Comments for Twin City Times

Comment on Enough is Enough: Lewiston legislators pit taxpayers against taxtakers by Dawn Hodsdon

Dawn Hodsdon — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:57:17 +0000

@ Dan Breton Falling on hard times and making a living off of others are two entirely different things. When will the righteous indignation be turned to those who “won’t”? They are stealing from those who “can’t”! Unlike what we are fed by the bleeding hearts in the media, those of use who realize that the hard earned tax dollars that flow from one hand, the hand that earned them, through the hands of those who have no investment in the proper care of them, to those who have been taught that they are entitled to them, ARE NOT LIMITLESS! There are many in need and twice as many in want and envy. It must stop. We must direct our ire to those who WON’T and away from those who want the abuse to stop.

Comment on Enough is Enough: Lewiston legislators pit taxpayers against taxtakers by Dan Breton

Dan Breton — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:09:16 +0000

So Mayor Macdonald wants to publicly humiliate people who fall on hard times, then wants to give them the means to commit suicide and the liquid strength to do so. This is despicable! To have so little respect for human life is inexcusable. Any public official who would encourage suicide should resign immediately!

Comment on Spending Spree: Gift cards, catering and travel top list of hundreds of thousands in questionable Maine Housing expenses by C Adler

C Adler — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:12 +0000

Let’s not forget here that the MSHA is also an employer. Were some of these expenses used towards professional development of the staff? Was there possibly a staff appreciation day where a luncheon was catered? Mileage is justifiably a cost of operation. Were housing inspections done? How did the inspector get there? Walk? Let’s not shoot the innocent, either. Accountability? YES! A witch hunt? NO.

Comment on Mayor’s Corner: Governor LePage, please “Don’t steal our candy!” by Twin City Candy

Twin City Candy — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:15:41 +0000

[...] foot for comfortable game play. Mcdavid Hexpad Kneeshinelbow Scarlet Sports Pad Kneeelbow Pads; Mayor's Corner: Governor LePage, please “Don't … – Twin City Times Mayor's Corner: Governor LePage, please “Don't steal our candy!” November 23, 2011 | [...]

Comment on Government watchdog group to investigate MaineHousing expenses by Nancy Vose

Nancy Vose — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:02:50 +0000

Thank goodness light is finally being placed on these long term, fraudulent activities. Kudos to rich Cebra and others who are helping to re-structure how Maine spends it money.

Comment on Government watchdog group to investigate MaineHousing expenses by Karen Miller

Karen Miller — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:25:16 +0000

Witch-hunt?? At this particular time in our history, any agency receiving government funds should be prepared for public scrutiny! I am a teacher who has been able to witness firsthand the front line effects of this current economic climate. Kids are hungry and are losing their homes to foreclosure! If this agency had a surplus large enough to award $1000 bonuses in 2009, the money should have been allocated to support the people for whom this agency was established! Even if their wages have been frozen at the same level for 4-5 years, (which it appears that they have been) those wages are in fact support by government dollars and the government does not have a lot of extra money to throw around. Sorry, this is not a political issue. Any elected official should be supporting efforts in holding agencies that receive government dollars accountable.

Comment on Enough is Enough: Limit on TANF may increase General Assistance by Mike Lachance

Mike Lachance — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:15:42 +0000

In response to the Mayor’s column, and Paul’s comment I will add this. Sometimes the bitter truth is a hard pill to swallow. It takes courage, honesty and complete assertiveness to state the facts in the matter of Lewiston’s ongoing problems. The Mayor has done just that and exhibited something that hasn’t dared been excercised in a decade.

While many will undoubtedly feel uncomfortable with these facts, and likely their abrupt presentation, the Mayor is to be applauded if for nothing else, bringing these facts out into the open for public discussion.

The real problem isnt shining a bright light on these issues, but HOW we tackle the solutions and move Lewiston out of the “Welfare City” category and into the “Economic Boomtown” category. It won’t be easy, but shooting the messenger got Lewiston NOWHERE a decade ago and scared the fortitude out of EVERY subsequent mayor since then… until now.

Like him or not, Mayor Macdonald has done nothing more than state the economic challenges we now face. We as citizens, along with the City Council (who are the ones that will actually do SOMETHING or do NOTHING) must now tackle these problems.

I do believe Mayor Macdonald has considered the response his statements will generate. It takes guts. A city, like an alcoholic, must sometimes admit there is a problem before overcoming the problem. For the last decade the City has been denying the problem exists. No longer.

Now let’s get this city back on track and overcome the economic problems we are saddled with.

Comment on Enough is Enough: Limit on TANF may increase General Assistance by Paul Carignan

Paul Carignan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:56:06 +0000

Dear Mr. Macdonald;
I moved to Lewiston when I was 3 years old with my family. In the years since I have been witness to many mayors, and many challenges; the economy, downtown revitalization, crime, and overcoming hate-in all cases mayors had to make decisions to face these challenges. One constant that existed is that the presiding mayors all took actions that would keep the community together.
My father served as the Dean of Bates College for over thirty years. In his tenure he worked to help keep the Bates Community together. He also tried to help dissolve the belief that the “Batesies” were rich kids that disrespected the “townies”, by developing mentor programs and programs that provided opportunities to area young people, and older members of the community, as well. Later in his time at Bates my Dad worked as a member of the Lewiston City Council. He may not have had many motions accepted, but it is my feeling that everyone involved with Lewiston city government would attest that his main priority was to provide opportunities for those in need. He never tried to create divisiveness, among citizens of Lewiston.
Your column “Enough is Enough…” in the February 1 edition of the Twin City Times does not, in any sense, speak to the elements of unity, encouragement, and does project a sense of leadership that should be a primary goal of the mayor. Despite not living in Lewiston any longer, I still like to remain current on the goings-on in the community I called my home. Comments that have been made by you rival the “ He can kiss my a___” made by our current Governor for the “Reasons to be ashamed of political leaders “ category. I appreciate you speaking from the heart and being real. I would only hope that you pause and consider the response that your words may generate as an authority figure and a role model in the community.

Sincerely,

Paul Carignan

Comment on Lewiston Casino group announces newest investors by Was goal of Lewiston casino backers a quick payout? | Dirigo Blue | Maine's Source for Progressive Political News

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:07:40 +0000

[...] deal should voters approve a referendum. That initiative was rejected in November 2011.Some of the investors in Great Falls include:Dr. Ron Chicoine Wendy Chicoine-Poutre and Tim Poutre John Buck Peter Mars Floentia Mendros [...]

Comment on Mayor’s Column—Enough is Enough by Tom Peters

Tom Peters — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:14:23 +0000

Robert nicely said.
If I recall the council upon which I sat also agreed to take the mill down. Came close but the then acting city administrator decided it needed to be a mecca for slots and since the council term was up delay got him his way.
There was a great deal of discussion and planning put into turning Lincoln St into the new hub of the City. You should look up those plans–they included some great ideas. Many people met in various venues to express their views. Rick Speer headed the effort and I am sure he can give you a wealth of information. Even considered making the Mill 5 area a park and taking the park near the river and making it into an area where cafes and the like with decks on the water. Finally making great use of the might A.Lots of small shops and things to do. The mill site with the canals near would be a great park and open up the area. We negotiated with Florida Power and they were going to pay the city to take over the canals. All the notes from those discussions are available. Maybe even change the direction of traffic on Canal or close it off for open markets and pedestrians to compliment the park. It was exciting to see all the possible uses most of which didn’t require deep pockets. It would be nice to see that excitement again and I think you and your council can make it happen. They appear to be ready and willing and by the way so is the council and mayor in Auburn. For the first time I do see the real chance the cities can make things happen as a team.
Good luck with your term as mayor. Call on the people to help you and let’s all pull together to move our great city forward.