Candidate is ‘integrity-driven’

To the editor:

As you prepare to decide who to vote for in the upcoming election, we would like to recommend a vote for Amy Volk, candidate for House of Representatives. We have known Amy for several years and can attest to her honorable character, devotion and commitment to the Scarborough community.

 Despite her busy schedule of being a business owner and managing a household of four children, Amy is actively involved in leadership and committee boards serving Scarborough children. She is a faithful and committed member of Moms In Touch International: Scarborough, which supports Scarborough schools by praying for students and teachers on a weekly basis. She is an active board member of Young Life Scarborough as well, an organization that reaches out to local high school students. In addition, Amy is integrity-driven and always uses sound judgment in her affairs. She is the absolute the best choice for a position in the House of Representatives.   

Donna and Darcy Pierce

Scarborough

Candidate called ‘exceptional’

To the editor:

I have had the opportunity to become friends with Amy Volk and her family through our community involvement. I believe she has the experience and knowledge to help solve the financial crisis our state is going through. 

She is a strong and determined individual. I am writing to support her in her quest to become Scarborough’s next representative in Augusta. I believe Amy has the knowledge and skills to help Maine in our time of need. Amy understands what it is like to be a mom with children growing up in our state. She is an owner of a small business, so she knows firsthand how difficult owing a business in Maine can be. She is an exceptional individual who I believe would be a perfect choice to represent House District 127.

Kirsten Hale

Scarborough

Volk will ‘bridge two Maines’

To the editor:

Elected officials should reflect the values and, if possible, the demographics of the community they represent. Amy Volk is such a candidate for Scarborough.  

My wife and I have known the Volk family for many years. They are a family of the highest integrity and treat their employees like family, serve their community and help others. Amy has helped others through her church and through work with La Leche League, The Children’s Theatre of Maine, The Root Cellar, Moms in Touch and was a court-appointed special advocate for children in state custody.  

As parents of a child with autism ourselves, we know the grit and patience it takes to raise such a child and advocate for them in the school department. Amy’s varied life experiences will make her an excellent representative for our town. In addition to her love for the town of Scarborough, Amy has a true love for the state of Maine. Her family ties to northern Maine will help her bridge the “two Maines” and work collaboratively with other legislators to ensure that all our citizens are offered a competitive education and a chance to prosper.

I urge you to vote for Amy and to also vote for other Republican candidates on or before (by absentee) Nov. 2. The future of our state depends on their election. Learn more about Amy at www.amyvolkforhouse.com or on Facebook.

Andrew Mader

Scarborough

Candidate is what Scarborough needs

To the editor:

I encourage Scarborough residents to vote for Iver Carlsen for a town councilor. He was principal at Technical High School in Brunswick for 17 years. As an experienced school administrator, he will bring a hands- on depth of understanding regarding school issues and be able to communicate well with the School Board. 

Additionally, he is actively involved in the town’s conservation and environmental issues. He regularly helps organize and partakes in local beach cleanups and river water quality testing. He supports the protection of public access to Scarborough’s beaches and natural resources. He has served on both the Conservation Commission and the Community Services Advisory Board. In short, he gets the job done and the town needs him. He will be a refreshingly welcome change and do an exceptional job as town councilor. 

Doug Lund-Yates

Scarborough

Corthell will ‘listen to our voice’

To the editor:

I am writing in support of Kerry Corthell for election to the Scarborough Town Council. I got to know Kerry while serving on the Charter Commission with her this past year. I found her to be extremely thoughtful and intelligent while considering issues important to our town. She was well-prepared for our discussions at the Charter Commission and added an interesting perspective to our conversations.  

I think it is time for our town councilors to care about what the people of this town think and to listen to our voice in deciding our fate as a community. I know that Kerry will do that for us. I trust her insight and value her dedication to the task at hand and I urge you to join me in voting for Kerry Corthell for Town Council.

Tinamarie Smith 

Scarborough

Candidates have best interest of town in mind

To the editor:

Please join me in voting for Kerry Corthell and Iver Carlsen for Scarborough Town Council. 

In 2008 their opponents all voted to prohibit the Conservation Commission from commenting on plans for development in Scarborough as the commission had done for more than 10 years. This was done to punish members of the Conservation Commission who made public a number of flaws in plans for a development that threatened to damage the Scarborough Marsh. Such short\ sighted action by these councilors ignored the long-term best interests of the town.

Scarborough is known for many unique natural areas that once damaged or diminished may never recover, however, development can be sympathetic with the preservation of natural resources. Both Kerry and Iver are concerned about maintaining a healthy balance that will ensure the future of these resources.

I support candidates who will think independently, act transparently, voice their opinions, show respect for fellow citizens and vote for the long-term benefit of the town of Scarborough. 

If you agree, please vote for Kerry Corthell and Iver Carlsen.

Paul W. Austin

Scarborough

It’s been a pleasure to watch candidate ‘evolve’

To the editor:

Scarborough voters have an exciting opportunity to elect a native son to the Legislature in District 128, Brian Dell’Olio.

 I have been fortunate to witness Brian’s evolution from student to School Board chairman during the last several years. As a high school student he became involved with the local TV channel and was responsible for bringing many live and recorded programs to our town. His interest in politics was stimulated from those activities. He would often ask questions of me and others following those meetings. 

 As a high school senior, Brian ran for the Board of Education. Although he was unsuccessful in a large field, his margin of loss was slim and he did have more votes than some others.

 When Brian returned to Scarborough to enter business with his father, I encouraged him to once again seek public office. He ran for the board and was elected. He has been a dedicated board member and is its current chairman. It is on that board that his outstanding leadership has flourished.

 Brian listens well, is thoughtful and forward thinking. He is a wonderful mediator and problem solver. His background in finance has been extremely helpful in budget preparation and reduction as well as at the negotiations table. He may not always agree with you, but he is fair and certainly listens to all sides before making a decision. He is collegial and collaborative.

 This is gentleman of the highest character. Scarborough citizens can be assured that he is always honest and trustworthy. Brian Dell’Olio is a man we can be proud to call our legislator. Please give him your vote.

Jacquelyn A. Perry

Scarborough 

Sirocki strong candidate for House District 128

To the editor:

Heather Sirocki is a strong candidate for the Maine House seat in District 128. 

Heather has been an active member of the community and had many leadership positions. Heather has been president of the Gym Dandies Booster Club for the last 12 years and raised funds for multiple trips on the East Coast. 

Heather has also been a tireless leader in the Scarborough Band Boosters for seven years as secretary. Heather is a strong advocate for our schools and is a frequent contributor at school board meetings. Heather has strong leadership skills that are required in Augusta. Heather will work tirelessly to research information and find solutions to the tough issues we face. 

Heather is an independent thinker and will consider all sides to make informed decisions. She is not the type to cave into lobbyists or special interest groups. 

Heather cares about the issues facing our community and has a tremendous amount of energy and intellectual curiosity to find creative solutions to support our community in unstable times. I cannot vote for Heather because I live outside of her district, however, I encourage you to vote for Heather Sirocki. 

Cindy Kerr

Scarborough

Suggestion offered to Higgins Beach residents

To the editor:

In response to last week’s article on parking woes at Higgins Beach, I would like to suggest that Bill and Molly Donovan have completely missed their opportunity to live in oceanfront seclusion. 

There was a perfectly good lighthouse advertised on Ram Island for a fraction of the cost of their beachfront cottage. They could have lived in that lighthouse without having to tolerate families going to the beach, dog walkers, fisherman and above all, those “pesky” surfers.

Megan Guertin

Scarborough

Do not make exceptions at Higgins Beach

To the editor:

Your article “Parking Woes Plague Beach Community,” Oct. 8, angered and saddened me.  This small group of Scarborough residents has decided they want to close off their roads to public access and are vilifying a smaller group of beach users in order to justify their actions. 

Your slanted reporting of this issue tacitly supports their case. Rampant traffic? It’s a road. In fact all of Scarborough is a “beach community.” My family and I moved here for two reasons – the schools and the beaches. The new sea wall at Higgins cost more than $600,000 – of our tax money. Who paid for the major sewer refit down there? Who pays for the plowing and garbage pickup? And they want to limit my family’s access to the beach? 

The roads in the Higgins Beach area are all public roads. They have already reduced access by demanding the town build a sidewalk, eliminating a large percentage of on- street parking. Certainly the town has taken a step forward in protecting beach access by purchasing the lot. But who knows if it will be open or plowed in winter? Even if it is, what about the elderly or other residents and visitors who can’t make the walk from the lot in the winter? The parking rules at Higgins should be the same as any other beach-centric part of Scarborough. To grant any exception to Higgins is a slippery slope that favors elitist groups of homeowners. 

If the residents down there have a legitimate gripe against the actions of a group of beach users (surfers allegedly misbehaving) then let it be dealt with as such – not a parking issue. This whole issue is a thinly veiled attempt to make Higgins Beach completely private in the off season, and is an affront to all Scarborough taxpayers.

Ben Keller

Scarborough