In the spirit of our state motto, “Dirigo” (Latin for “I lead”), it only makes sense that Maine is at the forefront of smart environmental policy. One such innovative policy is our Bottle Bill. Maine’s Beverage Container Redemption Program, or Bottle Bill for short, stands among our state’s most successful environmental policies. Its success is, […]
opinion
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
Reflections on ‘No Kings’ protest in Freeport
The weather forecast for the “No Kings” protests around Maine on Saturday, June 14, was bleak — rain in the morning followed by some clearing in the afternoon. Forecasts notwithstanding, we decided to attend the early protest in Freeport (8-11 a.m.) because we had a commitment in the middle of the day. We got to […]
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Posted inTimes Record Opinion
A walk in the Tedford Housing neighborhood in Brunswick
I try to get out for a walk — maybe not as frequently as I should — to get a little exercise in and clear the mind a bit. Tedford’s small administrative offices, where I have worked for most of my last 18-plus years at Tedford, are right next door to the jewel of Brunswick, […]
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
Summer in Maine shouldn’t come with hidden fees
Summer in Maine is truly something special. As the days grow longer and the sun sets a little later each evening, communities across our state come alive with music, festivals and local events that celebrate the very best of who we are. From iconic concerts at Thompson’s Point, to Broadway bashes at places like the […]
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
Shortsightedness of Trump crackdown on international students revealed by Bowdoin students | Column
During the recent Bowdoin College reunion, we asked Arielle Kundera, one of the student ambassadors working the reunion, if she’d like to be one of our host students. She happily accepted. Arielle, who’s from Rwanda, just finished her first year and plans to major in math. A few nights later, we took her to Gelato […]
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
Living with Pride in Maine: A promise and a responsibility
Each June, rainbow flags unfurl across Maine, from Portland storefronts to Presque Isle porches, from downtown streets to small-town libraries, as we join communities across the world in celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month. It’s a season of love, of joy, of identity. But it’s also a time of remembrance, of resistance and of recommitment to the work […]
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
The common good vs. the constant grift
During the recent reunion weekend, Bowdoin College recognized three outstanding graduates who have dedicated their lives to advancing the common good by serving others. William Bao Bean, class of ’95 received the Alumni Service Award. The program noted, “You have enthusiastically, and single-handedly built and fostered a strong network of Bowdoin alumni across Asia. Your […]
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion, Steve Collins
A fight may loom over tiny Machias Seal Island | Steve Collins
Lobster-loving Republicans are eyeing Gulf of Maine territory claimed by both the U.S. and Canada.
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
My son deserves dignified care — and so do the people who provide it
Imagine spending your entire life building a community around your child with disabilities — only to watch it slowly unravel because the direct support professionals and the organizations providing care are being systematically underfunded. That’s the reality I face as the parent of my 45-year-old son, Andy, who lives with medical, mental health and intellectual […]
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
A recipe for a state budget that supports Mainers
It’s officially budget season — the time of the legislative session when legislators in Augusta make difficult decisions about how best to allocate the state’s resources in ways that benefit the hardworking people of Maine. But as we look south to Washington, D.C., it’s increasingly likely the federal budget will cause more harm than good. […]