Letters

Published
August 23, 2013

Letters to the editor: Selling part of city park is short-sighted

In two weeks, the Portland City Council will be voting on whether or not to sell a public park to a private developer for the purpose of building an additional hotel convention center. Last year, the council voted for a tax break, effectively spending $31 million in public money to create the new Thompson’s Point […]
Published
August 22, 2013

Letters to the editor: Race benefits from 16-year winner

As the dust settles on a 16th successful TD Beach to Beacon road race, we would like to echo Joan Benoit Samuelson’s praise for her retiring race president, Dave Weatherbie. Joan summed up Dave’s 16-year effort simply as “amazing” (“Race Notebook: Weatherbie steps down as race president after 16 years,” Aug. 3). We would like […]
Published
August 21, 2013

Letters to the Editor: Baxter Academy on track to open Sept. 4

I am writing in reference to Noel Gallagher’s Aug. 16 story “Portland charter school denied occupancy approval.” Inspections of older buildings undergoing renovation are challenging, and Baxter Academy has proceeded on a conservative path to ensure that the required permitting gets done. We will soon welcome more than 130 students from 35 cities and towns. […]
Published
August 20, 2013

Letters to the editor: Poverty wages a burden to taxpayers

The recent job actions by fast food workers have revived discussion of the minimum wage. Most of the time, this issue is portrayed as a moral or fairness issue to increase wages for poor workers versus the tired old argument that raising the minimum wage will be a hardship for the “job creators” and cause […]
Published
August 19, 2013

Letters to the editor: Enforce dog ordinance – don’t alter it

I am a property owner at Higgins Beach. My husband and I enjoy the area very much, especially being able to walk our dogs off-leash during the summer hours before 9 a.m. Now I have heard that the Town Council is looking into changing the ordinance (“Scarborough moving to keep dogs leashed on beaches,” Aug. […]

Published
August 18, 2013

Letters to the editor: Authorities could silence loud bikes

Maine law mandates that all motorcycles (with few exceptions) on public roads must have quiet factory-installed exhaust systems or systems not louder than the original factory version. Operating motorcycles heard from 200-plus feet away and/or above moving traffic are illegal. Removing Environmental Protection Agency-approved mufflers or installing loud exhausts is a Class E crime in […]
Published
August 17, 2013

Letters to the editor: Rockbridge plan pleases Parkside resident

As an active member of the Parkside neighborhood, I wanted to reiterate my support of the Rockbridge project for Congress Square Plaza. I was present and made public comments at all of the public meetings and have spent time learning more to ensure I could properly form my opinion. It disheartens me that I am […]
Published
August 16, 2013

Letters to the editor: Cyclists should take protective steps

I recently came across a bicyclist lying still in the middle of Brighton Avenue, his bike on top of him. Several motorists rushed to his aid. One person called 911, others attended to him, and I directed traffic. I have no idea what caused the crash but pray that he is recovering quickly. Around the […]
Published
August 15, 2013

Letters to the editor: LePage brushes off another ghastly gaffe

Picture this: A student at Portland High overhears a classmate telling a friend he’d “like to blow up the school.” The student does what he’s been told: He tells his teacher. Then the teacher contacts the principal and school guard, who immediately haul the offender to an office and lock the door. The parents are called. […]
Published
August 14, 2013

Letters to the editor: Use extra aid to bring back Hall teacher

I am a parent of two Fred P. Hall Elementary School students in Portland. Both of my daughters (ages 7 and 10) are in the Many Rivers program, a wonderful alternative learning program that started in 1986. I am writing to publicly acknowledge how important it is for a child to have consistency in their […]

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Letters