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.

I would like to thank those who voted for me in the June 9 election. I am aware of the responsibilities I am facing and the trust you have shown in me. I am looking forward to working with you all for the next three years.

It was Winston Churchill who said, “The best argument against Democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.”

It wasn’t the first dollar I ever earned but it was close to it. For 35 years I hoarded it away in a scrapbook with never a thought of it being spent, at least until this week.

There is a famous photograph that makes the rounds about this time every year. It depicts a Memorial Day parade making its way down Main Street, USA. As the national flag is approaching, one elderly man is standing at attention while the crowd around him, children and young adults, remain at ease; laughing, fooling around, blissfully ignorant of the significance of the moment.

Many of you will know me from my 28-year marriage to my late husband, Lee Dunning Jr. Many others will know me from my 17-year employment at Wiscasset Public Library. Many will know me from my four years with the Wiscasset Budget Committee. The point is many of you know me.

Thanks to the kindness of Jim and Glenda Drum, the Damariscotta Mills railroad station sign is coming home. It will be mounted at the old station site on Depot St. to greet people who arrive by train to attend the Fish Ladder Restoration Festival this weekend.

The Alna Volunteer Fire Dept would like to thank all of the businesses and individuals who donated to our annual Mother’s Day pancake breakfast that was held Sun., May 10. We couldn’t have done it without you.

The Bremen Conservation Commission (BCC) would like to thank everyone who participated in their recent sale of Compost Bins. The sale was coordinated by the BCC to raise awareness of Earth Day and the response was above and beyond expectations. In all, 140 compost bins were sold to individuals from nearly every town in Lincoln County!