March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Carmel isn’t Freeport

Congratulations to Susan Young for her comprehensive and coherent article on the inequities inherent in an underfunded and distorted funding formula (BDN, Feb. 22-23). Young’s article was extensively researched; and, although it was a sensational story, it was factually and objectively reported.

Shame on Bob Lyman, superintendent of schools in Freeport, for inferring that the people of Freeport care more about their children than the citizens of Carmel, as demonstrated by Freeport’s residents’ willingness to spend 3.6 percent of their income on education as opposed to Carmel’s 1.5 percent. What Lyman fails to mention is that the median income in Freeport is $10,000 higher than in Carmel. It is a lot easier for the people of Freeport to give of their discretionary income, no matter how high the percentage, than it is for the people of Carmel to give of their subsistence-level income.

Lyman goes on to whine about the fact that the sales tax taken in by the many outlet stores in Freeport goes to the state. It is doubtful that the residents of Freeport could support the existence of the outlet stores without the help of the people across this state and the many out-of-staters who patronize that town’s outlets. It is only appropriate that some benefit be spread throughout the state. Furthermore, if Carmel had the benefit of the property tax paid by L.L. Bean and others, it would be in a better position to fund its educational program. The sanctimonious, self-indulgent of this state should remember that the poor woman who gave of her need was more highly regarded than the rich man who gave of his wealth. Phyllis M. Shubert Bangor


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