Re: “Portland to assess its fire stations for possible consolidation” (Dec. 26): Well, there you have it. Fire Chief David Jackson confirmed what everyone knew but the City Council. When faced with tough choices, city councilors will always opt for the plan that keeps them in office. Since the school board is the training ground […]

Regarding Obamacare, Republican members of Congress are ready. The plan: Repeal the program entirely in January, but delay implementing that repeal for at least three years. The cynicism driving this plan couldn’t be more transparent. By delaying implementation, Republicans get to boast about ending Obamacare – red meat to their most radical constituents – without […]

The other evening, I watched the excellent 90th birthday celebration for Tony Bennett. It began with the story of his parents who immigrated from Italy and lived in the Astoria neighborhood of the New York borough of Queens when he was a boy. He grew up to become an outstanding performer, artist and a person […]

In an Associated Press article published Dec. 18, Maine Republican Chairman Rick Bennett said, “Our government is built on the rule of law, and I think we can lose a lot of elements of our democracy. But the one thing that will surely undermine any remaining fabric we have left is going to be flouting […]

I would like to thank the couples who have paid for my holiday meals the last two years. Last year at the Regency, a couple paid for my Christmas Eve dinner. This year on Christmas Eve, my lunch was paid for by a couple whom I was grateful I was able to thank in person. […]