There aren’t many things Democrats and Republicans agree upon in this derisive political climate, but there does seem to be one: term limits.  Most Mainers do not believe in having career politicians in Washington. Maine voters have a chance to remove one of its career politicians from office in the November election.  Sen. Collins once […]

As a West Point graduate who served seven years as an Army helicopter pilot, and as the owner/operator of a small business, Bettyann Sheats has brought a background of practical experience and leadership to her service in the Maine House. As a mother, nonprofit volunteer, and longtime resident of Auburn, she has the knowledge and […]

Seeing yet another letter from a political candidate in my mailbox, I was tempted to throw it away — I’m glad I didn’t. Laurel Libby’s letter was personal and down to earth, free from political jargon and smear tactics. How refreshing. Ms. Libby recounted life lessons learned through quilting with her grandmother. She learned to […]

In 2009, I became the town manager in Bethel, following Scott Cole, who is now running for Oxford County commissioner. It was nice to step into an operation that was already running well. In the months and years to follow, I found Scott to be an encouraging professional who was always willing to answer questions, […]

There is a seriously misleading ad all over TV, radio and the internet that claims we would have paid 40 cents more per gallon of heating oil this winter because of a bill co-sponsored by Sara Gideon. Yes, Gideon did co-sponsor, along with a list of others, the bill as a way to bring it […]

I recently saw a Dave Duguay campaign ad and, on his advice, researched political candidates. I learned that Mr. Duguay, if re-elected, will receive lifetime health insurance as a 20-year part-time county politician. Wow. This policy was in place 16 years ago and approved by commissioners. So, if Dave Duguay is elected for another four […]

If anyone is wondering why so many questions about the Affordable Care Act are being thrown at Amy Coney Barrett, there’s no need to look further than the fact that the ACA itself comes before the Supreme Court only a week after the election. These last three weeks of the presidential campaign have been dominated […]

My 75 years demand that I speak. During the 2016 campaign, Donald Trump said if he could get away with something, that makes him smarter than everyone else, and that he likes to create chaos, then sit back and watch what happens. Along with his childish, on-stage antics, this was very telling of a sick […]

In the midst of the campaign and the push to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, we’re hearing again the term “originalism.” Some modern historical context: in 1971 tobacco lawyer Lewis Powell, soon appointed by Nixon to the Supreme Court, wrote a memo warning of the court trend protecting the civil rights of […]

Tears flow frequently now, as my dear sister, Cheryl, will be laid to rest in the family plot in Castine on Oct. 11. On May 17, her birthday, we chatted on the phone, as she was cheerfully adjusting well to an assisted living home, enjoying birthday gifts, watching spring birds, making new friends and staff […]