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Conduct an aberration

For nearly 45 years, I have lived in Lincoln and been directly connected to its school system. In all that time it has been my observation that the citizens of the area – Chester, Lincoln and Mattawamkeag – are proud of its students, both in academics and in athletics.

Our athletic teams, their parents and their supporting fans have been noted for their sportsmanship. This fact is attested to by the many sportsmanship banners hanging in our gym and by the letters written to us by the administrations from other schools.

The incident at the Eastern Maine Class C championship game was an abhorrent aberration. The vast majority of the Lynx fans were as appalled by that one mindless and potentially dangerous act as, I am sure, everyone else in attendance was.

I publicly apologize to the MPA, to the officials of the game, and to the coach and team of Penquis Valley High School. I sincerely hope you will not judge our students and fans by that one unfortunate, irresponsible act by one thoughtless individual. Sarah M. Crockett

Lincoln

Thorne hits the mark

After reading Gary Thorne’s column (BDN, Feb. 29) I felt compelled to express my opinion regarding the Darryl Strawberry drug-related incident. Somewhere along the line the general public has gotten off the track concerning our “heroes.”

Mr. Strawberry, being a professional baseball player should know that in the grand old game three strikes means you are out. End of case. What kind of example is this incident setting for our impressionable children.

Is it any wonder there is a disciplinary problem throughout our schools today when the children see so many overpaid athletes, movie stars, and entertainment people getting away with this type of behavior.

To refer again to Mr. Thorne’s column I say right on. Jim & Althea Burks

Ellsworth

Compromise needed

Paul Potvin hit the nail on the head with his comments about the state of youth hockey in the Penobscot Valley area (BDN, Feb. 22). His concerns about the health of both the house teams and the Penobscot Valley Hockey Conference are obvious.

A followup letter from John Dionne (BDN, Feb. 29) was critical of Mr. Potvin. Mr. Dionne has his history right, but his conclusions are flawed. I question his motivations.

Mr. Dionne is associated with Bangor Youth Hockey and I wonder why he has such an interest in the Hampden/Winterport Youth Hockey decision regarding continued PVHC membership. Paul Potvin is a Hampden resident and I believe he has the best interest of all local youth hockey programs in mind when he promotes the continuation of PVHC or some similar conference.

As a former coach in Hampden/Winterport Youth Hockey, I urge the current members of H/WYH to carefully consider all the consequences of leaving PVHC. H/WYH simply doesn’t have the numbers to place teams in the travel league.

Separation form the league will affect scheduling, weaken the conference schedule, eliminate the opportunity for league championship play and will likely make it more difficult for H/WYH teams to enter state tournament play. Most importantly, however, it will take away the option of travel hockey for the more skilled and motivated players.

It is time for discussion, compromise and fence mending. We need a healthy and viable youth hockey conference in this area. It is time for adults to put selfish motiviations aside and come together to give our kids (house and travel kids alike) the opportunity to play the game they love at the level they want. Let’s let the kids have fun. Michael L. Meagher

Hampden

Trophies inadequate

The Eastern Maine high school basketball tournament is a great experience for all Washington and Aroostook County basketball fans. The students and coaches work extremely hard to gain a berth among the top eight teams for the tournament. So when the Maine Principals’ Association crowns the Eastern Maine champions, are the members of this association proud of the plaques?

The Eastern Maine champions and the Eastern Maine runners-up receive a plaque approximately 12 by 8 inches. It is a piece of wood with a metal symbol of the state of Maine. The two plaques are exactly the same except for the wording on each plaque.

I feel that our children deserve a better trophy to display in their schools’ trophy case. What ever happened to the older style trophies that at least had a figure signifying the students’ game. I believe our children deserve more recognition for their accomplishments!

With a 14 percent increase in attendance in just Class D sessions alone, I feel that the Maine Principals’ Association should splurge a little more to recognize our children as they should be recognized. Leland & Lynda Tibbetts

Jonesport

NASCAR fan upset

I would like to express my concern over Channel 7. There are many NASCAR fans that live in the state of Maine and for them to buy the rights to broadcast a NASCAR race, then leave fans in the dark for the first two hours of the race is totally uncalled for. If they can not broadcast the whole race, why even bother to broadcast any? It leaves many people very upset with ABC and losing interest with the channel.

Chester Porter

Bangor