The battle has been joined. Already we hear that the health insurance industry is investing massively in a public relations campaign to defeat inclusion of any government sponsored component in upcoming health care legislation. Even the “Swift Boat” team is resurrecting itself to join the fight.

The story goes that legendary Lakota Sioux war chief Crazy Horse would ride into battle encouraging his warriors with the war cry “Hoka hey” which, in the context of battle, translates into the cheerful slogan: “This is a good day to die.”

It used to be you could go on an errand and leave your door unlocked. Or, perhaps, the wheelbarrow could sit in the front yard for days, before you got back to completing the chore.

Not anymore.

On June 9, when next year’s town budget comes to the residents of Waldoboro for approval, we have a chance to vote for our priorities. When we read the list of tax-dollar-eating proposals, let’s give careful thought to what we receive for those shrinking dollars, and support the institutions that may best help us out of the financial fix we’re in.

I read in your May 28 issue the reports from the three police stations, namely Waldoboro, Damariscotta and Lincoln County Sheriff departments and their list of people they issued seatbelt violations to. The total number was 108.

It is hard to argue with a fire department. You might as well call a spandex-clad superhero a sissy.

Firefighters, by dint of their profession, are heroic public figures hell-bent on saving lives rescuing people and generally spending long hours in the saddle in the name of community service.

It has been our position since day one that Gov. John Baldacci’s school consolidation proposal effort is a poorly conceived, hastily enacted, and horribly mismanaged piece of legislation that was never given a hearing in front of the people most affected.

Let’s see, we have all conserved on our driving and gas use and the state now has to raise the gas tax. Otherwise our roads will crumble and bridges will collapse.

What the heck will happen when we all get 45 miles to the gallon or drive electric cars? Less tax collected means less money for our elected folks to spend.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors, organizations, parade participants, and the committee members who contributed in many ways to Waldoboro Day this year.

The Alna Volunteer Fire Department would like to encourage all Alna residents to attend the Public Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, at the Alna Meeting House at 7 p.m.

It’s about time someone stood up and told the state where the bear went through the buckwheat.

Prompt any local official; any selectmen, or school board member, any firefighter or Code Enforcement Officer, and they will likely wax poetic about the burden of un-funded mandates rolling down from above.

As summer approaches, Lincoln County is entering the high-risk drinking season. In addition to graduation parties and holidays like July 4, we will be inundated with summer tourists.

You will soon see petitions and petitioners everywhere asking for your signature to help bring Maine’s new gay marriage law to public referendum. You need to be aware that the people behind this drive are there for religious reasons.

At first blush, word the Damariscotta Police Dept. plans to open a satellite police station in the former home of the late Ed Whitney’s barbershop in the Elm St. Plaza plays like another episode of the “You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me” show.