Wife and I have known Sue Duzzy Austin, our state representative in Augusta, for over 20 years. Sue has done a great job serving the people of Gray. One day wife and I went to Augusta to visit Sue in her office. She made us a great meal in her microwave. Now that is great service! Last […]
Lakes Region Weekly opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: COVID civic corrective?
An article about Lisbon, Portugal, in the Aug. 17 New York Magazine made me think about Maine in general and Portland in particular. It seems that between one-third and one-half of working class housing in some parts of Lisbon have been converted to hostels, hotels and Airbnbs, driving local people out of the city. Sound […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Maine could be a country
We were sitting outside the snack shack at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor last week when my mother, a resident of the smallest state in the Union, said something we’ll both long remember: “Maine could be a country,” the keen observer from Rhode Island said as we chomped on an oatmeal cookie […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Pandemic pet peeves, part II
This week’s Here’s Something continues a three-part series concerning pet peeves inspired by life during the coronavirus. Without further adieu, let’s get to it: It’s severely frustrating, five months into this outbreak, that we don’t even know where this new coronavirus originated. Was it from the “wet markets” in Wuhan, or was it deliberately or […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion
The Universal Notebook: Veterans for Trump?
A few weeks back I saw a car at an ice cream stand with a Go Army sticker and a Trump-Pence sticker. I wanted to ask the driver how anyone in the military could support a draft dodger like Trump, but I didn’t want to disrespect the elderly vet. How any active duty military or […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly
Letter: Gray resident voting no on LD1 ‘do-over’
Let me tell you why I am voting no on Gray’s LD1 question on Sept. 8 The councilors are saying they do not have a budget unless this article passes. Not true. Taxpayers OK’d spending needed to run the town. What the voters are saying is you must spend within your budget. Buy a Ford instead of a […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly
Letter: Gray in great hands with Austin in Augusta
As a member of the Gray community, as well as a small business owner, I support Sue Austin as my representative in Augusta. Sue represents my values and interests with enthusiasm and consideration. Her care and concern for her constituents can be seen in her tireless efforts to bring the very best leadership to our […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly
Guest column: Keeping the Lakes Region healthy
Back in late June we participated in a forum organized by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. Over the past few years, the Lakes Region Delegation has come together to listen to the concerns of our local businesses and to talk about how we can work together to promote sustainable economic development in our […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: America needs a sabbatical
In my Aug. 4 column, I urged that schools remain closed until the coronavirus pandemic is over. Teachers shouldn’t have to risk their lives and parents shouldn’t be caught between worries about the health of their children and the need to get back to work. But if your primary interest in education is child care, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Pandemic pet peeves, part I
To say the COVID-19 outbreak has negatively impacted the general populace would be an understatement of gigantic proportions. Just recently we heard from the Centers for Disease Control that a full quarter of young people ages 18-24 have considered suicide in the past month. Mental health in all sectors of the populace is suffering, according […]