Since 2000, Scarborough’s Land Acquisition Reserve Fund has contributed to 20-plus projects spanning nearly 1,200 acres and including preserves open to the public, farms, and historical landmarks. It has successfully catalyzed a public/private partnership, with joint funding on nearly all projects receiving land fund contributions. For the projects involving Scarborough Land Trust, less than half […]
leader letters
Letter: Group proposes community read of ‘Anxious Generation’
We are writing to propose a community reading of “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt. A community read encourages people to read and discuss the same book simultaneously, aiming to foster connections and spark meaningful conversations. As parents and community members, we’ve seen the harmful impact of smartphones and social media on children’s health. Research […]
Letter: Attend workshop to discuss a new Scarborough community center
We are writing to inform you about an upcoming Town Council workshop scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Town Hall. This workshop will center on plans for a new community center, offering us all a valuable opportunity to learn about this exciting project together. As the Community Services Advisory Board, we wholeheartedly support […]
Letter: We must do better to address poverty and homelessness
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold an ordinance banning people from sleeping or camping in public spaces. Over the past few years, poverty has become increasingly visible in Portland. A walk through downtown Portland reveals many homeless people living on our streets. Poverty is often invisible, which is part of why homeless […]
Letter: Add land acquisition funding to November ballot
The town of Scarborough’s Land Acquisition Reserve Fund has played an important role in conservation of town parks and public access land over the past 24 years. In that time, reserve funds have contributed to 16 projects, many of which are Scarborough Land Trust properties which are conserved and have public access. Land trust preserves […]
Letter: Popular vote compact would disregard Mainers
Yarmouth state Rep. Art Bell’s Legislative Update stated that rural communities would have “equal sway” in in the outcome of elections if his national popular vote compact were enacted by enough states. That assertion is ludicrous. Maine, with a population of 1.385 million, would be ignored in favor of populous states such as New York […]
Letter: 2024 Drive Fore Kids had big impact
We are judged by the company we keep. Drive Fore Kids, one of Maine’s largest multi-day events to benefit the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and Dempsey Center, took place June 20-23 at Falmouth Country Club. The second annual Drive Fore Kids celebrity golf tournament and new “Down on the Range” concert featuring 12 O/C, […]
Letter: Medicare should cover anti-obesity medication
Rural communities across Maine are grappling with growing disparities in accessing health care services. We are the nation’s oldest and most rural state, meaning issues related to health care impact Maine disproportionately. Having lived in both rural Maine and Cumberland County, I can attest to how these gaps are accelerating. Among the issues in closing […]
Letter: Writer’s savaging of poignant Iftin column just a parroting of Trump
It’s a real shame that Nancy Chesley in her May 5 word salad of xenophobia and vitriol, “Legal immigrants have no reason to fear deportation,” feels the need to parrot the same litany of demeaning tropes and malarkey about immigrants the former president, now criminal defendant, spewed on Day 18 of his election interference trial […]
Letter: Praising college protests is myopic view of Israel-Hamas war
The lens through which Abdi Nor Iftin sees the college protests in his Forecaster column the week of May 9 (“College protests in U.S. a ray of hope for Gazans“) provides him quite a myopic view. He sees the protests as very positive and a morale booster for the people of Gaza and sees very little […]