Dear Editor:

In the July 14th article in the Boothbay Register about Governor LePage's town meeting in Boothbay Harbor, a derogatory statement was quoted regarding our senator. Unfortunately, I was not at the town hall, but I do feel compelled to respond to it being repeated in your article.

Senator Chris Johnson has renewed my hope in politicians as people who actually serve their constituents and take an interest in their community.

Over the past several years, I have taken the opportunity to contact elected officials about the closure of St. Andrews Hospital, and most recently, the threat to the health of West Harbor Pond due to a broken 100-year-old siphon and the negative effect that will have on our community and ecology. The first person to respond to any of my emails has always been Senator Johnson. He has always been the first person to step forward and ask how he can help. I'm not alone in this assessment. When I talk to others who have approached him on a variety of issues that affect his constituents, they relay the same experience. He truly cares and responds in a respectful and empathetic manner. In this political climate, I'd say that is a rare attribute.

So, while Governor LePage is entitled to his opinion, I wanted to present the “other side of the coin” so to speak and say how happy I am to have a person like Senator Chris Johnson representing our area, interests and concerns. An honest, respectful politician is priceless.

Maggie Connelly

West Boothbay Harbor