Where were the people of Nobleboro on Oct. 26 when we met at the Nobleboro Central School to discuss Gateway 1? The Maine Dept. of Transportation has a $30,000 grant to discuss the so-called traffic growth, planning and development of our little village. This is the first of three monthly meetings. The second is on Nov. 16 and the third and final occurs in Jan. 2011.

Wiscasset students spent a day on the road visiting the Passamaquoddys earlier this month and last Friday a “sizable crowd” attended a panel discussion on being Muslim in America.

Wiscasset voters should go to the polls on Dec. 7 (or obtain an absentee ballot from town clerk Chris Wolfe ahead of time) to support the town planning budget. In this flagging economy, we must make thoughtful choices about how to reduce the municipal budget. We should not give up planning. Wiscasset needs-and deserves–smart, forward-thinking, well-organized planning.

As the daughter of a union carpenter, I grew up learning about the economic boom and bust cycle. My father worked hard; I remember him sometimes wearing a coal miner’s lamp so that he could work after hours building our home.

For decades now the Korean Conflict has been called the Forgotten War.

Sandwiched, as it is, in American history between World War II and the Vietnam War, it is little wonder the two-plus-year-long conflict gets the short shrift in the history books.

The patriotism you expressed during and following World War I and II, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan has all but disappeared. Parades are but a fleeting display of our patriotism and fife trucks. How soon we forget.

November 11 is Veterans’ Day and this old veteran remembers when it was celebrated with much more splendor and parades, but that was then and this now; now being more or less just a day off.

I am appealing to all who currently serve in local leadership and those who seek to be decision-makers to please do something about the practice of adding fluoride to the public drinking water provided by the Great Salt Bay Sanitary (Water) District.

In a time when so many of us are concerned with making our state government efficient, I am pleased we have such a hard-working senator representing Lincoln County.

Speak to Chris Johnson and you will be convinced, as so many have, that Chris is the best choice for State Senator in Senate District 20. At a time when partisanship is sadly high in Maine, Chris is the kind of fellow that will listen to and work with anyone. He is bright, hard working, analytical and will look for the best common sense solutions to help solve the problems we have in Maine.

I am one of the saddened members of Nobleboro Grange #369. The closing of this grange has been heart-wrenching for all who cared. We tried so many ways to keep it going – to get new members and the older members to turn out for meetings. It was not to be and the doors were closed on Dec. 23 (2009)after 108 years of existence.

As Waterville Mayor, Paul Mayor LePage’s public record of successful service with a politically diverse constituency shows he is a true leader and not just another political hack. Perhaps more important, however, is his great credibility as a successful businessman.

On March 23, 2004, Bristol residents convened their annual town meeting at the Bristol Consolidated School. It was one of the better-attended town meetings in recent history.

Small town living allows us to enjoy the flavors of community on a regular basis. You could live in a big city, as many current Lincoln County residents have, and never even know your neighbor’s name.