Communities throughout the state have struggled to implement the state’s evolving concept of school consolidation by next week’s deadline. The results have been mixed, and opponents are hoping to end the effort with a referendum vote in November. Under the circumstances, Gov. John Baldacci made a good decision last week ”“ signing legislation to suspend […]

On Tuesday, age discrimination showed its face once again in our society, this time in the form of banning young people from bars and nightclubs. This practice has been widely accepted, of course, since those establishments serve alcohol, which is illegal if you’re under 21. But even on special nights ”“ when the taps are […]

Thumbs up to the municipal employees of Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach, who took it upon themselves to complete a workshop last week on improving customer service. Learning how to properly address or avoid difficult situations will make municipal transactions better for all involved. Thumbs up to County Manager Richard Brown and members of […]

One of the laws to emerge from the just-completed session echoes a familiar goal. In the words of Gov. John Baldacci, this legislation will help “make quality, affordable health care available to all Mainers and to work to make Maine the healthiest state in the nation.” If the words sound familiar, it is because they […]

News coverage of swine flu has dropped off since April, when its appearance alarmed public health officials, but the H1N1 virus continues to spread, in Maine and around the world. Health care workers, employers and individuals should remain on alert against this potential threat. Unlike other sections of the U.S., the virus continues to spread […]

The landslide re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran appears so dubious that even Iran’s supreme leader, a nearsighted cleric, has ordered an investigation. The votes were counted remarkably quickly. Faced with almost 40 million paper ballots, election officials quickly announced tallies giving the president an insurmountable lead over his moderate opponent. Another fact that […]

Unlike its many other accomplishments this session, the Legislature’s compromise on the state bond package may not get much recognition. But, as is usually the case, these bond proposals are intended to pay for sound investments in Maine’s future. The Legislature and governor confronted many highly charged issues  this session ”“ including gay marriage and […]

Thumbs up to all the Class of 2009 graduates, from our local high schools, adult education programs, colleges and universities. Every diploma or degree represents a great amount of hard work, determination and investment of time and (in many cases) money. The graduates should all be commended for seeing their goals through to completion. Thumbs […]

For the second time, the Town of Sanford is taking a vacant building as part of a mill district revitalization plan. Last week the Town Council voted to pay an absentee owner $1 for the former Aerofab mill and $1 for an adjacent property. Last year the town paid $150,000 to take over the nearby […]

A week ago, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, a citizen initiative that amends the  state constitution to deny legal recognition to same sex marriages. The decision guarantees that the debate over marriage equality will continue in California, just as it continues in Maine. One of  the key differences is that Maine law will […]