Here we are in Maine with 2,500 miles of the most beautiful coastline on the Eastern Seaboard. But our coast is also the most hazardous. So much for paradox No. 1. While the most picturesque, the hazards on our island-cluttered coast are heightened more by the perversity of our weather. That’s paradox No. 2.

Logic dictates that to safely navigate the plethora of islands, coves and snug harbors of our coast there is a need for some degree of knowledge and skill. Said knowledge and skill comes by in one of two ways: either through the hard school of experience which can be expensive if not disastrous, or through some form of technical training with competence and safety as specific objectives. Such valuable training has heretofore been offered through the radar training program at Southern Maine Technical College in South Portland. This important process has been part of the Continuing Education Services in South Portland. Now because of a shortage of financial resources, much, if not all of the continuing education programs, including the radar training program, is due for curtailment if not elimination. This spawns additional paradox.

Located at water’s edge in the most populated area of the state, eliminating or curtailing so valuable a service is a paradox and a sordid one at that. Eliminating such a valuable and necessary service near the heart of the largest port in the state, with the most intense nautical traffic, compounds the paradox. To curtail, much less eliminate, the source of such navigational talent may well rank as the most monumental paradox of all.

While not intended by the decision-makers, the implied message is, “My pockets are more important than your nautical safety,” and in a state such as Maine, such a situation is tragic. Better to increase tuition or call for outside subsidy – anything but no curtailment.

Steve Masone

Camden