? What is the cultural and art life like here? Is there civic engagement? These are just the beginning of questions that I would ask before moving somewhere...

I have lived here for 46 years and until recently did not realize that I had never considered that I had a choice to leave Maine. It was simply not an option that was ever discussed, considered or even a thought in my mind. I did move several years ago temporarily, but when I was raised here, as I believe so many others were, the luxury of leaving was not an option.

I did not do it consciously, but made it clear to my children that they DID have choices.

THAT is the greatest gift we can give our children. Give them excellent education. (which means better funding) Dynamic communities to live in and set them free.

When they or others are attracted to live on our community because we are a dynamic, thriving place to live, than we will have accomplished something grand. The people who choose to live here will contribute more because it is their choice to do so.

at the individuals who were acting like children.
That is what I meant, I think I was clear about that, if they were behaving this way because of the "history" you described, they needed to grow up.
As for the "ad"

It does seem to me though that to explain a new method of teaching, - and I have to say here that I was a substitute teacher for 6 years, 3 in the Lewiston system and 3 in the Auburn system and I cannot believe for one moment that that one brief presentation gave any justice to the great disservice we do to our teachers and our children by not improving our methods of teaching and resources provided to our students.
When I came to the Lewiston city council only Dick Albert and I were consumers of the Lewiston Education System-- and the product was fair, not because of teachers- because there simply was not enough funding to provide and create a learning environment that gave out children the top competitive edge. None of those other councilors had a child who had classes in the basement of a building that I walked into with buckets all over in classrooms and hallways- totally disruptive, - oh and BTW my child developed breathing problems directly attributable to the poor air quality,
And the outdated books my daughter brought home from LHS, OMG we should be ashamed, I was ashamed!!
You know what the first discussion of the upcoming budget went like between some of the councilors- "We are really going to put it to them this year" Yeah, I've found out...blah, blah... and there is no way they are getting away with it" So I ask, new to all of this what they are talking about- the school committee I am told
I about fell off my chair, First-- THEY are WE.--but not to those councilors- this is a war- who has the bigger one... who has the power- it is a game- with our children's education lost
Second. I am a parent, My children are being taught in that system they want to 'put it to' It is all tragic. The children are the biggest losers in all of this.
Who in all of this is actually speaking up for them?? I was so shocked and horrified by this attitude. These two people just laughed at me when I tried to make these points and brought up my own children.
I did read what you wrote, I get that there are specific budget items that need to be addressed, that was not the purpose of this first presentation. It never is... these councilors have all year to address this, they have the power to address this in myriad ways... in constructive ways...
There is a "process" with budgets... I find it cumbersome, and yet, it is necessary and inadequate. It is inadequate in that there is really not enough time to educate the decision makers fully to make the correct decision. This is what happens when you choose a citizen form of government and you choose to pay poorly for people to do it/ run for office.
You must depend on this process, which must depend on the professionals to REALLY make the decisions, or slightly informed elected officials make the decisions. Come on let's all be realistic. When I was elected I was told it would be 5 hours a week, for councilors maybe 10. I worked not less than 30-40. Tell that to the man who called me five times one day and when I got home and called him at 5:30 after my day at work, and before a city council meeting, proceeded to yell at me for 15 minutes because I had not returned his call that morning after he called at 8AM. When he stopped I told him he did not pay me enough to do that and I had a full time job.which I needed to support myself and my children,-he was so angry and gave me a speech about now that I was elected, I was supposed to take care of my constituents... He really expected me to be available to him at all hours on $4,200/year and hung up on me.
How do you expect these elected officials to be fully informed about the details of all of these departments enough to make these decisions- they can't unless they do it more than full time.
Every department MUST make an attempt to educate and justify its budget-- it is the way it works.You- WE have set up our system of government that very way. If we don't like it we can change it, but what you see is what we all have chosen. I do not think it serves us well anymore - at all.
Like I said earlier if that process is to be changed that has to come from the leadership, not the lack of, that walks out of the room. And/or of course, the people.
During the budget process is not the only time to talk about the budget or investigate or research any particular issue you may have. If these parking spaces are of concern to you, get all the facts, meet with your rep on the school committee find out all you can. If it still doesn't make sense, pursue it. That is what democracy is all about.
I will end with these two comments, I learned that what goes on behind that "bench" behind walls of city hall- not secret in any way - it is all public, it is just far more time consuming and complicated and professional in many ways than I ever thought. for example in one situation people showed up at a meeting wanting a traffic light put up. They had valid concerns, well it does not work that way, there are traffic studies, traffic lights need to be coordinated, there is the MDOT, there are laws and guidelines that need to be considered, there are 5 year plans to be considered, development plans, neighborhood meetings, etc.. or another we did the planning for the Russell Street changes that happened last year...9/10 years later!!
The "grow up" comment is actually wasted, because I really don't even care or hope those individuals grow up. I really want them fired. Period. Auburn is better than that. The children of Auburn deserve better than that. And at this point, they are very much in the way. So get out of the way and let people get to work on finding solutions. I am not telling you to get out of the way. Just so you are clear on that.

1. No there is no course on decorum at public meetings. No I did not know Robert's rules it was on the job training. As for respect that I learned long before I went into politics.
I am not sure what you meant by #3. "councilors in the back room holding a meeting" you lost me there.
As for the question of my comments regarding Gov. LePage's policy's and actions.
Implying that I was bashing LePage when I disagreed with his actions and his lack of civility in his actions...
You must remember first and foremost that he chose to run for the seat of the Governor of the state of Maine. Inherent in that position are responsibilities and duties. First and foremost to represent us to the rest of the world. To date we have received embarrassing press coverage from this governor, threats of boycotts of our tourist industry, the butt of jokes on late night comedy shows, news headlines on prime newspapers across the country. NOT for creating jobs, or attracting businesses, or doing anything in any way that has assisted anyone living in this state, instead for mean spirited, immature and just plain rude comments. The actions are ones of teen agers and perhaps middle schoolers. Though I will admit, I did raise my own children better and never saw them act that way in public.
I am going to try to explain this: Civility in discourse would mean that I may disagree with your actions or your policies, and I can state that. I may even feel very strongly have fears and concerns. I will not however, call you names and personally attack your character. I have not attacked Mr. LePage's intelligence, frankly I think he is very intelligent. His choice of behaviors is intentionally rude and immature and a very poor example of citizenship to our young people. I have not attacked him as a person.I do not make fun of the way he looks, though he makes fun of women with little beards, I do not attack his family, even his hiring of his daughter, if she is qualified I have no problem with that. I have not dug into his personal life, I do not attack or make fun of what he looks like. I do not disrespect him as a person. I do not call him names or disparage him. I have never done that. I will not.
I absolutely do criticize his actions and the policies that I disagree with and will continue to do so and I will continue to do so in a civil manner.
Civility does not mean agreeing and it does not mean we cannot disagree. As for the Auburn councilors who I have since found out have conducted themselves in such an " uncivil" manner on at least one other instance, should be fired. With an apology to the SunJournal but if these folks had the leadership qualities necessary to resign, we would not even be having this discussion. They need to be fired, because it is always everyone else' s fault but their's.
They should be impeached, recalled. What ever the people of Auburn will do, they must rise up and reclaim their city. This is beyond ridiculous.
Those that are doing it... well, it is what it is,apparently that is what they are offering - certainly not leadership qualities in any stretch of the imagination, so at this point, we must look to those who are allowing this unacceptable behavior and ask who is appropriately leading Auburn right now? If I were a resident that would be a very vital question. The answer appears a bit disturbing.
How can you entrust your community, your children's education, your economic future and sustainability to the only thing you know you are guaranteed right now? More of the same= rude, immature, irresponsible behavior that does not show any signs of critical thinking, strategic problem solving, long range planning or any other skills necessary in these most extreme times.
What is that saying? repeating the same behaviours and expecting different results.... hhhmmm

the Titanic is headed for that glacier and just like that tragic night, no one sees it, wow....petty and childish how much more can you defend this ? REALLY? And so far? How much ridiculous crap that has made us the laughing stock nationally and how many jobs? How does taking down "Rosie the Riveter" - acknowledgement for women who stepped up during World War II- create JOBS! why isn't he spending his time creating jobs? I see NO plans, no proposals, no projections, NOTHING about new jobs? Ridiculous and no sense and at all.
SMH
perhaps the blame is more ours though, for if the emperor has no clothes is it not our responsibility to remove him from his throne???
How long do we keep "watching and waiting, hoping that he will do something" that will indeed perhaps redeem himself or even help people in this state?
How long do we entrust him with this state before we ourselves become just as morally liable? Will we look back in horror one day and say, "that is when we should have stopped him" or "that was when we really should have acted" because we will be left holding a tragedy in our hands?
We are only into the end of March, and all we have seen so far is jokes and chuckles and immaturity, taking down, stopping, repealing, de-constructing, blocking, not allowing public access, hurting, pain, fear, loss, anger,
NONE of these words are in any way CREATING, building, bringing together, positive
how is he bringing Maine people together? how is he Keeping Maine people's sense of place, pride and connection?
How is he building our sense of community and being in this together so that we can work on these problems together.
He is not. He is divisive. This man breaks down, he shreds, he is abrasive, he laughs at others, separates, makes fun of serious issues, he laughs at others' concerns, he immaturely, publicly ridicules other people,
While I am writing this I realize I have just described a bully. A bully.
We have huge movement across the United States to stop bullying. We know the far reaching impact. We certainly know it is not effective leadership. Yet in our state our Governor is a bully. And some people here think that this is okay and funny.
Me, it nauseates me, it did from the first "verbal punch" because it simply was not good "statesmanship" period, you can read anything I wrote,at the time.
It has continued to sink and sink, to this kind of play ground bullying, Okay, I am going to take down your swing, because last year, you guys painted it green and I don't like green and I definitely don't like that shade of green, so I am going to take the whole thing down. I don't care what it means, I just know that it will piss alot of people off, offend and even hurt some people, so yeah, my need for attention and crisis will get met, I'll have fun and I get to screw you at the same time... and I will be smiling and chuckling ..."ain't I grand"

I do appreciate that. To clarify and I did not intend to insult. It was more of a warning, not of the person but again of the process that goes on no matter the party, that to have faith in the transparency - real open and honesty of what is really going on behind the scenes- to put faith in that- THAT well
what was it Reagan said? "Trust, but Verify?" yeah, I used that with my teenagers all the time - very wise
We must stay alert and ask questions, it is our duty as citizens. Too many people do not even know what they are voting about or who they are voting for and that is even more scary.

My point about the transparency is simply that while in office I learned alot. Some of that was disheartening. Especially when we have our people serving our country in wars and all over the world, dying and being injured in service to our country, only to see so much lack of true appreciation or respect for Veterans and their families, the lack of civic engagement, and to be told as a congressional candidate that 75% of my time would be spent fundraising, 75%, well that is not at all why I do what I do or did what I did, I just wanted to make the world a little bit better place.
Anyhow, thanks for the good discussion, have a great weekend, on a partisan note, I do hope your faith in your leader is born out in good and wise actions for all the people of Maine. There are so many who are hurting so terribly right now. They need our immediate assistance.

Oh how Naive you are, and if you believe in that or have "faith" in it, it is dangerous....
I have been behind many governmental doors and in many meetings and committees and even the best intentions can end up in a place we don't expect.
Believe me, decisions are made every single day that you DO NOT find about or that we find out about after the fact.
They will be fed to us politically in a manner that serves the administration.
Journalists do not sit at every committee meeting and tweet everything said. Budgets have been severely cut and this is simply not possible.
This committee could have open discussion and we all know that they can say and discuss everything before and after meetings...There is not reason to do this unless there is something to hide and that they know that they are planning on doing things that they will need to keep secret. Think about it. Otherwise, you move forward expecting to be honest. You need to keep it secret only if you expect to have to be dishonest.
Before- after meetings, on the phone...email... texting.. that is when true decisions are made so very often- even more often on the golf course... trust me that one is true.
And I don't play golf.
We have got to get real as a public about really goes on in Augusta and Washington. To be honest about all of it would be a good start. Having blind faith is really scary and dangerous.

In our history since when have men taken responsibility for BIRTH Control? Are you kidding??? What planet do you live on???
Your 2 cents is what some men spend on their responsibility to their current children before they go out and make more!
Throughout history women have born the burden and blame for birth control.
Reducing this issue to paying for someone's pleasure to have sex is symbolic of the complete lack of understanding of the complexity of this issue and its impact on cost to communities, cost to women and children's lives.

Blows my mind how you can ignore the health care advantage, $1 to $4 cost savings and jump right into the sack, but then again... you are a man.....why should I be surprised??

Really? Really?
We have enough problems as it is. To add to the expenses of hospitals at this time is incomprehensible.
So now we will be liable for more financial obligations and these huge organizations in our state have to scramble and everything is in limbo while they do so, to what end? To create more panic and fear? More sense of uncertainty?
Talk about creating more government, now more layers to have to deal with getting all this to voters and then oversee the voting and then oversee the bonds... really????

I should have proof read that for grammar and spelling, sorry...... ugh I just hit save

I believe there is a movement to RECALL, not impeach the governor that is gathering a lot of momentum with every day that goes by and perhaps that was the sentiment that Shauni was expressing. I am not involved, but have heard about it increasingly in the last week.
Unfortunately, Bob, these folks will throw out the Muslim terror lies and innuendos no matter what you say.
It is all part of the dangerous and scary tactic.
No matter how true or logical or intelligent your response or discussion, they throw fear filled lies, rudeness, a lot of unconnected, useless information at you that makes no sense, mostly intended to instill fear and confusion, NOT intended to have intelligent, thought provoking discussion that might lead to mutual understanding (not at all, lol)
Once we made the New York Times, embarrassed by this Guv, and Stephen Colbert immortalized him as the idiot from Maine, I lost so much respect. This was all over the nation. Again, these folks do not realize how this is seen by the rest of the nation, for a Governor who claims to want to bring jobs here, no one seems to talk about the cost economically when the Governor acts in such a childish and irresponsible way that businesses across the country will react and not want to be associated with us or do business with us. There is a boycott going on against us. A boycott going on against coming here this summer for vacation!!
To say that the the Gov. was elected is to simple. The anger and frustration expressed by this writer cannot be ignored. To do so is foolish. While being "elected" is the case, but no one can ignore the over 60% who did not elect the Gov. If those people's frustration are reflected in this writer's letter,and so early in the administration, for purely survival and strategic purposes, it would be foolish to ignore the message and dismiss it as these folks have. It is very short sighted.
I DID give him respect and was giving him the chance to do his thing, if the Dems had messed things up, than show us what you can do, and he has so far, done nothing but destroy, hurt and bring down, dismantle...

First, It does say that the school is Leavitt if you read the article, Linda, it says "at the school". And Dan, the article is actually reporting that the State Police posted the charges and if you read the article the State Police did not include any details. So no details were included.
Where does "an employee's kid" come into the thought process at any point in this?
I am of course assuming you gave your comments some thought before you wrote them?

Wow, this is too funny. Sad that some people spend so  much of their time consumed

in hatred and a world that makes me want to ask" What color is the sky in your world?"

If we want to change the way government is "not working" (which is a national sentiment) than we need NEW people in government.  It is that simple, instead of putting down someone willing to take a risk, dealing with people like you, he wants to  do something good. That is his motivation. I am sure that is a motivation not known to you.  Building rather than destroying.

As for Laura,your arrogance astounds me- you are here - blasting your opinion. You are entitled to yours,BUT  SO IS  SHE. She is a citizen and entitled to her opinion.  Period. Why are you so threatened by that that you feel the need to put her down?

Having people send letters in support of a candidate or any voting issue is a campaign tool that is used by every party,every cause,every candidate...why make it as if he is doing some original stupid thing....you are so funny,really,this is very amusing...LOLROTF

Instead of hiding behind these postings and blogs why don't YOU have the Courage to get out there and DO what you believe and get out of the way of progress?

Really I wonder,what color is the sky???LOL