Ask Maine wild blueberry farmers about this year’s crop and their forlorn response tells the story of an industry under heavy stress. Field prices have been abysmal over the past two years, only 27 cents a pound last year, causing many small blueberry farmers to stop harvesting and let their fields go fallow. What else …
In Mount Desert and in Bar Harbor this year, local residents have endeavored to move town policy by way of the citizen initiative process available under the towns’ charters. Like the statewide ballot initiatives that have languished in Augusta for want of agreement on how to implement them, these initiatives have understandable goals. But, also …
By Jill Goldthwait Mid-August. Oh dear, oh dear. How are you doing on your summer checklist? You’ve been to the annual meeting of your favorite non-profit, right? Right. How about a Gala? Check. A book sale at your local library? Check. A talk by a political notable? Check. A play at a repertory theater …
To the Editor: The 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service has come and gone, but as we kick off the start of NPS’ second century, the need for Congress to work together to pass a funding mechanism to address the backlog of deferred maintenance at our Parks becomes ever more critical. Most park structures …
by Philip C. Marshall I am the grandson of the late Brooke Astor who was a New York City philanthropist, summer resident of Northeast Harbor for over fifty years, and victim of elder abuse and exploitation by her son, my father. In 2006, with the help of my grandmother’s staff, caregivers, and friends, I …
To the Editor: On August 14, 1935, Social Security was signed into law. Before Social Security, many retired Americans lived in poverty. For 83 years, Americans have retired with a greater sense of financial security thanks to the Social Security system. Throughout their working lives, Americans allocate part of their pay check to the program, …
To the Editor: Last month I spoke about the reforms we are proposing for the child welfare system, including better staff training and better support for our front-line caseworkers. Suddenly, a lot of organizations want to take credit for these reforms, including the state employees’ union. This is not about sharing the credit or the …
To the Editor: The 17th annual Carol Dyer Luminaria Evening has successfully concluded. A rainstorm on Saturday night forced an early shutdown, but a hearty group of willing volunteers re-labeled the bags and gathered on Sunday night to light the candles which graced the front lawns of the YWCA and Jesup Library. YWCA MDI organized …
To the Editor: More than 200 years ago, Benjamin Franklin, reflecting on the possibility of the American colonies’ successful revolt against Great Britain, said, “We must indeed all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” Today, Maine lobstermen face a similar situation. The fishery is threatened by the potential for new whale …
Compulsory education became the law of the land in 1918 — just 100-years ago. Elementary education and “common schools” existed before that time, but the number of children receiving formal education was modest. Today in Maine, 620 public schools and 117 private institutions assure that every child has access to a fair and “free” (taxpayer-funded) …
