An enlightened, vigilant citizenry is one of the best watchdogs on local government. But when vigilance leads to vigilantism, things tend to get ugly.  That’s the case in Falmouth, where resident Michael Doyle is on a crusade to convince people their town government is broken. Sometimes, on some issues, he may be even be right. […]

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., got in hot water last week for saying, “I don’t know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a Republican, OK?” Obviously, such a politically incorrect statement incorrectly suggests that all people of Hispanic heritage think alike. But I know exactly what Reid meant. These days, given the extremism […]

It should be clear that just as I represent the news media, which your reporting on child restraints has mentioned, Peter C. Felmly and his firm represent many Maine school districts as well as trade associations that represent school districts. Substantively, I disagree with Mr. Felmly’s interpretation of Maine and federal law. The default rule […]

School attorney Peter C. Felmly’s column regarding the secrecy of student records should have been titled “Why people hate lawyers,” because it exemplifies the worst tendency of school attorneys to make assertions that are literally true, but substantively misleading. Mr. Felmly asserts in his column that the federal student privacy law, FERPA, does not require […]

My first year as Portland’s superintendent of schools is done, finis, completed. It’s been an adventure, a challenge and a thrill to be home again in Portland, working on behalf of my 1973 classmates’ grandchildren (ouch) as well as all of the other children attending the Portland Public Schools. We’re striving for equity and excellence […]

Clearly the two-year work of the Falmouth Facilities Planning Committee is complete. Its recommendation for the most expensive of 10 known options to build no less than Falmouth’s third “town center” is on the table. However, the work of the Town Council, and the thousands of other taxpayers just began on Aug. 9. With a […]

Brunswick Town Council Vice Chairwoman Deborah Atwood, an at-large member, said she doubted her ability to support Kestrel Aircraft’s bid to take up residence on the redeveloped BNAS due to Alan Klapmeier’s previous involvement with military drone development. Voicing such concerns at this early stage of the project shows a reckless, irresponsible attitude on Attwood’s […]

I am very excited about the proposal for a Falmouth “Town Center” – a new community center, expanded library and Town Hall on the site of the soon to be vacated elementary schools. I have three young children who are very excited by this possibility as well. I have many friends who feel the same […]

If you haven’t met Mark Richard, do yourself a favor and make it a point to do so. Mark is running for state representative in Falmouth. He is accomplished and energetic and is eager to help Maine’s economy get back on track. Mark has many attributes. One that certainly proves his strong character and leadership […]

The Falmouth Facilities Committee is urging the Town Council to adopt its recommendations for new use of the Plummer-Motz and Lunt schools and land as a “new” town center. The center would contain the library, Town Hall and recreation center, maybe more. Admirable aspirations, but is it justified and needed in the precarious state of […]