Why target Cutler?

I am responding to an op-ed piece by Wayne P. Libhart (BDN, Aug. 17) and the Aug. 26 letter by Carle G. Gray of Sullivan concerning the closing of the naval security base in Winter Harbor. Both gentlemen make sound arguments as to why the base is closing and they both assert that Maine’s congressional delegation can and should do more. I’ve wondered myself why the communities in that area are not questioning why it is closing and another mission isn’t sought.

I am intimately involved in another proposed partial closing at the Cutler Naval Station, although the circumstances are different, one could ask, why target Cutler? Both facilities provide services that are directly tied to the national defense, both are economically and efficiently run compared to other navel facilities, and both provide reliable services. They also both provide good jobs and pump money back into the stagnant economy.

Why close or partially close these facilities? I guess only Bill Cohen can answer that and recall he is from Maine, our Maine, not the other Maine, that seems to be getting more than its fair share of defense dollars. We citizens should be demanding answers from our elected representatives, and continue that pressure on a daily basis as I have been doing for 18 months. Get community leaders involved, get merchants involved, work together collectively to preserve what few jobs the state has; let’s not wait until after the jobs are gone to see how much we can do for the displaced workers. Keep Maine jobs! Elmer L. Harmon President AFGE Local 2635 AFL-CIO Cutler