The statement from our town government condemning the recent hate crime was empty optics if it is not coupled with continued action and meaningful change.
Alex Lear
Staff Writer
Alex Lear is a lifelong Mainer who has spent 25 years in journalism -- the first 20 as a reporter for newspapers in Damariscotta and Falmouth, then as Opinions section editor for the Sun Journal and now a digital producer with the Maine Trust for Local News. His long-running “Learics” column won first place in the Maine Press Association’s 2023 Better Newspaper Contest. He and his wife Lauren are kept young by their 9-year-old daughter Alaina. Send feedback and suggestions to Alex.
Froma Harrop: Free speech needs muscle
When hecklers prevented an invited speaker from addressing an audience at Stanford’s law school, what could have been a peaceful protest turned into an act of verbal violence. It’s easier to stop people from crossing these boundaries when you’ve established boundaries.
George Fogg: Citizens’ taxes pay for ‘horrendous’ government agency errors
The news has a great example of government stupidity and waste. We have a multi-million dollar agency in Washington called the Environmental Protection Agency that is supposed to watch out for and protect us from products that are harmful to our health and lives before being affected, not after. On March 29 the state of […]
Robert Brundage: Anti-abortionists should put love, money alongside convictions
To those who are anti-abortion, I have one question: where is the money coming from to raise these unwanted children? And how many anti-abortion people are willing to adopt and raise these children to adulthood? Can those people imagine what it would have been like for them if their parents hadn’t wanted them? I for […]
Joe Voisine: Biden has run U.S. with a blank check
Government incompetence is not an option when it comes to protecting our future. President Biden continues to lie about out-of-control inflation, saying it’s only temporary. Banks are going under. No need to panic. People’s retirement savings are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. They’re also getting 0.01% interest on their savings […]
Ben Lounsbury: A view of traffic at proposed Gracelawn Road development
People have probably driven past the proposed Gendron development site near Lake Auburn that has generated so much legal and zoning controversy. As I read the application, I am immediately struck by the volume of traffic predicted by the developers. The language and numbers are quoted exactly below: “The proposed development is anticipated to produce […]
Anne Ceplikas: Mayor has ‘outrageous’ vision of Auburn
Mayor Jason Levesque is trampling the wishes of Auburn citizens. We need low income housing, not “market rate” apartments on every corner. His vision of affluent Auburn is outrageous. Anne Ceplikas, Auburn