The debate over gay marriage is exposing some irreconcilable differences in our communities, between people who take a more secular view of marriage and those who believe that the word connotes a religious sacrament. Question 1, as many now know, is an effort to repeal the gay marriage law that was approved this spring by […]

Among the citizen initiatives on the state’s Nov. 3 ballot is a tax break that would benefit relatively few, while creating problems that everyone would eventually encounter. Question 2 aims to cut excise taxes paid on newer vehicles. This would have a direct and predictable consequence: Less money for local road maintenance. We urge a […]

Thumbs up to those who have stepped up to fill the nine vacant seats of the York County Budget Committee, bringing the board to its full capacity of 15 members fro the first time in years. It took the lay-offs of several sheriff’s deputies and county employees to get people interested in helping to manage […]

Residents of the Goose Rocks district of Kennebunkport are apparently preparing to assert their alleged rights to exclusive use of the small beach in that area. We say “alleged” because this is shaping up as a potential legal battle, and the claims of ownership are hardly self-evident. In fact, the evidence seems to show that […]

Sen. Olympia Snowe this week significantly advanced the cause of health care reform. When the Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday on its moderate bill to expand and improve health care coverage, the result was a 14-9 bipartisan tally. The bipartisanship was entirely Snowe’s; otherwise, the vote followed party lines. Her support keeps her in a […]

In less than three weeks, Maine voters will be asked to set a spending formula for state and local government. As we see it, Question 4 proposes far-reaching changes and risks no end of complications. Backers of this initiative, widely known as TABOR II, believe government in Maine is failing. For those who buy that […]

The purchase, on Sept. 30, of the Knights of Columbus property known to generations for its Westbrook skating rink is good news for skaters and open space advocates. Not everyone is cheering, of course, but it’s hard to find a downside to this arrangement. With a $20,000 down payment and a $150,000 purchase price for […]

Thumbs up to teacher Lucy Poli for her amazing level of dedication to teaching for a total of 66 years, largely in the Biddeford school system. Poli has been called an inspiration by her peers and we wish her the best of luck as she moves on to retirement. Thumbs down to the Town of […]

Compromises on a health care reform appear to be creating a bill that is far short of what is needed, but one that has a real chance of being enacted. For those opposed, this creates no dilemma. But for those who are convinced that U.S. health care is in dire need of reform, it raises […]

After the battles that preceded the opening of Stop & Shop’s supermarket in Kennebunk two years ago, wouldn’t you think that the grocery chain intended to settle in for the long haul? But the Massachusetts chain has given up on its plans to expand into Maine and will soon close the Portland Road store. By […]