I would like to respond to Mary Jones’ Jan. 20 letter. She emphasizes the “power of the word,” but overlooks how that power was misused by our former president. He called reporters “enemies of the people.” He called a peaceful Black protester a “son of a bitch.” After the racist Charlotte “rally” resulting in the […]
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.
Posted inConnections
Service projects, events to celebrate Catholic Schools Week
PORTLAND — Activities organized to celebrate the fun, faith and family that define Maine’s Catholic schools highlight the Catholic Schools Week schedules across the state on Sunday through Saturday, Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, but teachers and administrators hope that it’s the ways in which the students will give back that will provide the most […]
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Posted inLetters, Opinion
James Cogan: Media is ‘prime pillar’ of freedom, democracy
Far from being the enemy of the people, the news media is a prime pillar of freedom and democracy. When the Sun Journal reports facts, it intends to present accurate information and generally succeeds. Likewise the information arms of the Washington Post, New York Times, Portland Press Herald, the Globe, the AP, the BBC, PBS, […]
Posted inConnections
Francophone women’s group meets online
LEWISTON — The Center for Wisdom’s Women invites all French-speaking women to join the community French conversation group now meeting remotely on Zoom at 5 p.m. every Wednesday. It is intended to be a (remote) gathering space for women to speak French together, and through doing so, share topics related to womanhood, culture, family and […]
Posted inConnections
Rotary Club announces line-up of winter monthly speakers
BRIDGTON — The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club is meeting virtually at 7:30 a.m. Thursdays through Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. The club has structured its meetings to allow for its many committees to share their plans, accomplishments and concerns with the whole membership at the beginning of each of four monthly meetings. However, it is […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Leonard Pitts Jr.: No way to ‘unite’ with racism, anti-Semitism or homophobia
Democracy is fragile, and we’ve come closer to losing it than any generation since Lincoln’s. We all should want to answer Biden’s call to save it. But we all should also understand that it cannot be and it will not be saved at the expense of those who have too often and for too long been shut out of America’s lofty ideals. We, too, sing America. Let the GOP learn to accept this. Then “unity” will take care of itself.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Celia McGuckian: ‘Mask reticence’ has nothing to do with Constitution
People sure get their knickers in a knot over the darnedest things. I just read in the Jan. 21 Sun Journal where public officials holding public meetings (Androscoggin County commissioners) don’t want to obey the state mandate to wear a mask because they think it’s “unconstitutional.” Seriously? So, by that logic, is having to obey […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Steven Goulet: Commissioners need to wear masks
Why the people of Androscoggin County voted in a new charter a few years ago is the big question. Citizens usually want a smaller government, but by voting in a new charter we got additional employees: from three commissioners to seven, and a full time administrator, all pulling salaries and benefits. Of course, with bigger […]
Posted inConnections
Community briefs for Tuesday, Jan. 26
Virtual Veteran Town Hall to explain vaccine efforts AUGUSTA — A Virtual Veteran Town Hall will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, hosted by the VA Maine Healthcare System, to explain the latest COVID-19 vaccine and efforts being planned to administer the vaccine. Those who join via Adobe Connect will have […]
Posted inConnections
Treat Memorial Library adds features to online catalog
LIVERMORE FALLS — Treat Memorial Library’s online catalog has some new features that will help patrons find more books. While searching titles, look under “Extra Data” for features such as information on the author, reviews, awards, reading level and book profiles. Readers may also click on “You May Also Like” to find books that are […]