An article on the Auburn Planning Board’s Oct. 11 meeting (“Auburn Planning Board gives favorable recommendation for watershed density change,” Oct 12) noted that a member of that board had stated “somewhere along the line we’ve confused development with protecting our water source.” That surprised me. The reason being, I graduated 62 years ago from […]
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.
In rebuttal: Doug Bradbury: Guns are dangerous, treat them as such
I disagree with Mark LaFlamme (“Gun violence in Lewiston-Auburn: Don’t blame constitutional carry,” Oct. 11). We can blame a lot of the gun violence on letting any idiot that wants to lug a loaded gun in their pocket do so. One law won’t cure everything. If the concealed permit law were still in effect, the […]
Pat Reynolds Regan: McLean offers experience to tri-county DA post
The citizens of Androscoggin/Oxford/Franklin counties are fortunate to have two honorable candidates running for district attorney. The job of a district attorney requires much more than being a trial attorney. The budget is governed by three sets of county commissioners, temporary grants, and the Attorney General’s Office. I have known and worked with Deputy District […]
Ben Chin: Wabanaki tribes should benefit from future federal laws
I’m grateful that U.S. Rep. Jared Golden sponsored HR 6707, which ensures Wabanaki tribes benefit from future federal laws, just like other federally recognized tribes. I also hope U.S. Sen. Angus King does the same. For more than 40 years, Wabanaki tribes in Maine have been unable to benefit from over 151 federal laws, missing […]
Sharon and Jeff Hadley: Vote Brown for Oxford County sheriff
Justin Brown serves as lieutenant of the criminal investigation division, having worked for the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office over 22 years. He is a local man. We saw firsthand how he handles issues. He is professional, but has a down-to-earth approachable demeanor and knows how to get results. That’s why we are supporting Justin. Sharon […]
Langston Snodgrass: Craven ‘very much’ deserves re-election to state House
Margaret Craven is the District 93 representative to the Maine House. District 93 is now largely west of Central Avenue and north of Sabattus. She very much deserves to be re-elected. Margaret has demonstrated great ability to get things done. She has the ability to work “across the aisle” to get legislation passed. She brings […]
Paul Parquette: Cloutier a representative for all
I was so grateful to hear Rep. Kristen Cloutier has decided to run for House District 94. My only complaint is that my neighbors and I were not included in her new district after redistricting was done. After many years on the job as a school bus driver, I found myself unemployed because of the […]
Stan Tetenman: Republican Party leaves much to be desired
As a party, Republicans leave a lot to be desired. The Conservative Political Action Conference invited the Hungarian autocrat, Viktor Orban, to speak. Many Republicans praise him. The Maine Republican platform wants to eliminate the state income tax, prevent any talk in schools about transgender students, not just in early grades but through high school. […]
Ralph Tuttle: Kudos to EL class of ’51 for naming arts center after Gay
Hats off to the Edward Little High School Class of 1951 for its wonderful gift memorializing the school’s late great music director, Donald Gay. By naming the new performing arts center in his honor, the graduates have shown the importance of arts programming to the community. Ralph Tuttle, Auburn