Tammy Schmersal-Burgess

Article 1, Section 16 of the Maine Constitution states the following: “Every citizen has the right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned.”

Now read the second phrase of that Constitutional section again… “and this right shall never be questioned.”

I assert that Maine’s recent passage of a 72-hour waiting period to purchase a firearm is a clear violation of its constitutional law in that, “Shall never be questioned” is indeed being questioned. Further, it is a right delayed and therefore a right denied.

It does not matter what political party you subscribe to. The Constitution of Maine is a bipartisan document. It applies to all of us and it is up to all of us to protect it.

A violation of our rights as Maine citizens isn’t the only cancerous element about the new 72-hour waiting period, there is also a very dark economic side as well.

Maine is a very rural state largely comprised of small towns and villages. This makes traveling long distances a must for most shoppers. Out-of-staters are often dismayed by the length of time and distance that we will drive to make a purchase. We don’t mind; we’ve always done it.

If you live in a small town in Western Maine, for example, you regularly shop in Lewiston or Portland. Imagine now that you travel to Portland to shop. You find an item you want but are told that after you buy it, you’ll have to return in three days to pick it up. It is not likely then that you will do that. Time and travel are expensive.

Now imagine shoppers from the very rural areas of Aroostook County, where retailers are extremely limited. Their trips may include a night or two at a hotel.

Most gun stores are also sporting goods stores and count on the sale of items other than firearms to make a profit. The 72-hour waiting period is certain to have a very harsh effect on these retailers. Even now, Maine’s largest firearm dealer, Kittery Trading Post, has publicly stated that it is considering moving its operation to neighboring New Hampshire where no such law exists. Now consider how much that move will cost Maine in sales tax revenue. That number is staggering.

Let us face the naked and painful truth. The tragedy that befell Lewiston was horrible. It was and is an egregious affront to all Mainers and especially those hundreds of thousands of law-abiding gun owners — hunters, sportsmen and women across the state — but we cannot lose sight of the fact that this was not a gun problem. This was a problem of Maine mental health agencies, supervisors and law enforcement agencies on many levels that dropped the ball where this shooter was concerned.

It was not the gun and it was not Maine gun owners who bear the burden of this tragedy. Those who were responsible for not utilizing Maine’s existing “yellow flag” law and letting this man go unchecked bear that burden.

Still, Maine Democrats of the state Legislature decided that it was time for some “feel good” legislation and, without a thorough thought process, jerked a knee and passed new gun laws. There, now that ought to make us all feel better, right? No. They have opened up a can of economic woes on retailers across the state and simply delayed a right to the people of the state of Maine and, by doing so, stepped on the Maine Constitution to deny a right.

Tammy Schmersal-Burgess of Mexico represents state House District 77.

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The golf weather in this state becoming good, and so has the golf on TV. This weekend, it’s the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bill Kennedy, Golf Columnist

Because the 2024 golf season has gotten off so well, the PGA Championship shapes up as being an exciting tournament. If you are asking why and how the 2024 PGA season is going so well, it is because there have already been so many positive development.

While LIV Golf and the PGA have not yet merged, the disdain between the two sides seems to have subsided, which means that interaction of the two tours is at the very least acceptable. There are 16 LIV Tour players in the PGA, including big-name stars Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka. And while they may not be hoisting a few at the same bars, the players from the two tours are being respectable and civil to each other.

And why not? They’re all making big bucks. The PGA Tour probably would not admit it, but the LIV Tournament has gotten the PGA Tour to significantly raise its prize money amounts. Koepka has won four LIV Tour events at $4 million per championships. Rory McElroy captured the Wells Fargo title May 12 at Quail Hollow and won $3.6 million. Wells Fargo is a top PGA event, but it is not a major. Rory did convert the Wells Fargo title to a first-round 66 at Valhalla, despite the fact that news had broken that he and his wife are getting a divorce.

If you need more proof that the greenbacks are flowing in pro golf, get this.

All of the pros have endorsements and sponsorships, which range from what Tigers Woods gets at $60 million a year, to just thousands of dollars for rank-and-file professionals. All of them are doing extremely well financially. Pro golfers are not poor.

A case in point is the May 14 announcement that Matthew Fitzgerald has been hired by Arrcos as its “tour ambassador.” What he is being paid was not revealed. Rest assured, it is a substantial sum, at least by the standards of working-class folks. Fitzgerald played on championship European Ryder Cup teams and won a U.S. Open, so he is yet another pro golfer using his name to monetary advantage. Viktor Hovland, a 2023 PGA Tour star, and LPGA superstar Nelly Korda also are affiliated with Arrcos.

Objections to the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Tour have been toned down. Many Americans still think that the Saudis are using golf to gain financial and political influence in the United States. Historically, nations with political philosophies which oppose USA thinking have tried to find a way into the finances and government of our great nation. And a golf entree is a lot easier to deal with than war.

Golf is the consummate sport of nobility and sophistication. It also has been the venue during which some of the greatest business deals in the world have been made. It is a huge money sport on and off the course.

So, if money is the goal of a competitor, the PGA and LIV tours are the place for pro golfers to be. To a lesser extent, there are the Champions, LPGA and Korn Ferry tours, where big money is not available, but a good living can be made.

Saving the best for last, there is Scottie Scheffler. All he has done to become the No. 1-ranked player in the world is bring home four 2024 tournament crowns – RBC Heritage, Masters, The Players Championship, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational – which has been good for $15.7 million in prize money. Apparently, even a three-week layoff during which his first child was born did not result in golf rust, because on the PGA’s very first hole, he chipped in for an eagle.

Then came his adventure with Louisville police on Friday, when he was handcuffed and arrested for not following police orders. While police were investigating the death of a pedestrian who had been struck by a bus, Scheffler reportedly drove past a police officer, who yelled at Scheffler and then grabbed onto the car and held on until Scheffler stopped about 10 yards later.

Scheffler was booked at 7:29 a.m., about 2 1/2 hours before his updated tee time, as the fatality caused the start of Friday’s play to be delayed. He was released and returned to the course by 9:12 a.m.

It was a harrowing experience for anyone, much less a person attempting to win a major golf championship. Schauffler seemed to have put that in his rear-view mirror, because he recorded another good round of 5-under 66 and still in the mix at the PGA Championship.

If he stays hot during the PGA, despite distractions, everyone else might be playing for second place.

​​​​​​​* * * * *

The MaineGolf 2024 season is underway.

Men’s Playday action is May 24-25 at Fairlawn, while the Women’s Playday season continues May 21 at Dutch Elm and Lakewood. Today at Natanis Tomahawk, the annual Men’s Club Team Championship is being conducted.

​​​​​​​​​​* * * * *

This kicks off the 12th season of “Par For The Course.” Hopefully, it leads to a dry season of 2024. Hit ’em straight.

Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 12th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.

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Here are the High School Baseball and Softball Scores for games played and reported throughout the State of Maine on Friday, May 17th.

Baseball

• Bucksport 16 GSA 2
• Camden Hills 2 Messalonskee 1
• Central Aroostook 11 Southern Aroostook 1
• Cony 10 Belfast 5
• Ellsworth 12 John Bapst 2
• Greenville 13 Central 1
• Hall-Dale 13 Telstar 0
• Hampden Academy 5 Bangor 4
• Hermon 6 Nokomis 1
• Hodgdon 13 Madawaska 3
• Katahdin 9 Fort Fairfield 4
• Lawrence 12 Winslow 1
• Leavitt 8 Erskine Academy 0
• Lincoln Academy 3 Gardiner 2
• Mranacook 5 Mountain Valley 1
• Mattanawcook Academy 5 Houlton 3
• Medomak Valley 4 Morse 2
• Mount Ararat 4 Brewer 2
• Oak Hill 14 Madison 1
• Oceanside 11 Waterville 4
• Piscataquis 13 Central 1
• Sacopee Valley 4 Old Orchard Beach 0
• Saint Dominic 3 MCI 0
• Schenck 20 Shead 1
• Skowhegan 8 Mount Blue 2
• Stearns 10 Lee Academy 0
• Valley 3 Buckfield 2
• Washburn 11 Ashland 3
• Washington Academy 13 Sumner 0
• Wells 5 Poland 1
• Winthrop 13 Dirigo 0
• Woodland 9 Calais 2

Softball

• Biddeford 16 Bonny Eagle 6
• Brewer 11 Mt. Ararat 1
• Buckfield 3 Valley 0
• Bucksport 18 GSA 1
• Central Aroostook 10 Southern Aroostook 3
• Cony 13 Belfast 10
• Gardiner 5 Lincoln Academy 1
• Gorham 14 Noble 1
• Hall-Dale 19 Telstar 0
• Hampden Academy 10 Bangor 4
• Hodgdon 16 Madawaska 1
• Katahdin 15 Fort Fairfield 0
• Kennebunk 4 Westbook 3
• Lawrence 14 Winslow 2
• Leavitt 6 Erskine Academy 2
• Madison 11 Oak Hill 6
• Massabesic 4 Sanford 1
• Mattanawcook Academy 8 Houlton 4
• Medomak Valley 8 Morse 4
• Messalonskee 3 Camden Hills 2
• Nokomis 4 Hermon 3
• North Yarmouth Academy 8 Freeport 2
• Poland 7 Wells 2
• Sacopee Valley 18 Old Orchard Beach 0
• St. Dominic 17 MCI 5
• Schenck 9 Shead 2
• Skowhegan 16 Mt. Blue 1
• Sumner 5 Washington Academy 4
• Thornton Academy 11 Deering 2
• Woodland 17 Calais 0

It’s time to nominate someone for the Week 5 High School Athlete of the Week, for performances May 13-18 . Please email your nomination to chris.popper@townsquaremedia.com, letting us know why the individual should be the Athlete of the Week. Please include stats, and make sure you indicate what school this individual attends, and what sport they’re playing! All nominations should be received by Sunday, May 19th. Voting for Week 5 will take place May 19th-23rd with the winner being announced on Friday, May 24th.