Letter: ‘Moore’ nonpartisan leadership

Mr. Mael. In my opinion you deserve an A+ for persistence but a failing grade for analysis and accuracy. I agree with Ms. Dahl that you have been making the same accusations against anyone who posts an opinion different from yours without any documentation to back up your accusations. You have done this to me also. You make accusations against others based on a false premise, an argumentative technique often used by those who lack documentation for their position. But you do show bravery for continuing to verbally spare with Ms. Dahl who is obviously smarter than both you and I put together. At least, one way or another, this will end tomorrow. May all of us come to peace with the outcomes of the elections, whether they bring joy or sorrow to us. Best Regards, Everett Fuchs

Steven Mael – Hello and happy Monday! You are making the same comment on every letter that has been published lately: I think you and I are similarly persistent! I will thus respond with my similar POV again, because I believe your contradictions needs to be addressed and your commentary needs to be refuted each time.

I do agree that in this time of strong partisanship, it’s difficult to be 100% “non-partisan,” free from any party bias. Being bipartisan is perhaps a more appropriate term here. What I appreciate most about the candidates I support (like Theresa, Chris, Matt and Megan) is that they, for me, feel more bipartisan- meaning they are compelled and committed to involving the cooperation of both political parties and all those who fall somewhere in the middle/moderate (like myself). Their opponents on the ballot, however, feel less collaborative and less open-minded, as was heard during their blunt and definitive comments in recent school board and town board forums. What you are describing and claiming is quite different than reality. You also call me out as “close minded” and in other responses make false accusations about other letter writers – putting words in their mouths (words that I have never seen nor heard locally from those who are more like-minded to myself) and taking commentary out of context. Finally, I’m acknowledging that these conversations are so hard –we are all doing our best to get involved, respect others and share our perspectives – but many of your comments go a bit too far: especially today’s comment here about “outside influences of large urban areas that bring crime and ill-gotten priorities to our community” – that is absolutely presumptuous and absurd. If you are talking about me directly – I want to clarify that my husband grew up in Houlton and graduated from Hudson High School, and I grew up in a similar community in Kansas. I’m assuming we have similar upbringings, but my good sense tells me we need thoughtful, forward-thinking leadership and intelligent, courageous, inclusive women like Theresa and Megan (and Janet!).

And Kristen – Erin seems like a very friendly, approachable and kind person. However, I just don’t think she is any more non-partisan than the candidates I support: she openly voices her Christian conservative perspective (which I’m totally fine with), too! For me personally, however, she isn’t in my top 2 candidates for school board as I feel like her voice is too focused on her personal experience and feels too narrow for my preference.

Steven Mael- I had a feeling you would comment! I will write a response when I have more time available later today- you are certainly making some unfair and totally inaccurate blanket assumptions about my perspective and opinion- I find that extremely disheartening and unfair.

Katie uses such divisive and inflammatory language suggesting that only people who think like she does care about their children and the future of our community, thus showing her partisan political agenda. A vote for anyone whom she suggests most definitely is a vote for anything but what her propaganda projects. Having fresh voices to represent our growing community, not relying on the status quo of the old guard who has failed us on increasing property taxes, subpar infrastructure maintenance, and reduced quality of life resulting from safety concerns for our children only go to show that what has been happening is not working. We cannot be subjected to the closed minds that have locked us into political ideologies brought about by outside influences of large urban areas that bring crime and ill gotten priorities to our community. Good sense says we need thoughtful leadership, not partisan politics like has been ruling over us for too long. We need change, and that is why I am voting for intelligent courageous women like Darla and Erin.

You want non-partisanship, but the school board candidates you support are anything but non-partisan. Erin Gerlach is the true non-partisan in this election.