MaineCentric, an Auburn company that lost out during the bidding for the state’s liquor distribution contract, is appealing the decision.

Augusta-based Maine Liquors also is challenging the outcome.

The appeal is wholly appropriate and should be embraced by the state – and by the Massachusetts firm, Martignetti Co., which won the lucrative contract.

Talk of privatizing liquor sales and distribution in Maine goes back decades and involves huge sums of money. The state stands to earn $125 million from the contract upfront, plus yearly payments based on sales.

With so much money at stake and the administration under assault for awarding the contract to an out-of-state company, it’s important to make sure the bid process was fair, deliberative and accurate.

The appeals should receive a full public hearing, and the results should be available for review.

After a thorough and complete review of the decision and the process leading to it, the public can be satisfied that no mistakes were made and that everything is on the up and up.


For service


Taking a stand can be extremely difficult. The history books are full of stories about good people who turned away during difficult or dangerous times.

Lewiston High School senior Ben Mendelson made a different choice.

When white supremacists targeted Lewiston for a rally, Mendelson and a group of other students took it upon themselves to stand up. The students visited every English class at their school, facing their peers and answering questions. The time spent in dialogue helped ease the racial tensions.

That took guts.

Mendelson is being recognized for his efforts. He is one of two students in Maine who will receive the 2004 Spirit of Community Award. He will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C., where he will be awarded a medallion.

Congratulations on the award, and thanks for your efforts on behalf of the community.
Stone cold


It’s carved in stone now.

Swirling around Auburn’s new city hall is a great debate. But, frankly, we think the city needs to look forward, not backward – or is it backwards?

Engraved on the city’s refurbished hall, Auburn’s motto is there for all to see, or at least soon will be: “No Steps Backwards.”

Only that ain’t quite it. According to a city ordinance dating back to 1951, the actual translation of the Latin “Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum” is “No Steps Backward.”

Webster’s College Dictionary, fourth edition, supports the

“s”-less variation. But the writing is on the wall. It looks like the

“s”-es have it.

Wes can’ts sees changings thes stoneworks, buts maybes wes shoulds thinks abouts changings thes ordinances sos ats leasts theys matchs.


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