We hope the Orono Town Council does the right thing when voting on the budget next month and maintains the town nurse position. The town is full of stories concerning people whose lives have been improved by the town nurse. She advised people when they needed to go to the emergency room, diagnosed mysterious rashes and helped people live out their last days in comfort and peace. All she did is impossible to quantify in writing or in a budget.

We in Orono were never told why the previous town nurse lost her position. If it was because of a personnel issue, she should be replaced immediately. If the issue is budgetary, the townspeople should have their say as to whether the position should be eliminated. This is not something the town manager should decide on her own.

The Town Council will hold a public hearing on the budget at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 28. The council plans to adopt the budget at 7:30 p.m. June 2. Let’s let the Town Council know that we in Orono want to keep the town nurse position.

Rebecca Griffin

Sandra Styrna Griffin

Orono