The damage inflicted by the ferocious storm that hit Maine the night of December 26th and continued through most of the next day was surprisingly minimal. Thanks to schools and government offices being closed there were few motor vehicle accidents or collisions that resulted in injuries, and remarkably there was only one fatal crash. Most […]

Thumbs down to the City of Biddeford for providing trash pickup and snowplowing on some private roads for several years. No doubt there were reasons for this practice, but taxpayer money cannot be used to maintain and provide services to roads that are private. Worse, the city is doing it for some private roads and […]

After approving rules intended to ensure “net neutrality,” the Federal Communications Commission is getting criticism from all sides. The agency seems to have convinced just about everyone that it isn’t on the right course to keep the Internet vibrant and free. The disagreements over Internet freedom are broad and intense. In seeking a middle ground, […]

It was a Saturday night. We were meeting friends for dinner at a favorite haunt. The four of us ordered simple fare ”“ pizza for two, a sandwich, grilled tuna. We talked about everything from politics to food, a new computer, a very old dog. Then this unlikely notion: Carol described how she and Jim […]

After unexpected successes in the lame duck session of Congress, the administration pressed ahead last week with an environmental initiative that is sure to encounter resistance in the next session. The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would crack down on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and oil refineries. EPA intends to use federal […]

Now is the time to make your New Year’s resolution goals, before the old year is gone. New Year celebrations are probably one of the oldest holiday traditions, but not celebrated at the same time each year, in every culture. New Year’s resolutions can be a mixed bag of tricks for literally everyone who sets […]

It’s a difficult time to serve the public. Funds are tighter than ever, and yet public expectations of government continue to grow. There are many today who doubt the contributions of public employees and officials, but we rely on them daily to protect health and safety. Two well-known officials are concluding their service as 2010 […]

Thanks to a continuing budget resolution approved by Congress last week, Maine is due to start 2011 with its full allocation of heating assistance funds. The three-month stopgap budget measure was rushed through after Republicans blocked the 2011 spending bill. It holds government spending at last year’s level. In this case, that’s just what’s needed. […]

Thumbs up to the Tri-City Community Chorus for organizing a successful scholarship drive, by means of an auto raffle, for college-bound music students. The chorus also deserves congratulations for its well-attended Christmas concert at Saco’s First Parish Congregational Church. Thumbs up to all the volunteers who took time out of their family festivities to make […]

In “A Christmas Carol,” the grace and dignity of the Cratchit family inspire Ebenezer Scrooge. Even without prosperity that Scrooge later provided, the humble family celebrated Christmas with  affection and enjoyment. In that spirit, the Journal Tribune wishes readers, friends, advertisers, merchants and staff a Merry Christmas. Such a bustle ensued that you might have […]