Recently you published a story “Bath City Clock Rattles Nerves.” The article said that the repair of the clock bell has “been causing problems for some residents and business owners that live right next to the clock tower.”

My family lives very close to the clock tower. In fact, I don’t believe that there are many in Bath who are closer to that tower when they are asleep than we are. My husband’s family purchased our home in 1961 when the clock bell was in good working order. I was born and raised in Bath and have lived in this house since 1978. We love the bell and do not find that it “rattles our nerves.” We are thrilled that the City found it important to restore the historic clock bell and that it rings on the hour. It is a lovely sound that is part of community living. And it does not disturb our sleep.

It strikes me that one person/business complaining is not a good reason for investing time and money in changing something that has rung here in Bath for 160 years. Perhaps the owner of the Kismet Inn could provide her guests with earplugs that will help them sleep through the night. Or perhaps her marketing material could reference the sound of an old church bell tower clock that maintains the authenticity of Old New England.

Bravo to the Bath City Council for valuing our historic atmosphere!

Barbara Lee Gaul
Bath

I am writing this in response to your recent article by Kitty Wheeler, “Midcoast Libraries Change with Times” (Coastal Journal, Sept. 27). 

I am a retired elementary school librarian and am always happy when libraries are highlighted.

Your article is well written, but you forgot to mention another very significant library: A.F.Totman Public Library in Phippsburg. 

You mentioned the town of Phippsburg, but in a somewhat unfavorable way. You wrote:

“At this year’s town meeting, Phippsburg citizens didn’t pass the library’s requested allocation, so their only option is to purchase a $50 non-resident card for each individual.” 

“Given the cutbacks due to Phippsburg’s denial of town funds, a proposed schedule to keep the library (Patten) open until 4 p.m. on Saturdays has been eliminated.” 

As an almost new full time “Mainer,” I have always enjoyed reading your newspaper, but the new addition of the column by Pam Wischkaemper has made it a must. The recipes in “Coastal Cooking” have been fun to read and I have tried several. However, Ms. Wishkaemper’s articles bring a whole other world to us “foodies.” 

Thank you for this feature as it has brought a new level of journalism to Midcoast Maine.

Jane Gness
Wiscasset