Letters

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 […]

Published
August 13, 2013

Letters to the editor: Many mentally disabled ‘lead full lives’

A recent story in the Press Herald (“Lewiston fears release of mentally disabled arson suspect,” Aug. 7) dealt with the potential release of an arsonist with mild intellectual disability back into the Lewiston community. The Lewiston fires were horrific events that displaced and caused a lot of pain for many people. The comments that followed […]
Published
August 12, 2013

Letters to the editor: Speed limit signs woefully ignored

Woe be unto you if you try to hold to 40 mph (the posted speed limit) while crossing the Casco Bay Bridge. You’ll be passed by irate motorists who know that 55 or, better yet, 60 mph is what you do. Don’t even think about driving at 35 mph (the posted speed limit) on outer […]
Published
August 11, 2013

Letters to the editor: Tax deduction helps homeowners

Mainers have long understood the value of homeownership to our communities and families. In fact, according to the U.S. Census, 73 percent of Maine households own their home, the fourth highest homeownership rate in the country. This means that changes to the tax code that negatively affect homeowners will have a disproportionate impact on Maine […]
Published
August 10, 2013

Letters to the editor: Hazards too great from tar sands oil

We just returned from visiting Maine’s members of Congress in Washington, where we asked Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King to keep America from deepening our addiction to climate-threatening and environmentally damaging oil by saying “no” to tar sands. Our visit coincided with the three-year anniversary of the tar sands pipeline oil spill on the […]
Published
August 9, 2013

Letters to the editor: Medicare should be cheered, expanded

On July 30, 1965, Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law. As we note that anniversary, it is interesting to compare the health care news of our own day. For instance, an article in the July 25 Portland Press Herald (“Briefcase: Wellpoint stock sets record ahead of health care reform“) reports: “Shares of Wellpoint Inc. hit […]

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Letters