My grandfather immigrated to this country with his surname spelled Jochmann. Donald Trump’s grandfather immigrated to this country with his surname spelled Drumpf. Like so many immigrants, their surnames were changed upon entry or shortly thereafter. Apparently this president finds it easy to forget his family’s past history and the opportunities afforded them upon acceptance. […]

I must politely disagree with the lead op-ed in last Sunday’s paper (July 13) that Sen. Susan Collins’ “belated courage” in voting against the Big Bad Bill was “better than nothing.” In my opinion, it’s worse than nothing, because it continues the senator’s practice of voting for the people’s interest only when it will mean […]

There’s a scene in the movie “The American President,” where the White House chief of staff (played by Martin Sheen) berates a White House advisor (played by Michael J. Fox), saying: “The president doesn’t answer to you…” Fox’s character responds by saying: “Oh, yes he does … I’m a citizen, this is my president. And […]

I was on the phone with the Auburn Town Hall again this week. I needed information on where exactly to dispose of 40-volt batteries. Here in Auburn, as with many Maine municipalities, such calls are routed through the town clerk’s office, where my questions are invariably answered quickly and factually. There are people in Maine […]