Controversy inside Androscoggin County government might be ending, but the movement to change how it’s managed should be just starting.On Wednesday, commissioners capitulated to Sheriff Guy Desjardins and permitted him to advertise, and hire, an additional patrol deputy. The issue has polarized the county, exposed rifts between the sheriff and commission and revealed the inherent […]

In the interest of public service, and seats, the Androscoggin County Commission should move its meetings to a larger venue. The board is scheduled to meet today inside its claustrophobic boardroom in the county building in Auburn.As the attention on county government has sharpened through the ongoing dispute between the commission and Sheriff Guy Desjardins, […]

The Maine Land Use Regulation Commission has made where it stands clear.In rejecting Maine Mountain Power’s proposal for 30 wind turbines on Redington Pond Range and Black Nubble Mountain earlier this year, LURC stated the project’s potential environmental damage outweighed its merits.It was a landmark decision, a stunning blow to alternative energy proponents. MMP now […]

From a regulatory perspective, Verizon’s sale of its Maine telecommunications system to Fairport Communications is a pick-your-poison scenario between companies tasked with delivering the state’s lofty telecom goals.Verizon is shedding its northern New England infrastructure – some 1.6 million telephone lines in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire – to focus on emerging technologies. Fairpoint, which […]

The annual number of all-terrain vehicle registrations in Maine have risen from approximately 33,000 to 62,000 since 1998. Annual injuries from their operation have also about doubled, from 161 to about 300.This means, according to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife figures, about one injury occurs for every 186 registered ATVs.Increased injuries are expected […]

After spending Mother’s Day in “two-thirds land” with its budget deliberations, the Legislature emerged from Memorial Day with momentum toward approving the total package.Lawmakers start deliberating the two-year, $6.4 billion budget today in the House, after the Appropriations Committee sealed the final details late last week.Included in the budget is hard-fought school administration reform that […]

So, why are Maine’s movies being made in Louisiana?Down East magazine, in its May edition, posed this question in chronicling the Pine Tree State’s challenges in landing major movie productions. The magazine found Maine’s financial incentives for filmmakers lag compared to its New England neighbors, which hurts its bargaining position.Greg Gadberry, assistant director of the […]

“Not [adhering to graduation standards] really undermines the school, and what the school is about,” said School Union 29 Superintendent Nina Schlikin, in comments made Thursday to the Sun Journal.Schlikin was speaking about McKyle Foster, a Poland Regional High School senior from Minot, who was disallowed by school administration from participating in today’s graduation ceremonies.Foster […]

Cars and bicyclists are territorial animals.Both feel ownership for the pavement below their tires, and are wary of trespassers. Rules exist on how they should share Maine’s roads, but not enough – on each side – know or respect them. Despite their differences, however, cars and bikes share a common enemy: high gasoline prices.Jeff Miller, […]

If Sen. Ethan Strimling wishes to gain attention for his fledgling campaign for Congress, he’s better served to scream “Fire!” into the crowded State House, rather than file legislation calling for impeachment of President Bush.At best, his bill, which the Portland Democrat filed Tuesday, is a political parlor trick, a pandering to his Democratic base […]