New Year’s tradition?

I’m not writing about MPBN’s decision to shut down its signals in Washington and Aroostook counties. What I write about is another decision by MPBN that must contribute even further to the demise of its public esteem: Namely, the decision not to carry the annual New Year’s Day concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, a highly popular tradition for 24 of the last 25 years.

Somewhere in the dark dungeon of decision-making at MPBN it was considered more important to broadcast an “information special” to help viewers understand the pending switch to digital transmission.

Doesn’t it seem logical that this “special” could have been scheduled for another day, rather than to deprive thousands of viewers of the annual tradition of New Year’s Day in Vienna? Incidentally, according to the Internet, the concert also was available to be aired at 2 p.m. New Year’s Day, but MPBN aired “Sesame Street” at that hour.

MPBN’s choices boggle the mind! I can only quote the words of Abraham Lincoln to express my opinion of it: “We will be remembered in spite of ourselves. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor, or dishonor, to the latest generation. It is we who bear the burden, and hold the responsibility.”

MPBN viewers: Remember New Year’s Day 2009 the next time their fundraisers tell you (ad nauseam) that “only MPBN offers quality programming for viewers like you.”

Hal Wheeler

Bangor

Four-letter warning

I noticed that the “Doctor, Wash Your Hands” editorial (BDN, Dec. 29) does not mention the four-letter acronym MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus).

My 83-year-old father contracted MRSA infection while rehabilitating in his hometown hospital from a minor injury from a fall. He now is helpless in a nursing home. I have channeled my anger and frustration over his illness into working to stop or reduce these infections.

Hand-washing is an important but single component of a multifaceted approach to MRSA and other hospital-acquired infection prevention. The following is a list of infection control steps necessary to drastically reduce hospital acquired infections: MRSA screening of high-risk patients; isolating or cohorting (rooming together) infected patients; reverse precautions for ill health care workers to prevent spread of infections to patients; and thorough disinfection and sanitation of medical equipment, rooms and furnishings.

A final step is to report MRSA infections to the state CDC and to publicize that data. Without the information, the CDC cannot concentrate its efforts for disease control where needed. Public records offer consumers information to make good choices for their health care.

I have written a legislative proposal to mandate these policies in Maine hospitals. None of us goes to our local hospital to get sicker.

Unfortunately, these infections are occurring at alarming rates. Please support my proposal to reduce MRSA in Maine by contacting your local representatives and senators.

Kathy Day

Bangor

Photo is deceiving

In response to a letter that appeared in the BDN on Jan. 6 by Jim Wright of Orono: I am the father in the photo that apparently has Mr. Wright “shocked.” I can assure Mr. Wright that at no time was my son Anthony in any danger of being hurt while we were removing snow.

In the photograph it certainly appears that I am only a couple of feet away from him with the snowblower. Since he was not there and only has the angle of a very good photographer to rely on, I can tell Mr. Wright that when the photo was taken Anthony was not only a safe distance away from the front of me but he was about three feet to my left while I was turning right. It also is hard to tell from the photo but I had stopped moving forward at the time and simply used the blades to move the pile of snow he put in front of me. A sudden gust of wind was the culprit for the snow blowing into his face and as the picture clearly shows, the snowblower chute was pointed behind him.

The safety of all four of my children is of great concern to me at all times, so sleep well, Mr. Wright. In closing, since he does not approve of my snow removal technique and seemingly has loads of spare time, he can come over after the next snowstorm and do it himself.

Don Nadeau

Brewer

‘Penalty for beliefs’

I am writing about the proposed SAD 4 and SAD 46 RSU. I don’t think that it is fair and it will make the school system even more complicated. I feel that if we vote the RSU down on Jan. 27, we shouldn’t have a penalty. In SAD 4’s case, its penalty would be $133,000. Voting is all part of free speech, and we shouldn’t be penalized for our beliefs.

Anna Ritland

Dexter Middle School