York ME schools should remove harmful sex books – York Weekly

I attended the York School Committee meeting last week where the book “It’s Perfectly Normal” was discussed. Patsy Huntsman brought up so many valid points in her presentation. This is not the 1994 version we are talking about here.

The sexually explicit texts that Patsy read in the book were very disturbing and could impact the minds of young children for years to come. You cannot “not see” these images and descriptions. This can be considered “distribution of pornography to children”.

If my daughter brought a friend to our house when she was 10 and we read this book to her friend, we would be arrested. But is it acceptable for a librarian, teacher or counselor to share this book with children they barely know? What if this librarian was a man? This is child abuse and the members of the school council should be ashamed if they decide to keep this book on the shelf.

A member of the school committee said that if this book was removed from the York Middle School library, it could “set a precedent for parents to request that other books be removed”.

Isn’t it more important to set a precedent so that school libraries don’t buy books that are harmful to children? Or create a precedent that the sex education curriculum should not include topics of a pornographic nature? Promoting sexual experimentation, including anal sex, oral sex and gay sex through books and curricula is HARMFUL to children and against the law.

Has York gone astray? I urge the school committee to vote to remove this book from YMS and to consider improving the standards of our libraries and sex education curriculum.

—Julie Edminster, York

Letter: York doc, cop and dog headlines miss the point

The massive editorials in the Portsmouth and York newspapers missed a crucial point: judgment! The doctor showed a lack of judgment by leaving his car and approaching the officer. The officer showed poor judgment (none) in beating the doctor after he knelt.

How to practice judgment? How does the department assess an officer’s judgment? The city and police department declined to support the officer and left the settlement decision to the insurance company. Sounds like a “quick fix” approach.

Was the revered pediatrician flashing his headlights in anger? Did he leave his car to remonstrate with the officer? What is the reason for long editorials? Is there any history in the action and resolution of the city/department/agent?

There seems to be a lot that hasn’t been revealed!

Some may call it muckraking, but further investigation by reporters may be warranted.

—D. Lincoln, York

Letter: We need a transportation hub in York Beach

In York, the need for more transportation options became apparent. Every York resident can appreciate the wasted hours each summer sitting in traffic along Long Sands and Short Sands. The incessant search for parking is just as prevalent.

Recently, the imminent danger posed by climate change has also become apparent. Flooding near beaches is now a staple after any storm. Just last week boulders blanketed Long Sands Road after a period of high winds. York CAP as well as the State of Maine outlined the ways our community will continue to be threatened in the future.

Fortunately, there is public policy that can help address both of these issues facing York; it is a transportation hub of York Beach. Conveniently located at the end of Short Sands Rd, this hub could provide transportation around town and to the beaches, as well as being a central point for taxis and rideshares. This will make city transportation more convenient for everyone while reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT). According to the York CAP, transport is our second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing VMT will combat this.

After research in York High School’s Advanced Political and Legal Studies course, we determined that this is currently our best option for mitigating transportation-induced climate change. Our focus started with tackling climate change, but we quickly realized it could also solve congestion and parking issues.

Our proposed solution has the potential to more than double the available parking in the Short Sands area and add convenience to the lives of residents and tourists. We hope we can win your support as community members on this issue.

For more resources on the project, visit the following link: linktr.ee/YorkTransportHub.

—Connor D’Aquila, Roan Spencer and Matthew Leclerc, York

Letter: Glad to see fire department deal

I was pleased to read in the January 5 edition of the York Weekly that “York Volunteer Firefighters are now city employees.” Volunteer firefighters certainly deserve a stipend, an hourly wage, and coverage under the city’s workers’ compensation insurance policy.

Firefighting is a dangerous and challenging profession, and fire does not distinguish between a “full-time” firefighter and a “volunteer” firefighter. I remember January 17, 2008, when York volunteer firefighter Nathaniel Marshall was injured while starting a fire at the Stage Neck Inn. Firefighter Marshall, I believe, was not compensated for his medical expenses. I imagine there were other volunteer firefighters who risked “their lives and their physical integrity” and faced the same injustice.

New deal:York Volunteer Firefighters are now city employees

Although I bought my house in York in 1986, I do not live in York and do not vote in York. However, as the retired fire chief of Chelsea, Mass., I commend the voters of York who approved the volunteer firefighters’ allowances.

May the patron saint of firefighters, Saint Florian, pray for and protect all firefighters.

— Louis T. Addonizio, retired fire chief, Chelsea, Mass.

Letter: The pediatrician did not respond to what we expect from doctors

I can’t believe Dr. Stephen Brennan’s defense answers! Active licensed physicians like Dr. Brennan, according to the Physician Licensing Boards, are held to good moral character, “which could be construed as those virtues of a person that are generally recognized as beneficial to public health, safety and well-being. .”

It seems that Dr. B. fell a tiny bit below that standard that night and thus suffered the consequences foretold – the cop had a barking dog by his side – yuck! That would have forced me to comply immediately! In the absence of a valid excuse or explanation for his actions that night, Dr. B should apologize and be held accountable for his belligerent behavior that night and the consequences he suffered!

News:York Police release video of K-9 shooting dead 63-year-old pediatrician during traffic stop

I worked for the Board of Medicine, and I’ve met a lot of these types of doctors in similar circumstances, and I can tell you that their arrogance and disrespect for law enforcement didn’t get them well served with the Board. Many have received warning letters regarding their behavior or a suspension of their active license.

A piece of advice for everyone, no matter what profession or status you hold in life, if you are stopped by law enforcement: it is normally in your best interests to comply and adhere to their orders. You can always file a complaint later with your lawyer if necessary! Don’t put a cop on the spot like that. You know who she/he is, yet she/he doesn’t know you. They just do their job.

—Joanne M. Hill, York Beach