Being a proponent of deorganization for the town of Cooper and seeing its rejection did not come as a surprise. Contrary to statements in the Bangor Daily News by a newly elected town officer, I think a majority in the town favored deorganization. Now, of course, we won’t know who is correct because the state did not allow a vote by the town.

The primary motivation for me was to realize that the 30 years of being a property owner in Cooper was that taxes would have been reduced by more than 50 percent with no loss of services.

Maine has the highest state and local taxes in the nation (figures updated by the Federation of Tax Administrators in January). The governor has excluded Washington County items in his budget – key ones that had been established by a task force he created. Education, a bright spot for Maine, was not helped with the rejection of a salary increase for starting teachers.

Instead of listing many more, I don’t think many felt or had the fallacy that deorganization would be attained. Washington County was one of only two that went red in 2004. I think that put Cooper on the same course as a salmon going upstream to spawn.

Many thanks to Sen. Kevin Raye and Rep. Howard McFadden for their efforts of support.

Frank Green

Cooper