There are 195 countries in the world. So, which country does Auburn’s city manager, economic development manager and mayor decide upon as the most meaningful place to promote Auburn’s “business friendly” environment? The answer to that question is: China. Yes, the very same China that President Donald Trump is choosing to impose massive economic sanctions […]
Alan Whitman
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Ranked-choice voting not for me
Ranked-choice voting is not for me, and it shouldn’t be the election methodology anywhere in the state of Maine. The Maine state constitution requires a plurality of votes for a win because it forces the two top contenders to face off in a battle of ideas in a public forum for the benefit of a […]
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Posted inLetters, sj-web
Merger won't produce savings
I ask myself why nobody favoring the “merger” is talking about a savings for the taxpayers. No talk about a reduction in the unrealistic assessed values; no reduction in the insanely high mil rate and no corresponding reduction in taxes, resulting in no savings for the people. When the One LA campaign talks about “savings” […]
Posted inLetters
What motivates Charter Commission?
This is in response to Carl Sherline (letter, May 4). Simply asking the question “what possibly could the Joint Charter Commission members gain?” does not legitimize their cause. Old men with big egos who have a need to establish their legacy by imposing their half-baked ideas on an uninterested population could be one possible explanation […]
Posted inLetters
A. Whitman: Better voter turnout would help
Auburn has not experienced any growth for years. School populations and home values are stagnant or dropping and high-paying jobs are not to be found. Yet, once again, the voters of Auburn will be presented with the yearly insult of an ever-increasing school budget delivered by school administrators who lack any ability to limit spending […]
Posted inLetters
A. Whitman: Residents cannot afford it
“Gentlemen, we have run out of money, now we have to think.” That quote has been attributed to Winston Churchill but is certainly an apt description of the condition here in Auburn. The City Council has not identified any significant new revenue stream for this year, or for any point in the foreseeable future, yet […]