I support Jan Collins as a candidate for state Senate District 17. In 2018, I followed the race between her and Russell Black, attending numerous presentations by both candidates. Mr. Black was civil and approachable, but his legislative record disturbs me. Three times he approved tax cuts for wealthy Mainers, yet he voted against increasing […]
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 inOp-Eds, Opinion
Cal Thomas: The Hispanic vote
MIAMI — Hispanics are 60% of the population of Miami-Dade County, according to the U.S. Census. In the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton won Hispanic votes here by a margin of about 290,000, which was not enough to win the state for her. An NBC News/Marist poll last month showed President Trump with a 50% to […]
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Posted inLetters, Opinion
Kerry Read: Branch is leader Senate District 19 needs
I have lived in South Paris since 1997. After my son graduated from Oxford Hills High School in 2012, I moved, briefly, out of state. But my Maine roots proved too deep to ignore, and I came back — to home. When I did, I found something new in our community. Supported by the Oxford […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Leonard Pitts Jr.: Trump’s order discourages discussion of race, gender
“I didn’t know.” Those were the first words my friend, a white guy named Dave, spoke to me the day after the first episode of “Roots,” which depicted the capture and enslavement of an African boy named Kunta Kinte. This was 43 years ago. So you can perhaps imagine my frustration last year when the […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Charlotte Bogue: Support for Jared Golden
I recently contacted Jared Golden concerning the fiscal effect on the Farmington economy brought by the July 21 raid on several marijuana growing operations. Golden’s office responded this week. The man was very well versed on the events, having read all the newspaper articles and researching court records, etc. I wrote every state elected official […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Ronald Pineau: Questioning Sen. Collins’ integrity
Yesterday, I watched an ad from Sen. Collins about her integrity and it irritated me. In the ad she talks about her integrity and support for Mainers. This struck me as unbelievable. Here’s why. In February when the pandemic was just beginning, the president was spreading misinformation about its possible severity. At the time, health […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Steve Dyment: Reelect Dolloff to House District 115
I would like to ask the voters of state House District 115 to reelect Josanne Dolloff at the polls or by absentee ballot. Josanne is doing a fantastic job representing the district under some pretty tough conditions. She listens to her constituents and responds to concerns. She works with our businesses, unemployed veterans, elderly and […]
Posted inConnections
Area firefighters graduate from training academy
BRUNSWICK — Twenty-seven Maine firefighters have graduated from the Maine Fire Service Institute’s Officer Training Academy after completing rigorous training to prepare them for leadership roles at fire departments across the state. A small graduation ceremony with appropriate safety precautions was held Oct. 2 at the Augusta Civic Center. The Maine Fire Service Institute is […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Jim Merrill: ‘Full support’ for Sheats
Rep. Bettyann Sheats is a dedicated legislator (District 64), as well as an honorable and dedicated veteran who works diligently to support her fellow veterans. She carries the torch for various veterans’ causes, especially homelessness, lack of transportation, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide prevention. As a Vietnam veteran I know how critical these issues are. […]