Reform Maine’s health-care system. Trim the size and scope of government. Stop shifting state costs to municipalities. Reduce welfare spending and require welfare recipients to work for their checks. Improve schools and student achievement. Stop taxing Mainers to death. These are all items on gubernatorial candidate Paul LePage’s to-do list. They are also all on […]

With the closure of Route 136 in Auburn, traffic on our road has greatly increased. Poland Range Road is a gravel, unimproved road with many blind rises and curves, a campground, numerous horseback riders, joggers, walkers and pets. We had a neighborhood meeting attended by a dozen concerned citizens, state Rep. David Webster and Sgt. […]

The most frequent comment I get in person from readers (and this happens about once a day) is, “I don’t always agree with you, but I always look forward to reading your columns.” My most frequent reply is, “I don’t always agree with me either.” Of course, I’m being somewhat facetious (a terminal condition in […]

Living on Poland Range Road in Pownal is not the way life should be. Twelve neighbors plus state Rep. David Webster and Sgt. Paul Thorpe from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department met Sunday, Oct. 24, due to frustration and anger at what is happening on our patch of country road. We cannot take our children […]

Given the many issues facing Maine voters, and with all candidates, particularly gubernatorial candidates, running at full tilt to address kitchen-table issues of jobs, the economy and state government efficiency, it’s little wonder that there has been no discussion of globalization, export opportunities, foreign investment and Maine’s international profile in the current campaign. The immediate […]

Rather than engaging in a thoughtful discussion about Eliot Cutler’s plan to improve Maine’s public education system, Edgar Allen Beem’s recent column about the independent candidate for governor deteriorated into a personal attack. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. It’s exactly how some of Libby Mitchell’s supporters – Mr. Beem among them – are reacting. Eliot […]

There’s a reason Maine has a Freedom of Access law. It is a means for people in Maine to shine a light on what government does when we are too busy living our own lives to be in the offices looking over the shoulders of those we trust with our tax dollars. Beth Franklin, chairwoman […]

The town of Cumberland should be very proud. I have been a member of Val Halla golf course since 1974 and have never seen it in such great condition. The town has made tremendous improvements over the past few years which has made it one of the best courses in the area. Brian Bickford has […]

I would like to set the record straight in response to two letters from supporters of Gary Foster in House District 109. I started an Economic Development and Sustainability Committee along with four members of our community to help our small businesses survive the worst economic downturn our country has seen since the Depression. During […]

I’ve been reading Yarmouth’s annual operating budget and one huge item literally jumped off the page and hit me between the eyes. In a lovely town such as Yarmouth (population 3,560 people), where the crime rate is documented to be lower than in all other Maine communities, why do we spend $721,934 annually in salary […]