A vote for Shuer

Martin Shuer is running for the Maine Senate District 12 as an Independent candidate and he has my vote! Martin has proven himself a very engaged member of our community and an advocate for his neighbors. He frequently participates during Town Council meetings asking tough questions, providing community feedback on important issues.

Martin has challenged the town’s auditor selection process and lack of state-required engagement of the audit by the Town Council. Thanks to his advocacy, Windham is now in better compliance and committed to a long overdue review of its auditing firm.

Martin has worked tirelessly on the Maine Department of Transportation River Road Public Advisory Committee helping to keep the project moving forward with valuable input from the most important stakeholders – Windham and Lakes Region residents.

Martin has an ability to bring people together in working toward common goals, which will be an asset in the State Senate. For example, he serves as the Chairman of the Bike/Ped/Trails Committee, which we can thank for wider shoulders and sidewalks on Windham Center Road.

Martin is a community member, husband, father and small business owner. He shares the same frustrations we all have with the lack of problem solving on important issues.

Martin will strive to move Maine forward. He understands that our common problems are not partisan problems. They’ll require common sense, creative problem solving, and cooperation.

Respected groups have given Martin their official endorsements and support, among them: Maine Education Association, Maine AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, Maine Conservation Voters, Maine State Employees Association, and Professional Fire Fighters of Maine.

Martin understands that he’ll be serving in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. He’ll take the collective voice of District 12 to Augusta. Remember, a vote for Martin is a vote for Shuer!

Mary Bushika

Windham

Letter writer’s lack of info revealing

I have known Mike McClellan over the last year after we met and found we had much in common. I write to you as follow-up to the letter concerning Mike and education as written by Ms. Leavitt of Raymond. I found it interesting right off that Ms. Leavitt would identify herself as a public school teacher but not as the vice president of the Maine Educators Association (MEA); the Maine Teachers Union. Why wouldn’t she want you to know that?

She mentions Mike’s support for choice in education, doesn’t Raymond already have choice? This year, our legislature began a move to ensure that children are considered first in education efforts. Good schools like Raymond will do fine in any system. I believe if there were school choice, people would want to send their kids to Raymond. Ms. Leavitt also spoke about teacher morale. I would suggest you ask your child’s teacher if they are demoralized? In fact, there are also teachers who do not agree with how the union always sides with one party. Many of these educators feel they cannot speak up publicly about how their union dues are used politically. I would think that would be frustrating as well.

Is it always in the best interest of a child to be educated according to their zip code? School choice might be an option to consider. Often we try to pin our political leaders into yes or no answers. Mike McClellan realizes very little of what occurs in Augusta and in Maine can be resolved simply by yes or no answers. He has shown he tries to govern like many of you run your home. I hope you will join me in voting to reelect Mike McClellan!

Dan West

Raymond

‘Amazing individuals’

As representative for Windham and part of Gray for the past eight years,

I’m pleased to announce that I’m endorsing and standing behind Ralph Johnston’s and Jane Pringle’s candidacy for the Maine House of Representatives.

As a state legislator, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when someone who cares more about scoring political points than solving problems facing Maine’s families, get elected. There is a breakdown and unfortunately the people hurt are our hard working middle class families. That’s why I’m so happy to see Ralph Johnston and Jane Pringle running for office. Ralph and Jane’s commitment to their community cannot be questioned.

Ralph Johnston has been serving the Windham and Lakes Region communities for over 60 years. He’s served two terms on the Windham School Board and as a war veteran himself he serves other local veterans as the Quartermaster of the Windham VFW.

Jane Pringle loves her family, her community and her state. As a local physician Jane has spent her entire professional life listening to the concerns and needs of residents of this area. Now she is ready to address those concerns head-on in Augusta.

I’ve known both Ralph Johnston and Jane Pringle for many years and I can’t think of two better people to represent Windham and part of Gray in the Maine House. On Nov. 6, help send two amazing individuals to Augusta; they’ll represent us well.

Mark Bryant

Windham

McClellan is for the people

My wife and I voted for Michael McClellan in 2010 and will do so again. Mike is a “Good Guy,” an active member of the community, a family man and proud of his faith. He is a very genuine person, working hard, guided by a confident sense of doing the right thing. Mike understands the need for responsible budgets and low taxes and the need to support businesses that create jobs and generate tax revenue for vital community services. Mike routinely communicates with people within his district by email and stopping by as a neighbor to discuss important issues.

Mike serves on the bipartisan Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, a group that directly impacts Maine’s future, the quality of our children’s education, the quality of continuing education and accommodations for those with special needs. Mike McClellan is strongly committed to quality education for all Maine residents.

Mike serves on the Joint Select Committee on Regulatory Fairness and Reform, which now operates on behalf of Mainers, rather than for the benefit of extreme ideology or an inapplicable national agenda. Mike McClellan is deeply committed to protecting Maine’s residents and the environment with essential regulations, while assuring Maine’s businesses can prosper and create good paying jobs and exceptional career opportunities.

My wife and I left California when it became socially, politically and culturally intolerable. The major employers had been driven out, taxes were skyrocketing and government intrusiveness was at an all-time high. Our final straw came when a stranger, encouraged by an EPA toll free tip hotline, knocked on our door at 10 p.m. on a Sunday to ask if we were using an approved fuel source in our fireplace. Until the change to government by the people in 2010, Maine appeared to be headed in much the same direction.

Joe D’Alessandro

Raymond

Don’t believe negative hype

I write on behalf of Anne Graham, candidate for re-election to the Maine House of Representatives from District 109, which includes most of the town of Gray and parts of the towns of Pownal and North Yarmouth.

I know Anne to be a very thoughtful and capable individual who has represented our district with great care and energy. As a freshman legislator working from the minority party, she reached across the aisle to pass several pieces of important legislation in her first term in Augusta. She is very even-handed and constructive in her approach to solving problems and continually works her heart out meeting and talking with people to discuss issues important to this area.

Given the current political climate, and a strong opponent, I know she has her work cut out for her. But on the strength of her genuine enthusiasm and personal

capability, she merits reelection to her seat where I know she will continue to work tirelessly for the interests of all of us.

My one concern is that in the last days before the election, not her opponent who I know to be of the highest character, but elements of the opposition will make a last-minute attempt to discredit Anne with false and misleading claims about her record. Please be on guard should you be on the receiving end of such a negative effort and understand that Anne truly deserves our support as a first-rate state representative we can all be proud to have serving us in Augusta.

Ted MacDonald

Gray

No vote on library bond

Please vote no for the Gray Library bond for an expansion.

This library was just renovated. In addition, the taxpayers of the town of Gray just paid for a major renovation of town hall.

All of a sudden this week, signs are out all over town supporting this bond. This was obviously a well orchestrated campaign with little time for public (i.e. those who will pay for it!) input.

Heather Maines

Gray