City Manager Does Right for People of Bath

We are writing to congratulate Bath City Manager Peter Owen on helping to bring in nearly $9 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture — Rural Development for sewer system upgrades. These funds are the product of his diligence and hard work. It will allow for essential improvements to our city and the surrounding communities.

Maintaining strong infrastructure for communities both in Sagadahoc County and the State of Maine is vital to our continued success. The residents and businesses in our state count on clean water and modern facilities to succeed.

We understand that these funds will not only serve to cover existing projects, but will also help Bath go above and beyond in upgrading our water treatment facility — a sewer system that is roughly 45 years old and in need of attention.

These federal funds are particularly important at a time when we are seeing increasing fiscal pressure at the local level. We appreciate that Mr. Owen — through his efforts — has done right by the people of Bath, and we thank him and all the staff at Bath City Hall for all they have done to make this possible.

State Sen. Eloise Vitelli,

Senate District 23

State Rep. Jennifer DeChant,

House District 52

Regarding Polling Places and Homeless Shelters

We should have two polling places in Brunswick for presidential electionsm and only one at the junior high school for off-year elections. This is much more convenient for the vast majority of in town folks. It has worked very well for many years and, with tweaks, can also work well in the future. Notices can be sent out with tax bills, on town website and in newspapers. New residents who register to vote should be handed a printout of where voting booths will be.

Regarding Tedford Housing and homeless people — to my knowledge these homeless shelters have federal monies, so that would mean they do not pay taxes on their lands and buildings. That is a big loss for Brunswick, and that is also an easy invitation for whatever type of person to come here and live for free. Some of these bleeding heart councilors should allow some of these homeless folks to live next door to them, and see how their family would like that. It is one thing to be compassionate for others — most of us are — but is another to accept people with a strong potential impact to our kids. It is not worth that gamble. I would gladly support building a townowned facility, funding and operating it ourselves, with a reasonable stipulation that only Brunswick folks live there, and have lived and paid taxes in Brunswick for a minimum of 5-10 years. I am big on earning your way through life on your own two feet. If others can do it, so can we all.

Bill Perreault,

Brunswick