Can we afford to pay the state of Maine the new tax on auto repair labor? That could happen, along with 100 other petty things, like even a clown for the kids party. With mechanic labor rate at $70 to $95 and auto body and paint at $44 for each hour, that’s quite a chunk of change you will be paying the state.

The Damariscotta-Newcastle Lions’ Club is very lucky to have Charlie Pichette as one of its members. In his years as a member of the club, Charlie has served with distinction and great dedication in helping his club and the surrounding communities with his untiring effort in performing many kind and humanitarian acts, especially the building of wheelchair ramps and for many deserving and disabled citizens in the area.

It is interesting that last week Max Arnold’s letter was calling for “new blood” in Augusta. He then endorses a member of the party that has controlled Augusta and Maine for four decades for State Representative.

Having read Max Arnold’s letter to the editor in last week’s paper, I would strongly recommend he re-read the tax reform bill. There are many, many new taxes on the way. Sales tax on plumbing repairs, car repairs, movie tickets, bowling games and on and on.

It is good to see the Bristol Board of Selectmen were willing to reconsider a blanket policy they previously adopted, closing the town’s fire stations to any group other than the local fire department.

I have spent the better part of my life living in Midcoast Maine. Personal circumstances necessitated a couple of relocations to other parts of the US, but I always knew I would end up back here in Lincoln County. I became disabled (lung cancer) nearly five years ago and moved back for good in the fall of 2005.

Damariscotta region can breath easy…the Fisherman’s Catch on Main St. Damariscotta has been sold.

The new owner will be opening the doors soon to provide the town with fresh seafood once again. The new owner will also accept your Fisherman’s Catch gift certificates.

Often, all too often, the really riveting stories; the ones that get people talking and keeps people talking are the ones that ultimately involve a tragedy or hardship of some kind for someone. Whether it’s a fatal accident, a significant fire, or a murder, it titillates and amazes.

In the early 1980s my aunt, the late Cathy Zecchino Farrell, brought something new to the town of Damariscotta: the submarine sandwich. Sure, other shops in town offered sandwiches, but none could compare to the fine quality and tradition that came with a real submarine. Cathy opened Zecchino’s Submarine Sandwiches with 16 subs on the menu. Her hard work paid off and in no time business was booming.

The chief census officer sent me a postcard telling that I had received the 2010 Census form a week earlier.

I had not.

I want to thank the Town of Newcastle Selectmen and Town Manager for sending Glidden Street a “real” street-cleaning truck that did a fine job, creating only a minimum of dust.

We’ll admit it. Last Thursday afternoon, as we were listening to scanner reports of a rabid raccoon attacking the tires of a car in Round Pond, we thought it sounded kind of humorous.

I would like to thank the Waldoboro Fire Dept. for their quick response to a very serious chimney fire.

It is my idea and opinion that we should invest the Wiscasset bypass money in a free train. We need trains here and need them now. We should try a two or three year test of free auto train, train service on a regular scale and sailing specials.