Bettyann Sheats continues to proudly, effectively serve the people of this community. In her second term as the District 64 representative, Sheats proves every day that experience and ability to collaborate matter. In the past two years, this fiscally responsible West Point graduate and Army helicopter pilot veteran, has helped add $37 million to 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.
Anne Allen: Zoombombing incident shows antisemitism’s presence
This past weekend, I experienced Zoombombing. On Saturday during Temple Shalom’s Rosh Hashanah service on Zoom, the holiday service was viciously disrupted by people intent on terrorizing. We were verbally assaulted with antisemitic hate speech, screamed profanity and accosted with references to Hitler and gas chambers. They singled out some of our members in horrific […]
Peter Wright: Time to redesign ‘shark like’ loans to hospitals
Current MAAPP loan repayment terms dictate that hospitals will lose their Medicare fee-for-service payments from the day they begin repayment until they have repaid their loans in full. This is bad policy.
Julie Dodd: Support Libby for state representative
Maine has been a wonderful state to raise a family in, especially due to the freedom to choose the best education for our children, whether that was public, private, or homeschooling. More than ever, parents are evaluating which is best for their families, and many are choosing homeschooling. Yet for the first time in 32 […]
Jeff Parsons: Scott Cole for Oxford commissioner
I am writing to express my support for Scott Cole for Oxford County commissioner, an independent candidate. I have known Mr. Cole for over 20 years as both a town manager and member of the Bethel community. He did a great job for us as a smart, no-nonsense guy who spoke his mind while respecting […]
Wayne Gallant: Vote Scott Cole for commissioner
Scott Cole is running for Oxford County commissioner this fall. I worked with him for eight years during our time together at the county. I did not always agree with him, but was always impressed with his knowledge of the many issues in county government and beyond, and his ability to stand on facts and […]
Connie Larochelle: Martha Poliquin for state Senate
I am writing to express my strong support for Martha Poliquin as a candidate for Maine Senate District 22. Martha is the person we need to represent us. She is incredibly knowledgeable and hardworking. In the time I worked with her on the Lisbon School Committee I was very impressed with her integrity, ability and […]
Lindie LeClair: Neighbors no longer helping neighbors
When I moved from the small town of Minot I never worried about my mom receiving help from neighbors, as it was always the thing I thought I could count on. Now 30 years later, I am moving back to Minot to assist my mom since her Alzheimer’s diagnoses in 2018. I have called the […]
Patricia Bernard: Keep Collins in Congress
I feel, on balance, Susan Collins has done a good job. Voters should go back and look at her reasoning for approving Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. I don’t remember him voting against women. I may be mistaken, but the court simply sent the issue back to the state. Seniority is power in the Senate. […]