My brother was in town this past week visiting from California. During his stay, the Press Herald ran an article about one of Portland’s founding fathers, George Cleeve (“Portland’s torn past on slavery re-emerges,” Oct. 21). The story mentioned how city officials had refused to accept a statue of Cleeve simply because he was “rumored to have owned a ‘colored servant.’ ”

My brother was unfamiliar with our city’s history and rejection of a piece of art based on “rumor.” We both agreed that a city should base such decisions on fact. We discussed renaming Washington Avenue in Portland because we’re completely sure that Washington owned slaves.

I also suggested that Portland should do away with any parking meters that still accept quarters and nickels. Again, because of the whole Washington and Jefferson slave ownership dilemma. One- and two-dollar bills would obviously be excluded from city-owned or city-run vending services also.

I could go on, but I think that by now you see where I’m going with this. Maybe Portland’s city officials should concern themselves with more important issues than “rumors.”

As Benjamin Franklin once stated: “I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a matter of truth; but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear charged upon others, and upon proper occasions speak all good I know of everybody.”

Jay Lawrence

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South Portland

Blue Sky Plan a big boost for UMaine Homecoming

On behalf of Fill the Steins (fillthesteins.com) and our hundreds of loyal followers, I would like to offer a salute to University of Maine President Paul Ferguson for supporting a fan-focused Homecoming Weekend.

A 2001 graduate of the school and a lifelong attendee of Homecoming, I can say that the atmosphere and excitement surrounding the weekend have taken on new meaning in recent years. Since Ferguson rolled out his Blue Sky Plan, attendance at both pre-game and post-game gatherings has increased and has been more positively received.

Even with the torrential rains and flooding in 2012, the fans came out in masses to battle the elements and support their beloved Black Bears.

This year we were impressed to see nearly all of the tailgating lots and stadium seats full for the Oct. 19 football game; Mother Nature providing a near-perfect day didn’t hurt either.

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And while there are still some unnecessary limitations on tailgating and pre-game events, we are encouraged by President Ferguson and his administration’s effort to grow the game day experience. We look forward to working with the president to further improve the weekend and to provide a uniquely Orono experience in the years to come.

Congratulations to all of the teams in action during Homecoming Weekend, and we look forward to seeing everyone back at “the college of our hearts always” for Homecoming Weekend 2014!

Adam Henckler

York

Tea party misrepresented by media and opinion polls

There is a high-tech lie that is being pushed by mass media – TV, print and the Internet – that the tea party shut the government down. I don’t know of any Republican congressperson who voted to defund the government. If you can prove that, let’s hear it. The only ones who would not vote to fund the government were Democrats and the president.

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The poll that was put out by NBC and The Wall Street Journal was completely false (“Polls highlight fallout from shutdown,” Oct. 13). If you looked at the internals of the poll, those surveyed were 43 percent Democrats, 32 percent Republicans and 20 percent government workers. Just remember, NBC is all in for the Democratic Party and the president.

And now I learn that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has decided to come out against the tea party.

Chamber President Tom Donohue knows he has to marginalize the Republicans and the tea party to get immigration reform, aka amnesty. This so they can sell out the American worker again. They want cheap labor to increase their bottom line.

Years ago, I said it was time for the Republican Party to stand up for the American worker and vote against the free trade agreement, but they voted for it and sold out the American worker.

I am not a Republican or a tea party member but a concerned citizen.

David R. Ginchereau

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Sanford

Legislative colleague likes Hinck for City Council

I write in support of an outstanding City Council candidate, Jon Hinck.

I served with Jon in the Maine Legislature. He impressed me as a dedicated and effective public servant.

In my first term, Jon was the ranking minority member on my committee, Energy, Utilities & Technology. Jon provided principled leadership as we worked to secure policies encouraging lower electricity costs and promoting renewable energy.

Energy policy is one of the more challenging arenas for legislators to work in. Jon was an informed and persistent advocate for the best interests of our citizens. His goal was always intent on achieving consensus on issues that were on many levels noteworthy for their technical complexity. Jon saw beyond the engineering reports and identified their consequence on the average family budget.

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I also saw Jon work hard for innovative solutions on such diverse issues as campaign finance and the unlawful diversion of pharmaceutical drugs as a means to address the scourge of addictive drugs like OxyContin. Jon was a clear voice for the city of Portland and the interests of his constituents back home. I was impressed with how hard Jon worked for people here.

If we send Jon to the City Council, we can expect him to give that responsibility his all and achieve great things for our city. On Nov. 5, I will be voting for Jon Hinck for Portland City Council.

Democratic state Rep. Mark N. Dion

House District 113

Portland

Removal of Christmas tree gives Bar Harbor bad name

In light of the controversy concerning the removal of the veterans’ lighted Christmas tree by the town of Bar Harbor, perhaps it’s time for the town to rename itself “Bar Humbug.”

Byron L. Green

Brunswick


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