On Tues., Jan. 6, the entire Bristol Fire Department was invited to dinner at the Samoset Restaurant. We would like to thank Erin Reeves and Chad McKernan for making such a wonderful gesture. We all had great meals and the service was excellent.

To the Editor:

Volunteers are the essence, lifeblood and a living gift to non-profit organizations throughout Lincoln County.

According to the state’s records, since 1990, there have been 75 occasions involving the use of deadly force by Maine law enforcement, sometimes but not always, with deadly results.

I must correct and clarify that portion of the Edgecomb article addressing the snow plowing issue of Spring Hill Farm Rd. (“Edgecomb to require Shore Road excavation,” LCN, 1/15/09) As written, the article is confusing and misleading.

It’s nice to see that our Legislators are serious about addressing the problems facing the state.

To the Editor:

I had a serious sense of déjà vu reading your Christmas and New Year’s issues, for both featured one-sourced articles on the same local chimney sweep.

To the Editor:

I think it was in 1993 when a law was passed that limited our choices of what health care insurance Maine people could buy. Since then the cost of health insurance premiums has steadily gone up. Our state government has regulated health insurance companies to such a degree; most won’t do business with us. Part of what drives costs is competition, or the lack of it.

On Jan. 27, the citizens of 11 Lincoln County towns will decide the future course of education in their towns when they vote whether or not to approve the Alternative Organizational Structure plan formulated by a joint Regional Planning Committee.

Intelligence Challenges Facing Barack ObamaOver the past eight years one of the most troubling issues in US national security has been the divisive and politically charged debate over the US intelligence community. Intelligence reform is one of those areas where Barack Obama has wisely signaled his intention to move cautiously yet, as with the military, some tough decisions will need to be made over the next four years.

Now that the holiday season is winding down, it’s time to carefully review credit card statements and protect yourself, as unfortunately, criminals may try to steal credit card and personal information. Many of us used credit cards to purchase gifts during this holiday season.

I read an article in “Consumer Reports” that was beyond belief regarding payday lenders and the excessive rates they are allowed to charge a customer is in need of money until his or her next payday.

Thank you to all the concerned folks who have participated in the public hearings regarding the adoption of a consolidation plan for the towns of Damariscotta, Newcastle, Bristol, South Bristol, Nobleboro, Jefferson, Edgecomb, Bremen, Southport, Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor. After attending three of the hearings, it seemed to me that there was some confusion about the purpose of the vote on Jan. 27.

Several of us local baseball enthusiasts in Lincoln and Knox counties, in our sixties and seventies, lost a hero a couple of weeks ago. That man was Don Bowman, a local baseball hero from Jefferson, who passed away at Cove’s edge in Damariscotta at the age of 82.

By Haley CarrothersHaley Carrothers is a Lincoln Academy senior, living with her family in the United Arab Emirates where she’s completing her final high school year.December has been a very busy month in the UAE. It started with the country celebrating its 37th anniversary of unification. Like everything else, this celebration was a world record. […]