You see an apple. But not just any apple. Perfect in color, perfect in shape and without blemish, this is the apple other apples dream of being. It is the acme of apples, the most apple-y apple you ever saw, and you’d never mistake it for something else. “This is an apple,” says a male […]
Op-Eds
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Questions about federal budget remain
WASHINGTON — It’s that time of year again when Congress debates the federal budget. For most Americans, it’s a turnoff. The dollar amounts are monstrous — trillions, not billions. The vocabulary of government finances (budget-speak) is baffling. Little wonder people tune out. For the weary and confused, I offer a brief budget primer below. Here’s […]
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There is a reason why they take a knee
With all the attention and controversy on sports athletes kneeling when the national anthem is played, I want to share my reasons for kneeling. First, the words from the Pledge of Allegiance: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Big banks focus on arbitration clauses
Financial giants such as Wells Fargo and Equifax are pushing Congress to repeal a new rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that nullifies forced arbitration clauses in consumer contracts and restores the right of Mainers’ to have their day in court when companies break the law. Lobbyists for these financial institutions are trying to […]
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JCC recommendations:
The following are major recommendations of the Joint Charter Commission: 1. City operations: By merging functions and cross training almost $600,000 of annual costs can be saved by merging existing administrative operations, including merging finance and operations to one department in one location. 2. Public safety: Administration would be reduced to put more officers on […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Community has left town
When folks ask how many people live in New Sharon, I usually give a two-part answer. About 200 people live here, but about 1,400 sleep here. In other words, six in seven people with bedrooms in New Sharon conduct their lives somewhere else. They work in Farmington, Lewiston, Waterville. But not in New Sharon. And […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
There are many solid reasons to vote against cities’ merger
This fall, voters are being asked to cast their vote on the proposed charter and consolidation agreement as recommended by the Joint Charter Commission. To date, most coverage has been emotional talking points in support of a “yes” vote and lacking severely in substantive debate. For those who want emotional reasons to vote “no,” I […]
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Question that will appear on Nov. 7 ballot in Lewiston and Auburn:
“Do you approve the charter and consolidation agreement as recommended by the Lewiston Auburn Joint Charter Commission?” The consolidation agreement details, which include the proposed charter, can be viewed here.
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Sound off about ranked-choice voting
Some 388,000 Maine voters said “From now on, it takes a majority of votes to win an election” when they approved the ranked-choice voting citizen initiative last November. Ranked-choice voting is a simple and tested system that gives voters the power to rank their choices. Ballots are counted in rounds in which last-place candidates are […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Lewiston and Auburn merger: CON: Never been grassroots support for merger of Twin Cities
The question seems relatively harmless: “Do you approve the charter and consolidation agreement as recommended by the Lewiston Auburn Joint Charter Commission?” We urge all residents to study the language carefully. The consequences of the vote are far from harmless. A “yes” vote would have negative ramifications for decades to come. For many reasons, we […]