There has been a great deal of press attention recently highlighting Maine’s looming workforce challenges (“Facing a raft of retirements, BIW seeks 1,000 new hires,” Sept. 2, Page A1; “Our View: Apprentices vital to easing worker shortage,” Sept. 4, Page A4). Without question, this is one of the greatest challenges our state has faced in […]

When you work in food service, especially in places like Portland and Peaks Island, you don’t get holidays off. Some of us worked the hardest weekend of the season; many of us worked closing/opening shifts, doubles and stacked shifts. Please be kind to your bartender, waitstaff, hosts and chefs. We’re tired, and we have complicated […]

The Maine Land Use Planning Commission meets Wednesday and may then vote on a key permit for the Central Maine Power corridor project. The commission will conduct a deliberative session for a possible decision regarding the site law certification in the matter of CMP’s proposed New England Clean Energy Connect project. Please email your thoughts […]

I am writing with great concern after reading the story in the Portland Press Herald on Tuesday, Sept. 3 “Hurricane Dorian leaves behind ‘total devastation’ in the Bahamas.” We have seen hurricanes getting more intense more quickly, and many climate scientists have concluded that warmer ocean waters provide the fuel for this faster intensification. Also, […]

As an environmental activist and former city councilor, I believe Portland can do more to be a leader on sustainability, to respond to the challenge of climate change and to make our city cleaner and greener. Spencer Thibodeau has demonstrated leadership during his four years on the City Council and as chair of the Sustainability […]

I want to thank Jason Judd of Educate Maine for his Aug. 28 opinion piece regarding the MaineSpark coalition, an initiative working to make sure that 60 percent of Maine adults have a post-secondary credential of value by 2025. MaineSpark is addressing significant workforce challenges that also have implications for U.S. armed forces recruitment. Recruiting […]

Portland benefits when the mayor does not always fall in line with the rest of the City Council and the city manager. Mayor Ethan Strimling is an unwavering supporter of our schools, and was the tipping point for repairing our school buildings, which were neglected for 23 years. He leads for the sake of the […]

I am writing in response to the article “Mt. Ararat nixes balloon release after public outcry” (Aug. 29, Page C1). I do not dispute the need to end the balloon release in favor of protecting our environment, but I take issue with the one-dimensional focus of the article. I can say with confidence that there […]

Your chastisement of Republicans in the Legislature who voted down three of the four bond issues in the special session (Our View, Aug. 28), was appropriate. However, I’m very pleased that my representative, Patrick Corey of Windham, supported both environmental bonds. He was one of only five Republicans voting for the Land for Maine’s Future […]