News

Maine's Bill Cohen attends Iraq Summit
No shrinking violets around the table

Washington DC-- President Bush assembled a summit of former Secretaries of State and Defense Department Chiefs last Thursday. Included among them was former Maine Senator and former Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton William S. Cohen. ... more

Right, The ice is safe on some ponds, and fishing begins. Here, Gabrielle Martineau of New Gloucester checks her bait.

Will rough start smooth out to productive session?
Q&A with Maine's House Speaker and local legislators

Augusta--the 122nd Legislature opened last week with a bang. From Rep. Twomey's conversion back and forth from Democrat to Independent, to Rep. Edmonds' dispersal of decorum material urging Representatives not to engage in hobbies and crafts such as crocheting while in session, to Rep. Richardson's last minute pulling of the power sharing compromise, it is obvious Maine politics are alive and well ... more

Cruel or just unusual?
Council to vote on whether to abolish CEDC

Gray--When is a committee a failed committee? When is a Council being too confrontational? These questions arose last week when the Gray Town Council looked into abolishing a town Council-appointed committee most Councilors deemed unproductive and negative. The discussion, an unusual one in municipal governing, shook up the committee's supporters and drew ire from members, with one member having to be gaveled out of order and the meeting recessed while he calmed down. ... more

Doing diligence or dissing the Manager?
Council firm on requiring preparation

Gray--The Gray Town Council tabled one item and rejected another at their January 3rd meeting, citing lack of preparation time. Citizens who spoke said that the Council should trust the staff more and more quickly pass what they present, while Council said they will not pass any item that the Manager has not presented to them in a timely manner ... more

News Briefs:
--Senator Karl Turner and Senator Lois Snowe-Mello alert Area Businesses Of Misleading Practice
--Governor Baldacci Buys First Box of Cookies to Kick off Annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale
--Rep. Allen Announces $856,000 Grant for Gardiner Business Park
--Crash in Naples
--Governor receives more donations for the Keep ME Warm Charitable Fuel Fund... more

Commentary
By Rep. Mark Bryant (D-Windham)
Representing Part of Windham and Part of Gray

The state's major newspapers spent much of last week talking about inside politics at the State House, and the divided numbers of the Maine House of Representatives. On paper, it sounds very divisive to see the parties so close in number but far apart on the issues. But as your State Representative, I can assure that the numbers are not what they seem. more

Commentary
Sue W. Austin, State Representative, District #109

By-Pass Update of the New Year 2006. Conrad Wenzel of the Maine Turnpike Authority informed me on the first day of Session that the By-Pass Project has gone out to bid for the bridge enhancement, one mile, $8.5 million piece of construction. I Believe that the bids are due back within a three week window of being advertised. Estimated time for ground breaking is early spring. ... more