To the editor:

This letter is to all the liberal elites and nanny state lovers of the town of Topsham:

Thank you so very much for infringing on my rights to use fireworks. My daughter just graduated from high school as the vice president of her class, was accepted at a very prestigious private college — and they are paying her to attend.

We are very proud parents and wanted to celebrate her achievement. She asked me if it would be possible to have some fireworks at her graduation party, and I purchased a good deal of product.

The party was scheduled for June 17th. As of June 13, I cannot legally use the fireworks in Topsham, following a municipal referendum in which a slight majority of voters elected to ban the sale and use of consumer fireworks in town.

Humor me while I provide you a bit of information. I was born in Maine and have lived in the state for most of my life. I moved to New Jersey for a while and quickly learned, why so many of you leave there and move to Maine. I am a college graduate and a Master Maine Guide.

I am raising a family with my wife, and both my children are on the honor roll. I have worked for the same company for the last 25 years and have always paid all my bills and property taxes.

My belief is “live and let live” and “there are always a few bad apples in a bunch.” I consider myself a responsible and trustworthy member of the community but it is obvious that a majority of the voting community feels that I am not responsible and/or trustworthy, based on the conclusion of the June 12 vote.

Before you think that you are just protecting the ignorant from themselves, consider the number of snowmobile injuries and deaths that occur each year. Why don’t we start outlawing the use of snowmobiles in different towns?

As I read about the voting, I thought about all the people who use my land for recreation. Oh, by the way, I own a large tract of land and an island located in Topsham. It’s been in my family for more than 150 years and I am responsible for its maintenance and for paying the taxes on it.

Over the last 20 or so years, I have met hundreds of people hiking, biking, walking the dog, horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, etc., on my land. Most of them never asked my permission.

I have actually found hunters sitting in my tree stand with their cups of coffee. They tell me, “My friend said I could hunt here.”

The situation is the same on my island with boaters. They come on to the island, move the plastic chairs to sunny spots and leave them there, along with their trash.

Every summer we have to go clean up all the piles of human defecation and toilet paper left behind by people using my land as an outhouse.

I ask myself: If I am not responsible enough to use fireworks, what about the people who recreate on my land? I would guess not.

Based on my conclusion, I will be posting all my land and the island. All trespassers will be arrested and prosecuted.

For all of you who recreate on my land and island, I am sorry, but this is the only way to protect the ignorant people from themselves.

For all those who find this conclusion offensive, as Paul LePage put it, “You can kiss my butt.”

Jim Cornish

Topsham