Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

June 9, 2012

Letters to the editor: Schneider's resume inspires support

When Attorney General Bill Schneider announced his Republican candidacy for U.S. Senate, I was thrilled.

I met Bill several years ago when we started a town committee here in Durham. His kind smile and powerful presence were an inspiration. He encouraged me to work as part of a team and that we can make a difference in our own backyard. I learned over time about his convictions and credentials.

Bill has a love of country and our great outdoors here in Maine. He graduated from West Point, earning many commendations in the Army, including a Special Forces tab, Ranger tab and Senior Airborne Wings and the Meritorious Service Medal.

After a service-connected injury, he kept on accomplishing on two wheels what many of us make excuses about on two legs. Bill is an incredible role model to our young people in Maine on what you can do. He even farms and raises alpacas.

He graduated from law school, served as Maine's assistant attorney general, received commendations for his work against drug traffickers in Maine and served two terms as a state representative.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Bill was recruited to serve as the federal anti-terrorism coordinator in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine. Most recently he was elected to serve on the Guantanamo Review Task Force.

The first thing he did as Maine's attorney general in the LePage administration is protect our constitutional rights by joining the legal challenge to Obamacare.  

There is no other candidate who could represent Maine like Bill Schneider. Foreign policy, support of our military and our manufacturing base and his strong conservative positions distinguish him as a leader. I am proud to ask for your support and vote for Bill.

Elizabeth Liscomb

Durham

Let Rochelo continue hard work in Augusta

On June 12, the clear vote for House District 136 is incumbent Rep. Megan Rochelo. With the experience of her freshman year under her belt, Rochelo is well suited to continue the hard work of the Democrats in Augusta.

During Rochelo's first term, she fought against budget cuts that will impact seniors and children, our most vulnerable constituents. She helped pass legislation that would have expired without a change in law, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenue for Biddeford.

Her experience in Augusta is valuable and will be used to Biddeford's advantage. Beyond being a great advocate for people of all walks of life in Biddeford, she is an upstanding citizen, donating countless hours of volunteer time for our downtown's revitalization.

I know Megan as a peer and a friend and feel fortunate to have her doing the hard work for us in Augusta. Please re-elect Rochelo on June 12.

Tammy Ackerman

Biddeford

Courtney brings years of business experience

Our clear choice for the U.S. House is Jon Courtney. A native of Maine, Jon owns Courtney Cleaners, with locations in Sanford, Kennebunk and Portsmouth. From his experience, Jon knows that owners, not the government, should be the ones running businesses.

Apart from his business, Jon also has much experience in government. Serving as both Senate assistant minority leader and Senate majority leader in the Maine Legislature, Jon has time and again proven himself able to work across the aisle on issues vital to Maine's interests.

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