Artist and activist Robert Shetterly, president of the Union of Maine Visual Artists and creator of the “Americans Who Tell the Truth” portrait series, repeatedly stressed the need to remain mature and respectful in tone when he began preparing a press conference to express opposition to Gov. Paul LePage’s order to remove painter Judy Taylor’s […]

I’m writing to add my voice to the many who are asking the Legislature to vote in favor of allowing Biddeford Downs to move forward without another statewide referendum. The Biddeford Downs project is a revenue-generating venture. Maine desperately needs such ventures to get back in the black. Biddeford Downs, with a racino and resort […]

After the School Administrative District 51 Finance Committee recommended a 3 percent increase in the school budget for the 2011-2012 year, some historical facts about the SAD 51 budget may be helpful to establish a context for this recommendation, the budget discussion, and the budget vote. For fiscal 1997, the budget was $11.56 million, according […]

Last night I had the strangest dream, about the world of Edgar Allen Beem. It began in a trendy little bistro in the Yarmouth area, where I overheard a conversation among what looked to be successful business people, or to some, I suppose, capitalist pigs. They said that Beem and his fellow travelers are race-baiting, […]

By now the world knows that Maine Gov. Paul LePage ordered the removal of a mural from the walls of the Maine Department of Labor in Augusta. The mural depicted Mainers across the generations in the struggle for workers’ rights. Apparently, the mural proved offensive to a visitor to the Department of Labor who, upon […]

Maine Gov. Paul LePage has ordered state workers to remove from the state Labor Department a 36-foot mural depicting the state’s labor history. Among other things the mural illustrates the 1937 shoe mill strike in Auburn and Lewiston. It also features the iconic “Rosie the Riveter,” who in real life worked at the Bath Iron […]

I’m proud to live in Maine. Our Legislature and governor have a long history of collaborating toward thoughtful solutions. I don’t understand, therefore, why the governor, a legislator, and the state Chamber of Commerce want to weaken a law that exemplifies what we can achieve when we work together. The Kid-Safe Products Act passed in […]

Spring is upon us, and I am here with some disturbing news: apparently, our nation’s capitol is not the only locale that will soon be awash in the delicious scent of cherry blossoms. Our armpits will be bursting forth in bloom, as well. It’s true. Last weekend, as I strolled through the aisles of the […]

We are in an exciting time. And contrary to Edgar Allen Beem’s opinion, we are in an outrageously promising time. Gov. Paul LePage is not playing politics. He is making hard, well-thought and brave decisions. These are decisions that career politicians and those of the liberal makeup would never dare to consider. Yes, my governor […]

I read Superintendent James C. Morse Sr.’s most recent “Notebook” with disbelief. No doubt this budget cycle is the most challenging in years. As Morse described what his proposed budget will accomplish, he neglected to include what it is likely to destroy: our adult education program. The budget demands that Portland Adult Ed, with just […]