To the people of the Town of Strong:
As you go to the polls on March 5th, I am asking for your vote to elect me as your selectman.
I have lived in Strong my whole life and have chosen to work here, raise a family here, and give back to the community as often as I have the opportunity. My two children have chosen to stay in the area and raise their families. My wife Sue and I are committed to the Town of Strong and have spent many hours volunteering to make this a good place to live and work.
I run a farm and have been on the Franklin County Agricultural Fair Board for 12 years, serving as chairman for the last several years. I served 9 years as a board member of the USDA Farm Service Agency.
I served on the Strong Fire Department for about 30 years and worked as a manager for Dirigo Dowel for 16 years. Presently, I manage a spray foam insulation business and run our family farm. I am no stranger to hard work and have a good understanding of many aspects of management.
I’m listing all of these things I’m proud of, because I want you to know how seriously I will take the job of being your selectman. I have served five terms as a selectman over the years, and I know that Strong is facing difficult financial challenges because of statewide shortfalls. I have a thorough understanding of the different types of town accounts, the big picture of our annual budget, and I’m truly a fiscal conservative. I’m tough but fair, and that’s what we’ll need over the next three years as we face these difficult economic times. I’d very much appreciate your vote on March 5th at the polls.
Sincerely,
Rupert Pratt
Strong
Mr. Pratt has served as Selectman more than once in the past. He does not bring professionalism to the board, but instead personal vendettas. I have also lived and served my community most of my life in one aspect or another, and I too am proud, but I would not be proud of what he has brought to the past boards.
Thankyou for inviting children to your farm. You can bet they enjoyed every minute, and learned many aspects of a working farm. Politically speaking, serving the citizens during your presence was ideologically dissociative. Strong citizens elected new leadership for a change. It,s quite clear that your services in the political spectrum have expired.
Rupert Pratt has the knowledge and experience necessary to lead Strong in the difficult times ahead. The coming economic disaster is no time for on the job training- a true fiscal conservative is needed. The false accusations above tell me far more about the people who posted the comments than they tell me about Rupert Pratt. Rupert Pratt and I have not always agreed about every issue, but he is a good man, and will have my vote at the polls. He does not bring personal vendettas to the table, on the contrary, he brings a sense of fairness and a desire to do what’s best for the entire community- not just a chosen few. Rupert, don’t let the biased false accusers get you down.
Even though I am working out of state, I still take an interest in what happens in Strong. I am still a resident and registered voter. I am not afraid to have my name show up in public forum showing support fot Rupert and Milt (I contacted the town clerk and have voted absentee). As many of you in Strong are aware, I state my opinions in public and am not afraid to support them. Our town needs a board of selectmen that is willing to put aside personal agendas and work for ALL of the people in Strong, not the vocal minority. In their years of public service, Rupert Pratt and Milt Baston have demonstrated they will do what is right for the Town of Strong and will not be bullied into supporting someone’s personal agenda. In the harsh economic times we will be experiencing over the next four or five years (yes, it is going to get worse), the Town of Strong needs leaders like Milt and Rupert.
Scott Dyar
What a bunch of miserable pompus nastiness! Where do these people come from? Do they get to spout this crap and not have anyone challenge what it means? There isn’t anything that tells readers what the heck they mean. They drone on and talk about ‘personal vendettas.’ Nothing to help us out there. And what does ‘ideologically dissociative’ mean? Huh? I had to grab the dictionary for that one. Someone needs a time-out in the corner! Al Diamon, where are you when we need you?
As far as I am concerned, any reputable newspaper that prints unsigned letters has no business calling itself a newspaper. The fact that these cowards are being provided a forum for their vitriol is what’s really sad. There will always be creeps and malcontents. Publishing their rantings is a choice made by Ms. Hanstein. Shame on her.
Admin logging in for Perry Ellsworth:
These are difficult times and during these times true leadership must prevail. Selectmen often have to make careful decisions because of the precedent setting that may take place. We are all human and one would think that all would treat one another fairly. This is not always the case.
This trend has been alive and well for some time in Strong and it is not confined to any one person or family. It flairs regularly. I agree with John that you should post your name and not hide behind ambiguity. Being a selectman, especially the chairman carries a price with it. You may be cock of the flock today and chicken filet tomorrow. It’s like whispering in someone’s ear and continuing the process.
The final word on the street may not carry a factual account of what really happen but it makes for a conversation item. As I said earlier this is the time for leadership and a group of selectmen who can work together to PROMOTE the TOWN OF STRONG. Find out the facts and vote for the best candidates who will work to bring tranquility to the Town Office.
I hope that we all see the smiles in the Town Office that used to be there once this election is completed. In the meantime if people want throw a punch through this process then as John said “write down your name” or better yet approach that person and have a face to face discussion.
We are blessed to be able to have a true form of democracy in Maine through our direct voices and votes at town meetings. With that freedom comes responsibility, and that includes being willing to agree to disagree with respect and common decency. I may not always be happy with the way our town members vote or choices that our selectmen make, but at the end of the meeting or the end of the day, I consider these folks my friends and neighbors and expect to be treated the same way.
If folks have legitimate concerns about candidates or issues, then they should raise them in a decent and respectful way and in full view (names) of their listening audience, whether at town meetings or editorial comments.
Let’s all go forward with taking our freedoms and responsibilities in a sincere and respectful way.
Sincerely,
Bill Crandall
Farmington Citizen
(Raised in Strong and proud of it)