The first regular session of the 128th Maine Legislature has finally come to a close as of Aug. 2. The state budget, with all of its trappings, was the major sticking point.

On behalf of the Moosehead Lake Region I would like to welcome all to our vast region. It is a honor to host you while you explore this great region.

It is not fair, but voting down our school budget is not the right response. We can’t punish our students and staff for a state formula. We need to actively contact our state legislators, and let the governor know that if the state is finally funding schools at the mandated 55 percent, then even SAD 4 students should receive that level of support.

Good morning from the shores of beautiful Moosehead Lake as dawn penetrates the night sky with the Lord’s glory and love engulfing America’s crown jewel that we love and adore with passion.

On Tuesday night (July 18), the SAD 4 budget committee met and applied the additional state money in excess of $200,000 as revenue to the 2018 fiscal year budget. That will help to lower town assessments. At the beginning of the meeting, the committee skipped the time for audience input, but later asked if there were questions, which it tried to answer. However, at no time did the committee solicit recommendations for further cutting of expenses.

The Dover-Foxcroft Homecoming Committee has been very busy planning the “95th Anniversary”-themed parade on Saturday, Aug. 5. They have selected residents celebrating their “90 something birthdays” to participate in the parade in a special way.

I am very concerned about the rising cost of electricity in Maine. Thankfully, the Legislature is taking action to reduce electricity costs for our homes and businesses

I travel the highways of Maine quite frequently. I believe I am a pretty good observer of what lies along the sides of the road concerning debris.

We're being told the economy of the Northern Penobscot region is on the mend thanks to the new national monument. Truth is it's up a little; instead of five visitors a day to a local business, they can expect six now. If we're willing to settle for such a small improvement, let's sign up now.

Most of us believe majority rule is the basis of our democracy. However, in our state, majority doesn’t rule. “Plurality” rules, which means, for races with more than two candidates, the one with the most votes wins.

There is a therapy to be found in the woods. There is a simple, happy way of life as our early ancestors did among the streams and lakes. Maybe you should try this kind of life.

On November 8, 2016, Maine voters overwhelmingly favored a citizens' referendum for Ranked-Choice Voting. Since that exciting moment in the political history of the United States (Maine being the first state to pass a referendum for the ranking of votes for state legislature, governorship and Maine's four congressional delegates), the Judiciary and Senate have done their part to put this bill before our House of Representatives for a two-thirds vote for a constitutional change.

This year, the Milo Board of Selectmen believe the proposed budget deserves a NO vote on June 29th.

The new Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard (DFAFC) consists of Bowerbank, Garland, Atkinson, Sebec, Willimantic, Sangerville, and Dover-Foxcroft and has been in existence for two years. We want to thank both the Congregational Church and the Town Office of Dover-Foxcroft for giving us storage space for our food items. These locations have allowed us to distribute food bimonthly.

Good morning from the shores of beautiful Moosehead Lake on this cloudy overcast summer morning as dawn has penetrated the night sky with the Lord’s glory, pray that He will bring abundance of sunshine and blue skies. To fill our hearts with love.

As everyone knows, the legislature is embroiled in an awful battle in an attempt to come up with a state budget. As a representative to the citizens of House District #119 I would like to share my perspective and some of my thoughts on the predicament that we find ourselves in.

The first referendum vote for the FY18 budget in SAD #4/RSU 80 has failed. A new interim superintendent and bookkeeper are about to take over on a part-time basis. The school committee must step up and pull itself together. The board’s leadership is critical going forward to make progress on both passing a workable budget and facing the need to improve instruction in the classrooms in the district, which happens to enjoy very favorable class sizes.

Since 2012, on average, 18 of Maine’s 25 community hospitals have operated with negative operating margins. Now, it seems that nearly every day there is news about a hospital or health system closing or reducing services to control costs.