I just noticed that, in the Dec. 11 edition, there was a letter to the editor expressing support for Janet Mills based on her experience and good works. Just below it was an op-ed about the power of youth leadership and how youth voices can shift a community faster than those of adults. I thought this chance juxtaposition was a reflection of the race between Mills and Platner.

Mills has a lead in the over-55 cohort, Platner in the 18-55 age group. I am 63 and supporting Platner, not only because I love his ideas, but also how he expresses his views as he sees them and not like he is trying to walk the political line. I am also supporting him because in order to beat Sen. Susan Collins, we need the youth vote. With Mills as the Democratic candidate, I suspect we well lose a lot of the youth vote and will be less likely to beat Collins, which is my number one priority at this point.

I like Mills, but Platner is a great candidate despite his political inexperience. I actually see that as his strong point. (Barack Obama had little experience before he ran for the Senate.) The future belongs to the young. Let their choices lead this country forward.

Margaret Duhamel
Woolwich