Letters to the Editor, 2008:

To the Editor:

For years, Seth Berry has been inspiring the young children of our school district to learn at SAD 75.  Over the past two years, his performance as House District 67 representative has demonstrated his own commitment to learning.  After only one term in office, Seth has a remarkable grasp of issues important to Mainers, and the legislative process.  His website, www.sethberry.org, demonstrates his deep understanding of the complex issues that challenge our state.  Seth is knowledgeable and practical.  I trust him to make sound judgments that will serve our district well in these challenging times and believe he will be a strong leader in the House if re-elected.

Caroline Eliot

Bowdoin

To the Editor:

Dear Residents of District 67 (Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond, Perkins Township):

If you are sitting on the fence this election year and haven’t decided who to vote for as our State Representative, I would highly recommend that you cast your ballot for Seth Berry, of Bowdoinham. Seth is truly a legislator for the people of our communities. He is very much in tune with the issues that are important to us and affect our daily lives. Seth is an “accessible” legislator and willing to speak with his constituents on a personal, one-to-one, level.

Among the myriad of woes currently facing our state, I am also very concerned about the welfare of equines in Maine. Seth attended an Animal Welfare Committee meeting with me, so he could see first hand how mismanaged this program is. Seth cared that I cared. We have had several conversations on this topic and Seth will keep an open ear for me when legislation arises concerning the equines, as well as other animal welfare issues.

Time lost from work to attend the AWP meetings $150, gas money to drive to the meetings $50, having my legislator care about a cause dear to my heart ...... priceless.

If you are searching for genuine representation in the Maine House of Representatives, I cannot endorse Seth Berry enough! Please get out and vote!

Missy Libby

Richmond

To the Editor:

Representative Seth Berry has aptly served as our legislator representing Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, and Richmond for the past two years. He is a strong advocate for sustainable energy and conservation. His expertise on utilities and energy issues afforded him the opportunity to serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy. One important success of that Committee was to bring Maine into a ten-state compact to drastically reduce CO2 emissions from large electricity generators.

During his first term, he successfully sponsored many crucial measures including reasonable nuclear waste oversight in Wiscasset, cleaner and more efficient wood heat related to economic development, a better coordinated mental health policy, greater social security equity for Maine public employees and taxpayers and new rules to protect Maine telephone consumers.

Seth Berry is the kind of representative we need in Augusta. He understands the needs of Maine people, has a strong sense of community and is dedicated to making a difference. He is passionate about environmental issues and education, and understands how to approach these issues from a pragmatic, yet all encompassing perspective. 

It is my hope that the citizens that he has represented so well during his first term will re-elect him.  

Linda Christie

Bowdoinham

To the Editor:

As a young Mainer, I am very concerned about the challenges that face our state and our country right now. The economy is in shambles, global warming is a serious threat, health care and higher education have become privileges instead of rights, good jobs are getting scarcer and scarcer, and bitter partisan bickering and self-interested politicians are compounding these crises.

We are very lucky here in District 67 to have someone willing to tackle these issues with energy, common sense, and vision. In his past term as our state representative, Seth Berry has demonstrated that he is able to make real progress and find constructive solutions that benefit both his constituents and the whole state. In short, Seth is an example of what a great politician should be.

So on November 4th, go out and vote for Seth Berry!

Sincerely, Pippa Stanley

Richmond

To the Editor:

Seth Berry has served Bowdoinham, Bowdoin and Richmond well for the past two years.  He has saved us considerable money by getting Congress to repay huge amounts of social security money to Maine that they had kept, identifying errors in our telephone rates, and ensuring more transparency for new tax incremental financing,  

What’s most important to me is how accessible Seth is.  We see him at all town events, he is easy to reach by phone or email, and I always feel comfortable discussing my concerns with him.  I am supporting his bid for re-election as our state representative, and I urge my fellow citizens to do the same.

Gracia Woodward

Bowdoinham, Maine

To the Editor:

Generally speaking, I am no fan of election season candidate endorsement letters to the editor.  With a few exceptions, and with sincere respect and appreciation for those who make the effort to participate in the democratic process, to this ear, most such letters mirror the largely predictable, partisan blather the public is typically subjected to by political campaigns.

Accordingly, when I was asked to consider writing a letter in support of Seth Berry’s run for reelection, I thought hard before doing so.  I write because I trust Seth’s heart and intellect to put up a struggle when he finds himself sucked into the partisan blather that characterizes much of what passes for the people’s business in Augusta. 

The good news, I think, is that most legislators on both sides of the aisle have a sincere desire to do some good for the people of Maine.  However, in order for that spark of good to ignite and fulfill its promise in the face of the dominant, partisan political culture’s emphasis on the preservation of power and narrow, selfish self-interest, we need legislators of heart and intellect representing us. 

I don’t know Seth’s opponent and expect he too is an honorable man.  I have, however, had the opportunity to talk to Seth several times since his first run for office.  Based on those conversations and Seth’s consistent responsiveness, I remain cautiously optimistic that he is capable of providing the quality representation the public deserves and needs in Augusta if we are to achieve all that this wonderful state and her wonderful people are capable of.   Please consider joining me in voting for Seth Berry on November 4th. 

Alice Knapp

Richmond

To the Editor:

As time draws near to Election Day, I wish to speak in support of Seth Berry for State Representative.  He has ably represented the communities of Bowdoinham, Bowdoin and Richmond for the past two years and has brought enthusiasm, an ethic of hard work and a strong awareness of the issues of importance to this region to the Maine House of Representatives.

 I am particularly impressed with his leadership on energy issues while serving on the Utilities and Energy Committee and his efforts to have Maine reduce greenhouse gasses, become energy independent and enjoy more prosperity as a result. 

Seth Berry has the talent and commitment to tackle complex policy matters of statewide significance while at the same time paying close attention to extremely important local issues that have immediate bearing on the health and welfare of the residents of this district.  Please join me in voting for Seth Berry on election day! 

Sincerely, 

Karin R. Tilberg

Bowdoinham