This week is another edition of “We’re all thumbs,” in which the editorial staff of Current Publishing picks proverbial winners and losers, heroes and villains from recent news stories:

• Thumbs UP to the Shaw Family Foundation in Gorham, which is finalizing a purchase from ecomaine of a 258-acre parcel located on Route 25 near the Westbrook line. The foundation hopes to turn 100 acres into farmland, install public trails and a public road to the Presumpscot River, as well as break off another chunk for commercial purposes, perhaps for Sebago Brewing Co. to relocate its headquarters from a cramped space in downtown Gorham. This sounds like a great use of the property, providing benefits not only for the Shaw family, but also for the community in terms of recreational space and business tax revenue.

• Thumbs DOWN to South Portland City Councilor Brad Fox, who, despite missing more than a dozen meetings in his one year on the council – as well as storming out of others – is running for the State House. The man who uses a private email address to conduct public business (and thereby sidestepping the public’s right to know) is hoping to take his dysfunctional show on the road, so to speak. Fox’s behavior reminds us of another Maine politican we’ve come to dislike, Gov. LePage. How ironic that the ultra-liberal Fox and ultra-conservative LePage have so much in common. They’re a new kind of arrogant politician who thumbs their noses at long-observed policies and practices centered on common decency and good governance.

• Thumbs UP to the majority of town and school officials in our area who appear to be holding the line on tax increases this budget season. There are some outliers, but for the most part these budgeteers seem to have gotten the message that people can’t afford big increases. Let’s hope it continues.

• Thumbs DOWN to the tone of the GOP presidential primary contests. The Trump rally brawls are unconscionable, as is the allegation that Trump’s campaign manager grabbed a reporter by her arm while she was trying to ask a question. We’re left wondering if Trump, who dares not to apologize for fear of appearing weak, is purposefully making a mockery of the office he seeks or if he is just a complete fool.

• Thumbs UP to Green Light Maine, a TV program produced by Windham’s Con Fullam that he describes as a “benign ‘Shark Tank.'” The show appears on WCSH 6 and highlights 26 Maine businesses during the season. Anything that shines a spotlight on homegrown entrepreneurial spirit is a boon for the Maine economy.

• Thumbs DOWN to this endless winter weather. Snow falling in early April, as it did this week, is just a cruel joke for Mainers, and for the buds and flowers that thought it was OK to make their spring debut. What a tease Mother Nature can be sometimes.

• Thumbs UP to Scarborough’s efforts to protect the piping plover. The small shorebird is a beautiful endangered species and worth protecting from dogs that can distrub the nests if left to roam. With the birds’ arrival in early April, beachcombers should take heed to tread lightly and maintain a leash on dogs during the pivotal mating season.

• Thumbs DOWN to the national dialogue calling for a minimum wage of $15. Why stop there? If we want to legislate a liveable wage and provide income equality, why not a minimum of $30? How about $45? That’d do the trick, wouldn’t it?

• Thumbs UP to Monday’s opening day for the Boston Red Sox, the team of choice for hardy Mainers who like a little self-flagellation with their favorite pastime. We just wonder which Sox team will show up this year, the World Champs from 2004, 2007 and 2013 or the American League East basement dwellers from three of the past four seasons.

-John Balentine, managing editor