Election letters
To the editor,
I grew up in Cleveland with gray skies and two rivers. One caught fire and the second had a covered bridge that a town allowed to fall into disrepair. They closed off traffic including access to the river. Neglect resulted in arsons burning down the beautiful bridge, and I became a conservationist.
There are two rivers in Kennebunk and the town’s comprehensive plan is to increase accessibility to the Kennebunk and the Mousam rivers. Chauncey Copeland knows the river’s varied nature and beauty as well as their troubles.
The intervening letter to FERC sent on May 21, 2021, by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife’s stated mandate is “… to preserve, protect, and enhance the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of the state; to encourage the wide use of these resources; to ensure coordinated planning for the future use and preservation of these resources …”
Chauncey Copeland is the best candidate to work with the state of Maine as FERC gives up overview to the state, and determines the future KLPD responsibilities of the surrender process with the state of Maine.
I endorse Chauncey Copland for KLPD trustee because of his 29 years of managerial responsibility for financial reporting, analysis and budget activity through his professional career. As a KLPD trustee, he will work persuasively to determine the best approach for a future Mousam River maintained by KLPD. Copeland has always been a conservationist.
Albert Kolff
Kennebunk
To the editor,
I am delighted that Peter Sentner is running for a seat on the RSU 21 School Board. For the last 10 years, I’ve worked with Peter on committees and projects at South Congregational Church, Kennebunkport, and within the community. For several years, we co-led week-long service trips to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with teams ranging in age from 14-80.
As a result of working with Peter, I know that his experience, commitment, and integrity will make him an invaluable board member.
Peter’s background as a mental health administrator gives him an unusually strong set of skills for serving on the school board. He is experienced in budget management, policy development, human resource management, outcome based data collection, evaluation of programs and effective communication with stakeholders. Two years ago he volunteered to serve as a community member on the RSU 21 Policy Committee. As Peter learned about the board, his interest grew, leading to his decision to run for this position.
Peter is a problem solver. At its April 6 meeting, board members and administrators discussed the high levels of stress that children and parents are experiencing as a result of COVID-19. Peter volunteered to assist the district in reviewing and expanding mental health resources. He met with district administrative staff to begin this work and is committed to seeing this through whether he is elected or not.
Peter is a quiet leader, thoughtful and reflective. He seeks out facts and information, weighing multiple perspectives before making a decision. Peter’s administrative background and his hands-on experience with the School Board Policy Committee make him an outstanding candidate. Even more important, he brings heart as well as head to this role. He cares deeply about ensuring a positive educational experience for all students and will serve with integrity.
Susan Walters
Kennebunk
To the editor,
On June 8, we have the opportunity to elect Megan Michaud to represent us on the RSU 21 School Board. Megan brings excellent volunteer experience to the board. In my role as a school board member, I worked with her on three community district-wide committees: elementary enrollment; superintendent search; and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
I observed that she asked thoughtful and difficult questions, she respectfully listened to and interacted with others even when she disagreed, and she always searched for the best solution for our children.
School boards create policy based on the community’s values, they provide oversight and supervision to the superintendent, and they make sure the district has adequate funding to accomplish the community’s education goals. Megan’s career experience in public policy and nonprofits are perfect preparation to be a successful school board member. She understands how to create good policy, how to craft a strong budget within available resources, and how to supervise and encourage others.
Megan will be an advocate for all students and brings a commitment to public education that will benefit the district. She can, and will, collaborate well with other board members, community members, and our wonderful RSU 21 staff to make our schools the best possible.
Please join me in voting for (Joyce) Megan Michaud on June 8 (or early by absentee ballot).
Maureen King
Kennebunkport
To the editor,
The experience and skills that a board member brings with them can make all the difference. Our boards need members who can effectively bring people together. With those thoughts in mind, Peter Sentner is an outstanding Kennebunk candidate for the RSU 21 board, and I strongly encourage you to give him one of your school board votes.
Peter has lived here for decades, a parent of children who have gone through our schools, and now a grandparent to younger students. In his career, he worked first as a social worker and then as a mental health administrator. In those roles, he has spent many years strengthening his abilities to work constructively with others to get the best results.
Peter is an attentive listener and a strong compromise builder. His focus is on the common good. He’s always thoughtful and has strong communication skills. He will bring with him tremendous dedication to getting the best results.
I strongly encourage you to vote for Peter Sentner for the RSU 21 board.
Bill Grabin
Kennebunk
To the editor,
At 78 years old with a degree in education I remember when teachers were trained to teach the subject matter related to their specialty, math, science, biology, history, French, Spanish, etc.
I also remember there was shop’ class, home economics, and civics. Not everyone who graduated went to college, many used the skills they learned to become builders, mechanics, chefs, etc; and many went on to become successful business owners.
I don’t know what’s happened to our education system, my oldest son graduated as the Valedictorian of his class at KHS, my other son with honors, they both received an excellent education.
That was over 20 years ago and since then the USA has dropped to 38th place out of 71 countries in math and 24th place in science.
We need someone on our school board who can get teachers back to teaching the subjects they’re paid to teach and leave the other matters to parents and churches.
I think Jim McMann is suited to do that and that’s why I’m support him.
Bill Case
Kennebunkport
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