For the past decade, we have been hearing about the supposed "rebirth" and "revitalization" of Bangor. Yet, at the end of the day, it is all an illusion. For all the "Bangor is back!" talk of some kind of Queen City renaissance, it isn't reflected in the numbers. Bangor has lost 1,000 people in the past decade. Yes, Bangor's population is shrinking.

On Election Day Tuesday, June 13th voters will be going to the polls. Unlike many other elections, we are not seeing constant media coverage as there is only one State bond question being voted on. There is a lot being decided here at the local level and it’s important that Dover-Foxcroft voters weigh in on these issues.

Once again the budget season for school districts is upon us and once again my concern in writing this letter is the way in which the school committee chooses to handle the SAD #4 budget development

It saddens me to see people use this space to put out misleading and false information to the taxpayers and voters of Dover-Foxcroft. Therefore, I feel the need to correct information which Chris Maas stated last week in the publication of this newspaper.

It is with great pride that I write to you about the RSU 68 school budget. Throughout the budget process, the RSU 68 School Board worked with a guiding principle that says they are committed to making transparent, student-centered budget decisions. The budget that was presented and accepted at the May 30, 2017 district budget meeting reflects the belief in that principle.

When I was elected to the school board in Guilford I made an appointment with my doctor and he doubled my meds. If you are prone to nausea, you might want to take some precautions yourself before you read the budget presented to SAD 4 by the board.

Speaking to a group of Little Leaguers on Saturday, Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper had a simple message. “As much as they might tell you, ‘It’s OK you guys lost today,’ no, Johnny," he began. "No participation trophies, OK? First place only, alright?”

There’s a new day coming and it’s June 13 -- Municipal Election Day in Dover-Foxcroft. It can be a day of victory, a day for rejoicing because it will be the day we can vote our Freedom.

Today I had the honor of participating in Dover-Foxcroft’s Memorial Day Parade. It is a celebration of our community and the connections between all of us who live here in our wonderful small town.

We’ve recently seen several letters to the editor complaining that the proposed new town charter removes our sacred right to a secret ballot. It does not.

Well, I hate to say I told you so. But, I told you so. I tried. I tried to warn you all that ranked-choice voting was unconstitutional.

Since my wife and I are getting on in years, we decided it would be prudent for us to find a primary care provider a littler closer to home than our previous in Bangor. We made an appointment with a doctor’s office (I will not say who it is, or where it is for discretionary reasons).

For a town attempting to rebuild itself, to energize its growth potential and expand business opportunities, Dover-Foxcroft’s Charter Revision Commission appears to have done everything possible to reverse that process.

I would like to clear up a couple of misconceptions about the fairgrounds. Following that, I would like to express my concerns for the lawns and road system of said grounds.

Mainers who have overcome drug addiction have powerful stories and when they share their struggle it is hard to ignore.

When it comes to President Donald Trump, the only thing you can really count on is that people are going to completely lose their mind and any sense of rationality when they talk about him.

What is privacy on the internet? Well, a smart person would probably tell you that it doesn't exist, and you should probably assume as much as you spend time online.

Dover-Foxcroft's Charter Revision Commission would like all town voters to believe their proposed changes to the charter are offered as a way of "streamlining" the voting process for the annual town budget.