Has anyone else begun to suspect that the Peter Principle is hard at work in America? With all the other trendy theories that have passed through our culture in the past 40 years (Remember Total Quality Management? Remember when we thought the Japanese had all the answers? Now we’ve got Malcolm Gladwell’s tipping point and […]
Forecaster Opinion
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Don't cut dispatch
As a member of Engine Company 1 for 37 years and, more recently, also a rescue driver, I appreciate the work of Cape Elizabeth’s four dispatchers and strongly oppose closing the town’s dispatch center. Here are some of my suggestions for addressing the upcoming budget problems: • The town manager is recommending pay increases of […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Ski team comes through
The parents of Falmouth’s Special Olympics team would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Falmouth ski team and their Booster Club for allowing our athletes to borrow the FHS ski team’s jackets to wear at the Winter Olympic Games held at Sugarloaf two weeks ago. This is the second year that the ski […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Excise tax impact
I feel compelled to respond to a recent article in The Forecaster highlighting a referendum intended to reduce our excise tax liability. Like all legislation, there are intended consequences and then there are the unintended consequences. I would like to offer here the unintended consequences that I believe should be considered before we cast our […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Portland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Don't be chicken
I encourage the Portland City Council to support the proposed ordinance to allow backyard chickens. I understand the vote is Feb. 18, and I hope the measure passes unanimously. Our family has had backyard chickens and it was a great experience for many reasons: we enjoyed fresh organic eggs and shared them with our friends […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Integration is a hallmark of Maine's colleges
By Paul H. Mills When President Barack Obama’s tenure is eventually portrayed in books or the silver screen, an appropriate title could be, “Black Man in the White House.” Too bad it’s taken. It was claimed 46 years ago by a man with Maine ties, Fred Morrow. Published in 1963, “Black Man in the White […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Maine Turnpike: 109 miles of highway robbery
When I woke up this morning I was in the midst of a recurring reverie in which I become a folk hero by leading a popular revolt against the Maine Turnpike Authority. In my imagination, the MTA is a shadowy agency answerable to no one and run by a cabal of old pols and sand-and-gravel […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Government shouldn't ignore tough financial choices
Good Maine people at good Maine companies are losing their jobs. Managers are lowering their sales and revenue forecasts, and keep pushing back that future date everyone is looking for – the date defined as “when things get better,” or “when this turns around.” These business leaders are closing locations, cutting benefits, […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
s-letter_allen Birds, bees and dogs
A person complains about his neighbor’s beekeeping, so the South Portland City Council swiftly crafts an ordinance to protect us from swarms. An elementary school child wants to raise chickens, so the City Council laboriously crafts an ordinance to protect us from roosters. Scores of citizens over decades voice concerns about being harassed by dogs […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Forecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
m-letter_rogers Economics 101
Since Democratic Gov. John Baldacci has said he wouldn’t raise taxes this term, he’s raising every “fee” he can find. I received a letter in the mail recently from Maine’s Board of Professional Licensing and guess what? My licensing fees have doubled. When will the Democrats who run this (once great) state realize the […]