By Rep. Nicole Grohoski I may be one of the only Mainers with some positive memories of the Ice Storm of ’98. My parents and I ate by candlelight, played games and propped up ice-laden tree branches around our house. I was in high school and our midterms were canceled! Oh, and we had a …
SCENE: Maine House of Representatives. CLOSE SHOT: Governor Janet Mills at the podium. Aaaand, ACTION. Governor Mills begins her “State of the Budget” address. “In this budget there are no tax increases. There are no gimmicks. There are no negative balances. This budget is pro-growth. It is pro-jobs. It is pro-people.” VOICE FROM OFFSTAGE: “…outrageous…” …
As reported in last week’s American, eligible students often are not taking advantage of subsidized and free school lunch programs. And it’s not because they’re not hungry. Part of the problem is parents failing to fill out the application for free or reduced lunch. Whether it’s pride or disorganization getting in the way, the result …
Governor Janet Mills has unveiled her proposed two-year state budget, one budget that she dubs the “HOPE Budget,” an acronym denoting its objectives: health, opportunity, prosperity and education. But the hope doesn’t end there. The budget does not merely affirm hope, it requires it, particularly the hope for more funding. Every year the Legislature’s Appropriations …
Dear Editor: I hope people will support LD 54, a bill to regulate lobbyist money going to our officials in Augusta. I recall a family spat in the ’70s. My chemist brother said if he discovered something of market potential but negative or unknown environmental impact then he would bury it. My administrator cousin threatened …
Dear Editor: Thursday night, members of the Ellsworth Appeals Board denied the demolition appeal for the Ticonic Firehouse/Ellsworth Falls Community Building. They had no choice. The issuance of the permit was not in violation of the Ellsworth Unified City Ordinances. This building has significant historic interest to the city. It is the only 19th century …
By Rep. Heidi H. Sampson Why has cursive writing been relegated to the trash heap of outdated, insignificant and inconsequential practices? Could we have tossed out a critical link to effective and productive learning for our children? Have we been duped into eliminating a practice whereby our children would be allowed to fully develop their …
Dear Editor: Having practiced family medicine and emergency medicine in Hancock County for the past 26 years, former patients I encounter in the vegetable aisle of local grocery store typically ask me, “How is retirement going?” “Ahhh, such a statement is far from true,” I answer. I have just completed a very interesting hiatus in …
Dear Editor: Some people hate the New England Patriots, and some love them. Either way, this relentless dynasty has something to teach us about life and hard work. As many of you know, on Sunday, the third day of February, 2019, the Patriots captured their sixth NFL title, their third in the past five seasons, …
Dear Editor: The members of the Ellsworth Green Plan Steering Committee want to sincerely thank Michele Gagnon for her 17 years of dedicated service to the residents of Ellsworth. Ms. Gagnon helped Ellsworth make tremendous gains: a forward-looking Comprehensive Plan; storm water improvements that also make the city more climate-resilient; a new Knowlton Park and …
