Opinion

Short Relief: Portland should tap street-corner labor pool

I was relatively lucky to graduate from law school in 1986. The U.S. economy and employment rates were growing. Law firms were expanding and hiring, and increasing the opportunities for all law graduates. I took a job working for the federal government in Washington, D.C. By the early 1990...

Halsey Frank • Opinion •
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 10:00 am
Letter: State should support schools, not flunk them

Like other Yarmouth residents, I was not surprised by the straight-A grades the Maine Department of Education bestowed on our schools. My daughter was the beneficiary of a challenging, caring education in our school system, and my stints as a substitute teacher have given me even more reason to c...

• Opinion •
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 9:20 am
Letter: Edes for Cumberland town councilor

Residents of Cumberland are blessed to have high-caliber and dedicated individuals step forward to serve our community. We have known Michael Edes since he was in the Cumberland grade-school system. His career in law enforcement has been exemplary, having risen to be a leader in the Maine State P...

• Opinion •
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 9:20 am
Letter: School report card gets a failing grade

As a dedicated, hard-working, loving, kindergarten teacher at a school just given an F by Gov. Paul LePage's new school grading program, I am appalled, disappointed, and above all else, sad at what the system is doing to children and families "failing" schools. First of all, as educators, ...

• Opinion •
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 9:10 am
Letter: Goldberg for Falmouth town councilor

We have known Dave Goldberg on personal and professional levels for the last 10 years. He will make an excellent town councilor in Falmouth. In addition to founding and growing a successful Portland business, Dave is a tireless volunteer in our community. He can often be found coaching on ...

• Opinion •
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 8:40 am
Letter: Elect Anderson to Falmouth Town Council

We are writing in support of Russell Anderson for the position of Falmouth town councilor in the June election, and to encourage others to vote for him. With his 30 years of experience in financial services he brings great financial knowledge and will be able to successfully apply his business sk...

• Opinion •
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 8:40 am
Letter: Elect Bickerstaff, Harrington in Falmouth

I am writing to endorse both Caryn Bickerstaff and Clare Harrington for the Falmouth School Board. Caryn and Clare both have children in the Falmouth schools and are actively involved in school-related activities. Caryn Bickerstaff and I have served on the Falmouth Music Parent Association...

• Opinion •
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 8:30 am
Letter: Bickerstaff for Falmouth School Board

I have known Caryn Bickerstaff for over five years through St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and am delighted she is running for Falmouth School Board. She and her family moved here when her husband was assigned to Brunswick Naval Air Station. The quality of the schools made Falmouth their choice...

• Opinion •
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 8:20 am
Letter: Keep South Portland parks alcohol-free

On Dec. 6, 1933, the day after Prohibition ended, my grandfather opened the first post-Prohibition bar in South Portland. In the ensuing 80 years, the data from the city clerk’s office shows that there are now over 80 establishments within the city where alcohol can be bought, or bought and...

• Opinion •
Monday, April 29, 2013 at 12:10 pm
The Universal Notebook: It's nobody's fault but our own

As America attempts to come to terms with health-care reform, the national debt, immigration reform, climate change and the epidemic of gun violence, the fault lines that threaten a more perfect union are becoming pretty darn obvious. They run along cultural divides, geographic borders, philosoph...

Edgar Allen Beem • Opinion •
Monday, April 29, 2013 at 11:10 am