I am writing to encourage all readers of your paper to stand behind the longtime residents and majority of people who want to see Harpswell’s natural resources, namely Cedar Beach on Bailey Island, be open to the public to enjoy.

I grew up on Bailey Island as did my ancestors back to the 1700s.

I swam on Cedar Beach, took swimming lessons with the Red Cross on Cedar Beach, had Sunday School picnics on Cedar Beach, and family reunions on Cedar Beach, all without asking or needing permission from anyone.

As a matter of fact, on most summer days you would see cars parked in the field right by the beach.

It was a right of way without question.

What is happening to Harpswell’s access to its natural beauty?

Advertisement

Why should three or four recent owners overrule a “prescriptive easement” and make this beautiful, large beach private for only themselves?

Is this what Harpswell wants?

I have been to many public meetings in Harpswell, including town meetings to hear discussions on this issue.

It is quite apparent that a great majority of people want to regain access.

As a child I never saw “KEEP OFF” signs, and now Harpswell’s beautiful land is dotted with such ugliness.

I ask you to take time to seriously consider what you can do to save our beach and our town’s beauty.

Advertisement

Nancy Orr Johnson Jensen

Orr’s Island

KENNEBUNK, Cundy’s Harbor and other places are not alone with trying to deal with a different selfish class of people, unwilling to share a beach.

My husband is a lifelong resident of Bailey Island. In 1967, he and I and our six children moved into the oldest house on the island, a family home. He introduced us to the Cedar Beach area, which he remembers going to since the 1940s.

We enjoyed the beach immensely in all seasons, leaving notes on summer cottage doors to assure owners that their property was in good condition.

Then in moved a new class of people with the attitude that Cedar Beach was exclusively theirs. What a loss for our family personally and all families in Harpswell to be denied the pleasure of such a God-given gift,

Advertisement

We elected our present board of selectmen with the impression that they would protect the interests of all citizens of Harpswell. So far they have felt disinclined to become involved.

We urge them to come forward and fulfill their duty.

Robert F. Leeman

Elizabeth L. Leeman

Bailey Island

Letter writer in for a shock when he meets his Maker

Advertisement

I can’t be sure, but it looks like Donald A. Yeskoo’s God has gone on his August vacation and left Yeskoo in charge (“Letter writer’s liberalism ignores the word of God,” Aug. 20).

Mr. Yeskoo seems to condemn to Hell anyone who does not accept God’s Son — including all of us Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Baha’i, Druids, Pagans, Animists, Atheists, Humanists, and so on.

He also seems to imagine that God has a particular and condemning interest in abortion, same-sex marriage, and even our supposed welfare state and economic structure.

I would humbly suggest that when Mr. Yeskoo eventually comes face-to-face with his Maker, he will find a God who is far more compassionate and inclusive and loving than we humans can possibly imagine.

Tim Baehr

Portland

Advertisement

Maine’s small businesses welcome senator’s efforts

Sen. Susan Collins has once again demonstrated that she understands how jobs are created in our economy and will support job creators in Maine and across the country with common sense, pro-growth policies.

Small businesses are the engine that drives economic growth, and the manufacturing sector in particular has an important role to play by creating jobs up and down the supply chain.

Starting and growing a manufacturing business, however, bears risk and can be a difficult challenge. Manufacturing is capital intensive, which means that manufacturers must first spend money to acquire equipment and other materials for production before they can earn a single dollar in return. For small businesses, especially those just starting out, this can be a harsh reality.

Sen. Collins has authored legislation that would ease this burden by allowing companies that purchase equipment or upgrade their facilities to more rapidly deduct the cost of their investment. The Small Business Tax Certainty and Growth Act achieves this partly by making permanent the maximum allowable deduction under Section 179 of the tax code, a provision that has changed three times in the past six years and is scheduled to change again next year.

The bill would also allow more small businesses to use the simpler cash method of accounting, saving both costs and confusion. And, of particular concern to companies that are just starting out, Sen. Collins’ bill would double the tax deduction for start-up expenses, from $5,000 to $10,000.

Advertisement

The Manufacturers Association of Maine thanks Sen. Collins for introducing this legislation, which would give manufacturers and other small business owners the certainty and tax relief they need to grow their businesses, create good-paying jobs, and move our economy forward.

Lisa G. Martin

Manufacturers Association of Maine

Derek Volk

Volk Packaging

Scarborough

Advertisement

Anti-national defense tone ignores the price of peace

Rosalie Paul’s op-ed of Aug. 20 added her objection to a request by BIW for tax breaks. 

I am curious about what the request was and what justified the request. 

Corporate welfare was suggested.

However, I was mainly disturbed by the anti-national defense tone in her article.

She was “weary of the war machine” and wanted BIW to succeed as a manufacturer of non-war materials.

Advertisement

Does Ms. Paul recall 9/11? 

We did not provoke that attack. 

Those people are still out there. 

They have not repeated that event due to our vigilance and because of our strength and ability to retaliate.

BIW helps that effort. 

There is a price for peace. 

The future of our children depends upon that, not on the vulnerability of national defense neglect.

Thomas F. Shields, M.D.

Auburn


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.