LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Two Kittery candidates did not show good judgment when they last served
Oct. 27 − To the Editor:
The citizens of Kittery allowed me the privilege of serving as a member of the Kittery Town Council for 24 years. While I am not naive enough to believe that community residents agreed with every decision I made, I do feel confident that they trusted my judgement. I thoroughly researched issues before the Council, listened to community concerns, and then made the best decision I could given the knowledge base available. My understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Council member was clear. I respected my oath to serve and observe the principles of the Kittery Town Charter.
Two current Council candidates, while serving on the Council in 2021, did not exercise good judgement. They followed two female municipal employees, and photographed them without their knowledge apparently at the urging of a few disgruntled male municipal employees. Serving as Council Chair at that time, I was appalled to learn of their behavior and breach of public trust. Through the efforts of five Council members, Town Manager Amaral, and the town’s attorney firm, significant legal jeopardy for the community was avoided.
I urge Kittery residents to support Council candidates on November 7 who they believe will exercise good, sound judgement in continuing to move our community in a safe, progressive direction.
Jeff Thomson
Kittery, Maine
John Tabor truly listens to and serves the people of Portsmouth
Oct. 27 − To the Editor:
Over the last twenty years, I enjoyed an opportunity to get to know John Tabor in a very unique way as we Co-Chaired Portsmouth Listens. We worked on study circle dialogues covering issues critical to Portsmouth from Master Plans and the City Budget, to housing and transportation. It has been an extraordinary learning experience. We learned the importance of public input to City decision makers. In every dialogue, there were always new facts and concepts we learned from the citizens of Portsmouth. We learned that public input is critical to making Portsmouth the best place to live work and play for everyone! There is nothing else that could have better prepared John to be a City Councilor as evidenced by his first two terms.
John’s commitment to doing the right for Portsmouth is also evidenced by his annual campaign ritual of knocking on doors. John knocks on all doors, not just supporters. John listens to residents and keeps track of what he hears. It directly impacts what he does as a City Councilor. It again demonstrates that John understands that making the best decisions for Portsmouth requires listening to Portsmouth citizens.
John’s intellect, compassion and experience highly qualify him to continue to serve as a Portsmouth City Councilor. Please vote for John Tabor for Portsmouth City Council!
Jim Noucas
Portsmouth
Vote for Kathleen Soldati for Portsmouth City Council
Oct. 27 − To the Editor:
The incoming Portsmouth City Council will be responsible for events far beyond their two-year term. Climate change is delivering not just extreme weather and rising sea levels, but migration into our region. Planning for this transition is non-negotiable. In a decade, forecasters predict the Northeast will look very different than it does today. At stake is the stability of our regional economy, public health, food systems, drinking water supplies, safety and security, and the biodiversity that supports all of the above.
History is asking us to elect city councilors (and the boards, committees, and representatives that they appoint) who are accountable to our changing circumstances. People equipped to make a frank assessment of our needs, who can muster a community vision and have the capacity to lead us there.
Kathleen Soldati has experience growing successful, multi-stakeholder businesses from “here” to “there.” She is a connector and lifelong learner who has dedicated her career to public-facing institutions with vigor, flair, intuitive grace, and economic accountability. She has the values, skills, and track record we need to foster the civil discourse that is our heritage; to strengthen the creative, historical, neighborhood, and economic community bonds that fuel our resilience; and to support democratic decision-making bodies that represent the city’s entire constituency.
Our city will evolve. To help shape the future we want, please vote for Kathleen Soldati on Nov. 7. Karen Marzloff
Portsmouth
We urge Eliot to vote no on Question 10; we don’t need more shooting ranges
Oct. 26 − To the Editor:
As we write this, the state of Maine has just experienced the trauma of the worst mass shooting in its history. A shooting that has killed and maimed dozens of citizens and has joined the ugly list of most deadly mass shootings in US history.
Schools have closed throughout the State, hospitals have armed security and frightened Mainers are sheltering in place.
We don’t write to debate the 2nd amendment but to highlight that the Lewiston gunman, acting as a “well regulated militia” of one, has not ensured the safety of the state, but shattered it.
We are writing about Eliot town ballot question #10 creating a Shooting Range Ordinance before the Eliot voters this November that “is designed to promote dialog between the municipality and operators”.
Instead of protecting the safety and quality of life of Eliot residents, this ordinance opens the door for more shooting ranges to be established in our town.
Q10 would allow shooting ranges on any 3-plus acre parcel of land anywhere in our town. It would require a $25 license fee and a clean criminal background check which, by the way, the Lewiston shooter could have passed.
The weapon of mass murder used by the shooter to kill 18 Mainers has a range of 1200 feet. No one in our town would be safe should a shooting range firing these and similar weapons locate near your home, school, walking trail, or business.
Eliot needs a stronger firearm ordinance, not a sanctioned path for more shooting ranges. With the safety and security of every Eliot resident in mind, we urge you to vote NO on 10. We can do better.
Michele Meyer, Eliot; Christine Bennett, Eliot; Judy Doran, Eliot; Vicki Firme Stewart, Eliot; Joanne Francis, Eliot; Peter Egleston, Eliot; Ellen Ceppetelli, Eliot; Megan Shapiro Ross, Eliot; Emily Ostrow, Eliot; Jenn Therrien, Eliot
You can’t say Democrats are doing a better job
Oct. 26 − To the Editor:
In response to Bess Mosley in Thursday’s edition. I had to do a double take, when I saw her publication. Yes the Republicans have issues, no argument there. This is certainly not the Democrat party of JFK! I’ve voted since 1992 always for Democrats because of my grandparents views. All the hypocrisy in this administration’s investigations, all the government handouts and not to mention the border crisis. What we have here in our country needs to be protected, not exploited.
Bill Powers
Rochester
US must do more to stop killing in Gaza
Oct. 27 − To the Editor:
Israel is doing an ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, and the US is not only letting it happen but the bombs killing the Palestinians are US made bombs. The US’s resistance to a ceasefire call in the UN Security Council is an abomination. There has been a complete collapse of the health care and hospital system in Gaza. This scorched earth campaign by Israel and supported by the US must stop. It is not a “war”. It is genocide. Objecting to genocide does not mean you love Hamas or are “anti-Semite”. Speak out against this genocide. The failure of the US and its Western allies and mainstream media to call for a ceasefire shows they are morally bankrupt and complicit in genocide. Bonnie Rodriguez
Hampton