We are told we are making extraordinary progress in technology, the sciences, education, and in general our standard of living. So what is happening to the American spirit and our national pride?

To begin with, we need to understand what makes a good manager and a strong leader.

If you have been anywhere near a television this week, you are probably familiar with the story of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, whose domestic violence case is currently shaking the National Football League to its very foundation.

Jefferson is in the midst of a debate over the best way to educate our kids. We have heard from a number of people who think the school committee has broken a promise to voters about hiring certain teachers.

Even though I have lived in Manhattan for over a half a century, I still observe the “rule of the road” that I learned growing up in rural upstate New York some 70-odd years ago: “If you are walking on the road, walk to the left, facing the on-coming traffic.”

In the classic setting, the first day of school is accompanied by the peal of the school bells, calling delighted children back to their studies.

As a retired educator whose career was spent in public education, I understand the necessity for some level of fluidity in a school system budget. Needs arise and change as the year progresses, so the school committee, acting in concert with administration, is there to review, to manage and to approve school budget expenditures.

In early 2011, after the RSU 12 Board of Directors voted to “immediately” and “permanently” remove the term “Redskin” from any and all schools within the district, we said in this space it was the right decision, badly made.

In January, 2013 our family lost our home on Bayview Road in Nobleboro to a fire. We have been displaced and struggling to get back on our feet for a year and a half now. We finally managed to find and purchase a home back in Nobleboro where we want to live.

Imagine the excitement of earning the title of Little League World Series Champions. We recently returned to Maine from a trip to Williamsport, Penn. to see who would take home the top prize in youth baseball. All the excitement brought back wonderful memories of my son’s own recent Lincoln Little League Championship game where his team, The Wheels, finished an undefeated perfect season and won it all.

Bag Received Empty…This is not what you expect to read on the film envelope when you come to the counter to claim your precious photos. My dear Uncle Delcan’s last wish in life, back in 2005, was to visit Ardmore, County Waterford, Ireland, the old family home, and my husband and I made it happen for him.

In case the majority of the members of the Wiscasset Board of Selectmen are not aware of it, the word “Redskin” is very offensive to many people, especially First Nation people. Although it would be difficult for these town leaders not to be aware of this fact because recently the town high school was requested to change the name of their mascot. This was accomplished by a vote of our former RSU 12 Board.

My name is Kristy and I am a resident of Jefferson. I’m also a mom of two children that go to the Jefferson Village School and my husband is on the school board.

We wouldn’t blame the Alna Board of Selectmen if they decided to resign en masse following Monday night’s special town meeting. Not that they would, but if they asked, we would advise against it.