Thursday, June 20, 2013
Regarding Bill Nemitz's casino column ("Future of 'resort' based on 'best guess,"' July 25): As a board member of the Oxford Casino, I can't comment on the Department of Environmental Protection issue, as that is between the state and the court, but I would like to say that comment about Bob Bahre was totally uncalled for.
Bob Bahre, left, became involved in the Oxford Casino primarily because it could bring jobs to western Maine, a reader says.
2004 file photo/The Associated Press
I've known Bob for 36 years, shortly after I arrived in Maine in the '70s and throughout the years, including the casino project that Bob and a number of others are invested in.
Bill Nemitz obviously doesn't know much about Bob if he thinks Bob got into this project to make money. A return on an investment is never a bad thing, but the main reason Bob got behind this project was the jobs it would create in one of the toughest times in memory in western Maine.
We've created hundreds of jobs in construction and services and now 400 year-round full-time jobs with benefits. A lot of Maine families have a good job and health care they didn't have eight weeks ago.
Bob Bahre has created hundreds of jobs over the past 50 years in numerous companies he has started, invested in and supported.
You won't read about the substantial charitable and social donations Bob has made and continues to make in the community, because he doesn't talk about them and doesn't like others to.
Bill Nemitz should take a ride up Route 26 to Oxford. Stop at businesses and ask what they think of Bob Bahre. Bob has done well, helped a lot of other people do well and made a great and positive difference in countless lives over the years.
It's easy for Bill Nemitz to slam people he really doesn't know, but I guess that's just the nature of people like him.
Jim Boldebook
Alfred
Airport cab drivers deserve opportunity to earn a living
Everyone deserves to earn what they work for. Airport cab drivers cannot lose their jobs.
Airport cab drivers are hardworking people who deserve our thanks but no disruption.
If anyone knows the recent history of Portland airport cab drivers, it used to be open to all drivers: Simply pay the airport permit fee and stay at the airport to pick up your fare. But when the economy went down, most of the airport cab drivers left the airport and withdrew their permits because the waiting period for one fare become four to five hours.
There were 50 cab drivers who put their time and effort to stay at the airport and serve Portland people when they need taxis at the airport, while others chose the hassle of working downtown to make more of a living.
Those 50 cab drivers were paying airport permit fees even in the toughest time. They stayed at the airport even though they might not be making money, but they were happy for the service they were providing.
All cab drivers got their fair chance before the airport management decided to limit the numbers of airport cab permits. It is unfortunate not to look after drivers who paid the price of being patient, staying at the airport during harsh winters and summers.
It is not clear the motive of the management, but whatsoever, it is good management practice to look at other venues before concluding who will lose a job. If one is losing a job, it is better to be the one who can afford to lose a job.
(Continued on page 2)
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