Early this month we called on Maine Treasurer Bruce Poliquin to end the accusations and suppositions and release the timber management plan crafted for his waterfront property in Georgetown. We do so again. As questions continue to mount about the propriety of having 10 acres of personal property protected by a preservation deed that bans […]
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Getting the vote right is what counts
Last September, Maine GOP Chairman Charlie Webster told The Huffington Post that his campaign to require advance voter registration was a simple matter of drawing attention to “loosey goosey liberal” voting laws in Maine. Those laws, Webster said, make it possible for undocumented immigrants — from Canada — to cross the border and “influence the […]
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There is no excuse for driving drunk
Former acting director of the State Planning Office, Richard Swanson Jr., was arrested in Waterville late Monday night and charged with operating under the influence. In explaining himself to the Waterville Sentinel, Swanson acknowledged he “blew a 0.11 (blood-alcohol level),” but reminded the reporter that “there was a time when that wasn’t even over the […]
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Swipe welfare cheats off the system
In 1996, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony picked up a Grammy Award nomination for its hit single, “1st of Tha Month,” an ode to welfare recipients’ celebration of the magical moment when government checks arrived — when a new infusion of cash was available to spend as they pleased. When the song hit the airwaves, government “checks” were […]
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Cleaning out the inbox: Cheers and cheers.
Today, local people will have the opportunity to see Lewiston’s Lisbon Street through the eyes of the City’s Youth Advisory Council in a film it produced titled “Cool Happenings on Lisbon Street.” The film, produced in conjunction with Great Falls Television, will debut today at 2:30 p.m. at Downstage, L/Arts, 5 Canal Street Alley. The […]
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Turning back the clock on social care
On Tuesday, Gov. Paul LePage urged Republican lawmakers to wield their majority clout and pass his budget proposal, forcing deep and painful cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services to meet a $220 million projected shortfall. Working under that pressure, early on Wednesday members of the Appropriations Committee unanimously voted on a compromise […]
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An impassioned, diverse dialogue on wind power
Our online readers responded with vigor to Sunday’s editorial regarding major investments — infrastructure, jobs, consulting services, etc., — the wind industry has made in Maine in the past decade. Most of the response — but not all — was critical of the industry — and equally critical of any acknowledgement of wind investment. ? […]
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Wind power: $1 billion and growing
In Washington and Augusta there’s been much debate about energy and energy policy in recent days. Gov. Paul LePage and President Barack Obama — on the very same night — made energy production a significant component of speeches addressing the State of the State and the State of the Union, respectively. Not surprisingly, the president, […]
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NFL exercising influence to protect students
Tomorrow evening, as you huddle around the big-screen TV to watch the Pats battle the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, take a moment to cheer the National Football League for its work to promote legislation to help manage student athlete head injuries. NFL Hall of Famer and former Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett was in Maine […]
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Secrecy offers the ‘gift’ of accusations
Maine State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin is having a Mitt Romney moment. Under fire for placing 10 acres of his 12.3-acre Georgetown property in so-called tree growth, Mr. Poliquin has been reluctant to answer the accusation that — perhaps — he doesn’t qualify for the property-tax break. The Forest Management and Harvest Plan filed in his […]