Gov. Paul LePage made a strong case for lean state government in his budget address last week, and he laid out an approach that seems to avoid drastic measures. He surprised us, for instance, with his promise of increased state aid for local education. The governor also said he would avoid cuts to higher education […]

Thumbs up to Deanna Weaver for kick-starting the newly opened Biddeford Winter Farmers Market, and to all the other local vendors who will be participating in it. This is an idea whose time has come, since local food and other products shouldn’t simply disappear when it’s cold outside. Thanks to the generosity of former WestPoint […]

For many who have struggled with unmanageable electronic devices, it seemed all too likely that an automotive throttle system relying on electronics and software could go haywire. The incidents of uncontrolled acceleration that have plagued Toyota raised fears of a basic glitch in the system. Now a 10-month government investigation has concluded that there is […]

The U.S. Senate has been unable to pass a bill addressing global warming, but energy is building in Congress to do something about the regulation of greenhouse gases. Unfortunately, the burst of energy is coming from those determined to thwart regulation. Those who have no worries about greenhouse gases are pushing legislation to deny the […]

Alumni and friends will gather at Thornton Academy this weekend to mark a significant anniversary: It has been 200 years since the school was founded by an act of the Massachusetts Legislature. The bicentennial will be observed through the year, with major events in June, October and December, as well as Saturday’s Founding Day Celebration. […]

Even with the Egyptian demonstrations dominating the news right now, we still cannot afford to forget our own needs here at home. We have to concern ourselves with how we can create more jobs, and what our government can do to help the process. One way to create the future we want is to build, […]

The president’s remark to business leaders this week was polite, but pointed: “Ask yourselves what you can do for America.” This advice echoed a point he made in his weekly radio and Internet address. Large corporations are holding immense amounts of cash on their balance sheets, slowing the recovery by hesitating to make investments. Business […]

It’s only early February, but the Biddeford City Council has set new rules for a warm-weather enterprise ”“ ice cream trucks that ply residential streets, trolling for young people with a bit of cash and an appetite. The rules have raised several objections. Some simply find it politically incorrect to interfere with this simple form […]

Another measurable winter storm is behind us, and the sun is bright upon the fresh white snow. Some residual flakes are falling right now, twinkling like tiny gems in the pale sunlight. The cold has returned as well, with a temperature this morning at barely above 16 degrees, so the heat knocks and bangs on […]

Thumbs up to the Town of Sanford for choosing Jeffrey H. Rowe, Sanford’s assistant chief since 2003, as the new full time fire chief. It’s hard to conceive of a more qualified candidate to lead Sanford’s fire service, considering Rowe’s 28 years with the department and his considerable related experience. The town made a sound […]