Cheers and jeers from around the news:

• Cheers to Lewiston Mayor Laurent Gilbert, for casting the deciding vote to reject a continuation of the senseless moratorium on downtown business. The moratorium was unneeded; it neither saved downtown from hasty projects or afforded time for new strategies.

In the midst of an historic economic crisis, with interest rates reaching unbelievable lows to spur investment, the absolute last thing downtown Lewiston needed was a bureaucratically created and maintained obstacle to growth.

Some on the council wanted this moratorium to continue for an additional three months for some inexplicable reason. Kudos to Mayor Gilbert for having the good judgment to stop it as soon as possible, though still not soon enough for our taste.

• Jeers to whatever stars aligned to prevent Lewiston-Auburn from benefiting from a $5 million riverfront community development bond, awards that were announced by Gov. John Baldacci earlier this week.

Bangor was a big winner, garnering $675,000. Fourteen communities received development money; none, unfortunately, were along the Androscoggin River. What happened?

Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, sponsored the legislation that created the bond. Its aim – to provide matching funds for communities seeking to enhance access and recreational activities along their rivers – matches perfectly with goals of advocates and organizations from around this county, especially within the Twin Cities.

Certainly, the other communities that received funding have projects that are worthwhile. But for all the talk about utilizing the Androscoggin River as a linchpin for future community goals, how does the town of Grand Isle, population around 500, earn a grant award of $652,000 for a river project that must have trumped anything L-A or Androscoggin County had to offer?

This was a missed opportunity to kick-start riverside development that is often talked about, but so far unrealized. Local officials and river advocates should kick themselves.

• And finally, cheers and jeers to holiday greetings. Again, too much attention is being paid to the particular greetings, and not enough to the sentiments behind them.

Whether one says “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas” is inconsequential, if the extension of warmth and goodwill inherent in each phrase is genuine. Tripping over context and meaning, as it relates to personal or religious preference, avoids hearing the real message.

The holidays are times for joy, peace and happiness, when recognition of our individual blessings allows us to offer hope for the same to everyone we meet. The words themselves don’t matter, as long as what is said conveys those singular, important glad tidings.

So Happy Holidays everyone. And Merry Christmas.