Gov. Paul LePage has correctly complained that Maine’s higher-than-average electric rates drag down our state’s economy. While Maine has the lowest rates in New England, we are still far higher than Southern and Midwestern states that burn coal to produce electricity. One of the reasons these plants operate so cheaply is that they export their […]
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EDITORIAL: Special thoughts to reawaken the Christmas spirit
If December seems a blur of parking lots, bargain hunting and gift wrapping, here’s a bit of wit and wisdom, a Christmas card from us to you. *** “At Christmas, all roads lead home.” — Marjorie Holmes “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” — Roy L. […]
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Some cheers, lumps of coal for newsmakers
In keeping with the holiday spirit, or the lack thereof for some folks, this look back at the week’s news features cheers and — instead of jeers — lumps of coal. Cheers to the kind-hearted if anonymous donors who paid off dozens of layaway tabs Wednesday at the Kmart in Auburn. The donors paid off […]
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Congress hits a new low and is headed lower
Congress must have been very disappointed Tuesday when a Gallop poll found that 11 percent of Americans still think it’s doing a good job. “Blast it all!” House Speaker John Boehner probably told his colleagues. “Sweet beet molasses,” Senate President Harry Reid likely muttered under his breath. The two have been working so hard this […]
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Online readers react to special Somali report
Here’s a look at what several in our online community had to say about a Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 special report by Staff Writer Andy Cullen examining 10 years of African immigration to Lewiston. “Multiculturism is pretty new to this area. Ten years is not a long time. So it isn’t surprising to find […]
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Massive project has given Maine’s economy a boost
Maine has benefited handsomely over the past three years by a little known economic stimulus program that involves private rather than public money. The $1.4 billion Maine Power Reliability Program is one of the largest construction projects in the state’s history, and it will continue boosting Maine’s economy through 2015. A big part of that […]
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L-A’s image is of two cities working together
One of our online readers quipped last week that the best way for Lewiston to solve its image problem would be to stop talking about its image problem. Brilliant. Our low self-esteem has certainly been on parade recently. The high-profile mayoral race, which ended last week, focused more on what’s wrong with Lewiston than what’s […]
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A look back at the week’s news
As the calendar steadily marches toward Hanukkah, Christmas Day and — then — the new year, cheers to all who have embodied the holiday spirit with the real work of raising money for food, fuel and gifts for families who truly need their community’s support as winter descends. The Salvation Army is seeing less money […]
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War over, a grateful nation says ‘thanks’
The ceremony is over, the flag has been cased and U.S. combat soldiers will be out of Iraq within two weeks. A grateful nation now turns to thanking the 1.5 million Americans who served there, including the 30,000 who were injured and the 4,500 who died. Today, we salute them all, as well as their […]
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Great leaders overcome their angry impulses
Books have been written about leadership skills, but war leader and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had very concise advice: “In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill.” Magnanimity comes from the Latin root magn (great) and animus (generous). In other words, a person showing great generosity. Goodwill is, of course, […]