In my lifetime, hunger was a devastating problem in many parts of this country. The Food Stamp program saved lives by providing vital nutrition for families and single people who had fallen on hard times — nutrition that allowed them to learn in school, heal from illness and injury, hang on between jobs, and not […]
Peg Hoffman
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Say 'no' to tax proposal
The immorality of the Republican tax reform bill before Congress is distressing. It will strip crucial resources from people who are most in need: families working toward independence; workers and their children needing health care to stay strong; elders needing Social Security to keep up with the cost of living. It is a cynical attempt […]
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Posted inLetters
They came to make a good life
Mayor Robert Macdonald’s letter to the editor (March 31) was heartbreaking to me. I am grateful to live in Lewiston, where so many people have worked hard and with kindness to welcome and assist new neighbors from away. Far from being interlopers, the people I have met who have come from Africa and Latin America […]
Posted inLetters
Fulfill the will of the people
It was gratifying to see the majority of Maine voters say “yes” to raising the minimum wage. It will be a huge help to people who work hard for very low wages. Low-wage workers will be better able to patronize small businesses, or further their education, or deal with emergencies. Teachers say it will be […]
Posted inLetters
Stevens dedicated to building resources
I will vote for Melissa Stevens to represent District 59 in the Maine State Legislature. She has worked for low wages and survived domestic abuse and overcome those challenges to graduate from college and start her own business here in her hometown. She has dedicated herself to building resources in this community, especially for those […]
Posted inLetters
Ranked-choice voting works
We support the citizen initiative to enact ranked-choice voting in elections and primaries for governor, representatives to the U.S. Congress and to the Maine Senate and House of Representatives. For too long, candidates for these offices have been elected with less than a majority of voters supporting them. The past six governors have each gained […]
Posted inLetters
J. Cogan and P. Hoffman: Work for the common good
We hope to soon be residents of Lewiston. We are supporting Ben Chin for mayor. He will be a leader working for the best interests of everyone who calls Lewiston home. Chin is courageous. He will bring skills to advocate for Lewiston’s rights and needs in Augusta. He will work closely with those already working […]
Posted inLetters
P. Hoffman: MaineCare should be expanded
The Affordable Care Act is working well for many Mainers, especially those whose health insurance premiums were high, or who had pre-existing medical conditions preventing them from being covered. However, there are a significant number of people and their families who have been blocked from having health coverage at all. Gov. Paul LePage vetoed the […]
Posted inLetters
J. Cogan, P. Hoffman: Replace the homes lost to fire
We have owned a business in downtown Lewiston for 25 years. We strongly support the project to replace homes lost to the fires. We are a long way from too many decent, affordable apartments in downtown neighborhoods. Private landlords have not been able to provide sufficient units in good condition for folks who need to […]
Posted inLetters
P. Hoffman and J. Cogan: Do what is right and decent
“One cannot pick oneself up by the bootstraps when bedridden by a chronic but treatable illness.” — Marguerite Pennoyer, MD, Sun Journal column, Jan. 24. The preamble to the U.S. Constitution emphasizes the importance of “promoting the general welfare,” to preserve our freedoms and prosperity as a whole society. “Welfare” today is given a negative […]