Happy to live in Maine

The editorial, “Don’t Knock Our Winters” (BDN, Sept. 18), was right on the mark. I especially can relate to the comment: “We’re here because we love it. And our own attitudes may help persuade more businesses to settle here and more college graduates in Maine to stay here and those from other states to settle here.”

I’m a transplanted Michigander (more than five years in Maine now) whose entire family is very happy to live in Bangor and Maine. When we first moved here, I surprised one Mainer by mentioning that we relocated to Maine. The response was: “Wow! We’re all trying to leave.” Not the most encouraging words to someone just coming to the state.

How much more we’ve appreciated hearing a positive view of the state from most we’ve met.

Although that negative viewpoint is not widely held, I have one suggestion for action by the Chamber of Commerce to boost the spirit of Mainers. It’s an idea borrowed from the great and proud state of Texas. I’d like to be the first to slap the following sticker on my bumper: “I wasn’t born in Maine, but I got here as fast as I could.”

Let’s be proud.

Greg Howat

Bangor