“Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers.” -Nikita Khrushchev

Lane/Tommy: We are doing something a little different with the column this week. We have several subjects that we would like to write about that probably wouldn’t take a whole column although one or two might pop up in the future.

Tommy: I noticed some areas in Windham, including along Route 202, where under the power lines vegetation is brown which means it’s dead. It appears that CMP is using subcontractors to spray herbicides to defoliate and kill vegetation, especially small trees. I haven’t seen any warning signs that herbicides have been sprayed. Any chemicals that can kill something cannot be good for the environment. Did anyone reading this column know that herbicides would be sprayed on their property?

Lane: I am a Vietnam veteran who has witnessed the effects of the now infamous Agent Orange used to kill dense vegetation in Vietnam and other places. Some of the 15 or so medical conditions caused by exposure to Agent Orange include numerous cancers, neurological damage and even diabetes.

Tommy: Another question is why do people move here? They must not be moving here for the great employment opportunities, the almost nonexistent transportation infrastructure or for the land to paved with asphalt. Wake up, people! They move here because this is a beautiful place to live or at least it used to be. Quality of life is very important so let’s not let it slip away. How much longer will it take before Windham or any other community in the Lake’s Region start to look like Route 1 north of Boston with its long stretches of total development. It is high time to slow down unbridled development.

Lane: I agree. Watching the Windham Town Council and Planning Board meetings on cable TV, the emphasis is on development, not quality of life for everyone. Slow down the growth!

Tommy: Another question is how will Windham’s budget be affected by the state budget next year? If there is a significant shortfall with revenues over the next year the impact on Windham’s tax rate could be disastrous. Please remember Windham’s recent reevaluation has our property valued at 100 percent. Any significant increase in the mil rate will be devastating to property owners. Will Maine’s economy go down the slippery slope due to inflation caused by high fuel costs?

Lane: Along the same line, I wonder if we are being told the truth about Maine’s budget. Gov. Baldacci recently stated that Maine had a surplus over $100 million dollars. How can that be when we owe billions to the state retirement fund because it was raided years ago? I have to believe that our governor has pulled a fast one by extending this debt another 10 years from 2018 to 2028.

By doing that it appears Maine does indeed have a surplus. That would be like us refinancing our mortgage on a continual basis, if we could. Remember that at the time that Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services is still missing millions of dollars and owes Maine’s health care providers even more millions. On top of that next year we must pay for the increase in teachers’ salaries and medical insurance for retired police and firemen. Those two were enacted so our governor could buy votes in this year’s election. So where will all this money come from?

Lane/Tommy: Our final comments will be on Windham’s use of calcium chloride. We feel there is enough evidence to ban the use of calcium chloride in our town. An excellent article recently in this paper shows there is no doubt that it is a powerful, corrosive substance that is causing serious damage to vehicles, especially rust. Why are we financing the destruction of our own vehicles?

Tommy: My wife and I purchased a 2006 Chevrolet in December 2005. In June 2006 the brake system was damaged by rust and corrosion to the extent that some brake parts had to be replaced after 10,000 miles. The mechanic asked where we lived and if calcium chloride was used in our town.

Lane: If our town council will not ban the use of calcium chloride then it is time for a petition drive to rid us of this dangerous and corrosive liquid in the town of Windham. In the last year I have spent more than $1,500 in repairs for two vehicles, most of which was to replace rusty brake parts. I have never had this happen any other place. Look for a petition drive to start shortly.

Lane/Tommy: Due to the length of this particular column, we had to leave out a very touchy subject with us and with many residents of Windham. That subject is the personal use of public vehicles which our Ethics Code strictly prohibits. The question we will leave you with is what’s green and sleeps six?