True north

As a citizen of the real “Northern Maine,” I am concerned that [your paper] may have forgotten what consitutes the meaning of the word North. While it is true that Bangor is north of Portland, isn’t it also true that Georgia is north of Florida? Yet, you don’t call Georgia a northern state.

The roads in Maine don’t end in Bangor. The smooth, well-maintained roads may end there, but the paved ones don’t. Keep driving some day, you won’t fall off. And when you see a sign that welcomes you to Caribou or Fort Kent, then you’ll be in the real Northern Maine.

I am also concerned that you are preoccuped with the snowmobile accidents that occur on local trails. It may surprise you to learn that many people break bones and suffer concussions while skiing. Why don’t we hear about how careless or inattentive some skiers are? Trees are as dangerous to a skier as they are to a snowmobiler. Think about it — they both run on skis. Dave Ouellette Fort Kent