After the unspeakable 2021 murders in Turner, a broad coalition of groups approached the Legislature to change the standard that law enforcement uses to bring someone to an emergency room for a mental health evaluation.

Parents, NAMI, the psychiatrists’ association, ACT teams, county sheriffs and state police all lobbied to lower the standard from “Imminent Risk” to “Substantial Risk.”

The bill, LD 785, passed the senate with Sen. Jeffrey Timberlake’s support. Unfortunately, Rep. Joshua Morris from Turner voted to oppose the bill (Roll call No. 251). I don’t understand how any legislator, especially one from Turner, could allow what happened to those families to happen to any other family.

That is why on Nov. 8 I’ll be voting for Hildie Lipson, a hard-working business owner who has common sense enough to support an important public safety piece of legislation like LD 785.

I hope voters of Wayne, Leeds and Turner vote for Hildie.

John Nutting, Leeds