I am a retired newsman and editor for The Associated Press and am an ordained priest of the Roman Orthodox Church.
I am at least temporarily living out of state on assignment, but called Rumford home from 1995-2011. I'm now in Indiana, but will never forget my River Valley friends. I am a native of Cabot, VT., a graduate of Cabot High School and hold three doctorates from Bible Colleges as well as a bachelor of business administration degree.
As far as personal tastes, they range from shooting firearms, to ham radio _ I am KB1TRR _ and reading murder mysteries. My favorite writer is a translant to Maine from California via Hawaii, Dr. Tess Gerritsen. I also, dating from my days as a reporter, enjoy following politics, police news and animal stories.
As for the Sun-Journal, I have too many favorite writers to name. Suffice it to say that I, a 35-year veteran of The Associated Press who spent four years in community newspapers before that, think it's a quality paper.
Recent Comments
Tomaselli Sentence Too Light
I agree with Sandra Coulombe that the sentence was too light. But as I read the story, the sentence was the result of a plea bargain between the prosecutor and the defenjse attorney and that the maximum sentence in any case would have been five years imprisonment.
The blame, in my humble opinion, rests with the Legislature, not the judge.
Snowe's Longest Serving Aide Makes Sense
Olympia Snowe's retirement marks the near end of an era of moderate Republicanism in New England's senatorial delegations. Historically, it included Margaret Chase Smith, George Aiken of Vermont, Ralph Flanders of Vermont, Chafee, father and son, of Rhode Island, Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Lowell Weicker of Connecticut.
They coupled with those now called "blue dog" Democrats were able to arrive at compromises to keep the government running without running it broke.
They'll be a voice I had already started to miss and Ms. Snowe is yet another one silenced, in her case voluntarily.
Every City Should Have One
Marie Lizotte should be cloned so every city could have one.
She's come up with a marvelous business idea in offering the home cooked meals to go. They sound much healthier than the sodium-filled meals in the frozen foods section of Wal-Mart, Hannaford or Shaws. And I'd bet they taste better too.
Dog Ban Unfortunate
Having been reassigned by His Holiness, Archbishop Robert Russell, from Rumford, Maine, to Indianapolis, IN, I still keep track of Maine news.
I consider the dog ban unfortunate. I don't know if it's the result of overly sensitive board members or the inconsiderate behaviour of dog owners who fail to pick up their canine's poop.
I am now living, at least for now, in a senior citizen apartment complex in Indy and one of the firm rules is to clean up after your dog. I have a Newfoundland, nicknamed The Elephant, whose poops are huge.
The apartment complex, Brookhaven at County Line, makes it easy to follow the rules by supplying plastic poop bags. Maybe that's something Rumford should have considerd before a total ban on dogs.
Heating Assistance
I know many people in Maine who could have used heating aid, but could not qualify despite having no toys. Why? They worked and made too much money.
Ike, who is an oil man in the River Valley, has seen it all and I agree with his point that people need to get their priorities straight. If you can pay for snow machines, four wheelers or other toys, sell them first and buy No. 2 heating oil. Then, if you qualify, apply for aid. Think of the widow woman or the widower who has their thermostat set at 60 because that's all they could afford.
Super Bowl Halftime Show
I was underwhelmed by Madonna's half time show and didn't even notice the "entertainer" flipping the bird.
I am now living in Indianapolis and went to a party at my apartment complex. Most people there said they would have preferred Hoosier native John Mellencamp to Madonna. I certainly agreed with that.
House Calls A Way to Save In the Long Run
I recently moved from Rumford, Maine, to Indianapolis, IN, with acess to specialty health care being a reason. Mind you, I had a fine primary care doctor in Rumford in Thomas J. DeLuca D.O. and this is by no means a reflection on him.
I also made the move because after three auto accidents in five years, the state revoked my license on medical grounds, so I needed to be in a city with good mass transit for the disabled.
One of the nicest health care finds here in Indy is a group practice of physicians and podiatrists called "My MD Housecalls." The doctors visit patients, most of whom are elderly and/or disabled in their homes. This way, they can see a patient's living environment and determine what, if any, other services they need. In the long run, I believe it is a cost-saver. It is covered by Medicare.
Good Article Involving Two of My Sun-Journal Favs
This was a great interview by one of my Sun Journal favorites, Mark LaFlamme, of another favorite, Terry Karkos.
Good work guys.
Same In Other Places
I recently moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, and have found the same thing Miss Cox did. For example, some items at the Super Walmart here are more expensive than Wally's in Mexico, Maine, others are cheaper, and I bet they vary depending on the section of the city.
Instead of Hannaford and Shaws, our two biggest supermarkets are Kroger and Marsh's. And we also have a grocery delivery service called PeaPod, which I use quite a bit.
As far as the River Valley, I found I could rarely do all my shopping at one store. It took stops at WalMart and Hannaford to finish my list.
Rumford Water Main Break
Terry,
Those are some excellent photos that tell the story.
Dan
I Urge Veterans to Join an Organization
My father-in-law, RIP, who was from Mexico, Maine, fought in many of the major battles in World War One, and is of course, at his Last Post now.
I can't tell you the number of times the Veterans of Foreign Wars helped him deal with SNAFUs, most of them fairly minor, with what was then the Veterans Administration. He was a life member of the Rumford Post and I believe joined when he still was a young man.
Even if you are too busy, or your wounds are too bad to allow you to leave the house much, please join a post and pay the small annual dues.
I'm not just promoting the VFW, but also the American Legion, AmVets and ethnic veterans organizations, such as Franco-American War Veterans.
Mills & Mills
When Janet Mills was an assistant attorney general, she was one who reported to work early. I was often working as a reporter on the 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift, and also was in about the same time.
We'd frequently meet at the coffee stand, grab a strong cup of joe and wish each other a good day.
Paul Mills, of course, has written many interesting columns on topics including Maine political history, the law, and other scholarly topics for the Sun-Journal.
And of course, the senior Peter Mills was a fine U.S. attorney.
I wish the entire Mills family well in their endeavors.
Flu Vaccine Immunity Lasts At Least Six Months
Some people hold off on getting the flu vaccine because they mistakenly believe the immunity is good only for three months. I was one of those folks until this year.
I checked with Col. Harriet Hall, MC, USAFR, a retired flight surgeon, who assured me the immunity was good for a minimum of six months. An RN giving shots at the Mexico Wal-Mart said the immunity could last as long as a year.
As confirmed cases of flu have already been reported in New England, now is the time to get the jab, if one wants to.
I am not telling people who don't want the shot at all to get it, but am directing my comments to those who generally get the yearly vaccine.
Danielle Ranger
I am a 60-year-old man who was in a car accident in July on U.S. 2 betweem Dixfield and Mexico. I believe Miss Ranger was the female firefighter keeping an eye on me as the Mexico FD used the jaws of life to extract me from my mini-van.
If the woman was she, and it was hard to tell as she was in full firefighter turnout gear including the helmet, she was professional to the max.
She is a loss, of course, to her family, but to the River Valley communities as well.
Good Work Legislature
I'm sure I will dislike portions of the budget, but I praise the Legislature for tending to business, unlike their counterparts in Congress, and getting their work done on time.
I will be interested in hearing from my state representative, Matt Peterson, once the dust has cleared about what he thinks of it.
Peterson is good about keeping his constituents informed, whether you support him or not.
Gun On The Bed Post
Keeping a pistol or revolver near the bed is not strange. I keep my custom Caspian Arms Ltd. 1911, assembled by master gunsmith Stephan Hutton of Britainnia Sporting Arms of Portsmouth, N.H., on my nightstand.
Of course, I live alone except for my four-legged buddy, Maeve Dog.
But the pistol, a precision piece of work, almost a form of artistry in the hands of Mr. Hutton is for defense use, not for killing neighbors.
But it does assure me that if someone get past the 130-pound Maeve Dog, a Newfoundland, I can defend us both with the Black Talon style ammo I bought from Stan Chen's shop.
Archpriest Daniel+
Gun Control Encourages Firearms Crimes
Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire are among states with the lowest violent crime rates in the USA.
It certainly isn't because of tough gun control laws, like the People's Republic of Massachusetts.
As a native Vermoter, I grew up in a state that had virtually no gun control laws beyond those mandated by the feds.
In Maine, I had to take a well-taught safety course before getting my concealed carry permit. The Rumford Police processed my application quickly and four years later took care of my renewal even quicker.
Yes, I often take advantage of my permit and carry concealed my Caspian Arms custom 1911, not a cheap pistol at more than $1,500 for the parts and the assembly by master gunsmith Stephan Hutton of Brttania Sporting Arms of Portsmouth, N.H.
I have another 1911, a Rock Island Armory full sized, that is my house gun, along with my home protection-deer gun, a Mossberg 500 shotgun.
I hope I never have to fire a gun to protect myself, but I'm thankful Maine gives me that right.
Poland Cheerleader
Lindsay Tice wrote an informative story about tbe the dangers of concussions to young athletes, and yes, I do consider modern cheerleading to be a sport in and of itself.
Miss Doyer has gone through a very rough patch because of the after effects of the accident that occurred during one of her routines.
While I'm not writing to disccourage high school students from participating in sports, they and their parents should have the best information available so they can make an informed decision. It appears Miss Doyer and her mother got no information, much less the best.
Seatbelt Rollback Dead in Legislature
I am pleased the Legislature killed the seatbelt law rollback.
Frankly, I hate wearing a seatbelt, but in two serious accidents it saved me from serious injury and maybe even death.
If it had been rolled back to being a secondary offense _ where police couldn't stop a motorist just for a seatbelt violation _ I would probably wear my seatbelt far less than I do now. With not wearing a seatbelt as a primary offense, I almost always wear mine.
Death of Warden Pilot
May he rest in peace and may God bring comfort to his family. I'm always saddened when a lawman or lawwoman, firefighter or EMT dies in the line of duty, regardless of the cause.
Mass Notification Good Idea
In my opinion, the taxpayers of Oxford County will get their money's worth from this system. I have heard and seen reports of its use in other parts of the USA. For those of us who don't have the radio on all day, it may be the only way we would get warnings of a natural or man-made disaster, such as a chemical spill.
Woodcock Confirmation
As a former hunter who still buys a license each year, I'm pleased with the confirmation of Chandler Woodcock at commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
As a sportsman himself and as a former legislator who served son the fish and game committee, he is well qualified and his plans to control coyotes and rebuild the deer herd sound promising.
Wildlife Violator Compact
It makes complete sense to me for Maine to join the compact. We don't need slob hunters from out of state, whose hunting licenses have been taken away in their home states, bringing their bad habits to Maine.
Neither do we want to inflict Maine's illegal hunters on other states.
I am a strong supporter of hunters' rights as well as the right to keep and bear arms, but as Judy Miller pointed out, we are dependent on private landowners for hunting and fishing spots. Let's not mess it up so more folks post their land.
Rumford Welfare Votes
I, at least, to not mind helping our own in Rumford, people who have lived here or in neighboring towns for a number of years.
But I see a trend of folks moving here from Lewiston-Auburn and even Portland because of lower housing costs. Then, when they become ineligible for unemployment _ which Congress should have extended _ or other welfare benefits they "go on the town."
Back in my day, that meant getting your name printed in the town report. My mother, poor that we were, never sought welfare because of that stigma, and we had food on the table and a roof over our heads.
Maybe those pages should be added to the town report again.
Superheros
This was a well-written story. What this pair does isn't my cup of tea, but it seems they do more than crime fighting, such as helping the homeless and downtrodden. Good for them and good for Mrs. Skelton in providing her readers with a good story.
Concealed Carry Permit
I got mine in 2007 after being stalked by a female counselee on the internet and by phone.
The drill was pretty simple, take an NRA basic pistol course from a certified instructor at a cost of about $100, plus or minus, depending on the instructor, and then apply.
In a city or town with a police department, the permit is generally granted by the chief of police.
In towns with no police chief, in unorganized plantations or territories and for all non-residents, the permit is issued by the chief of the Maine State Police.
I got mine in 2007 and must renew it again next year.
I don't carry illegally.
Bert
I don't know Bert and did not realize the Saracens were active in Maine, but I wish Bert, in the spirit of Jesus this Holy Week, a quick recovery and that justice be meted out to the guilty.
Bert
I don't know Bert and did not realize the Saracens were active in Maine, but I wish Bert, in the spirit of Jesus this Holy Week, a quick recovery and that justice be meted out to the guilty.
History, not News
This story is so creaky it's history, no longer news.
History, not News
This story is so creaky it's history, no longer news.
I offer my sincere sympathies
I offer my sincere sympathies to the Ferguson family, as a Scot and a constituent. I also knew his father well when I worked at the Statehouse in Augusta in the 1970s. The elder Mr. Ferguson also was a fine gentleman and a friend of my late father-in-law.
The world of Oxford County politics has lost one of its great ones, as has Clan Ferguson and his immediate family.
The Rev. Msgr. Daniel Beegan
I need to go through a
I need to go through a criminal background check as part of the procedures for Police Chief Stacy Carter to issue me a concealed weapons carry permit. I have no problem with that as felons are, by and large, prohibited from owning firearms.
It is right that cab drivers, who often have the elderly and the disabled as passengers, have either no criminal record, or one that ended in the distant past. Mind you, any time I have taken a cab in Rumford, the driver has been polite, knowledgeable as to routes and fair on the fare.
I'm sure some people would
I'm sure some people would like to shut me up on this one, but I say bravo Bethel. I'd like to see Rumford, Mexico and Dixfield do the same.
In the case of the three towns, they'd have to band together to form a police district and then that district would have to negotiate with Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant for coverage.
This is in no way a reflection on the professionalism of the currently serving officers. It's likely to cost a bit less, keeping our property taxes from going out of sight.
Some of us with decent retirements are still having trouble paying all our bills in Rumford and Mexico.
Coastal Med Tech, a
Coastal Med Tech, a Maine-owned company headquartered in Ellsworth, also serves the area. I live in northern Oxford County and have been very happy with their service. I have an oxygen concentrator and a BIPAP machine from them, and they keep me supplied with supplies.
I am 100 percent physically disabled and this company, along with a personal support specialist from Home Care for Maine, are the chief reasons I can stay in my home with Medicare and a supplemental policy from Aetna through my former job. My medical bills are still hefty, but both companies try to keep their prices reasonable. And the state of Maine has been good to me on the home health aide, who is a hard worker and earns every penny. Her fill-in is also a fine worker. God bless them and supervisor Nancy.
Sadly this is not uncommon,
Sadly this is not uncommon, especially in small volunteer deparments. I don't know why. It's stupid and did no one any favors. It sounds as if one house especially provided foster kids a home. To quote the title of one of Great Aunt Alice Mary Kimball's poems, "God I Pity Them Children."
I would be honored to meet
I would be honored to meet Mr. Dackmine and even more honored to go hunting with him.
E-books should be priced to
E-books should be priced to reflect the decreased cost of resources, transportation, etc., but no lower. An author, and I know a couple, deserves to earn a living.
As a clergyman myself, I'm
As a clergyman myself, I'm always sorry to see a historic church close, but it's the reality of the times with declining membership and rising maintenance and heating costs.
I wish the Rev. Dr. Ami Sawtelle, whom I know as a veterinarian and Army officer, the best in her pastorship of the Methodist Church in Livermore Falls.
As a Rumford resident and a
As a Rumford resident and a basketball fan, I wish Dave Gerrish the best with the Dixfield Cougars.
Since I'm not a Rumford native, my interest is good competitive basketball and Dave will help assure that tradition in the River Valley continues.
My doctor, a skilled
My doctor, a skilled specialist in internal medicine, has said the swine flu may reach pandemic proportions, but probably won't be that much more severe than a seasonal flu. If that be true, those that have it will be too sick to riot, and the rest of the folk will be going about their daily business.
However, I always favor training for military and public safety personnel, and as Jolly Roger so aptly put it, this exercise could be useful for other purposes. I'll add to selectmen's meetings, the possible disruption of health care town halls by idots fro either extreme of the political spectrum.
I feel Karl Aromaa is a fine
I feel Karl Aromaa is a fine chief librarian and appreciate his hard work. If the project could have been done with 100 percent federal dollars I could have supported it. But as an early retiree on a fixed income, I couldn't support anything that would raise Rumford's property tax.
In addition, we don't know what the dellivery system for books will be in 20 years. We may all have electronic readers, similar to the Kindle now available from Amazon.com and bring those to the library to get them charged with books. That would cut space requirements considerably.