It’s time to make our state and federal lawmakers adhere to a budget when it comes to proposing public policy: One bill per legislator per year. Restricting the number of laws a legislator can propose is needed because our politicians seem unable to contain their urge to propose bills of all kinds. Reducing the number […]

I am a senior at Falmouth High School who is immunosuppressed. Due to medications I must take for arthritis, my immune system is weaker than the average person’s. I want to express my support for legislation that makes immunization a condition of school entry, in response to Maine’s appallingly low vaccination compliance. This legislation has […]

I was glad to see The Forecaster story about the new urgent-care clinic and Starbucks at Mill Creek, but we need more information: which insurance will be accepted, and how much will specific services cost for people who don’t have insurance or are willing to pay for the immediacy of care there? I hope The […]

I am a seventh-grade student at the Friends School of Portland. As a young student destined to inherit planet Earth, I consider reducing carbon emissions in Maine as a matter of utmost importance. This is why I am extremely grateful for Maine’s new governor, Janet Mills. Quoting Gov. Mills’ inaugural address: “But today our connection […]

How many more hotels does Portland need? More to the point, how many more hotels does Portland want? Since 2012, more than 700 hotel rooms have been built in Portland, bringing the total to something close to 3,000 hotel rooms, with another 400 expected to be added by 2020. Local folks may wonder, “Who the […]

According to important political knowers, it’s time to restore civility in Maine politics. Screw that. In politics, civility is a code word for dishonesty. Take newly elected Gov. Janet Mills, for example. In public, Mills is all about unity, equality and embracing little kids who sing off key. But out of the spotlight, she’s a […]

I am not an advocate of the “broken-windows” approach. You know, the theory/policy most famously implemented by New York City, that you can solve major crime by zeroing in on the small things, like broken windows. I’m not being particularly radical in dissing it, the practice has been debunked by many before me. On the […]

A Muslim saying states that “a lot of different flowers make a bouquet.” As RSU5 continues to create its new strategic plan, one focus is to ensure that all learners’ unique needs are met. In reaching this goal, it is critical for the district to model, support, and promote diversity. When we embrace and include […]

I read all of your papers mostly every week. I find it a fairly good way to find out what’s happening locally. News that really matters to local people. I read Edgar Allen Beem’s column, as well as the other opinion writers’ offerings. To Beem’s credit I have to say a few weeks ago I […]

We are thankful for our Pine Point waterfront. We don’t work in an office, a factory, or a garage. The water is our workplace. We work hard maintaining boats, repairing traps or nets, hoping every day for a good catch. So we are thankful for the support we receive. For the harbormaster who oversees water […]