Maine is a difficult place to do business, as witnessed by the recent announcements of business closings and departures from shopping malls. There are things that can be done to help keep some of that from happening.

In Augusta, elected officials need to realize that their constituents elected them to represent their interests, not just vote in a party block.

The high cost of electricity in Maine has a lot to do with business costs. Legislators should do the right thing for businesses and an initiative to run the 100 miles of lines to tap into power available from Quebec Hydro. That would substantially lower what everyone pays for electricity.

Legislators should remove any remaining puritan blue laws and other stifling restrictions to businesses.

Municipalities will have to learn to work together to lower property taxes. I believe there is some duplication of services that keep municipal tax rates high. Perhaps a savings could be realized if police, fire and rescue services could be shared more.

Ollie Emery, Mechanic Falls