I have over 20 years law enforcement experience, retired from a large sheriff's office, and most recently worked in post-retirement as a deputy for the Waldo County Sheriff's Office.  My knowledge and experience give me a unique perspective of the Waldo County Sheriff's Office not available to the general public. 

I believe there are significant issues within our Sheriff's Office that have been vastly ignored by Jason Trundy, the current Chief Deputy of…

Over 20 gathered recently for a rally to “Save Women’s Sports”, which took place at Rockland City Hall, directly before a candidates’ forum.  

It was organized to highlight the refusal of incumbents Ann Matlack and Bill Pluecker to support a ban keeping biological men out of women’s sports, a bill sponsored by Republican Beth O’ Connor.  Organizers hoped to raise the concern during the debate.  

As a former competitive athlete who feels women should have the opportunity to be…

As a long time Waldo County resident who is committed to addressing the impacts of climate change, I appreciate having Jan Dodge as my Representative in Augusta. Her understanding the importance of finding solutions to this problem is critical. We must have legislators who will follow the science and be willing to challenge the status quo in order to make meaningful progress. 

Representative Dodge been open to learning about complex issues and taking thoughtful positions. Her…

My wife and I will be voting for Vicki Doudera on November 8 to represent District 41 (Camden and Rockport) in Augusta and this is why:

We’ve spent our professional lives working to protect public health and the environment. We are aware of the challenges facing public servants when they work to balance the range of interests in these areas. Running for her third two-year term, we believe Vicki is up to this task. During her first two terms, she has…

Every Saturday for the last two winters I've watched Paige Zeigler hover over a splitter, or doggedly push a very full wheelbarrow, in order to help stock Waldo County's free wood pantry. 

I've also had the pleasure of pounding nails with him, having him sincerely listen to my concerns and questions about legislation in Augusta (and then honestly responding), and seeing some of the results of his legislative work here in town.

I know…

As colleague of Adam Lachman’s on the staff of Senator King, I can think of no better candidate for the Rockland City Council than Adam. 

Adam has been the driver of statewide efforts supporting the forest and seafood economies, leading to industry growth and innovation for the future. 

Adam has been the leader in bringing historic broadband funding to the State, driving economic development…

When I was asked to write this letter of recommendation for Adam Lachman, it was a very easy decision to say yes.

Adam is heavily involved in our community, and is dedicated to coming up with new, innovative ideas for small businesses and those in the hospitality industry, like ourselves.

I admire Adam’s commitment to Rockland. He maintains a positive and energetic attitude, and has an extensive history in the political scene. With the knowledge that Adam has gained through his…

We urge Rockport residents to vote no on Articles 3 and 4 in  the upcoming election. These articles are a misguided effort to thwart the will of the voters expressed in the citizens’ petitions relating to the Rockport Harbor Hotel. Voters resoundingly approved these two petitions in August 2020, during the height of the pandemic. 

One limited the hotel to 20 rooms, to reduce its potential impact on…

I am an artist, community organizer, and a co-founder of Veggies For All and Waldo County Bounty— both food security organizations. I have known Chip Curry for over a decade through the Unity College community, as a neighbor, and by serving together on Maine Community Foundation’s Waldo County Fund advisory board. In these settings and others, I have found Chip to be a consistently curious, gentle, and thoughtful person. While the ability to listen compassionately and think critically are…

I used to have spirited debates with Republicans. We had issues.

There are three kinds of Republicans these days.

First are those who have gone independent, have quietly left the party, and are voting their conscience and often for Democrats.

Second, there are those who will timidly not state their real opinion about what has happened to their party and to the candidates it puts forth.

Lastly, you have the party base which has gone over to the dark side of…

On November 8, we get to decide who we want representing us in our local, state and federal government. Most of us, I think and hope, base those decisions on who we believe best represents the values, policies and future we want.

Having spent the last 48 years either working or volunteering in the healthcare, I like to share my opinion on which candidates can best move us toward the following key health goals:

1) Support the expanded Mainecare program, which provides healthcare…

Here are a few of the many reasons for a vote to return Ann Matlack to the Maine House of Representatives from District 43, Cushing, Owls Head, S. Thomaston, St. George and Thomaston.

1. Ann Matlack has had a passion for government and prepared herself for the job nearly all of her adult life.  She obtained her master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Southern Maine and since then has participated in community life at all levels such as the local school board, the St…

As a Republican who recently changed my party affiliation to Democratic, I am enthusiastically supporting Chip Curry for Maine State Senator representing Waldo County. Chip supported legislation that funded 55% of K-12 education costs and supported property tax relief for seniors.

As a senior and former educator these mean a lot to me. I also spent hours driving Chip around some towns in Waldo County as he went door to door campaigning.  His…

The time is upon us to decide whether to live under freedom or under the rule of those who want to rule our lives the way they want.

I would like to take this time and space to show you the Democrats outlook on what they think ours lives should be and that of the Republicans. These examples are of bills voted on by Democrats, some up for re-election like Glen Curry, Jan Dodge, Stanley Ziegler and others.

LD 967 An act to make possession of a schedule drug for personal use a…

I write to urge voters from the Town of Brooks to support Sen. Chip Curry in the upcoming November election. 

Chip supports property tax relief.  Under the last four years of the previous administration, municipal revenue sharing for Brooks averaged $53,000 annually. 

Under the first four years of the current administration, municipal revenue sharing averaged $132,000 annually.  Chip will fight to keep municipal revenue sharing at current levels. 

Chip supports broadband…

Rep. Bill Pluecker has represented the towns of Appleton, Hope, Warren, and part of Union at the State House for the last four years.  This district (now 44) has been reconfigured to include Hope, Union, and Warren.  

Rep. Pluecker has served as an energetic contributor to the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee and the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.  Legislation he has sponsored secured a pay raise for State Prison staff to improve recruitment and…

I hope you will join me in voting for Jan (Janice) Dodge for House District 39’s representative. This district encompasses Belfast, Northport and Belmont. 

I’ve known Jan since the early 1970s when she was a student in my seventh grade classroom.  Then, as now, Jan was a bright and involved member of the class community, always offering comments and opinions. She was not a shy child!  Now, Jan is doing a most admirable job as a member of the Maine House of…

You have a choice to make on November 8.  Jan Dodge is running for reelection to the Maine State House representing Belfast, Belmont, and Northport. Dodge has knocked on over 3,000 doors talking to many constituents about their issues and concerns. As one of her drivers on her door-to-door campaign, I saw for myself the knowledge and active listening that Jan brings to her work. She has already served two terms in the Maine State House and is ready to continue to serve at a high…

Running for office in these politically charged times is daunting. Candidates must galvanize citizens who are exhausted, frustrated and angry about the endless partisan fighting. Robyn Stanicki has inspired me and given me hope for the future.

I am volunteering for Robyn Stanicki because I believe she honestly cares about Mainers and she knows how to get things done. She has had first-hand experience with the economic and social welfare struggles many of us…

When I first met Pinny Beebe-Center 16 years ago, I was a young mother and vegetable farmer, busily delivering vegetables to Rockland farm members every weekend. Pinny was the reliable volunteer who would show up every Sunday after church to gather surplus vegetables from me to bring to the AIO food pantry.

I had heard of Pinny, and I didn't understand how someone already so busy within the community still carved out time to support the food pantry during her few free weekend hours.…

Our government requires moral, upright, knowledgable people who will make sound decisions for the common good of our people and our society. MaryAnne Kinney has all these qualities in great quantities. She has represented us well in the Maine Legislature for the past eight years, and would like to extend her service to Waldo County by becoming our State Senator for Disrict 11.

Having a college degree in agriculture and being a farmer, her decisions as a member of the Agriculture and…

I am writing to support the re-election of Vicki Doudera to a third term representing House District 94 (Camden and Rockport) in the Maine Legislature.  She is a member of the important Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and we need to keep her in that important position.

When my mom was 12, she got her first horse, Penny, and began to ride from her house in Thomaston, all the way to Wottons Mill Road in Union.

To say that she knows the towns of Hope, Union and Warren is an understatement: She went from exploring them on horseback in the 1960s and 70s, to knocking on every door in the district this year while running for office.

…

When the candidates Todd Boisvert (R) and Jason Trundy (D) debated in Searsmont on Wednesday October 12, it became crystal clear that Waldo County Sherriff’s Department NEEDS fresh blood, which equals Todd Boisvert!

It is very interesting that Jason Trundy and his “old boys” network do not explain why he decided to turn Democrat. Is it because he does not believe in the Constitution? Is it because he believes in defunding the police and letting crime and drug dealing (already at an…

We have two individuals running for the Maine State Senate in District 11 who offer very different views of how we, the voters, should be represented.  Both have established a record for themselves that should be a deciding factor when we vote in November. Character counts as well along with experience in state government.

Having known MaryAnne Kinney for many years both in the community, personally, and by paying attention to her voting record it is easy to report on her qualities: …

District 2 voters have a clear choice of who will represent us in Congress. We can continue moving forward by re-electing Jared Golden, who supports voting rights, reproductive freedom, veterans, expanded healthcare, Medicare, Social Security, infrastructure improvements, green energy transition, and environmental protection.

The Jared Golden who continues to cosponsor bills that help our loggers, lobster fisheries, shipbuilding, and other employers. The Jared Golden who meets with…

Stanley Paige Zeigler is running for a third term to represent us in the seven towns in of District 40. He has been an active leader in the Maine House, sponsoring many bills which directly benefit residents, and which have helped to create a bipartisan vision for Maine’s future.

Last year, Paige sponsored LD 1659, An Act to Create the Maine Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator. This legislation addresses the  $4 billion that Maine…

As a gay millennial and Crystal’s son, I used to be a full-on Bernie fan. His was the only campaign I ever donated to. I have been educating myself more on American history, the Constitution, and current affairs over the past few years. I have far more insight now into how state and federal governments operate and I’m realizing it’s extremely crucial to elect people who truly have our best interests at heart. 

I support voting for Crystal not because she’s my…

Rockland is presented with an excellent slate of candidates for City Council this year, setting us up for success over the near term regardless of the outcome of the vote, but with this letter I propose we give Adam Lachman a shot as councilor in the November election. 

I have three reasons for this recommendation. 

First, as Director of Economic and Innovation Policy for U.S. Senator Angus King, he has extensive…

I am writing in support of Vicki Doudera’s re-election  as Representative for Maine’s House District 41. (Camden and Rockport) For over twenty years I’ve observed that Vicki is thoughtful, respectful, fair, reliable and energetic.  She brings these qualities to whatever she focuses her attention on.  We in District 41 are fortunate to have her as our state…

I am supporting Chip Curry and feel Waldo County needs him to return to the Maine Senate.

Chip’s support for the legislation related to the PFAa threat directly affects rural communities like mine that use wells for our drinking water and crop irrigation.

His support for the following is very important: Encouraging Renewable Energy Sources that will help the state be more energy independent and help create more jobs for Mainers. Expanding opportunities for Mainers to enter the…

On November 8, I am voting for Betty Johnson for Waldo County Commissioner.

District 1 comprises Belfast, Belmont, Islesboro, Morrill, Northport, Lincolnville, and Waldo. 

I moved to Northport in 2010 and by 2012 was engaged in the political arena at municipal, county, and state levels in large measure due to Betty’s persuasive ways.  Betty is seeking …

I’m writing to address the political ads circulating this election cycle, namely those not approved or authorized by any candidate. Unfortunately, it came to my attention this week that mailers attacking my opponent, Abden Simmons, have been sent to Senate District 13 voters. 

[District 13 encompasses all of Lincoln County, plus the town of Washington, in Knox County, and Windsor, in Kennebec County]

As a parent, educator, and graduate of our local…

We are pleased to support Steven MacDonald for City Council. He has been in Rockland for 44 years. He worked for the City of Rockland as Waste Water Director for 22 years. During that time, he filled in as Director of Public Works and Director of Solid Waste (dump and landfill) to help out the City when those directors left. Steve knows the workings of the City. He has successfully managed two million dollar budgets for the City, to 10 million…

I want a clean environment as well as the next person — I care about what kind of planet my kids and grand-kids will inherit — but some of these policies that Maine has just inherited from California are over the top. Banning gas-burning cars by 2035 and raising the gas tax to pay for EVs is not okay with me.

They’re pricey, they spontaneously combust, their giant batteries don’t do well in cold weather, and they require strip mining with toxic sulfuric acid – how is any of that good…

My husband, Rick, and I urge you to join us in sending Democrat Chip Curry back to the Maine Senate for a second term working for the people of Waldo County. We have known Chip and his wife since we moved to Belfast in 2009. We belong to the same church and we worked on his campaign in 2020. 

As a member of the Climate Change issue group in the Maine Unitarian-Universalist State Advocacy Network, I emailed Chip regularly during the last…

We are right in the middle of election season, when political signs are blossoming all over town like Fall flowers. I am leaving my seat on the Rockland City Council after serving two terms. It has been a great honor, and a pleasure to work with all of the different councilors over the last six years. This year, we are fortunate to have 4 really good city council candidates to choose from, all of them would serve the city well. But, I do want to make 1 recommendation.

I have served…

Rockland Public Services has outlined three bond questions that will appear on the November 2022 City ballot. The three bond questions address issues with Storm Water Management, Landfill, and Paving.

Storm Water Management 

Shall the Ordinance entitled “Bond Ordinance Authorizing Issuance of the City’s Bonds or Notes in an Amount Not To Exceed $15,000,000 To Finance the Cost of Storm Water Management Throughout the…

Candidates for Maine House of Representatives and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners discussed education, business issues, and housing during the third of four political forums hosted by The Lincoln County News ahead of the Tuesday, Nov. 8 election.

Held at the Waldoboro town office Thursday, Oct. 6, the panel featured candidates for Lincoln County Commissioner District 2, Commissioner Bill Blodgett, D-Waldoboro, and Henry Simmons, R-Nobleboro and the…

I am writing to voice my strong support of Anne “Pinny” Beebe-Center in her campaign to be our next State Senator. 

As someone who has worked for 15 years in our wonderful local school district, Pinny has been at the heart of understanding and enacting positive change for our youth. It’s rare to find someone who’s passion and commitment to people of all ages and backgrounds is a strong as what Pinny shows and represents every day. Personally, I have valued her contributions and…

 Governor Mills has done a great job of supporting our economy through a very difficult and chaotic time.  Under LePage Maine’s economy as measured by GDP growth lagged behind that of the US as a whole, while under Gov. Mills leadership Maine’s GDP growth has exceeded the US GDP growth. LePage cut taxes for the wealthiest few which increased the tax burden on the rest of us.…

I support Steve Hemenway for District 39 Representative. He believes in parents’ rights regarding knowing what their children are being taught in the schools, regardless if it’s in the brick and mortar classroom or over the internet. Jan Dodge sponsored LD 864, which initially tried to take away parents and guardians’ rights to monitor what their child was being taught when the class was zoom-taught over the internet. This was taken out in the final version of the act. This is why I support…

I don’t easily give up my limited spare time these days. Yet, I find myself volunteering to drive my State Senator Chip Curry door-to-door throughout Waldo County. It’s important that our representatives understand the lives and needs of folks in their community and there’s no better way to do this than to meet people where they are and ask meaningful questions.

Driving with Chip reaffirms my belief that he is the right person for the job. I get to bend his ear…

Every two years, we have the opportunity to cast a vote, in person or by absentee ballot. Why bother, some say. My reply: you have an advocate who will dedicate countless hours toward promoting your well being. Valli Geiger has proven to be that very champion in her first term as Representative for District 93, Rockland and Owls Head, and she will continue given the opportunity. It is up to you.

Whether it be our housing shortage or our schools which don’t receive the state…