Dear Editor:

As reported in last week's Register, at their October 9 meeting, the Boothbay Board of Selectmen made an appointment to the board of appeals to replace a recently resigned member. Making such decisions when the need arises is certainly part of the responsibility we, the voters, entrust to the selectmen and qualified citizens serving their community on various boards is the backbone of our form of local government. However, what was evident to a number of residents in attendance, and has been expressed by others, is that the current process used by the selectmen to make such appointments needs to be improved to enable the public to be better informed of the basis on which such appointments are made.

In the past, it has been customary to advertise an opening on a board in the Register, to solicit citizens interested in serving in the available position. This practice insures that everyone is properly informed and given an equal opportunity to serve the community. It also eliminates the chance that the selection is left solely to the selectmen or town manager. In this instance the town manager followed this public announcement procedure only after he was questioned by the selectmen and, after admitting he had not, was instructed to do so. As a result of the public solicitation, the selectmen were presented with more than one volunteer to fill the vacancy, and it is at this point where the most serious deficiency in the current selection process became evident.

When citizens care enough about their government and community to volunteer to serve on a board or in another appointed capacity, they recognize and accept that they will be spending a significant portion of their time in such service, at little or no financial gain, and under public scrutiny. Each of them offer to their community and the position for which they are volunteering, their unique background, experience and qualifications. While we entrust our elected officials with the responsibility and obligation to fill these appointed positions with the most qualified individuals, we also judge those officials by the quality of their leadership as evidenced by the decisions they make. This is why, at all levels of government, when an appointment is being considered, the general public is fully informed of the background and qualifications of prospective appointees so that, while we don't make the decisions, we can voice our approval or disapproval through various public forums and, ultimately, the ballot.

The process as currently exists in Boothbay fails to meet a most essential and fundamental public right: the right to be informed. This was made acutely evident at the last selectmen's meeting when, in spite of there being more than one candidate, the selectmen failed to present any candidate's qualifications or allow those candidates in attendance to address the meeting. In fact, as this paper reported, there was absolutely no discussion, prompting some in attendance to speculate that the selectmen had already made their decision; perhaps during the nonpublic meeting of the selectmen held in the town manager's office prior to opening the public meeting. This approach, while it may be customary, is inconsiderate of those that offer to serve our community and, more importantly, fails to adequately inform Boothbay citizens of the choices being made on their behalf. I therefore urge that the selectmen formally adopt at their next meeting, a board appointment procedure that:

• Reaffirms that public solicitation will be published in the Register for all openings in appointed positions, no less than two (2) weeks prior to the actual appointment being made, to insure ample time for interested citizens to reply;

• At the selectmen's meeting at which the appointment will be made, formally recognize those citizens who seek appointment with a brief summary of their qualifications and, where the potential appointee is present at the meeting, invite him or her to speak to those present if they so desire;

• Before a vote is taken, open the discussion to those in attendance for any questions or comments; and, only then,

• Conclude the appointment process with the vote of the selectmen.

The suggested revisions to the process in no way infringe on the selectmen's vested right to make the ultimate appointment. However, it will insure that we, the voters, are better able to judge for ourselves the wisdom, integrity and responsibility exhibited in making those appointments.

Scott G. Adams

East Boothbay

- Scott G. Adams

Businesses Support Successful Walk

Dear Editor:

On October 6 New Hope for Women held the second Family Walk & 5K Race to End Domestic Abuse in Boothbay Harbor.

The enormous success of this year's fund-raising event was due in great part to the generosity of the local business community. I would like to publicly thank the following businesses for their support: Gardiner Institution for Savings, A Silver Lining, Carousel Dinner Theater, Schooner Eastwind, Shop 'n Save, Smugglers Cove, Wiscasset Ford, Joy To The Wind, Gold/Smith Gallery, Phil "The Baker" McLellan, East Boothbay General Store and Conley's.

I would also like to thank the Boothbay Harbor Police Department and the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service for taking care of our runners and walkers, the Boothbay YMCA for the use of its facilities, and area event coordinator Rose Marie Kreppein for her energy and dedication.

New Hope for Women is the only agency in Lincoln County that provides direct services and prevention programs to women and families in need in Lincoln County. We are committed to building communities where violence is not tolerated and all members are respected and encouraged to develop to their fullest capacity.

Thank you to the area businesses, walkers, runners, and volunteers for joining us in this meaningful work.

Karen A. Grover

New Hope for Women

- Karen A. Grover

Our Immigration Policies Are Lax

Dear Editor:

I wish to respond to Mr. Jacob Cross's recent letter to the editor criticizing a previous editorial regarding our lax immigration policies. It is a known fact that our lax policies in allowing immigrants into our land of freedom and democracy, either for permanent residence or on temporary visas, are being taken advantage of.

It is evident that we must now fight back against evil in a dignified and compassionate way, trying not to harm innocent children in Afghanistan, where they are already hungry and homeless, and at the same time bring an end to the terrorist organizations which operate from there.

I am proud of our political and military leaders for their restraint in this war.

I am American-born, and put my flag up every morning and bring her in at night. I never allow her to touch the ground. She is my symbol of freedom, like the American Eagle, and has flown with many brave men and women. She was there at Iwo Jima, Pearl Harbor, and many other places.We must protect what the American flag stands for in this latest threat to our way of life.

Stanley Pierce

Howe Brook

- Stanley Pierce