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.
Crystal Ward: LePage, Poliquin not friends of retirees
I call attention to retired and working educators in MainePERS. In 2011 Gov. Paul LePage and state Treasurer Bruce Poliquin led the charge to lower pensions received by retired people in MainePERS. LePage, Poliquin and Republicans cut, capped and froze the earned benefits. This resulted in capping the cost-of-living-adjustment at 3% (9.1% this year). COLA […]
Rudolph Ziehm: Winner served U.S. better than justice served her
I’m wondering how a veteran with a distinguished record, one Reality Winner (yes, that is a real person) got five years in jail, for one file removal from a secure place. Could it be the law pertains only to people not named Donald Trump? So far it has, for over 70 years and counting. The […]
Terri Letourneau: Hoke ‘a great choice’ for House District 76
In our political climate today, where the only choice seems to be sharp-edged, angry, bellowing candidates, I am pleased to say that in the race for Maine House District 76 we now have a solution — Tamara Hoke. Tamara is a soft-spoken, unassuming, humble individual, yet balanced by her intelligence, commitment and desire to make […]
Cal Thomas: Immigration and roosting chickens
The saying “the chickens have come home to roost” seems to apply to the immigration policies of the Biden Administration, sanctuary cities and states.
Scott Currie: Sheats is right Senate candidate with right experience
I’m writing in support of Bettyann Sheats’ candidacy in the state Senate District 20 election. The towns of Auburn, Durham, Minot and New Gloucester would be very well served with her as a senatorial legislator. Bettyann’s experience is perfect for this leadership role: as a West Point graduate, her years of service in the U.S. […]
Ellen Field: Trump-supporting Republicans ‘defending the indefensible’
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is full of malarkey when he says that former President Trump’s theft of secret classified documents was a “storage” issue. Those files never belonged to Trump, and he had no right to remove them. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was acting in a perfectly legal manner. What was in the empty […]
Andrea Breau: Rotundo serves, inspires Lewiston people
When I entered Lewiston High School, Peggy Rotundo took a seat on the Lewiston School Committee. When I headed north to college, she went north to the Maine State Senate. The year I started grad school, she became a state representative. These trajectories are not coincidental. As a woman born and raised in Lewiston now […]
Stan Tetenman: DA candidate Rabasco offers new ideas to change system
Ed Rabasco is a lifelong resident of the Lewiston, Auburn and Poland area. He has practiced law for 35 years, representing Maine residents from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds in Oxford, Franklin and Androscoggin counties. Ed has served as moderator for Poland town meetings for 15 years and is a member of the […]