It’s time for the people of Maine to stand up and be counted. The Legislature and the governor’s office have not been forthcoming about the proposed hydro project bringing electrical power through Maine to Massachusetts and Connecticut. From Fort Kent to Kittery, every resident taxpayer needs to come forward to vote on a referendum about whether we want to allow the power companies to build a power transmission line through our state.

Maine’s North Woods is the largest undeveloped area east of the Mississippi and is the home to Canadian lynx, bear, moose, bobcats and more. This 10 million acres of undeveloped forests, lakes and rivers needs to be protected for future generations. Right now, Mainers use the land for fishing, hiking and hunting but public access to this area is not guaranteed. Acquiring more public lands would ensure public access forever.

Without specifically mentioning Deirdre Fleming (or the Portland Press Herald), John Holyoke basically disses her and her whole very well done article in his recent piece, "Catch and Release not to blame for togue population explosion.”

What a relief it is to hear about campaigns that take aim at price gouging by pharmaceutical companies! It is a long-standing problem that just seems to be getting worse. Many Mainers find it very difficult to afford the medications they need.

In reading John Holyoke’s recent piece, “Catch and release fishing not to blame for togue population explosion,” I was struck by the writer’s claim that catch and release is “under attack.”

On behalf of all the pilots and organizers of Wings for Wishes on the Waterfront, I would like to express my sincere thank you to all who attended and helped our group donate almost $11000 to Make-A-Wish Maine. We collected over $5000 on the waterfront the day of the event. I am humbled by the outpouring of support from our local community.

Millions of people are affected by the rising costs of prescription medication every day. It is wrong that hard working families have to choose between taking medication and being able to eat a meal.

I think the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife canceled a request for proposals to conduct a scheduled study on the impact of human food (including baiting) on Maine’s bear population because they didn’t want to hear the results and make them public. The study RFP was cancelled for a litany of flimsy excuses, even though it has been long overdue.

Did you ever stop and think how much better life would be for everyone if we all followed the Golden Rule “To treat others as you want to be treated.” Instead we have, more than we would like, people that think “life is all about me, myself and I.”

I am asking our legislators to return to Augusta to vote on a Land for Maine’s future bond. It is imperative that our legislators vote before the end of August in order for the bond make the November 2019 ballot.

I have family members who have green cards. They work, pay taxes, are productive members of their communities. Does this mean they don’t get counted, because they are not citizens? There must be millions in this status and in varying stages of becoming legal citizens. It is a slow process. Does this mean they don’t count?

Thirty years ago I was assistant District Attorney responsible for Piscataquis County. At that time, we had a process known as “filing” a case. This meant a case was postponed for a period of time on a promise of good behavior. It worked well with petty crimes, but we never “filed” an operating under the influence (OUI) charge. It would have been wrong then and it is now.

Thank you to the BDN for the front-page coverage given to the closure of Belfast’s Marshall Wharf Brewing Co. Roughly a million dollars in sales annually, and several local jobs, all lost to climate change. Neither the mandated federal flood insurance nor Federal Emergency Management Agency could apparently respond in time to help the Carlsons save their business.

I would like to thank Sen. Paul Davis for his prescience and determination to protect our future by supporting two bills that will bode well for Maine’s future energy needs. This is not the first time that Davis has put the people of Maine first.

I would like to say in these days where politics have split the country, Maine has shown to still have some conscientious leaders that respond to the needs of the people regardless of party. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the votes of Sen. Paul Davis on LD 1494 and LD 1711.

Legislators should approve a Land for Maine’s Future bond for the 2019 ballot. Land for Maine’s Future is a fantastic program, yet it hasn’t received bond funding for years. What are we waiting for?

On behalf of our 230,000 members statewide, AARP Maine applauds our state legislators and Gov. Mills for passing a strong package of bills to make prescription drugs more affordable and more accessible in Maine. Thousands of Mainers take prescription medications. For many, there is no alternative to alleviate crippling pain or manage chronic illnesses. For others, prescription drugs literally keep them alive. This legislative package could not come soon enough.

A majority of Maine voters twice approved Ranked Choice Voting at the ballot box over the past several years. But, we still don’t have it for the 2020 presidential election. That’s because the Maine Legislature must act.