What was Hurricane Irene had barely arrived in Maine before complaints started flying back and forth about how over-hyped the danger was.

The Town of Bristol has lost one of its valuable public servants in the passing of Dwayne Boynton. Dwayne served as Selectman for many years as well as in advisory positions.

Right now, our legislative partisans in Augusta are divvying up the state to better reflect the findings of the 2010 Census.

You hear a lot of talk today about the need to compromise. A good example is the debt ceiling and congress. Do we raise the debt ceiling or not or do we meet somewhere in the middle?

After spending one hour and 20 minutes yesterday (8/14) stuck in bumper to bumper traffic between Patti’s Takeout Seafood and Sarah’s Café on Rt. 1 heading south, I had to comment on the recent Letter to the Editor written by Ann Adams of Jefferson. (“Totally unacceptable,” LCN, 8/11/11, Page 4)

The Fair Tax Act of 2009 would eliminate the need for the IRS. Social Security and Medicare are funded from consumption tax revenue. You will not be required to fill out any income tax forms. Wages, savings, and investments are not taxed. Taxpayers pay the same rate. All taxes are rebated on spending up to the poverty level.

With a lengthy list of events, spread out over five days Olde Bristol Days may feel like the big dog among Lincoln County local summer celebrations, but, as the Damariscotta BluesFest proved last weekend, size is no prerequisite for fun.

I agree that we should talk civilly, but also let us discuss thoughtfully and candidly. I can’t help feeling that Ms. Kanewske and Mr. Duffy are quoting talking points. There is a potential danger in doing so. Who wrote these points originally, and what was their real agenda? Also some may be false representations.

The cancellation of the MaineDOT plans for a bypass around Wiscasset means that those who wanted the bypass, and those who opposed a bypass (anywhere), now need to work together to help reduce the traffic congestion. Realizing that the summer delays are not worth the dollar and human cost of building a bypass, they are still excessive, and must be reduced.

It seems Gov. LePage’s administration is developing a track record of making jaw-dropping announcements regarding Rt. 1. In March DOT Commissioner David Bernhardt announced the state would immediately stop supporting the development of the long running Gateway 1 project.

The letter that Lisa Hunt wrote, “Enough is Enough,” (LCN, 7/28/11, Page 4) hit the nail on the head. It seems that Washington has become so terribly irresponsible and the incompetent people presently running the House and Senate have no idea that they are playing/talking about other people’s income.

So the American voter loses again. That is not a “debt ceiling,” it is a “debt target,” and the bumbling buffoons in Washington now have over two trillion dollars more to spend.

We urge the voters of South Bristol to adopt the proposed Comprehensive Plan at the town Meeting Referendum Vote on Mon., Aug. 8 at the South Bristol School.

Middle of the day, Monday, a busy day at the Maine Coast Book Shop, some sleazy no-account idler, probably someone who frequents the place and maybe hangs out in the café, someone who probably didn’t have a job to go to or at least some good purpose to occupy himself (yes, probably a “he”), who also probably doesn’t read this newspaper much and so has me wasting my time trying to help him reform and undo his crime, has stolen a bike parked just outside our back door.