On a hike at Baxter State Park in early October, a circling helicopter annoyed my wife and me. We then realized that there must be a search for a lost or injured hiker. Later, we were disappointed and angered to find that the helicopter was for a state government official flying to a meeting at Kidney Pond.

The State of Maine should not be flying officials in helicopters. Using helicopters instead of cars is a needless extravagance, and any serious review would affirm that Department of Conservation Commissioner Pat McGowan’s and Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Commissioner Roland Martin’s time is not that valuable.

I later told this story to a friend from the Forest Service, who irritated me further, by telling me about the whole program and how often the helicopter gets used for frivolous trips.

The state is now cutting $800,000 from the school budget in Lewiston. Gov. Baldacci should stand up for what is right and show that state government can make good decisions.

Sell the helicopter.

Walter Cary, Lewiston