Sunday, June 16, is my first Father’s Day without my father. I don’t have children. When I think about what makes a good father, I compare the fathering skills of others — including my own dad. Also, I can remember how, as a kid, I felt during interactions with my father. Although I was a child, I was still me.

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.

On behalf of the citizens of Monson, I want to welcome you to the revitalized community of Monson on the shores of beautiful Lake Hebron. It is an honor and pleasure to have you as our guest. You are an asset to the community and economy.

Remember when Gov. Janet Mills told you that she would not, if elected, support increased taxes? Pay close attention to what happens in Augusta in the next couple weeks, because she may very well have to choose whether she meant that promise or not.

My mother, Louise Farmer, died in October 2015, but she was gone a long time before that. She had Alzheimer’s disease – a cruel bastard that robs people of their memories and their lives.

Yesterday my iPhone chimed; a text message from a family member at work. “Is there any chance you might be able to pick up William from school today?” William's aunt was supposed to drive the 10-year-old home, but something came up.

I went to the local grocery store the other morning. Normally, in my small town, I can get a parking spot in front of the store or, at the very least, in the adjacent parking lot two or three stalls from the door. Today, I had to park in the lot near the back of the store. It was just strange for a rainy, gray day in Podunk.

This Legislature hasn't even finished their work finalizing a budget yet, and already we are talking about spending more money than we have.

As Maine inches toward ending another legislative session with little to no progress on the deadly issue of gun violence, even as 12 more people are dead from a mass shooting in Virginia Beach, a student-led movement should be forcing us all to confront our own complicity.

Many Americans are fascinated by British royalty, following the romances, marriages, childbirths, divorces and the gowns and jewels. We may be the citizens of a democracy but we seem hypnotized by the bluebloods of Europe.

Battle lines are drawn. The NRA is the target du-jour of the litany of Democrat presidential candidates, vying for boldest denouncement of the millions of armed, peaceful and law-abiding citizens in America. Six million strong, this large sector of the American public is an easy target for these “bold” politicians to threaten fearlessly; after all, they are law-abiding.

Since I am no longer employed at the Maine State House (1989-2012), I haven’t tried this experiment. But every now and then, while at the State House, I would take one workday and ask people: If I ask you to name a famous drummer, which drummer first comes to mind?

Late last week the Maine Legislature, for a change, did something that I am very happy about. They took action to reform Maine's broken initiative and referendum process.

Health care. Homeless shelters. The military. In school. At work. The Trump administration is further escalating its attack on transgender people, including in situations when people are their most vulnerable.

I have many questions regarding the power line to Boston, also known as the Central Maine Power corridor.

As we near the end of this current legislative session, it is crucial that we contact our district's House Representatives now to express support for LD 1083 “An Act To Implement Ranked Choice Voting for Presidential Primary and General Elections in Main”' because right now is our last chance for such a bill, if passed any time in the next four weeks, to improve our voting system in Maine in time for the 2020 presidential election. Go online to http://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/ or call the House's Clerk's Office at 287-1400 to leave your message for your district representative.

Six years ago, Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen published, “The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People, Nations and Businesses.” They describe their book as “about technology...and how humans interact with, implement, adapt to and exploit technologies..now and in the future....”

On behalf of the citizens of Dover-Foxcroft and the surrounding communities, I would like to congratulate the senior class at Foxcroft Academy on their accomplishments. I also want to thank the boarding students for choosing Foxcroft Academy for your American education.