Carson a Tireless, Passionate Advocate

The other day I asked my husband, Conrad, why he supports Brownie Carson for the open Maine Senate District 24 seat, representing Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell, Pownal and North Yarmouth. We’ve known Brownie for 25 years, and like and respect him. But is friendship enough?

Conrad didn’t hesitate.

“I’ve sat across the table in meetings and negotiations with Brownie more times than I can count,” he said. “I’ve worked with all sorts of lawmakers and activists, on both sides of the aisle, from the White House to Congress and at the Maine State House. And I’ve never met anyone whose moral compass points more true north than Brownie Carson’s.”

Amen to that.

At a time when our national political discourse suffers from a trust deficit, Brownie Carson embodies integrity. A graduate of Bowdoin College, I’ve always been struck by how Brownie’s entire life’s work has aligned with that college’s mission to promote the “common good.” As a U.S. Marine, as a public interest lawyer, as the state’s leading environmental advocate for almost three decades, as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and even as a volunteer ambulance driver in his community, Brownie never ceases to work for others. Most importantly, he never ceases to learn: since announcing his candidacy, Brownie has been an indefatigable “student” of the issues, meeting with small business owners, community leaders, and educators, to hear their concerns and gain insight from their experiences.

Brownie is a tireless, passionate advocate who always can be counted on to make informed decisions based on what he believes is the common good. He would be an outstanding senator, and I urge you to join me … and Conrad … in supporting him this November.

Maria Padian,

Brunswick

We Need McCreight in Augusta

I am writing to extend my appreciation to Representative Joyce “Jay” McCreight for her commitment to improving the lives of those of us who live in District 51 and to her leadership on an important range of issues in the Maine State Legislature.

My opinion of the effectiveness of her constituent service and to her active support of issues vital to the well-being of residents of Harpswell, East Brunswick and West Bath is shared by scores of friends, neighbors and numerous respected organizations.

Representative McCreight has received the American Legion Award as a “Legislator of the Year.” She has been endorsed for re-election by the Maine Conservation Voters, the Maine State AFL-CIO, the Maine Education Association, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the Service Employees International Union & Maine State Employees Association, Local 1989.

It is quite an honor for a freshman legislator to receive so many endorsements for re-election. Congratulations and well done, Representative McCreight. We need you representing us in Augusta for the next two years.

Jerry Klepner,

Harpswell

Art Teacher Supports Stand Up for Students

I support the Stand Up For Students initiative because all children deserve to be able to have another piece of paper. Let me tell you a story.

Once, I was teaching a fairly simple drawing lesson to a 4th grade class. I had laid out the ideas and set the children free to create when I noticed one little girl with her head down. She was experiencing anxiety and stress because she thought she had a made a mistake. I talked with her about art and creating and how we are flexible and use mistakes to make something even more amazing and beautiful. She became increasingly distressed. At this point, I would have given her a new piece of paper because who needs to destroy a 9- year-old’s life with a drawing lesson?

However, I did not have another piece of paper to give her. This school had so little money that I had to restrict children to one piece of paper per project. This is a school with 60-70 percent of children getting free and reduced lunch.

This child had such a violent panic attack that we had to clear the room and the class had to miss art that day.

Art is often the only place a child like this feels successful. It is often the only place a child like this can find a moment of peace in an increasingly stressful week of high stakes learning. More and more, we are getting children in schools with high levels of anxiety and trauma like this.

I never want to see a child of 9 so upset by life that art cannot be a safe place for her or him. While I now teach at a school with less children in poverty, my experiences with children in poverty has profoundly affected the way I teach. I take weeks out of my curriculum to do art fundraising projects to make sure that children can have the materials they need to create in school, and not just in the art room. I share my materials with all the teachers in my school so we can all bring some of the special learning that happens when creating through art.

Again, I support the Stand Up For Students initiative because all children deserve to be able to have another piece of paper. Please help children by voting yes on Question 2 this November.

Laura Devin,

Newcastle