Columbus Day should be changed

To the Editor:

The following is an open letter to Governor LePage.

Dear Governor LePage,

Peter Lenz of the Oxford Hills area has published a widely acclaimed biography convicting Christopher Columbus of his crimes in Christopher's own words. More recently Maine Public Radio (MPBN) broadcast a news segment telling how a number of states are changing the holiday's name and in one case (Tennessee?) has moved the entire holiday to the day after Thanksgiving, which is always a Friday.

I suggest we do the latter, especially if Saturday mail service is stopped for these reasons:

1. It would give many enterprises and the USPS a four-day window to do maintenance, both pressing and postponed.

2. Unlike October, Thanksgiving is a major travel time for many people. A four-day window would ease things.

3. As you know, a truth and reconciliation commission on Native American issues is forming here. Moving and renaming the entire holiday would be a genuine gesture of support as opposed to simply renaming it, which some would call a veneer.

4. For you, it's a win-win situation. You've always favored efficiency and have never supported first degree murder. And you'll gain goodwill.

Benjamin F. Hull III

Norway

P.S. Evacuation Day, March 17, is a holiday in Boston, but everyone knows it's a cover for St. Patrick's Day. Also, the Norway Library no longer observes Columbus Day.