So the superintendent of schools doesn’t understand why Bristol voters downed their school budget.

It seems the political tide has turned in Maine; may the nation soon follow. To judge from the evidence of recent referenda and electoral results, our normally sensible Maine center has been shocked back to a more moderating posture – and perhaps even drawn slightly to the left.

We respect and wholeheartedly support the right of Bristol citizens to determine whether to institute a public 4-year-old (pre-K) program at their school. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

We are all wicked bummed out down here in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina and Florida… we’ve heard the awful sad news about “White Runner” and how there’s no good place to put a rivet because of the rust cancer.

Ultrasound technology has come a long way since I saw those first grainy pictures of my unborn daughter over 20 years ago. Still, I was blown away. Seeing those images on the screen never fail to amaze; that we could have a “window into the womb” is quite remarkable.

I read with much sadness of the impending end of pharmacy operations at Waltz Pharmacy on Main Street in Damariscotta. The loss of the last independent pharmacy in town is indeed a sad day.

We are afraid of turning into one of those “used to be” people.

By far the leading cause of domestic violence is an abusive personality that seeks control and power over the victim. Regardless of the cause, domestic violence and abuse are not acceptable for any reason.

On the night of Dec. 13, 2011, our sister-in-law, Nancy Hanna was in a horrible car accident on Rt. 32 in Round Pond. We would like to thank the bystanders who helped before rescue crews arrived, the First Responders and Ambulance Crew that took her to Miles where she was sent by Life Flight to Maine Medical Center and the Maine Medical doctors and staff who have cared for her since then.

We don’t know the whole story and we most likely never will.

I was appalled to read several postings by the Walter Hilton family on Facebook this weekend concerning their grandson’s having to be transferred from Great Salt Bay School due to bullying and assault.

Almost half our crew was in Boston last Thursday night preparing for the winter New England Newspaper and Press Assn. convention when Mike McLain lost his life in a tragic car accident in Bristol.

On January 28, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine held its annual Program Celebration. This is always a magical event that celebrates the special relationships of Bigs and Littles in our program.

Usually I write you about national and local politics, but for this letter I need to switch subjects slightly.