As a seasonal small-business owner, I am very much against the ridiculous figures being tossed around recently for the state’s minimum wage.

As we all know, Maine has a huge number of proprietors who make their living in, literally, three months’ time: June, July and August. That’s it!

Most of us in this group rely on workers ranging in age from 14 to 20 years old for our help. They are high schoolers and college kids who still live home under the supervision of their parents. Most do not pay for food, health care or rent because of this.

As their bosses, we pay some of the highest amounts of taxes, fees, workers’ compensation – on and on and on – in the country! And again – we have barely three months to earn our living because of the short summer season.

Pay them $15 an hour? $12 an hour? Seriously? Don’t the people pushing for these raises in wage get it, that all this will do is force us all to have to raise our prices and hire less help? Which then leads to decrease in services! Think about it.

How about this? I agree that the current minimum wage is unacceptable for an adult trying to make ends meet. Let’s reward these folks for not sitting home milking the welfare system and give that person an hourly amount they can be proud of and want to continue going to work.

Maybe we compromise: A seasonal worker between the ages of 14 and 21 receives today’s minimum wage. A full-time worker over the age of 21? Then I’m all in. Let’s help these people and give them some help.

As with anything, there simply can’t be an all-encompassing plan. Compromise …

Allan Buotte

Old Orchard Beach