In response to the Sun Journal article on Feb. 18 about about a nonresident running for road commissioner in Sabattus, I would like to make a few comments.

In the Public Works Department, four of the six employees are nonresidents.

In the Police Department, the chief and all but one or two full-time officers are nonresidents.

In the Water/Sewer Department, the supervisor and several of the employees are nonresidents.

The town administrator and office employees are nonresidents.

The transfer station supervisor and animal control officer are nonresidents.

The school superintendent, principal, vice principal, head custodian and transportation director are nonresidents.

These people are all highly qualified and dedicated professionals who were hired for their skills. The position of road commissioner has the same requirements,.

Unfortunately any person, qualified or not, can get elected to this job just by popularity or by running unopposed.

As there is no ordinance banning a nonresident from running for this position, I have made the decision to run for this office.

I have been employed by the town of Sabattus Public Works Department for 10 years, nine and a half of those years as crew foreman.

I would, therefore, bring hands-on experience to the position. My only agenda is to serve the town of Sabattus to the best of my ability as I have done for the past 10 years.

John H. Hyde, Bowdoin