Here's to differences
Dear Independent,
I write in response to a letter you published from Mr. Joel Adams of Anchorage, Alaska: "Why celebrate diversity?" (The York Independent, Dec. 7-20). He asks: "What is there to celebrate about diversity?" and "Is there some inherent good in being different?" He then says that instead of celebrating difference we should be celebrating "hard work, virtue, honesty, truth, righteousness, integrity and character." I certainly agree that his list of desirable qualities includes many of the things we should acknowledge and celebrate but why exclude human diversity from such a list?
Imagine what a world it would be if there were just one culture, one food group, one style of clothing, one way to speak, one way to think, one way to be in the world. How diminished we would be if there were no differences. Nature seems to understand this even if people do not always recognize it. Agronomists know that monoculture agriculture, for example, has its inherent dangers - as Ireland's Great Famine of 1845-47 tragically demonstrates. We diversify our agricultural practices and production, in part, because it is inherently healthier for us to do so.
I believe the same impulse makes sense with regard to society. There is something inherently good about diversification within the human community. Diversity is worth celebrating.
Ron McAllister
York
Thanks from Long Sands
Dear Independent,
I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Community Cleanup for Long Sands Beach during Thanksgiving weekend. We had 22 volunteers who picked up 11 bags of trash totaling 126 pounds!
A lot of people think that our beaches have only an occasional piece of garbage. However, for every community cleanup, we throw away over 100 pounds of garbage on Long Sands Beach in less than two hours. In my bi-weekly cleanups, I usually pick up 15 pounds of garbage on my own. The good news is we have increased awareness of the amount of debris on our beaches as well as the danger to our wildlife.
I would also like to thank Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, which sponsors me as the Adopt-A-Beach coordinator for Longs Sands; the town of York for picking up the trash afterwards, and the newspaper that always helps to get the word out.
Please join us in our next cleanup and show your love of our beaches and ocean!
Allie Hayford, Coordinator
Long Sands Adopt-A-Beach
York High School student
Diversity: Alaska style
Dear Independent,
I was puzzled by the letter sent by Mr. Joel Adams of Anchorage, Alaska, in which he questioned the celebration of diversity. How wonderful that Mr. Adams enjoys reading about York via The Independent, but perhaps he is missing out on the wonder that surrounds him in the Great Land, which is itself a boundless celebration of diversity.
As one who grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, I remember and treasure its cultural and ethnic diversity, which is as powerful and impressive as the geological diversity of that state, which includes rainforests, deserts and ice fields.
What would Alaska be without its glorious diversity, without the Native Alaskans: the Yup'ik, Inupiaq, Aleut, Athabaskan, Tlingit? Or without the aging Pioneers, Sourdoughs and Cheechakos (old timers and newcomers, respectively), the descendents of explorers from Russia and Norway, the farmers who settled in the Mat Valley during the Depression? Without the military - those who come for one tour, and those like my father who find it impossible to leave - and the peaceniks, oilfield workers, commercial and sport fishermen, and the environmentalists, all of whom have their place in the Last Frontier.
Alaska's geology, flora and fauna receive plenty of attention for their outrageous diversity. Alaska's human diversity is no less astonishing.
Perhaps the fact that Mr. Adams and I both hail from Anchorage is proof!
Paige Blair
York Harbor
Gingerbread Fest a success
Dear Independent,
We want to thank everyone who participated in the Third Gingerbread Festival hosted by the Program Committee of the York Public Library.
Thanks to all who crafted the wonderful gingerbread houses. The creativity, humor and talent were amazing. Thanks to the Old York Garden Club, who gave us our fine judges, Barbara Boschert, Leslie Doherty and Marilyn Falzone. Thanks also to those who enthusiastically visited this exhibit.
We are grateful to those who participated in the raffle. This year the raffle included four houses: The Church in a Snow Storm by the staff at Bragdon Real Estate, Snowbirds by Owen Dyer of Confection Art, The Color of Christmas by Lucia Velasco-Evans of Lucia's Kitchen and The York Station by the employees of Stonewall Kitchen. The proceeds of the raffle will go to the York Food Pantry. Bragdon Real Estate has generously agreed to match what is raised.
We are already looking forward to the Fourth Annual Gingerbread Festival in December 2008.
Paula Hoy, Sue Little, Sharon Lohmann, Jean Scott and Julie Steedman
Library Program Committee
Learning through differences
Dear Independent,
In your Dec. 7-20 issue, a reader asked in the letters to the editor why we should celebrate diversity and not the good character traits of the world.
I wanted to make clear that the York Diversity Forum events are not all designed to be celebratory. Rather, they give us a chance in York to stop, learn about and think through ideas we might have about people who are different. We might be inspired by what we learn, what we learn might reinforce our impressions or change them.
People are different, sometimes very different. But we are trying to offer community learning events that explore the complexities of those differences and recognize similarities. As an example, we are organizing a series of events called "Understanding Islam." On separate days, we will offer lectures, book discussions, movies about "What is Islam?" "Muslim Extremism" "Muslim Experience of discrimination and fear in America" and "Diversity of Muslims." Some of what we learn might be unsettling, some reassuring, inspiring, unifying. I am looking forward to learning with my community.
While I am not speaking for the York Diversity Forum in this letter, I am a member.
Patty Hymanson
York
Thanks from Hospice of York
Dear Independent,
Hospice of York would like to publically acknowledge and thank David Coombs of York Corner Garden Center for the lovely Christmas tree that he donated for our "Lights to Remember" project. It is comforting for many survivors to see an outward sign of remembrance for a deceased loved one.
Thank you, Dave, for helping to make that possible.
Sincerely,
Dee Bickmore, Director
Hospice of York
Don't let the TV decide
Dear Independent,
We truly are at a crossroads in American and world history. The election that will take place in 2008 will be the defining moment that we will have to live with for the rest of our lives. Party lines are null and void as virtually all the candidates stand for much of the same. How do you want to be remembered? As an America that believes in the rule of law or the rule of men? Our founding fathers warned us of all that we are up against right now. They warned against getting involved in others' business, against too much government and they warned us to always have sound currency, as well as many other things that have gone astray over the last half a decade or more.
As a father of a six-year-old boy, I am saddened to know that his generation is already saddled with the debt of the generation before mine, not to mention what my grandchildren will be left with: endless war and debt. As parents, we teach our children to treat others they way you would like to be treated, yet, our government treats everyone like mindless sheep that need to be herded and told what to think. If you think differently, you are labeled either a traitor or fringe lunatic. So much for freedom and independence. Habeas corpus: gone; Bill of Rights: null and void; Constitution: just a piece of paper. If you endorse that last sentence, then you are probably happy to watch our country's existence spiral down the toilet.
For the first time in many decades we actually have a choice. Our voices are being heard and the message is spreading. There is a peaceful revolution taking place already and you might not even know about it! Finally the people are running for president and we are doing it through Dr. Ron Paul! His ideas are simple, yet genius; harsh yet fresh, but most importantly, they will restore this republic to what it used to be: the greatest nation on the planet. Much of the world will begin to do things our way, not because we bombed them, but because they have seen what true freedom brings: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Think about this for a moment. Our money is only backed by debt! It is not backed by gold or silver, or anything at all, for that matter. You can see this every time the Fed drops interest rates and prints more money to loan out to the government; we are then saddled with higher prices due to a weakened dollar. Then the only way for the government to pay back the money is either raise taxes or get more money printed and loaned to us at interest, thus creating even more debt.
A story about Dr. Paul: When faced with a decision to honor Rosa Parks with a Gold Medal of Honor, Dr. Paul was the only Representative that voted no. He did this not because she didn't deserve it, but because the government is already $8 trillion in debt. So, instead of taking hard-earned taxpayer money to pay for this medal, he suggested to his fellow congressmen that they all chip in and buy her the medal because she certainly deserved it. All those that voted in favor of spending your money would have no part of spending their own for the cause!
If not for yourself, then do it for my six-year-old boy. Please turn off the television, and research deeply the things these candidates truly believe. Having a television presidential debate and asking a question during it about the Red Sox-Yankee rivalry just shows you how little respect the media has for all of us.
If Dr. Ron Paul is elected we will all be remembered as champions of freedom and independence! If it is anyone else, I just hope I am remembered as one of the "Good Americans," as we are certainly headed for endless war and a collapsing empire.
Please don't let the TV tell you who to vote for. Remember you own it, it doesn't own you!
Corey Cain
York Beach
Working for Maine people
Dear Independent,
In looking forward to 2008, I cannot help but reflect back on 2007, my first year as State Senator for District 1. Representing nearly 40,000 citizens in the communities of Eliot, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick and York has certainly kept me busy in my freshman year!
It all began with the swearing in ceremony of all elected legislators back in January. From that moment on, I hit the State House floor with my feet running! Aside from the everyday legislative matters, I had a full plate of additional duties including Senate Chair of the Education Committee and a member of the Insurance Committee. Without a doubt, constituent work has been my first and foremost responsibility as an elected official. Fortunately, I enjoy interacting with people and working for what is best for the people of our district and the state.
Back during the Patriot's Day storm, I received numerous calls and e-mails from residents in need of disaster assistance. Each issue varied in how I could help. Some asked for direction or contact information to seek assistance; some asked for help with getting their driveway or road repaired; others just asked what was available for state aid.
The interesting fact about constituent work is that it is always something new and different. As a result, I continue to learn new aspects about our district and our state. With the arrival of colder weather and winter on its way, I am beginning to receive constituent concerns about how to combat the very high costs of oil and utilities. During the past legislative session, people voiced their opinion about certain bills and issues. As Senate Chair of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, I am deeply involved in educational matters throughout the state. I have sent recognition letters to honor roll students and graduates from the University of Maine system and Community Colleges. These are just a few examples of how constituent work can vary.
Recently, there have been a great amount of inquiries about the Maine Property Tax and Rent Refund program. Applications are now available for Maine residents. The program has been expanded to accommodate greater income levels to help qualify more Maine households meaning that over 200,000 Maine households qualify for a property tax and rent refund. The great part is, if eligible, you may receive up to $2,000 in tax relief! In an effort to inform our district about this important program, I have written previous columns and have been sending out a notice in the mail as allowed by the Senate Secretary's Office. The response has been well-received as many residents were unaware of the program. Again, this is just another integral part of serving as state legislator.
As always, I am available to listen and help out if possible. I want to thank you all for your support and please do not hesitate to contact me at the State House. I can be best reached at 287-1515 or toll free at (800) 423-6900. You may also go online and e-mail me at SenPeter.Bowman@legislature.maine.gov or visit my webpage at www.mainesenate.org/bowman.
Sen. Peter Bowman
Kittery
