Twenty cents isn’t a lot of money.But when we’re talking about mill rates and property tax, even a reduction as small as 20 cents is good news.Lewiston is considering a proposal to privatize its landfill. According to City Administrator Jim Bennett, the change could save the city more than $37 million over the next 30 […]

President Bush delivered some tough news to the country Thursday night: His plan for Social Security includes significant cuts for many recipients.The news, however, was obscured by the rhetoric surrounding it.Bush said that the benefits of low-income workers would be protected, while the well-to-do could expect to see their benefits decline in relation to the […]

The people of Wilton are helping each other, formalizing a longtime New England tradition of neighbors watching out for neighbors.Embracing a community policing concept, Officer Bob Cole Jr. is organizing a “Hello Neighbor” calling network for residents to check up on their elderly and disabled neighbors. The network will consist of 20 to 30 volunteers […]

Psychopathic personality: An emotionally and behaviorally disordered state characterized by clear perception of reality except for the individual’s social and moral obligations and often by the pursuit of immediate personal gratification in criminal acts, drug addiction, or sexual perversion. – Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. While psychiatrists may quibble, the dictionary definition of psychopath should be accompanied […]

It was a year ago this week that pictures from Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq horrified the world.In the United States, the reaction to the horrible tale of abuse, torture and humiliation of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of U.S. soldiers prompted bipartisan outrage and calls for immediate answers.We know a lot more now than […]

Today is the 60th anniversary of the death of Adolf Hitler.The temptation to simply say good riddance to a mass murderer who threw the world into chaos is overwhelming. Hitler was defeated, driven to suicide as his empire crumbled before the combined forces of the Allies. Germany has been rebuilt into a free, democratic nation […]

During a workshop Monday night, the Auburn City Council took up the issue of “de-authorizing” a bond package approved last year to build a parking garage in the city.On the merits of the argument, proponents of moving forward with the bonds make a strong case. The garage is an anchor for further economic development, and […]

Perhaps, if the budget resolution developed by negotiations between the U.S. House and Senate lowered the deficit, we could understand the need to pass it.But it doesnt. The deal, as it has been described, includes $70 billion in tax cuts, most of which would be directed toward families making more than $200,000 a year and […]

Members of the Legislature should tread carefully when considering plans to overhaul Maine’s tax system.A plan floated this week by the two chairmen of the Taxation Committee, Sen. Joseph Perry and Rep. Richard Woodbury, has troubling elements.First, the proposal would greatly expand the application of the state’s sales tax while lowering it to 4 percent. […]

A State House rally is scheduled today to protect marriage from the purported radical homosexual agenda.Too bad for event planners, but marriage isn’t under assault.The rally is meant to build opposition to recently passed legislation that protects gays, lesbians and transgender individuals from discrimination. The law, which clearly says it’s not meant as a precursor […]