Glynn is right choice Nov. 4

Editor:

   A name we know, a record we can trust, Kevin Glynn is running again for State Representative. I met Kevin when he was running for his second term on the South Portland City Council many years ago. I have always known him to be committed, compassionate and accessible to those of us he represented. Kevin has also been very good about making sure we know about programs, such as Maine’s circuit-breaker, which I recently received in the mail from him. Over the years he has gained the experience to be able to get things done. He did this in South Portland and went on to four terms as State Representative in Augusta working to lower taxes, reform healthcare and school funding among many other efforts. Kevin wants to go back to Augusta and represent us again. He desires to work hard to lower health insurance costs and give us more choices; to champion a comprehensive energy plan for Maine’s future; to fortify Maine’s economy to create jobs amidst other necessary legislative ventures.

   Yes, Kevin Glynn is indeed a name we know, and indeed has a record we can trust. Please do what I am going to do on Nov. 4 and vote for Kevin Glynn.

Susan R. Brown

South Portland

Kaenrath has ‘bright’ future

Editor:

   I’d like to urge residents of South Portland to support the reelection of our State Representative, Bryan Kaenrath. Quite simply, Bryan gets it.  He’s not one of those usual suspects in politics who too often is only in it for themselves. Bryan represents everything that we should have in our political leaders. I’ve met him several times and each time he impresses me and gives me real hope for our future. I also like what he stands for.  I’ve spoken to Bryan at length about economic growth, helping small businesses and the high cost of healthcare in our state to name a few.  I can tell you he understands these issues and will continue to serve us well in Augusta.  If you want someone who’s not politics as usual then I urge you to support Bryan Kaenrath for State Representative. He’s a down to earth young man, who I believe has a bright future ahead of him. We’ve got something good with Bryan representing us, now let’s keep him! It’s time for a new generation of leaders.

Jason Judd

South Portland

Response was ‘partisan attack’

Editor:

  Brian Durham is right - grow our economy.

  I read Representative Cynthia Dill’s Sept. 26 response to Brian Durham of South Portland and do not understand how a “partisan stalemate” could stall tax reform.  Let’s be honest with the public. You cannot have a “partisan stalemate” when one party controls both houses of the legislature, and the governorship.  A genuine reach-across-the-aisle bipartisan tax reform package failed because Democrats did not support it. 

   Brian Durham said he would be happy to work with Dill to raise incomes, and lower income and capital gains taxes. Dill’s response was a partisan attack. She also says “let’s unleash the innovative spirit in the halls of the state house” — which makes me reach for my wallet.  

   I very much like Brian Durham’s plan to work with business to grow our economy, create new jobs, and spread our taxes over a larger income base.  I’m glad I live in Brian Durham’s district and can vote for him this November.

John F. Ridge

South Portland

Townsend’s determination is key

Editor:

Mary Townsend’s candidacy for school board representative in Cape Elizabeth is a welcome development in this year’s local election. Those who followed the 2008/2009 school budget process know Mary as a tenacious advocate for our educational system.

As a longtime member of St. Alban’s Church, I’ve had the privilege of working with Mary during periods of growth and transition. Her tenure on the church’s vestry revealed an uncanny ability to identify gaps and implement solutions. One such gap existed in the area of youth education. The church was in need of a program that could respond to the unique yearnings of its middle school youth.  Those involved knew this was no simple undertaking. We marveled at Mary’s determination to bring the idea to fruition.

Her vision for an adaptation of a program known as “J2A” (Journey to Adulthood) earned parish-wide support. The program, now in its fourth year, is a vessel for youth development and fellowship. The qualities we seek in our school board representatives are exemplified in Mary’s contributions to J2A.

Mary Townsend is a team player. She is an organized, innovative thinker who keeps her eyes on the big picture. She’s also an astute observer of the economic downturn and cares about the impact it will have on our district. These attributes will serve her constituents well.  Yet it’s her thoughtful pursuit of outstanding education for our children that is paramount in maintaining the standard for which our community is known.

Sue Raftice

Cape Elizabeth

‘Astounded’ by Mary Townsend’s commitment

Editor:

    I am writing to express my support for Mary Townsend for school board in the November election. Why Mary? I met Mary at the middle school playground the week that I moved to Cape Elizabeth. I was surrounded by strangers, and she was the first person to reach her hand out to introduce herself and welcome me to the community. I think that this one gesture points to three of Mary’s strengths that will serve her well as a school board member; she is confident, she is concerned, and she is a communicator. Mary and I have worked closely together on several school campaigns, and I am always astounded by her commitment and her competence. She is a tireless worker with exceptional organizational skills. In addition, she is a strong critical thinker who is able to come up with creative solutions to difficult problems. These skills will prove invaluable given the challenges that Cape Elizabeth schools face with regard to preparing our town’s children for the global world in a weak economic environment. Finally, and most importantly, Mary is a consensus-builder. Just as she reached her hand out to me at the playground, she will reach her hand out to all members of our community to hear their concerns about our schools, and across the aisle to town council members in an effort to achieve a positive budget process.  If I sound like a cheerleader for Mary, I am. Please join me in voting for her on Nov. 4.

Susan Spagnola

Cape Elizabeth

Cynthia Dill’s rating says it all

Editor:

  Sadly, as is so often the case, Legislators say one thing to their home town constituents, but do something else when they vote in Augusta.  Cynthia Dill says that she wants to reduce taxes and she claims to be a friend of small business. But – Cynthia Dill voted for LD2247 – the beverage tax – voted for this near midnight, and without prior public hearings on April 15, 2008. The Maine Economic Research Institute ( MERI ) has just issued its ratings on the 123^rd Legislators, and Dill received a very weak  rating of 18 

(100 being the best, 0 the worst ). MERI is a non-partisan, non-profit, independent institute that researches Maine’s economy.  It bases 50 percent of its ratings on the legislator’s individual voting record, and 50 percent on survey responses concerning each legislator, from business lobbyists. MERI’s current chair and vice-chair are Democrats.

   Jessica Sullivan is a licensed physical therapist who comes from a Cape farming family. She has helped her husband grow and manage a business that now employs 40 people. She understands business, she understands health care, and she understands hard work. We need legislators in Augusta who truly know what it means to “make payroll”, and to be responsible for the livelihoods of others. Jessica knows that cutting taxes, not raising them, is the key to improving our business climate and economy.  I urge you all to vote for Jessica Sullivan on Nov. 4.

Jim Staples

Cape Elizabeth

Elect Townsend to school board 

Editor:

   I am writing in support of Mary Townsend’s candidacy for the Cape ElizabethSchool Board. I have had the privilege of working with Mary recently, and I can confidently say her extraordinary work ethic and approachability make her the ideal candidate.

  In addition to being extremely open-minded, Mary actively solicits opinions from manycommunity members. Mary is a consensus builder; whether working with highschool students, parents or senior citizens, she has a genuine interest inour community. What I am most impressed with about Mary is her ability to see the bigger picture; the willingness to always ask whether or not a certain proposed measure is beneficial to our community.

  Mary Townsend possesses a great vision of investing in our schools whileunderstanding what is economically feasible for Cape Elizabeth. She has innovativeideas to improve the business of education in these economically tryingtimes. There is no one more dedicated to the welfare of our youngestcitizen’s education than Mary Townsend. I urge you in joining me to vote forMary Townsend for the Cape Elizabeth School Board. 

Anna Tranfaglia

Cape Elizabeth