What’s better than a pound of cure? October 12, 2018 by Staff on Editorials, Opinion There’s lots of hand-wringing these days about our recycling options drying up. It’s been like watching a car crash in slow motion: one town after another cautions its residents that they need not bother separating glass from paper, plastics from cloth, wood from coffee grounds. These days, most of it’s going down in the ground …
Looking for fairness in school aid distribution October 12, 2018 by Staff on Editorials, Opinion Maine’s school funding formula, though inherently flawed, is generally regarded as the best method for determining equitable distribution of state support. The method uses property valuation to determine a community’s wealth. Fair enough, one might say. The higher the valuation, the reasoning goes, the better the likelihood that a community can fund education through local …
Giving honor where honor is due October 5, 2018 by Staff on Editorials, Opinion It’s easy and sometimes inviting to dismiss an earnest, idealistic proposition as just another tiresome effort at political correctness. But just because something may be politically correct, it doesn’t mean it’s incorrect. Exhibit A: Spencer Patterson King’s two presentations to the Ellsworth City Council asking the councilors to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day in lieu of …
Stay high or go low? October 5, 2018 by Staff on Editorials, Opinion The minor dustup between the district attorney and his challenger, though amusing, did nothing to enhance the public profile of either gentleman. As reported in last week’s American, DA candidate Steve Juskewitch emailed the Hancock County Commissioners on Sept. 18, asking that they delay hiring an administrative assistant/legal secretary until after the election on Nov. …
Gold star for Silver Airways September 28, 2018 by Staff on Editorials, Opinion On any given day, more than 100,000 flights crisscross America, leaving from and landing at the 5,200 paved runway airports that dot the landscape. With a big country, a good economy and lots of tourist places to visit, Americans are flying. While we covet the access to major transportation hubs such as New York, Detroit …
Who will care for you? September 28, 2018 by Staff on Editorials, Opinion Our national health care debate often conflates access to adequate health care with health care insurance coverage. Those are two different critters. While there is no ignoring the rapidly expanding cost of health care in America — more than 17 percent of the entire economy — health care debates often leave out the human costs …
Another renewable energy proposal is in the wind September 21, 2018 by Staff on Editorials, Opinion Last month, a Boston-based energy developer announced plans for another wind-power project for rural Hancock County. Under consideration (not for the first time) is a 17-tower, $140-million development next to the existing Hancock Wind and Bull Hill wind projects. The applicant proposes to comply with the community benefit requirement of such projects by providing funds …
Blueberry blues September 14, 2018 by Staff on Editorials, Opinion This year’s wild blueberry harvest is over. Anecdotal evidence suggests that 2018 will make the second year in a row with less tonnage than the record crop of 2016. Blueberry farmers are also worried about what their field price will be — hoping it doesn’t get worse than last year’s money-losing payments. Being a successful …
Making Medicaid expansion work September 14, 2018 by Staff on Editorials, Opinion It’s a safe bet that Medicaid (MaineCare) expansion in Maine will not occur on Governor LePage’s watch. Historical overview: Voters approved expansion in November 2017 by a 59-41 percent margin. The Governor, citing fear of red ink and past performance when the MaineCare door was opened a little wider, refused to implement expansion. A component …
A better mousetrap? September 7, 2018 by Staff on Editorials, Opinion After decades of relatively stable waste-management practices for many of Maine’s communities, a new player entered the scene with a better mousetrap. The developers of Fiberight made an impressive proposal to turn residential and commercial waste into industrial sugars and reusable bio-fuel. Instead of burning trash for electricity, as the region has done for years …
