Thumbs up to Sanford Town Councilor Bradford Littlefield’s suggestion that the councilors take pay cuts of a largely symbolic $200. The town is proposing to slash 13 jobs, some currently filled and some not, in an effort to avoid a major tax increase. Councilor Anne Marie Mastraccio certainly has a point when she says councilors […]

Maine’s Clean Election system has dedicated opponents, so we hope supporters won’t neglect an important vote of support this tax season. Taxpayers can help preserve the system by checking the first box on their 1040ME tax form. Marking “Yes” on the form will designate a $3 contribution to the Maine Clean Election Fund. It neither […]

Right now, Japan is facing such a crisis in loss of life, exposure to radiation and serious property damages, after the worst earthquake in recorded history. Here in America, we must learn from what Japan has just experienced, so that we can be prepared for unforeseen emergencies from earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, and even nuclear […]

Critics of Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed cuts to the Fund for a Healthy Maine gathered in Augusta last week to tell the Legislature what a detrimental effect such cuts could have. The governor’s proposal would cut about $17 million in funding to programs in the first year and would set the stage for future use […]

Hopes for school construction in Sanford rose substantially last week with the release of the Department of Education’s capital improvement priority list. The number No. 2 placement of Sanford High School is good news for other York County school districts as well. Sanford’s application for a high school construction project also encompasses the Sanford Regional […]

Illinois last week abolished the death penalty, effective July 1. The decision by Gov. Pat Quinn and the General Assembly ends a system proven to be unjust. Since 1977, Illinois has wrongly condemned at least 20 people to death and one of them, Anthony Porter, came within 48 hours of execution. Porter had already been […]

Thumbs up to the Friends of Waterboro Library for graciously accepting defeat in their efforts to build a new library. Those who were undertaking the fundraising are wise to abandon their plans for a new  building now that a $500,000 earmark from the federal government is off the table and the voters decided against a […]

Budget may cut 28 Biddeford school jobs Wells board seeks right figure for salaries Parishioners participate in ‘giving’ exercise Harp seal treated at UNE * Read these stories and more in today’s print edition of the Journal Tribune.

Maine and New Hampshire have contested fishing grounds, boundaries and tax policy, but last week the two states signed a joint agreement pledging to keep the bridges between them in good repair. It’s a good indication that the planned replacement of Memorial Bridge between Kittery and Portsmouth, N.H., will eventually take place. The price tag […]

Congress has more important issues to face, but U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree was right to question a decision by House leaders to cancel a green initiative underway in the congressional cafeteria. Calling the cafeteria’s biodegradable cups and utensils expensive and inadequate, Republicans arranged to switch back to plastic knives, forks and spoons, and polystyrene foam […]