I share Bob Hardina’s (“On being (a) liberal,” Sept. 1) identification as a liberal, with the dictionary definition as a person “favoring progress and reform, as in politics, religion, etc. … open-minded or tolerant, characterized by generosity and willingness to give … ” (or at least I hope so). The transformation of “liberal” into something to apologize for is baffling to me and needs to be countered and never apologized for.

I want to thank all the good people of South Bristol for their help, understanding, and advice during the month we spent searching for our daughter’s beloved missing cat. Not only did everyone to whose house we went welcome us and allow us to search under porches and sheds and all over their property, but they were also unfailingly friendly and sympathetic, and many kept a lookout for a gray-and-white cat.

As a retired public school librarian and public library director at two Boston-area educational institutions, I would like to respond to Barbara Contardo’s letter in the Sept. 1 edition (“Getting what you pay for”).

The tragic events of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 impacted the entire nation and we pledged to never forget. Unfortunately, recent news stories reveal the fact that many folks have in fact forgotten the sense of unity and pride that swept our nation in the aftermath of such tragedy.

Maritime Energy wants to install a 30,000-gallon bulk propane storage tank at its site on the corner of Route 1 and Vannah Road in Nobleboro. We do not think that this is a reasonable risk for our town. Concerned Citizens of Nobleboro is working to protect our community and urge Maritime Energy to find a safer place for their propane storage.

Many people in the Midcoast region have contacted us in recent months to ask about the status of Maine Coast Stove & Chimney, our former stove shop on Route 1 in Wiscasset.

I am writing in support of Wendy Ross, who is running for the Maine House of Representatives in Alna, Wiscasset, Pittston, and Randolph.

The Bristol Board of Selectmen is right to consider the town’s options for the future of the Bristol Mills Dam and right to encourage feedback from residents on the subject.

As a retired vice president and hiring manager at a Boston-based national financial services company, I want to share some information on the subject of “free college education” as proposed by both Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Over the past 12 months, I’ve been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer. I owe the survival of my body and spirit to many people, including the medical team at New England Cancer Specialists, the counselors and programs at the Dempsey Center in Lewiston, and the many friends and family members who stepped in to ease the sadness – and the work – that cancer thrusts upon its survivors. In short, I’ve received nothing but encouraging, compassionate support from everyone who heard about my diagnosis.

Thank you for the excellent coverage of the anti-racism activities. The article and photos in last week’s paper are a reminder to each of us to become involved in creating a respectful and caring society.

On Saturday I wrote a letter to the governor.

Once again, the Labor Day holiday is here. As we enjoy some weekend time with friends and family, we should all appreciate having such weekends. In Maine and across this nation, we can be thankful that Frances Perkins and workers’ unions fought to earn us workplace safety rules, a 40-hour workweek, a minimum wage, and Social Security to protect us from destitution after our working years.