In response to the article “Falmouth fights more lake access by public,” Feb. 28:

I applaud the citizens of Falmouth for standing up to the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife’s strong-arm tactics aimed at appeasing the growing “motorhead” lobby, which wants to access every body of water in our state regardless of the impact on fisheries and water quality.

The argument by IF&W biologists that it has been the department’s policy to not stock any body of water that does not have “equal” access is unfounded, based purely on a political agenda to appease this lobby.

As a fisherman for more than 45 years, I remember when IF&W’s policy was: We stock bodies of water as long as there is “public access” — not “motorized” access. Footpaths wide enough for someone to carry a canoe or small boat were sufficient to justify stocking. I can provide anyone with a number of bodies of water to which this stocking policy applied.

It was not until the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, as well as the snowmobile and ATV lobbyists, cried “unfair” with their distorted figures about how much they contribute to IF&W’s coffers that the department decided to change its policy on stocking. Purely a political decision made by bureaucrats — not one based on science.

This is not a social or ethical debate. It is a political one that is being won by those who forgot how to walk or use their arms for locomotion.

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IF&W risks degrading our native fisheries by indiscriminate stocking — and in some cases, overstocking — to appease the motor crowd and what the department calls “increased fishing opportunity,” regardless of the effect on the quality of the experience.

Stick to your decision, Falmouth. It’s the right one for those who value our natural resources and a quality fishing experience. More municipalities need to follow your lead when it comes to IF&W’s new “access policy.”

Bob Croce

Dedham

First, as I understand it, Highland Lake in Falmouth has been stocked routinely for decades even though access has been restricted.

Second, the taxpayers of the state of Maine own the land where the boat launch is located. Everybody knows it; it’s the one with large boulders that block the way to the water’s edge.

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Third, at taxpayer expense, approximately $3 million has been spent in recent years to fund erosion-control projects and to fix the dam that maintains the lake’s water level.

Looks like the folks who live on Highland Lake have had a pretty good deal, and for a very long time, courtesy of the state of Maine.

Not so for local residents and fishermen with no access to the lake. This needs to change immediately! Everyone who would like to visit Highland Lake to go boating and fishing should have an equal opportunity to access the lake via a new boat ramp. Period.

Until then, first, stop all stocking of trout and salmon until this issue is resolved.

Second, remove the boulders that are blocking access to the lake, as they are on state property. Send a state truck and payloader down there to remove them, pronto!

Third, acquire all necessary permits and then build the boat ramp.

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Maine residents and taxpayers deserve better treatment when it comes to access to the state’s lands and lakes. No lake or pond, when it receives funding from the state and is routinely stocked with fish from state hatcheries, should have any restrictions on access. None!

Paul W. Greenwood

Cumberland

Criticism of former sheriff irrelevant to Poliquin case

In response to the letter from Roxy Hagerman published in the Feb. 18 edition (“Dion shouldn’t point finger at Poliquin”), I almost laughed out loud at the old, worn-out “shift the blame” tactic these people always use when one of theirs gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

She refers to the Democrats trying to teach Bruce Poliquin a lesson for exposing Democratic corruption. Just what corruption he has exposed, I have no idea.

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She then goes on to accuse Mark Dion of going to law school while serving as Cumberland County sheriff.

Let’s put everything in perspective. As I understand it, the issue originally was whether or not Mr. Poliquin violated the state constitution in regard to his business activities while holding the position of treasurer of the state of Maine.

The state constitution is very explicit with respect to its requirements for state treasurer: “Thou shalt not moonlight,” period. Even I know that.

Now in regard to the accusations against Mr. Dion, if he has broken any laws, prosecute; if not, hold thy peace. One situation has absolutely nothing to do with the other, and if one did indeed break the law, it still doesn’t make it right for the other to do the same.

Ernest E. Burleigh

Sanford

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Return of engagement ring pleasantly surprises couple

Recently, while walking in the Park at Mill Creek, South Portland, I noticed that the diamond on my engagement ring was loose. My fiance said, “Why don’t you give it to me, and I will put it in my pocket so you don’t lose it?” I proceeded to take it off my finger, not thinking of anything else but that it was going to a safer place.

It wasn’t until later, when we got home, that he noticed it wasn’t in his pocket anymore. We searched everywhere that we had walked with a metal detector we rented from Mill Creek’s True Value for hours on end, to no avail. I thought the ring was gone forever.

My fiance said to me, “I will be looking through this neighborhood for the rest of my life.” With both of us full of heartache, we called the South Portland Police Department to let them know of the incident, just in case. But really, who would turn in a lost 2-carat diamond ring?

Three days later, at 2 p.m., we received a call from Officer Carlton asking us to describe the ring. I was stunned when he asked us to come down to the station. Much to our surprise, a good citizen turned it in to Dave at the Rotary Club, and we have our ring back.

My faith is restored! I thought it was gone forever! Thank you and bless the honest person who turned it in. There is hope!

Wendy Caisse

South Portland


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