In a few days, voters like Beverly and me will have a chance to vote for many qualified candidates in the 2006 legislative elections and, as always, we look forward to casting those votes.

Among those candidates is Phil Bartlett of Gorham, the incumbent senator from District 6, which includes Gorham, Scarborough and Westbrook.

If the mailings Beverly and I have received are any indicator, I assume you already know the kind of concerned, effective and respected senator Phil is. I hope you have read those mailings carefully and, assuming you have (or will), I shall not enumerate them in this letter.

Instead, please let me talk about things that show Beverly and me what others not involved directly in his campaign think of Phil Bartlett.

First of all, citizens – just plain citizens all over his district – elected Phil to represent them in the Maine Senate for 2005 and 2006. They did because they liked what they saw and they liked what they heard.

The Gorham Town Council appointed him to the Gorham Economic Development Council and the Recreation Advisory Board. They didn’t have to – they just thought he was a good choice. He has subsequently proven them right.

The Cumberland County Commissioners appointed him to serve on the county’s Human Services Advisory Committee. They didn’t have to – they just wanted someone who understood and was concerned about the wide range of issues and problems facing our fellow citizens whose very well-being depended on those services. Phil has more than met their expectations.

The members of the Gorham Historical Society chose him as their President and he served them well which is important to a community with so much history as Gorham.

Phil is a solid family man, an active member of his community and the surrounding area and a person recognized as someone who can be counted on.

Beverly and I are pleased we supported him two years ago, and we are looking forward to voting for him next Tuesday, Nov. 7.

We are asking you to join us in re-electing Phil Bartlett as our senator in District 6.

Bill and Beverly O’Gara

Westbrook