Welcome to the annual meeting of the Loud-Mouthed Jerks Organization. I am Ed Beem, president for life of the Southern Maine Chapter of LoMoJo. At the request of a prospective member, I have been asked to review the qualifications for and benefits of membership. As you know, LMJs have become frequent contributors in recent years […]
Forecaster Opinion
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Short Relief: Recovery begins with …
One of the benefits of growing up in Manhattan was the chance to watch the construction of a skyscraper. Walking around town you would come across a block that had been walled off with plywood. A boy could spend hours staring through the windows that the construction crews cut in those walls, watching the men […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
No Sugar Added: Zero degrees of separation
Most of us are familiar with the concept known as “six degrees of separation.” It’s the idea that all humans are within six steps of connectivity. That whole friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend thing. If you live in the great (sparsely populated) state of Maine, you know that it is not six degrees that separates the humans living here, […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Letter: Smart meters require informed discussion
My Town Council colleagues and I unanimously passed a resolution asking CMP to refrain from installing “smart meters” and related equipment for a minimum of 90 days, and to participate in several public forums here in Scarborough. I want to be clear; this action does not mean the Town Council is taking a position on […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Letter: 'Service above Self'
At the close of the Market Place portion of the Harvest on the Harbor in Portland, several members of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club assisted the South Portland Food Cupboard in collecting the excess food items donated by the various food vendors. This was the second year in a row that the Cupboard was […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Letter: Falmouth folks are first-rate
As I was getting my sailboat home from the East End Beach on Route 1, we had just gotten to Falmouth when I felt a little jolting and slight vibrating. My precious boat was swinging sideways, creating a right angle with my truck. It then broke free from the truck completely and passed us, while […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Letter: Concern about Cumberland curbs
A couple of letters recently about new curbs in Yarmouth have prompted me to to also voice concerns about the new curbs on Route 88 in Cumberland. We now have white lines on each side of the road designated for bicycles, walkers, joggers and people pushing strollers or baby carriages. However, the road has been […]
Posted inCurrent, Forecaster Opinion, Southern Forecaster
GUEST COLUMN – High school bond an investment for all
I have spoken to many groups about the high school bond proposal. I have knocked on doors, fielded questions on the phone and by e-mail, and listened to the concerns of residents who are on the fence, or even opposed to the project. I hear four main concerns. First, I hear concern over the cost. […]
Posted inCurrent, Forecaster Opinion, Southern Forecaster
GUEST COLUMN – Cost of high school plan excessive
In last week’s guest column by Bill Barthleman related to the South Portland High School expansion, he goes into great detail why my claims that the high school project could be cut significantly and still fix all of the accreditation issues is faulty. The first point he makes is that my plan consists solely of […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Editorial: Where we stand on local issues
There are several local ballot questions facing voters this year in cities and towns covered by The Forecaster. Here’s where we stand on the issues: Portland Portland’s current council-manager government functions well enough on the administrative level, but it is sorely lacking when it comes to providing the city with vision and leadership. A strong […]