On one hand, we empathize with the desire of Damariscotta town officials to revisit the SmartCode with an eye toward bringing it back for another vote. A lot of time, effort and money was spent developing the ordinance language and bringing the issue to a vote June 14, the outcome of which was a stinging defeat for the code’s supporters.

Well it turns out the odds are about 1 in 400 here in Maine. I am talking about MS. You are 10,625 times more likely to be diagnosed with MS then you are to win the Megabucks.

Bruce Bartrug’s letter about the wonderful socially responsible governments in Europe was really something. He sure put a smiley face on it all. How is it working out for Greece these days, paying people all those generous benefits he spoke of? What country was it, Mr. Bartrug, that liberated Europe twice in the last century so that with their short memories they could become the socialist utopias you’re so fond of?

This being the 27th week of the year; we are now officially on the back half of 2011. For Lincoln County’s resident summer lovers, we are about to enter the stretch run of it being about as good as it seasonally gets around these parts.

Recently the voters of Waldoboro decided to not approve some department’s budgets in an effort to trim the tax burden of homeowners. Nobody likes to pay taxes but the problem with this vote is it was up or down for each department with no compromise on the dollar figure.

Do you remember Pine Grove drive in? If you do, we, the Ward family, Pine Grove’s former owners, need your help. Our family is constantly amazed at the nostalgia surrounding Pine Grove. We still hear the longing for our fried clams, Gram’s rolls and barbeque chicken.

It seems that nearly every weekend we hear of a tragic drowning on one of Maine’s beautiful lakes. The far majority of these tragedies are preventable if we simply follow boating safety laws and practices. Each time there is a drowning, the lives of moms, dads, husbands, wives, grandparents, sons and daughters are changed forever.

A person can’t get much for $6.70 these days… maybe some cigarettes or a meal at a fast food restaurant. However, the voters of Westport Island have a once in a lifetime opportunity to put those few dollars to good use.

We all know people who never vote saying their vote doesn’t count; they don’t care, they don’t know, it doesn’t matter, and what’s one more vote anyway?

Bravo, Governor LePage and to all who worked so hard to pass this new budget! Maine needs to be self-sufficient. Maine needs to be on its feet working with initiative.

In November 2010, after 30 years living and paying all manner of taxes at the same address in Waldoboro, I went to perform my civic duty as I try and do every time by casting my vote.

A grandmother’s love comes in many shapes and forms. It comes with laughter, love and lots of smiles. My grandmother Sandra Lane, is retiring from driving the school bus after 43 years. That right there is love. It is compassion, dedication and most of all respect.

I have been told that Form Based or SmartCodes have been around for about 30 years. I thought they started with Leavittown, Long Island after WWII. I do know a little about the history of FBC’s in Damariscotta as I was the chair of DPAC for more than two years.

The next fork in Damariscotta’s road comes up for a vote next Tuesday. Damariscotta’s proposed SmartCode is a watershed moment, both for the town and the citizens of Lincoln County who rely on Damariscotta for its services.