Our governor has justifiably earned the praise of many, including me, for his efforts to combat domestic violence. He knows firsthand, from his father’s example, that such violence is always wrong and that, at its route, it is an effort to exert power and control over others who are vulnerable to the abuser’s control.

Gov. Paul LePage’s letter, on official governor stationary, to the Good Will-Hinckley Board attempting to discredit House Speaker Mark Eves and to threaten the school’s state funding, has worked because of the power of the office. The governor has wielded his power and control in an inappropriate, possibly illegal way, and, so far, it has worked. It has cost Eves his job.

I hope that our governor will continue to fund efforts to combat domestic abuse and will consider attending domestic violence prevention training, or even better to attend a batterer’s intervention program. It is so sad that he has revealed through his recent actions, that he is, after all, his father’s son.

Carol Riemer Coles

Starks