MORE WIND INFO WANTED
I finished reading your article regarding wind power and was hoping that you might be able to steer me in a direction to learn more about this topic. My thought is similar to the efforts put forth by the family and friends of victims of 9/11. Many were able to focus their efforts by creating an enormous network on the web through volunteer efforts.
I am not so naive to think that volunteerism will solve the transmission issues, but would like to know if there is a way for Maine residents to show those in government offices that the efforts to “go green” is important to them. I believe it would be a worthy accomplishment to meet and exceed those goals that have been set forth by the Baldacci task force on renewable energy but also understand that the bottom line is generating revenue along with that energy. Any suggestions, advice, or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your efforts in bringing this issue to the public.
Aidan MacAodhaigan
Saco
EDITOR’S NOTE Anyone interested in networking as the writer suggests may e-mail portland-feedback[a]phx.com to be connected with him.
GOOD VIBES
That’s a great article (“Forceful Feelings,” by Ken Greenleaf). Very few journalists who write about art get it right unless they quote someone else (as the big papers often do), but your piece is original, thoughtful, and accurate. Many thanks.
Clifton Olds
Interim Director
Bowdoin College Museum of Art
PRISON REFORM: IT’S TIME
Thank you to Lance Tapley for his January 21 article entitled “Baldacci Rejects Prison Reform.” Across the country, corrections officials, legislators, governors, and other policy makers are being forced to think about an unpopular topic — criminal justice reform.
Maine is no different. We are at a point where we need to start having the difficult conversations and making those often publicly unpopular decisions about our approach to the criminal-justice system and the people in it.
The real work can only begin when we stop allowing policy makers to frame corrections’ issues as “caring about inmates.” This line of thinking hinders creativity and stops the conversation before getting to the real questions that need to be addressed, such as: Are we effective in changing offender behavior to increase public safety? Is the way we do our work cost effective? Addressing these types of questions requires that we view public appropriations as investments rather than handouts to continue the status quo. It also takes courageous leadership and vision, rather than political wrangling and favors to the governor’s cousin in exchange for campaign contributions. The proposal to ship Maine inmates to out-of-state to private prisons lacks courage, leadership, and especially vision.
Barbara Pierce
Cape Elizabeth
DIAMON’S RIGHT ABOUT LEWISTON
The story reference about the Lewiston City Council is true. I heard it myself. The time was probably in the winter of 1958 or ’59. I was still in school. At the time, Lewiston City Council meetings were broadcast live on the radio — probably WCOU but it may have been WLAM. I, and many of my friends, listened rather regularly because they were often quite humorous. That particular reference was a hot topic at Edward Little High School the next morning. I have since told that story many times, including to my son-in-law, who alerted me to your reference.
As I recall the incident, the city treasurer was discussing the budget with the council and said rather somberly, “We have an $18,000 deficit,” whereupon one of the council, and I believe I know his name but will not share it to protect his descendents, immediately shouted out, “I move we spend it.” Thanks for the memories.
David Q. Whittier
Hebron
