Letter to the Editor: Andy Buckland will be a great Representative

2 mins read

I know it is common for former state representatives to weigh in on elections with letters. I am under no illusions that my opinion should matter more than anyone else. But it is mine and I will share it.

Having represented Farmington these last years I do have an understanding of the community, and the issues we face here. I have had many conversations with Andy Buckland over the years and have found him well informed. From his wife Ann’s work at the hospital to his work in our schools he understands healthcare and education and its importance to our community. He is also a parent and taxpayer and understand that government has limits the same as we all do and setting priorities is a part of life.

More importantly I have found Andy to be a leader in all he has done and someone who listens (a trait I admire for obvious reasons) to the entire issue before giving you a politically correct answer. He will be a strong representative on issues like welfare reform, healthcare, and education. He will work to reduce wasteful spending and perhaps most importantly a steward of taxpayer dollars, a group that sadly Augusta seems to take for granted far too often.

This year we as sportsman we face an attempt by anti-hunting groups to weaken our traditional rights. Andy is the only candidate who is No on question 1 and A-rated with the NRA (National Rifle association) and SAM (Sportsman Alliance of Maine). To us who enjoy these traditional pastimes Andy is the obvious choice.

It is because my firsthand knowledge and friendship with Andy Buckland that I will be voting for him on Tuesday, Nov. 4. But please don’t take my word for it give him a call I am certain you will see all the traits that make him the leader he is.

Lance Harvell
Farmington

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

12 Comments

  1. “This year we as sportsman we face an attempt by anti-hunting groups to weaken our traditional rights. Andy is the only candidate who is No on question 1 and A-rated with the NRA (National Rifle association) and SAM (Sportsman Alliance of Maine). To us who enjoy these traditional pastimes Andy is the obvious choice.

    YES on 1 is not anti-hunting. It’s a vote for ANTI-CRUELTY. Be a true “sportsman” and vote YES. Bury a bad “tradition”.

  2. So, ‘Actual News’ are you a vegetarian? If you eat any meat in any shape or form, you are a hypocrite my friend. The raising and slaughter of chickens, pigs and cows are just a few examples of very messy business.

    I don’t hunt bear by any means but if the state biologists verify those means are necessary to control bear populations, then I have no issue with it.

    What’s next, banning hunting with bird dogs, no live bait for fishing?

  3. @ Bruce: I’m not a vegetarian, but I’m very particular about the “meat” I eat.

    No factory-farmed Tyson, Butterball or Smithfield products, for example, and that goes for eggs and milk products also.

    If you KNOW that cruel practices are involved in factory-farming, don’t buy the products they sell.

    Also, skip that “meaty” junk at McDonald’s & Burger King. It’s not good for you.

  4. DB, Sept.18, 2014: Moose Season Begins

    “Last year, with over 4,000 permits issued, 2,971 moose hunters were successful, translating to nearly three out of every four moose hunters getting a moose. The 72 percent success rate is in stark contrast to bear or deer hunting, where success rates range historically from 18 to 25 percent. Moose hunting in Maine continues to be extremely popular, with over 53,577 hunters applying to the moose lottery for a chance to hunt moose.”

    Does this mean that baiting and using hounds isn’t even effective, besides being cruel?

  5. Actual News, why are you asking more questions when you haven’t really answered any?

    Ok, so we know you eat meat, does you meat you eat die of natural causes? Your chickens and cows and what ever may have lived a happy life on your farm or someone you know but how did they die? Where they scared to death as they were lead to the slaughter house or did they happy skip along.

    You can’t judge one persons actions while being guilty of the same thing just in a different manner.

    Also, as anyone that has either been apart of the political process or just an observer, you can manipulate data until the cows come home to satisfy you side of an discussion.

    Now go dispose of those leather shoes and belts, you know the cow did not give those up voluntarily!

    (I know actual news, you don’t have any of those items, but you get the point, or at least you should)

  6. actual news,

    upwards of 93 % of bear are harvested using techniques that would be banned under this law.

    success rates for bear hunting using the basic stalk and shoot (which would be the only thing left if this passes) in other states are in the low to mid teens. you would within one – two years see a dramatic raise in bear population.

    if you have ever stepped foot in the woods of Maine, you would know you can not compare the moose hunt and the bear hunt.

  7. This referendum on bear hunting is NOT about bear hunting, rather a “foot in the door” to the stated goals of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to END ALL HUNTING.
    HSUS is a non-resident organization behind the referendum and back in 1990, Wayne Pacelle, the CEO of HSUS stated, “We are going to use the ballot box and the democratic process to stop all hunting in the United States…We will take it species by species until all hunting is stopped in California. Then we will take it state by state.” He also stated “If we could shut down all sport hunting in a moment, we would.” (Kingman Daily, 1991). In October of that same year he stated, “Our goal is to get sport hunting in the same category as cock fighting and dog fighting.” (Bozeman Daily)
    Looks like emotions and personal preference, rather than science, are being foisted upon us.
    Incidentally, in one of the TV commercials is depicted two “traditional bear hunters”. I’ve been hunting for 60 years and have been under the impression that traditional bear hunting was and is during the regular deer season. That requires hunter orange to be worn. The “traditional bear hunters” are not. Are they going to change that for us too?

  8. The number in Maine for “traditional bear hunting” is 7%. To X50 you hit it right on the money and that is just exactly what the HSUS has and lots of it to bring in these kind of referendums………. It’s not about this one referendum It’s about getting in the door….One of their commercials on T.V. states that Maine is the last state to use dogs or trap, wrong there are 10 states that allow dogs and trapping. Comparing Moose and Bear hunting is just like comparing apples and oranges.

  9. The TV ad talks about baiting, dogs and traps.

    Got any quotes about “banning hunting” more recent than 1991? And do you really believe such a thing is possible?

    C’mon, and do you think there’s a bogeyman under your bed, too?

  10. To “Actual News”

    The kind of response I expected….I made a list of who would respond and how. You were number 3 and close in context except for the bogeyman comment. I didn’t expect that from anyone of any integrity

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.