Pendleton’s strong ethics say a lot

Editor:

    I always find the election season an especially interesting time to read your publication.  Your paper does a good job of presenting the candidates and the issues, but what always draws me is the letters to the editor.  I find it very interesting to see what compels my fellow townspersons to write to express support for particular candidates.  This year I feel compelled to write to express my support for Rep. Peggy Pendleton.

   When my husband and I first moved to Scarborough from the Portland/South Portland area a few years ago, one of the first neighbors that we met was Peg Pendleton.  I recognized the name and we chatted briefly about her time in the state legislature and I was struck by her strong sense of ethics and humanity.

   During the last legislative cycle, I contacted Peggy regarding the state budget.  She took the time to share with me her concerns, as well as her position, and was open to hearing my thoughts and concerns.  I was impressed that she had the foresight to fight to keep he Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability operating, not buying into the immediate savings of cutting the program, but recognizing that this program is providing great oversight and ultimately preventing waste of taxpayer

dollars.

Recently when reading a summary of the two candidates in one of the statewide newspapers, I was again struck by one thing – Peggy’s strong ethics and concern for the citizens that she represents.  She spoke about the issues, but also how those issues impact people in the community.  I want a legislator that is not so issue focused that they forget about those of us who have elected them, and I know I never have to worry about this with Rep. Peggy Pendleton.

 I will be voting to return Peggy Pendleton to Augusta as my state representative, and hope you will too!

Penny S. Whitney-Asdourian

Scarborough 

Correct  mistakes – vote D’Andrea

Editor:

  We are writing to support Karen D’Andrea for town council.  Karen D’Andrea values civic engagement and transparency in government.  She understands the importance of preserving Scarborough’s character and

natural resources through responsible development.  Most important, Karen D’Andrea does not stand for more of the same. 

  If you have been following local politics, you know that Scarborough took two unfortunate steps backward this year.  First, as was reported in a local newspaper, at an unscheduled and poorly advertised meeting of the planning board, the town attorney “muzzled” the planning board, instructing its members not to speak to the press or the public about any board decisions, past or current.  Second, at their Sept. 3 meeting, Scarborough’s Town Council voted to remove the conservation commission from the town’s planning process.  For 10 years the conservation commission had advised the town on development practices that have helped protect the marsh and Scarborough’s other natural resources.  Since Sept. 3, however, the commission has been barred from commenting on development plans (all of which are a matter of public record) unless specifically asked to do so by the council or the planning board.  The muzzling of the planning board and the silencing of the conservation commission not only discourage open discussion about important issues facing Scarborough but also infringe upon the most basic rights of those who volunteer for the town.

   In this election, a vote for an incumbent or political insider is likely to be a vote of support for regressive measures like these.  Don’t vote away your right to have your voice heard.  Don’t vote for the same old

Scarborough politics.  Let’s correct our mistakes and move forward. Vote D’Andrea for town council.

Christopher and Jeannine Uzzi

Scarborough   

Sean Flaherty has history of service

Editor:

  I am writing in support of Sean Flaherty, Democratic candidate for the Maine House of Representatives from Scarborough.

  As a teacher at Scarborough High School, I knew Sean as an outstanding scholar, athlete and school citizen.  He was an enthusiastic member of the student congress, an activity which required students to research, write, and debate legislative issues.  He consistently won recognition on the state and national levels for his knowledge, skill in debating, and fairness.

  Sean was a key member of several highly competitive swim teams, and always displayed the character and sportsmanship that honored his family, school, and town.

  My late father, “Packy” McFarland coached for many years. He always said that “it was important to have good athletes on your team, but it’s more important to have good people.”  In Sean Flaherty, we have the opportunity to elect a young man of exceptional promise, and I urge you to support his candidacy.

Martha Williams

SHS Class of 1966 

SHS English teacher 1972-2004

Crockett doesn’t have an agenda

Editor:

    Please consider voting for Leroy Crockett. Leroy is young, energetic and is committed to the people of Scarborough. Leroy is a Scarborough native, has lived here his whole life, and graduated from Scarborough schools. He has no preset agenda. He is willing to listen to his neighbors and vote their will. He has concerns with property tax burden, he has two children in the school system and is sympathetic to seniors living on fixed incomes. Leroy pledges to listen and vote the will of the people.

John M. Murphy

Scarborough

Babine is ‘good leader’ for town 

Editor:

   In difficult economic times, it is heartwarming to know that there are good people who wish to respond to the needs of their community. As a parent, taxpayer and small business owner I am concerned with the direction of our town. And one thing is clear; Shawn Babine is a good leader for Scarborough. His common sense and experienced leadership has helped protect our community from those who try to take advantage of it. This November I hope you return Shawn Babine to the town council. Shawn is compassionate, fair and is respectful of other’s opinions.  Shawn Babine looks for solutions that work and has demonstrated balanced fiscal priorities to make Scarborough stronger.  I’d like to ask you to please join me in voting for Shawn Babine for Scarborough Town Council.

John Massengill

Scarborough

Phil Csoros is ‘no- nonsense leader’

Editor:

   I’m encouraging all Scarborough residents to cast a vote for Phil Csoros for the Maine State Senate next Tuesday, Nov. 4. Phil is not a career politician, he’s a no-nonsense leader who works hard and gets results. As a member of the Gorham Town Council he led the charge to eliminate wasteful spending and prevented taxes from increasing one cent!

    Our state’s economy has been suffering for a long time and we need to get to work creating new jobs here in Maine.  Government spending is out of control and we need new leadership that is serious about prioritizing our needs.

   Phil Csoros is an Air Force veteran who knows how to work with others to get the job done. His background includes degrees in engineering and business, and I know he will bring a common sense approach to solving problems in Augusta. If we want change in Augusta, it begins with electing great leaders like Phil to the State Senate.

  So I ask my fellow Scarborough residents to join me in voting to change the “tax and spend” mindset of Augusta, one candidate at a time. Vote for Phil Csoros for the Maine State Senate.

Steve Martel 

Scarborough 

Sean Flaherty is a problem solver

Editor:

   I am writing this letter in support of Sean Flaherty’s candidacy for House District 127.  Sean Flaherty has been a life-long resident of Scarborough.  His family has been rooted in the area for several generations and has strong ties of service to our community.  Sean was an outstanding leader, scholar and athlete while attending Scarborough High School.  You may remember that he led the Scarborough swim team to a state championship.  Sean also won state and national recognition through his work in the Student Congress.  He has demonstrated a keen sense of identifying issues and solving problems, a skill that will serve him well in Augusta.  

Sean has recently left a successful position in Washington, D.C., to return to our town because he wants to make a difference and believes there needs to be a change in the current legislative attitude in Augusta.  Sean will use hard work and the highest level of integrity and common sense to bring new ideas to the long-existing problems of partisan bickering and old political thinking.  We need someone who understands Scarborough and who has made a commitment to the town to lead us in Augusta.  Please join me in voting for Sean Flaherty for House District 127 on Nov. 4. 

Neil D. Jamieson, Jr.

Chairman

Scarborough Democratic Party

Vote Leroy Crockett for Scarborough Town Council

Editor:

   This Nov. 4 voters of Scarborough will have many choices for town council.  Leroy Crockett is a candidate that stands out as an excellent choice for Scarborough and is worthy of your vote.   

  Leroy has a strong history of being active in the community on issues and organizations that service both businesses and residents including the Scarborough Rotary and Scarborough Chamber of Commerce.  He has proven that if elected he will work hard for our community and its residents.  Leroy also has professional background and experience in business and finance.  Given the current economic situation nationally and in the state this experience will be very beneficial to the town as we move forward and balance our budget while meeting our long term long-term economic development, infrastructure and service needs.  Finally as an active volunteer in the community Leroy has proven that he will bring a balanced, thoughtful approach to the important issues and decisions facing the town.

   On Nov. 4 vote to place candidates on the council that will continue to make Scarborough a great place to live and do business.  Vote for Leroy Crockett.

Jim Damicis

Scarborough

Ahlquist cares about citizens

Editor:

    I have known Ron Ahlquist for about 40 years now. He is a lifelong Scarborough resident who can strike up a conversation with anyone. He has seen how this town has changed and cares about the citizens. I have served with him on the town council where I found that he would listen, take in both sides and then make a informed decision. True, he can be stubborn by sticking to his basic beliefs such as being conservative with asking for more of your hard earned money for taxes. That’s a good thing to me. I have already voted for him. Please support him with your vote on Election Day.

Bill Kennedy

Scarborough