Take BIW at its Word

Bath Iron Works vice president and general counsel John Fitzgerald has stated numerous times that Bath Iron Works must remain profitable for General Dynamics to continue to invest in them.

Over the past 20 years, General Dynamics has invested $400 million- $500 million in BIW. Mr. Fitzgerald was recently quoted saying that GD was investing an additional $100 million, whether the company received an additional tax break or not.

It is clear, based on what we’ve been told by BIW, that they have been profitable for the past 20 years, and will continue to be profitable going forward. This is bolstered by a significant backlog of work, plus new contracts to be awarded for 20 new frigates, the FFG(X). BIW just received a $14.9 million contract for design work on the new class, and the Navy will certainly guarantee a number of ship awards to Bath.

Another fact that is clear is the needs of the state. Infrastructure is crumbling around us, health care and education are under funded, friends and neighbors are hungry and can’t heat their homes. We are in the middle of an opioid crisis, and an expanding flu epidemic.

Members of the Legislature have a responsibility to address the needs of our people. Funding for infrastructure, health care, and education benefits not just the people, but also BIW, their subcontractors, and the small businesses that depend on them. The Legislature should vote no on more tax breaks for Bath Iron Works.

Jerry Provencher,
Bath

Issues with Winter Street

I have lived in Topsham/Brunswick for over 50 years and Topsham has tried the turning onto Winter Street at the top of the hill many times. It has never worked out and now here we go again.

I live on Winter Street and in the winter, going up a hill, then turning and go down a hill, and then back up a hill with snowy and icy roads is not good. But then, to have us turn down a road that has some many potholes from a road that has been paved in the last couple of years makes no sense.

So, when my car — and many others’ — bottoms out because there is no way to get around the huge holes, we all should send our bills to the Town of Topsham.

Cheryl Atwood,
Topsham

Our Uninformed Governor

A week ago, I listened to our not so great governor in his State of the State speech lambast those who conserve land in the great state of Maine; and in so doing, were not paying their fair share. I have placed my land in a conservation easement with KELT as the holder with the sanity of the generations following me in mind. I have continued to pay my fair share in taxes as I did prior to my taking that step.

It is unconscionable that our governor continues to be so uninformed after seven years on the job. But what can you expect from someone who takes pride in out-trumping Trump.

Paul Dumdey,
Woolwich