I deeply appreciate your “BMHI’s next battle” editorial of Nov. 17. The public needs to be aware of just how drastic our situation at Bangor Mental Health Institute has become in just these past few years.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that if BMHI closes there would no nowhere for our residents to go but out in the cold. This should be taken literally. This historic facility needs to continue to exist to serve the lowliest and most helpless people in our society as it has for so many years.

Should we close our fire departments and police stations because we have a serious budget problem? I am convinced that trying to balance the budget without closing this historic facility is very possible. It is a matter of priority with the powers that be.

Closing BMHI only makes a bad situation worse; an increase in the homeless population, and an increase in the jobless statistics to mention a few factors.

It is time for the politicians to recognize BMHI residents as people, not just another problem standing in the way of a balanced budget.

The state employees have taken more than enough cuts in pay. It’s time for upper levels of the executive branch to do their fair share of pay cuts. Skip Umel BMHI mental health worker