The Republican war on the poor is in full swing and their assault on the working class is heating up. Their goal is to cut government spending at all levels for social services, destroy unions, and privatize everything they think their corporate keepers can make a big buck on, things like Medicare and Medicaid. If […]

Early in my education career, I served as president of the teachers union in School Administrative District 3. As I later made the move from teacher to administrator, a senior teacher offered some advice. “Jimmy,” he said, being one of the few people in my life who ever called me by that name, “never forget […]

I live in close proximity to the Rigby train yard in South Portland with my wife and kids. We have no problem with trains coming and going or with the sound of the trains, as we expected those things when we moved here. What I do have trouble with though, is the way they leave […]

Several of your columnists and letter writers have recently emphasized that “62 percent of the electorate didn’t vote for (Gov. LePage).” This “badge of rejection” is worn also by Presidents Lincoln (60.4 percent, 1860), Wilson (58.8 percent, 1912) and Clinton (57 percent, 1992). Political victory by a plurality, rather than a majority, usually serves to […]

We knew 2011-2012 would be a difficult budget year for school systems, many describing it as a “cliff year” as a result of the cuts in federal stimulus money. School Administrative District 51 recently proposed a 2.93 percent increase for the 2011-2012 school year, after three years of flat funding. While there will be obvious […]

On June 14, the voters of Falmouth will be given the opportunity to support a town project which will have long-lasting and positive effects for years to come. This referendum project involves several favorable ingredients: it will provide a larger and more flexible library; it will give Community Programs a much needed home close to […]

I’m writing to say how disappointed I am in the four Falmouth town councilors who continue to make public kindergarten an ongoing issue in the passage of the fiscal 2012 school budget. Their opinions are based on nothing more than misguided fiscal and education principles that completely miss the long-term strategic goals of the Falmouth […]

I felt proud to be a Falmouth teacher at the March 30 Town Council meeting as many residents applauded the quality of education offered by our public schools. Make no mistake, my colleagues and I work tirelessly to meet every student’s varied needs. When designing instruction for our learners we take into account a host […]

On March 19, the Freeport High School junior class held its first Pizza Madness Tournament to raise funds for Project Graduation, a series of fun, safe activities held immediately before and after commencement. Because of timing, we tied our event into NCAA March Madness, with a basketball theme. Crusher, the Maine Red Claws basketball team […]

I was very dismayed to hear that the Portland Police Department’s concerns about Preble Street Resource Center’s operational style and low-barrier philosophy were squashed by the City Council. And that the Portland Public Safety Committee’s request for more dialog between the PPD, PSRC, and the Bayside Neighborhood Association was ordered ended before even getting underway. […]