To the Editor:
After reading the article on the front page of the Oct. 23 copy of The Lincoln County News regarding Damariscotta politics, I felt obligated to express my opinion. It appears that Selectmen Dick McLean and Ed Stelzer, along with Dave Wilber, did an outstanding job of railroading Josh Pinkham. Having been a native of the area for 68 years, I know the Pinkham family to be hard working, honest, honorable and long time natives. I commend Brent Hallowell for his sense of integrity and speaking up in Josh’s defense.
I am well aware of the changes in demographics in the Damariscotta area and the influx of out of state residents who now reside in this area. Most move here to enjoy the rural area; the quaint villages and the slow pace of life. However, there are far too many who feel we need their expert opinions on how our meager lives can and should be improved upon. They wish to impose on us the exact things they ran away from. Very few could get elected to anything where they came from.
I find it personally appalling that the native residents and long term business people who have known the Pinkham family as long as I have, would stand by and allow this to happen to one of their own.
In view of the numerous issues faced by the Board of Selectmen over the past couple of years, it would appear to me residents should make a conscious effort to elect natives to chart their course, as opposed to those who just dropped their kayak in our pond.
I will be voting for Joshua Pinkham for County Commissioner and hope others will join me.
Malcolm S. Oliver, Jefferson, Damariscotta tax payer
