The Christian Civic League of Maine may blame intimidation for stymieing its campaign to repeal equal rights laws, but its downfall was more from its support, not its opposition.Equal rights proponents had no better weapon against the league than the league itself, as it was its fiery rhetoric – not scare tactics from equality groups […]

Unity inside Rumford’s town government about co-management with Mexico is crumbling, despite several strong statements of support from officials. The turnabout has come quickly.For example, Frank DiConzo, the new board vice-chairman, who has extolled his long-term support for regional services, said in early May that co-management with Mexico puts “butterflies in his stomach.”Now, it seems […]

In 1989, the facts pointed to Dennis Dechaine as the killer of 12-year-old Sarah Cherry. They still do.Dechaine supporters argue the essence of his case instills doubt about his guilt.The facts, though, are incontrovertible.Given this, it was striking that three Maine Supreme Judicial Court justices used the essence of the law, rather than facts of […]

In 1989, Maine’s per capita income ranked 28th nationally, a watershed placement reflected upon by economists as a period of prosperity. Mainers’ incomes fell to 39th in 2006, the lowest ranking since 1985. Actual incomes, however, were steady; only the ranking moved, as other states outpaced Maine’s growth.Or, rather, its lack of it.“There was no […]

Lewiston voters made a sensible choice on June 10 by changing the city’s irrational petition rules.Under the old method, petitions to challenge council actions were only “distributable” within City Hall, and couldn’t cross the threshold into the community-at-large. The policy was unfair at best and un-American at worst.Cloistering petitions to challenge municipal decisions inside City […]

In the post-mortem of youth-adult dialogues in Lewiston, an interesting statistic has emerged: 98 percent of the participants said their understanding of the other’s attitudes and beliefs increased from the exercise.The program was called YADA, for Youth + Adults + Dialogue = Action. Dozens of volunteers met at the Lewiston Public Library for a series […]

New England sports fans are getting as spoiled as an only child. After years of perfectly honing the image of a kicked underdog resigned to adversity, an unprecedented string of championships is changing everything.The Patriots, this year notwithstanding, are bordering on dynastic. The Red Sox, after decades of losing, not only swept one World Series, […]

She was tireless. Determined. Inspirational. Intelligent. Kind. Strong.She will be buried today, and she will be missed.Pauline “Polly” Parker Ouimet was the first female manager in the Sun Journal newsroom, and a leader in Maine’s journalism community. Her lifetime achievements have earned her an entirely deserving spot in the Maine Press Association’s Hall of Fame. […]

In an editorial published Saturday, the Maine Turnpike Authority was cited as closing I-295 for construction. The decision was made by the Maine Department of Transportation. It was an editorial writer’s error.

Degradation of tribal-state relations in Maine – beyond gambling, of course – has less to do with money, and more to do about respect.As a funding source, the state of Maine is a faint entry on tribal ledgers. Forestry, gaming and federal support provide the greatest revenue to tribes. The tribal-state relationship is, on the […]