Letters to the Editor
The Local News welcomes all letters to the editor on local topics that are of interest to the community.
However, as a prospective 501(c)(3) newspaper, by law The Local News cannot endorse or oppose candidates or print letters to the editor endorsing or opposing candidates running for office.
Letters will be subject to the usual standards for respectful, non-defamatory content. Letters should run no more than 250 words; we reserve the right to lightly edit for clarity. Not all letters will be published.
To submit a letter, please email or mail to the addresses below, and include your name, phone number and town of residence. Authors will be verified.
Send to editor@thelocalnewsonline.org or mail to The Local News, PO Box 135, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Follow Title IX
What should the response be when a boy wants to participate in girls-only athletics because he identifies as a girl? Federal Title IX law says eligibility for girls-only teams is based on sex. RSU 21 ignores federal law and follows state law allowing boys who identify as girls to be included in girls-only sports.
Some people say boys should be allowed to participate on girls-only teams because acceptance is the only caring response and lack of acceptance will cause harm.
Some say being a girl is determined by feelings, not biology, and affirmation of chosen identity is required.
Some say boys who identify as a girl have a human right to be allowed to play on girls sports teams.
Some say that the science reporting boys are on average bigger, stronger, and faster than girls in athletic activities is irrelevant.
Some say concerns for safety and fairness for girls when competing with boys is misplaced because boys who identify as girls are basically girls.
Some say that girls don’t really mind competing with boys who identify as girls or sharing their private spaces.
Some say girls who don’t like the idea of competing with boys who identify as girls or think it’s unfair don’t value inclusiveness.
Almost all people believe that maintaining sex segregation in some sports is respectful, fair, inclusive, and a show of good sportsmanship. What do you say?
Tell the state and RSU 21 to follow Title IX federal law.
Tom Moyer
Kennebunk
May 27, 2026
Prelude should not be subsidized by residents
The Prelude article in your wonderful first edition offered a much-needed and balanced analysis of this issue for the residents of Kennebunkport. Still, it remains a mystery why town leaders have for decades ignored the voter-approved ordinance which requires Prelude organizers to pay for incremental public safety costs. The result is that residents annually subsidize commercial owners who profit from Prelude. The 1986 ordinance is fair, sensible, and should be applied equally to all. Voters should vote for choice “A and the town should begin to enforce our ordinance.
This tax and spending issue raises a larger question for the town: why are residential property owners in the Port forced to subsidize commercial property owners? Maine law explicitly allows municipalities to consider business income for commercial property assessments, reflecting the reality that a business’s value (including the real estate) is tied to its earnings. There’s no good rationale for residents to continue to subsidize commercial property owners. No new ordinance or law is needed – just a change in practice to more accurately assess commercial real estate in order to stop another subsidy by residents to businesses.
Paul Hogan
Kennebunkport
May 22, 2026
