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Jeremy Record is a caring, responsible 10-year-old who was credited Wednesday with helping his grandmother’s neighbor after the man fell off a ladder.

Not only did Record run for help as soon as 51-year-old Daniel Waite fell, he then went to the man to comfort him, shielding his eyes from the bright sun, and later assisted first responders in treating the man, holding an IV bag while rescuers loaded Waite into an ambulance.

Record lives in Leeds, but he was visiting his grandmother in Canton on Wednesday afternoon when he heard Waite fall.

Waite suffered a broken hip and internal injuries, and Record knew enough not to try to move the man and to talk to him to help keep him conscious while emergency personnel rushed to the scene.

It was an impressive show of maturity. A real cool-under-pressure performance.

Cheers to young Record for his fast-thinking and humane response.

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Cheers to Auburn Mayor Dick Gleason and Councilor Mike Farrell for halting public discussion of a personnel matter at Monday’s City Council meeting.

Complaints against personnel are protected discussions under Maine’s Freedom of Access Act unless and until a final disciplinary action is taken against that employee.

Earlier this month, Councilor Ray Berube read a letter of complaint against City Manager Glenn Aho aloud at a council meeting, a letter that made some pretty serious accusations. Reading that letter into the public record was improper, and Gleason and Farrell were good to stop a second attempt to read another letter this week.

No matter what one may think of Aho, his policies or his supervisory skills, he is an employee and entitled to protection under the law.

If councilors are getting complaints, as Councilor Dan Herrick alleges, then the council is obliged to afford the same personnel protections to Aho as it would to the most beloved employee of the city.

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The law demands it.

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Chris Larochelle is fortunate enough to have good friends and an amazing family.

Larochelle, who lives in Lisbon, was born with spina bifida, a condition that has destroyed the use of his legs. Despite that obstacle, Larochelle holds a regular lawn-mowing job at Sabattus Disc Golf.

It’s a job that the 24-year-old enjoys, but he’s not able to climb aboard the John Deere mower himself. So, until several weeks ago, fellow employees lifted him into the seat to mow, and then lifted him back down into his wheelchair when he was done, which took real effort.

But, Larochelle’s employer, Peter Ruby, is a family friend and is committed to enabling Larochelle’s employment and making sure the young man is engaged in his community.

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So, as the Sun Journal reported on Tuesday, with the help of Work Opportunities Unlimited and tremendous support from friends and family, a lift was installed at the Sabattus site that gives Larochelle the power to hoist himself onto the mower and get to work, virtually unassisted.

This opportunity gives disc course employees a break and enables Larochelle to be more independent.

It’s a real success story of work ethic and love. Cheers to all involved.

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The opinions expressed in this column reflect the views of the ownership and editorial board.

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