100 years ago, 1918
The announcement of the drastic orders relating to the saving of fuel was received with a storm of protests and expressions of indignation by heads of many of the larger manufacturing plants of Lewiston and Auburn. They could not see wherein there could be any appreciable saving of fuel in mills and factories run by water power and which must be heated in cold weather to safeguard against damage by freezing. Many thought that blanket orders of such a character would work a grave injustice to manufacturing plants such as are located in these cities and depend almost entirely upon hydraulic power for their operation. If the local mills and factories are forced to close in accordance with the orders issued last night by Dr. Garfield, it is estimated that some 12,000 or 15,000 people in Lewiston and Auburn alone, will be made idle for the period of time such plants are closed, and that their financial loss thereby, in view or the abnormal prices, will result in great hardships to them. 

50 years ago, 1968
The directors of the Maine State Federation of Firefighters went on record at a meeting Saturday in Waterville to endorse efforts for a third bridge between Auburn and Lewiston. The federation stated that normally it does not take a stand on items of this type but felt public necessity calls for a third bridge from a safety standpoint. The endorsement of the action, now before the special session of the Maine Legislature, came unsolicited.

25 years ago, 1993
Members of the Auburn Parks and Recreation Advisory Board want the city’s Planning Board to be a little more forceful with developers to increase recreational options in new subdivisions. They have requested a meeting with the Planning Board to discuss the ordinance that allows them to offer recommendations when a developer proposes a new subdivision. The board can recommend either that the developer dedicate a piece of land to the city for recreation or that a fee be paid, however, the Planning Board is not obligated to follow the advisory board’s recommendations when it approves subdivisions.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors made at that time may be corrected.

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