100 years ago, 1914
Large signs defining the limits of the hospital zone and warning drivers to go slow and with minimum noise will be placed 800 feet both sides on Main street near Central Maine General and on Pine and Sabatis streets in the vicinity of the Ste. Marie’s hospital. These signs will read, HOSPITAL ZONE – AUTOS GO SLOW – MAKE NO NOISE. The action comes from the order of Mayor Wiseman and the patrolmen will be instructed to enforce the order to the letter. Complaints of noise both by residents and the hospital management have come to the mayor office and the mayor will put a stop to the racing up Main street with the cutouts on and the engine barking like a Gatling gun.

50 years ago, 1964
Preparation of a bicycle ordinance which would require such vehicles to be inspected and registered each year is being contemplated by Auburn Police Chief Alton E. Savage. In the monthly report of departmental activities, Chief Savage notes: “Six vehicles were involved with children on bicycles. It appears that we must seek the assistance of parents in teaching these youngsters bicycle safety. I plan to present the model bicycle ordinance to the City Council and ask their approval of this ordinance which would require that all bicycles be inspected and registered, beginning in 1965.

25 years ago, 1989
The mayoral races in Lewiston and Auburn promise to be lively this November, with four candidates in each city eyeing seats. But all those expressing interest so far are men. Lewiston in its history has had only one female mayor, Lillian Caron, and Auburn has never had any. Only three women have ever held City Council seats in Lewiston and only two councilors in Auburn have been women. Why are so few women in higher municipal offices in the Twin Cities? Area women who are either in local government now or have been in it in the past suggest a number of reasons, ranging from the types of jobs women hold, not granting them enough flexible time, to women’s dislike of the combative nature of city politics.