Some letters of support!

Fire chief urges support for O'Brien

On Nov. 2, I urge everyone to support Andy O’Brien for re-election as state representative. Andy is a hardworking, genuine person that will fight for our wants and needs in the Maine House. I have known Andy for many years, and never seen him turn his back on his friends, family or community. He is a person that the surrounding communities trust as a proven leader in Augusta.

There is much value in using your local state representative. This was the case when the Lincolnville Fire Department was going through the permitting process for construction of a new fire station. The permit necessary to move forward with the first phase of construction was sitting in Augusta not being dealt with in a timely manner. A phone call was made to Mr. O’Brien, who took it upon himself to resolve the matter expediently. Calls were placed to Congressmen and within 24 hours the permit was granted to the town of Lincolnville. Consider Andy a useful community resource. Thank you!

Go vote for Andy O’Brien on Nov. 2. Your communities are a better place because of knowledgeable people like Andy.

Ben Hazen

Lincolnville Fire Chief

Andy O'Brien working for our communities

I am a 17 year resident of the town of Lincolnville. I have voted in every election, large or small, as I feel it is a privilege and an honor to do so. Two years ago my High School aged son (not yet of voting age) volunteered to work on Andy O'Brien's campaign for State Representative. To see my son involved in the process at such a young age speaks to the character and commitment of Andy O'Brien, to be able to connect with folks where they stand. Andy has lived and worked in Asia for several years and has the experience of both teacher and student in Eastern and Western cultures. As an ESL educator he understands what works, and more importantly, what does not. He will work to make education in Maine more effective and innovative. He has worked hard over the last 2 years making the harmful school consolidation law workable for our communities, while making sure that the voice of rural Maine was heard loud and clear on this contentious issue.

Andy is working to preserve our agricultural infrastructure in Maine by helping to support struggling dairy farms. As someone who grew up in a farming family, he understands the need for growing food locally and creating a local food economy. He continues to be a forward thinker on local agriculture for the state. Andy understands how important quality of place is in attracting businesses and entrepreneurs to the area and will continue to encourage a creative economy and ecotourism. I encourage you to take a look at Andy O”Brien as he runs for State Representative. I believe his ideas are the future of Maine.

Sincerely,

Nora E. McGrath
Lincolnville

Vote for Andrew O'Brien

Representative Andrew O'Brien has many excellent qualities which he puts to good use helping the people in his district. One of his strongest qualities is his ability to connect with his constituents. Andy takes the time and makes the effort to answer every call, e-mail and letter, even (perhaps especially) to those who disagree with his votes, because he knows it's important to let his constituents know their voice has been heard. Andy is a true representative of the people, which is why he deserves our vote on November 2.

James and Elizabeth O'Haverty, Hope

Vote for Andy O'Brien

I'm writing in response to the mailings my family has been receiving claiming that Andy O'Brien does not represent the communities of District 44.

My own experience has been exactly the opposite. Andy represents us, understands us and works tirelessly for us in Augusta.

As the former chair of the CSD board and a three-year member of the local school reorganization committee, I've had the opportunity to see Andy at work. New educational legislation put our Five Town school district in the peculiar position of possibly losing more in state education subsidies if we reorganize than we would have to pay in penalties if we don't comply. It's a complex issue, with estimates of penalties and subsidies changing every few months, but Andy has worked diligently to make sense of it all. He's worked with us to develop a legislative strategy, drafted and submitted bills, and attended all of the relevant hearings and work sessions.

He's intelligent, he understands the issues, and he is hard-working, positive, and always respectful. We are fortunate to have Mr. O'Brien representing us in Augusta.

I urge everyone to vote for Andy O'Brien as state representative from Lincolnville, Islesboro, Hope, Appleton, Searsmont, Liberty and Morrill.

Michael Kosowsky, Lincolnville

Re-elect Andy O'Brien

Andrew O'Brien has ably served Appleton, Hope, Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Morrill and Searsmont (District 44) in the Maine House of Representatives for the last two years. I first met him when he was campaigning two years ago, going from house-to-house introducing himself and his ideas for effective government. He caught me working outside and we had a long, pleasant chat. I was impressed with his body of experience, respectable for a person twice his age. I also liked his drive and eagerness to effect positive change. His views on the way we obtain and use energy and how it hinges on other concerns such as economics, environment and security closely matched my own, so I gave him my vote. His performance during the past four years did not disappoint. He kept his constituents aware of what was happening in Augusta and what he did as well as what we could do. He displayed original thought and, always respectful, seemed much less concerned with fixing blame than with fixing problems. He remembered me by name the couple of times I encountered him since our first talk and he always answered my e-mails promptly, addressing my questions well.

Andy O'Brien will once again have my vote this November 2nd. He is what a State Representative should be and he should have the vote of anyone that values energetic and informed representation.

Harold Mosher, Hope

Liberty Voter likes O'Brien

Andrew O’Brien is running for reelection as State Representative for District 44. His hands-on experiences in both education and agriculture have played a crucial role in his understanding of the needs and concerns of our district. As a Liberty resident, I am grateful that this hard-working, accessible young man is willing to serve another term in the legislature if elected. Based on his former record, I know he would be an effective, hard-working legislator in the difficult times ahead.

H L Whitney
Liberty　

Hope You'll Vote for Rep. Andrew O'Brien

In Sarah Reynolds' October 13 interview in the Republican Journal with Republican candidate Wendy Pelletier, Pelletier says that, "Money should never be taken from those who have earned it to give to those who don't have it."

Harsh words from someone who has publicly stated that as a single mother with small children, she accepted government assistance. Why is Wendy Pelletier unwilling to extend a hand to the neediest families now?

On her Twitter feed, Pelletier advocates Bible classes in public schools, but has sent her own children to private Christian schools. So how did she miss this crucial message from the New Testament?

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

Representative Andrew O'Brien has spent the last two years helping his neighbors in Waldo and Knox counties - working parents, farmers, small business owners, elderly folks on a limited income. On November 2, I hope you'll vote for him.

Elizabeth Hand, Lincolnville

Vote O'Brien!

"In late October of 2008 a mailing from the Maine GOP landed in our mailbox here in Lincolnville. That Halloween mailing said that Andy O'Brien, who was running for House of Representative District 44 , would practice "dirty tricks" and represent "scary values"if he were elected. Andy went on to win that race and to represent this district with fairness and an open door to listen and respond to his constituents . Andy is also working on issues about our economy and food and energy sources.

One of the biggest issues in Maine, and across the nation, is health care costs.
This 2010 election season 'scary political tactics' are being practiced by the Maine GOP in mailings received in many district 44 mailboxes professing that Andy O'Brien voted to 'tax babies'. Andy O'Brien voting record on health care shows that he voted to make insurance more affordable, to continue insurance benefits when sick and to ensure that windfall insurance savings went to continue insurance for families and small businesses.

This Halloween 2010 seems to be the Maine GOP season of 'scary political tactics' as usual. Please support reelection of District 44 House of Representative Andy O'Brien.

Future generations will thank you."


Arlene Jurewicz-Leighton
Lincolnville

Mailbox Poisoning

Someone is putting poison in my mailbox every day now, and it scares me. I live on the backside of Lincolnville, and I know my neighbors and friends aren't to blame.

The latest deposit comes in the form of a hateful, distorted screed -- quite likely supported by secret out-of-state dollars -- against State Representative Andy O'Brien.

Andy O'Brien? Please. This local young man works harder than most career politicians ever will. He's bright, cares for working people, and believes, as I do, that individuals and entities with lots of power and money shouldn't be pulling the strings. In Lincolnville we all watched Andy grow up; we know his family and his values, and I, for one, resent having him slandered by groups which won't disclose who is writing the checks. Oh, right, they are "non-profit" organizations, with "no political agenda." Gratifying to know that, unlike the rest of us, they won't have to pay federal or Maine taxes of any kind.

Be afraid when secret money and power rain down attacks on a committed young man in rural Maine who is doing his best (which is quite good) to represent us. As for those candidates, of any party or affiliation, who tacitly accept and support these snotty tactics, remember that looking the other way is the first cousin of that other old political temptation:
"Going on the take".

Ric McKittrick
Lincolnville