As the legislative session enters its last weeks, Democrats are sitting on their hands, hoping voters won’t notice they have avoided making the tough decisions that affect your families, businesses and wallets.

Maine’s newest state troopers received their badges April 13 in ceremonies at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Among the five new state troopers is David Olmstead.

One afternoon in 1973, legendary country musician Johnny Cash was writing to his 18-year-old daughter, Roseanne, at a table in his tour bus. When he finished, Cash handed Roseanne a song list he titled, “100 Essential Country Songs.” “Here’s your education,” he told her.

In keeping up with the changing educational world, Foxcroft Academy has big plans in the coming months regarding the science lab. A large scale renovation is planned for the third floor science center during the summer break. The overhauled lab will include new equipment and new workstations, all with science students’ needs and safety in mind.

The Wayside Grange and Theatre is thrilled to be the recipient of a $2,200 from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation.

Despite having reached out to him numerous times over the past 16 months, Rep. Bruce Poliquin has failed to represent me in Washington, D.C. I will be supporting Lucas St.Clair to take his seat.

The sun-drenched Florida Keys, with its cobalt skies, swaying palm fronds and gliding pelicans, got under my skin more than 40 years ago. As a Maine Naval Reservist, official orders sent me down there more than once for a two-week training tour at the Key West Naval Air Station.

Cub Scout Pack 61 held its annual Pinewood Derby on March 10 at the Grace Bible Church in Sangerville.

Makayla McKenzie and Briana Spaulding, both of Dexter, visited the Statehouse for SkillsUSA Championship Day on April 9. During their day in Augusta the pair were congratulated by their Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville.

Rural Maine, Small Town Maine, and Farm Town Maine, are slowly decaying into their own landscape. The greater sadness is that the factors to their demise are beyond the control of Small Town Maine. No, this is not even the tale of little communities who cannot keep up with the changing times or technologies; but instead, is the story, to often told in Maine, of bureaucratic government’s abuse, corruption, and overreach and the cowardice of those, who should, to curtail it.