In the past year, Americans have faced record energy prices. These prices have put an overwhelming burden on people across the country and especially on Mainers, who have had to contend with heating their homes as well as paying other rising utility bills throughout a long winter. In order to lower energy prices, I believe […]

A bill that would have the state pay 45 percent of the cost of health insurance for police and firefighters between the time they retire and become eligible for Medicare – at an estimated cost of $4.5 million annually – is gathering support in the Legislature. Firefighters and police have lined the corridor between the […]

A petition to let voters decide the fate of the “Roosevelt Promenade” Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District has been put on hold. Windham resident Tom Gleason vowed to start a petition drive after the council voted 5-2 to approve the TIF district last Tuesday night. Under the TIF district, the majority of tax revenue collected […]

Schoolhouse Arts Center at Sebago Lake is offering a Spring Arts Camp during April school vacation (April 17-21) for children ages 6 to 13. Classes will be offered in art, crafts, drama, creative writing, guitar, voice, dance, etiquette, super science, storybook theater, and musical theater. The camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to […]

As new companies arrive, tax revenue is generated from the value of these businesses. But as tax revenue increases, the state reduces subsidy for education and other services. To prevent this loss, towns use Tax Increment Financing districts to capture the full tax revenue of new businesses. The state allows the full tax revenue to […]

The Windham Police Department plans to revamp the look of their police cruisers. And police officers have called upon local artistic talent to help out with the new look. In the spirit of community involvement, the department has opened a logo designing contest to the Windham public. Whoever creates the best design (to be judged […]

deathoftax.jpg: On Tuesday night, local lawmakers talked with the Windham Town Council about the proposed end of the personal property tax and the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursment (BETR) program. From left are Rep. Mark Bryant, Rep. Gary Plummer, Sen. Bill Diamond, Town Manager Anthony Plante and Councilor Lloyd Bennett. A bill now being worked on […]

A bill that would allow tax breaks under the state’s Pine Tree Zone program to be used to encourage development of the Sappi Fine Paper site in Westbrook is on a fast track for consideration by the Legislature. While Pine Tree Zones are supposed to be used in economically depressed areas of the state, Gov. […]

For Windham native Nate Bennett, what began as a desire to learn Chinese has evolved into a career teaching English as a second language halfway across the world. After graduating from the University of Southern Maine, Bennett figured the best way to get a sense of Asian culture and learn the language would be to […]

One of the good things about our town is the way in which volunteer groups respond to citizens. Due to concerns about older people having to stand in line for a long time at the Food Pantry, the committee which operates this service has expanded their hours on a trial basis, to include “Seniors Only” […]