I have owned Jeanne’s Bottle Depot just over 18 years. Yes, it was a struggle, but I was also working another job to keep it going. After four years, I got a penny raise for handling fee. What a deal.

Since then, base pay went from $3.50 to $6.75. That does away with that penny plus. When I was able to draw Social Security, I put part of that into the business to keep it going because I enjoy customers and talking to them. I asked for a small handling fee to cover all costs. I talked to our great senators and representatives about this matter.

Guess what? I had more customers say you should get at least a five-cent raise in your handling fee for what you have to do. Government says no, but they did not feel bad when they raised my license fee to $50.

All distributors have to keep records on what is sold and what is returned. Those not returned or broken, the distributors pay the state the fee.

Yes, government for the people. What people? I know, governor, senators and representatives.

Voting time will come again, and I will vote none of the above. We don’t need this kind of government. We need government to work for the people of Maine.

Howard M. Child, Peru