I have been of two minds regarding Question 2, the reduction of the excise tax.

Initially, I was for this reduction. I felt that Maine citizens pay far too much to register vehicles compared to other states.

Recently there have been ads opposing the reduction, highlighting the needs of quality roadways for the safe passage of those who both live and visit here. That got me to thinking, as a long-term public safety provider both in fire service and in emergency medicine, that these are the same roads that also provide the same safe passage to those who provide protection and stability.

Reading the editorial on Oct. 20, the thoughts and ideas struck me as sound, especially when it concerned the MSRP. My feelings are that these suggestions should be researched seriously as a common ground between the state and the citizens who live here.

The question that nags me is, do we need to say “yes” to prompt the elected officials into action, or can we hope that those same elected officials will read that editorial and get input from their constituents to initiate the aforementioned research.

Patrick Donaghy, Wayne