By Todd R. Nelson In 11th grade shop class, I worked all fall on a dining room table. It would be a Christmas present for my parents, and a great surprise. My teacher offered me the project based on something he had seen in a woodworking design book — a butcher-block table 5 feet …
By Mark W. Hendrickson The financial health of the federal government has been deteriorating for decades. Unable to break free from our bipartisan addiction to deficit spending, the national debt has continued to rise relentlessly. This has brought us within sight of a grim milestone: the day when the interest that Americans have to pay …
By Rep. Lawrence E. Lockman Is it really “poisonous” for parents to compare student test scores in their local school district to test results in other districts across the state? I don’t think so. But then, I’m not a credentialed education professional with advanced degrees, earning $80K or $90K toiling in the government school monopoly …
By Skip Greenlaw One item on my bucket list is to count election ballots. Lynne Williams of Bar Harbor posted that she had lost an election for Hancock County judge of probate by 57 votes out of 28,972 votes. Lynne asked the Bureau of Elections for a recount, and I offered to be a counter …
By Anna Johnson Congress has only a few days left in 2018 to pass legislation. Adopting a strong, new farm bill should be at the top of their list. Lawmakers should approve a farm bill that includes closing loopholes in commodity payments, renewing major conservation programs and continuing programs that offer support to rural communities …
Dear Editor: In the 15 years I’ve been in the aquaculture business raising oysters I have yet to read a letter against it that was accurate. Bundy Boit’s letter [“‘State’s relentless pursuit of aquaculture’ is a cautionary tale for the coast of Maine,” Nov. 8, Ellsworth American] was no exception. Her letter is just a …
By J.P. Linstroth On Oct. 28, Jair Bolsonaro was elected as the 38th president of Brazil from the Social Liberal Party, a conservative leaning party. His critics call him the “Brazilian Trump.” Indeed, Bolsonaro’s election is symptomatic of a worldwide trend toward “right-wing populism” and “neo-nationalism,” or popular sympathies favoring political candidates on the far …
By J.P. Linstroth On Oct. 28, Jair Bolsonaro was elected as the 38th president of Brazil from the Social Liberal Party, a conservative leaning party. His critics call him the “Brazilian Trump.” Indeed, Bolsonaro’s election is symptomatic of a worldwide trend toward “right-wing populism” and “neo-nationalism,” or popular sympathies favoring political candidates on the far …
By John Fuhrman There are many people, places and things to enjoy here in Downeast Maine, but by far one of my favorites is the spaghetti supper. First, I really enjoy good spaghetti, but more importantly, I have come to enjoy what these suppers really mean. They mean a community, no matter how troubled they …
By Todd R. Nelson I like a good caravan. It reminds me of people seeking safety, opportunity; people not afraid to move, to leave the known and go. It reminds me of my people. They came from all over Europe — pilgrims from Plymouth; humble folk from the slums of Glasgow; from the Scottish borders; …
