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More Sox coverage

I couldn’t agree more with the reader who pleaded for less graphic hunting coverage in the sports section. Everyone I talk to loves the Red Sox – why the scant coverage of that New England sports phenomenon, even as they are making the playoffs? It’s a shame I have to log on to The Boston Globe Web site to get adequate coverage of the best-loved team in baseball. Please consider all your readers’ interests.

Paula Gillen

Milbridge

Isabel was devastating

I have been disturbed by the attitude the University of Maine coaches appear to be taking toward the difficulties Hurricane Isabel has caused to the State of Virginia. Having relatives in that area of Virginia, I know what the people continue to go through in the aftermath of that storm. Perhaps the University of Maine coaches do not realize the severity of the ongoing devastation in that region.

My sister in Richmond has not had electricity for eight days, ice is scarce, and batteries cannot be found for flashlights or radios. Because of the lack of batteries for flashlights, a woman fell down the dark stairs in her home and was killed. The weather is very hot and humid, and there is obviously no air conditioning or refrigeration for food. The water is still at flood levels in many areas and there are so many trees down that it will be a long time before they can be cleared. In short, in addition to the initial destruction of the storm, the living conditions are very difficult.

Many people lost homes and there have been (and continue to be) many deaths and injuries. We now that the William and Mary campus has been closed because it is unsafe for students. Therefore, in addition to the fact that the football team has been unable to practice, they are suffering from the lack of electricity, air conditioning, safe drinking water, and refrigeration of food. We do not know what personal or property losses the member of that team might also be dealing with.

When you put all of this into perspective, it seems rather silly to get so worked up about missing a football game. Perhaps, instead of offering to pay to have that team come up here to play a game, it would have been more appropriate to offer to go down and help them with the cleanup of the storm damage or assisting some of the people who are suffering. At least when we were going through the ice storm, we could put food outside to save it from spoilage. We should show more compassion to our neighbors and be less concerned with amusement.

Louise Towle

Bangor

DIF&W Web site fine

In your Saturday Outdoor section [Sept. 27-28], John Holyoke defends the NEWS decision not to publish the doe permit winners. He says that the Fish and Wildlife’s listing of the names of the doe permit winners on its Web site is “cumbersome.”

Huh? What’s “cumbersome” about being able to simply click on an “R” on the DIF&W’s Web site and scroll down to read my name? It sure beats having to dig out my misplaced hunting license, jot down the last two digits and then try and figure out which WMD I applied for.

I call it better living through computer technology. The Maine Fish and Wildlife Department takes a lot of heat for making hunting and fishing laws too complicated. In this case, DIF&W simplified our lives, and ought to be commended for it.

V. Paul Reynolds

Editor, Northwoods Sporting Journal

Hampden

Hurricanes forced out

A recent Channel 7 News story profiled the Hurricane Swim Club in its move from the Bangor YMCA to Husson College. This nonprofit, competitive swim team, now numbering close to 70 swimmers, was started over 20 years ago and, for the past 18 years, practiced at the Bangor YWCA.

On the news broadcast, Linda Clyve, the executive director of the YWCA, was quoted as starting that the team relocated to Husson because it was unhappy with the time slot allotted to it for practice. This is as the record clearly shows that the swim club, without warning or notice, was summarily denied all access to the pool.

Apparently, the executive director and the YWCA board felt that they wished to support other programs and that our long history of providing an outstanding program for young swimmers and our financial contribution to the YW were worth nothing and were easily dismissed.

We did not choose to leave the YW, we were forced to leave the YW and were even denied access to the board in order to plead our case. Fortunately for our swimmers, Gabby Price and others at Husson were able to find room and time for us, evaluating our program in an objective light free from petty politics and hidden agendas.

While we regret being forced to leave the YW after so many years, we are looking forward to a long and productive association with Husson, continuing to promote the sport of competitive swimming while serving the needs of local children.

Jane N. Laeger, M.D.

Vice President, Board of Directors

Hurricane Swim Club

Note to readers: The NEWS asks that letters be kept brief and reserves the right to edit submissions for libel, taste, clarity, and to fit available space. Letters should include a signature, full name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters may be mailed to: P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402, or e-mailed: bdnsports@bangordailynews.net