To the editor:
Television doesn’t leave me feeling good most of the time. I often have it on as background noise. However, one evening a familiar voice finally caught my attention. Halfway through the program, I mentally tuned in. It was former U.S. Senate majority leader and diplomat George Mitchell of Maine being interviewed by Jennifer Rooks of MPBN. This Waterville native, worldwide mover and shaker, child of Lebanese and Irish immigrants was being interviewed on a variety of topics. I listened intently to hear the behind-the-scenes comments from one who was involved first-hand in crises near and far. He looked great!
He was asked about a film project he just completed that will soon be seen on MPBN. He has written a book about his years of brokering the peace between England and Northern Ireland. In the final taped moment with the other negotiators who heaped praise on him for his leadership, the senator commented that his wish for the children was to be raised in a war-free zone. In the final chapter of his book, he mentioned bringing his son Andrew to visit the area some day.
A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) producer called and reminded him of the comment and suggested it’s time to give a tour to his 15-year old son; they wanted to track him on film. The film will be shown on Maine Public Television in the near future. Andrew is every bit his parents’ child — sharp, personable, thoughtful and humble. I’m definitely looking forward to this BBC production on MPBN and I will definitely give it all my attention.
Judy Ayotte Paradis
Frenchville
