Within hours of The Lincoln County News going to press last week, we were notified we had printed a bogus birth announcement.

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.

Here are some important facts to be considered when discussing the question of continuing law enforcement coverage with the Damariscotta Police Dept. or replacing the department with coverage by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

I was surprised to read in last week’s issue that the Newcastle Fire Company is renewing its request for the purchase of a $300,000 pumper truck after withdrawing its initial request for a larger, similar vehicle.

We applaud the Governor’s decision to quietly return the Frances Perkins plaque to its rightful place in the Dept. of Labor building in Augusta.

Following Damariscotta’s fascination with form-based codes, I have noticed one constant, Piper Commons, Piper Commons, Piper Commons. Obviously the same people that kept Walmart’s much needed jobs and thousands of dollars in property taxes out of Damariscotta are endeavoring to prevent Piper Commons from happening.

As Chairman Bob Westrich, of the Jefferson Village School Board noted, in response to my analysis of the true operating costs of the new Jefferson Village School, “citizens’ comments are encouraged!”