To the Editor:

The year 2008 has gone and it is a time to reflect on the 118 animals that were seized or released to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter. All now have new and loving homes. Robert Todte, of Target in Topsham, Mark Gimbel of Gimbel’s in Boothbay Harbor, and Simpson’s Fish Market in Wiscasset, all helped to provide financial assistance for the care of the Shelter animals.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to the Rotary and Lions clubs for their recent recognition of my volunteer work. While I accept this recognition with gratitude, I also would like to accept it on behalf of those hundreds of volunteers who work tirelessly in anonymity to serve Lincoln County residents.

On Jan. 27, voters in the towns that comprise School Union 49 (Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport), School Union 74 (Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, South Bristol) and Jefferson will go to their polls to vote on the question of whether or not their Town should consolidate with the other towns to form the Central Lincoln County School System.

To the Editor:

This is a letter about print journalism. Editor Olin’s recent editorial about the direction and survival of this medium is properly of great concern. In a time when the free press is being gobbled up by corporate entities only to have its freedom destroyed, its integrity enslaved to the corporate interests and ultimately rot out of existence in lieu of more favored information bearers like the internet and company-controlled television, a newspaper like The Lincoln County News becomes so much more valuable to people’s daily life.

It was nice to see the Maine Principals Association come to its senses this week and reject a series of recommendations that would have dramatically impacted high school sports programs.

While we always applaud proposals to save money, there is something to be said for saving money wisely. In this case, it was obvious from the outset that the proposed changes would have proved problematic.

Given the attention rightly focused on the historical significance of our 44th President taking office this week, it might be easy to take our eye off the ball of history we have to make right here at home.

To the Editor:

You couldn’t have found a more diverse group anywhere in Lincoln County on New Year’s Eve than at Lincoln Theater. From young to older, experienced dancer to just watcher, everyone had a wonderful time. The music was varied, the lighting beautiful and fun was the rule of the night.

I enjoyed the nice photo of the Bohemian Waxwings in the Jan. 15 issue. I would like to amend the text, however. It’s true that their breeding range is more westerly, but they do come to Maine regularly, even if we don’t see them as often as chickadees.

I was in Skidompha looking for a DVD and found myself picking up “Roots,” the 1977 series based on the book by Alex Haley, which I never saw.

As I write this update on Mon., Jan. 5, the work of the 124th Maine Legislature formally begins.

I am pleased to report that I have been named to the same two committees I served on in the last Legislature, namely Marine Resources, and Business Research and Economic Development committees. These are both great committees to be on from the perspective of the needs of our towns, as well as for the needs of the state as a whole.

Many who live in the Damariscotta region may not fully realize how fortunate we are to have a first class hospital right here to serve our medical needs. But a hospital is only as good as its medical, nursing, ancillary and administrative staffs. The Miles staff is as good as they come.

The citizens of Edgecomb are likely aware there has been much recent debate about the possible acquisition of the Murray water front property ($225,000) on Cross Point Rd. The debate was initiated by Mr. Thomas Boudin.

To the Editor:

I read with interest the “Chimney Sweep Critiques Shoddy Servicing Jobs” article.

Recently, I listened to an out of state pastor relate his troubles in getting his church built “according to code” for his district.