Dear Editor:

Why won't Gov. Paul LePage and Congressman Mike Michaud agree to debate Eliot Cutler? Cutler says he'll make himself available any time, anywhere, to debate the issues and his proposed solutions to Maine's problems. LePage says, "no dice." Michaud, apparently using LePage as an excuse, says, "not unless Paul does."

How are we supposed to pick a governor to vote into office? I'm sure that LePage's handlers (I don't envy them that job!) don't want Paul's usual foot-in-mouth statements on national TV, again, and I'm sure that Michaud doesn't want to express his views on anything at all, but we really need to hear what those three candidates have as solutions to Maine's problems. How do we upgrade or educational system? How do we deal with the "oldest state in the Union" status, and make sure we take good care of our seniors? How do we attract the professional people we need to move ahead in business and industry? How do we take care the best interests of our fishermen and farmers, and make sure our young people have jobs?

We need answers, not dodgers. Let's debate, and find out where everyone's coming from.

Bill Dixon
Boothbay Harbor