To the editor:
I am writing on behalf of those citizens of southern Aroostook who are in need of employment services comparable to those being received in most other parts of the state.
Last week, the reality of the “closed” Houlton Career Center was brought forcefully to my attention when I met with Northern Maine Community College administrators, Aroostook County Action Program personnel, and Maine Department of Labor personnel to discuss strategies to cope with the increased unemployment, career changes, and retraining issues that we are currently facing.
As the adult education director whose classroom is less than half a mile from the Career Center, I have seen how the reduction of the Houlton Career Center services this year has impacted our adult education students, but we have “gotten by” for 10 months with this reduction of services. However, in my opinion, “getting by” is not an option in the months ahead of us as we cope with double-digit unemployment rates and the resulting personal uncertainty and turmoil.
Those who have suffered job loss or other economic setbacks in this area must be able to have consistent access to the level of services that is available in the rest of the state and nation through traditional and emergency funding. Please join me in contacting your local legislators and the Maine Department of Labor to ask that the Houlton Career Center be re-opened.
Otis Smith
Houlton/Hodgdon MSAD 29/70 Adult Education
Houlton Higher Education Center
