Question 3 on the state’s Nov. 2 referendum ballot proposes to continue Maine’s investment in woodland, farms and working waterfronts. This time the Land for Maine’s Future program seeks $9.25 million. A “Yes” vote is needed to continue this successful conservation effort. Voters have supported the Land for Maine’s Future program for more than 20 […]

Some people get annual retirement incomes that seem out of whack with what most Americans get from their retirement plans, if they are lucky enough to have them provided by their former employers. We have all read about the police chief in California who had a pension paying over $200,000 a year.  School teachers in […]

A judge’s order against the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy seeks to restore the rights of gay service members. By ending an unfair and counterproductive policy, it also may improve the armed forces. Federal Judge Virginia A. Phillips wrote that the 17-year-old law violates service members’ rights of due process and free speech. And […]

Campaign turmoil was averted last week when a judicial panel refused to block Maine’s Clean Election law in the final weeks before the 2010 elections. Clean Elections supporters and candidates were heartened by the First Circuit Court ruling. The panel rejected a request for an emergency injunction to block the law, foreseeing that “chaos that […]

Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that some of the major banks implicated in the mortgage lending crisis have now mismanaged the resulting torrent of foreclosures. Some lenders have suspended foreclosures in Maine and 22 other states after courts found problems with the paperwork. In Maine, a judge found that a GMAC employee’s lack of […]

Thumbs up to the Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council for organizing meetings with the 2010 gubernatorial candidates to share with them a vision for the community’s future. Candidates need to know what people feel are the most important issues and learn about their needs. These forums, which the candidates should be applauded for attending, are […]

Investment in energy efficiency ”“ to the extent we can afford it ”“ is smart strategy for individuals, institutions and businesses. Maine’s climate makes us especially vulnerable to high energy prices and interruptions in supply. Making better use of energy benefits all of us by reducing the demand for potentially tight energy supplies. And efficiency […]

Maine and New Hampshire have agreed on the need to replace Memorial Bridge, the smallest of three spans at Portsmouth Harbor. It’s a decision that is likely to pay economic dividends for generations to come. The fate of Memorial Bridge was in serious doubt until last week because of faint support from Gov. John Baldacci. […]

Who will take political control of the U.S. House of Representatives or Senate, as a result of the election this November, and will it make any difference? This is a time of great frustration, as the federal government’s agenda is being questioned by a majority of voters. Layoffs and home foreclosures continue to occur. Jobs […]

“It’s time to fight for America.” With less than a month to go before the election, these fighting words were said to stiffen the spines of progressives and liberals, and awaken moderates to the anger and fear that is being promoted by those who root for candidates on the right. “Fighting for America” may sound […]