Law enforcement will tell you that it’s far better to keep kids away from crime in the first place, rather than to try and reform those kids after they become involved with the criminal justice system.
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.
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Posted inLetters, Opinion
Mike McClellan: Proposed abortion legislation betrays Gov. Mills’ words
I attended the Speak Up For Life Event held at East Auburn Baptist Church about one month ago. Rep. Laurel Libby of Auburn invited her church to come learn how to interact with the Maine Legislature, in great part due to Gov. Janet Mills proposing an abortion bill that would equate Maine with North Korea […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Rich Lowry: Our Dickensian border policy
The New York Times details how so-called unaccompanied minors end up “in some of the most punishing jobs in the country.” The Times found: “Twelve-year-old roofers in Florida and Tennessee. Underage slaughterhouse workers in Delaware, Mississippi and North Carolina. Children sawing planks of wood on overnight shifts in South Dakota.”
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Val Zapolsky: State should consider results of private school funding
I write in reference to the Sun Journal’s March 7 article by Steve Collins, “Bill would require audits of private schools that receive public tuition.” As a parent of children who attended public as well as private schools, I would like to suggest that instead of requiring a financial audit of private schools to justify […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Wesley Ryder: Extra fee for paying taxes with credit card ‘exorbitant’
I am a senior citizen, an Auburn taxpayer, and am 86 years old. Since mobility is difficult with arthritis, and I use a walker, I only leave my home to see a doctor, needing much help. With the arrival of March 1, I needed to pay my city taxes. A family friend went to the […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
John Neal: Our Power initiative deserves Mainers’ support
It’s beyond outrageous that Central Maine Power is now using the profits from its recent egregious and painful rate hike to blanket the airwaves, bombarding us with advertisements opposing a public takeover of Maine’s power grid — an unbelievable eight months before the referendum is even to be held. And the company wonders why people […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Cal Thomas: A different narrative on Jan. 6?
Fox News host Tucker Carlson recently aired on his show portions of the Jan. 6, 2021 video footage he received from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Carlson claims the previously unseen video shows a broader picture than the narrow one crafted by the House Select Committee.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Bob Neal: The Countryman: Eventually, the dominoes will fall
Instead of mouthing the Russian line as if they were Fox “News” commentators, Maine Republicans, not to mention national Republicans, ought to be supporting the defense of Ukraine. Even if it’s only by passing a sentiment of the Legislature.
