Ward One City Councilor Mike Swanton Even with the best of intentions, it's too easy to screw up. Case in point: The way Biddeford City Councilor Mike Swanton objected to a state law that allows municipalities to share a portion of proceeds seized following the conviction of a drug crime. On Wednesday, fewer than 24 … Continue reading Detroit, rock city
Category: BLOG POSTS
Commentary that has not been published elsewhere.
Smoking in the boys’ room
I have a friend --- let's call him Todd --- who thinks that the city of Portland, Maine is so hip, so cool and oh so wonderful. Todd fled the pace and grind of Boston in order to raise his family in place that is consistently ranked as one of the country's most "livable" cities, whatever that … Continue reading Smoking in the boys’ room
Dead letter office
I was speaking with a friend yesterday about the recent municipal elections in Biddeford. "I bet you're glad it's over," he said. "Over?" I responded. "It's hardly over. Already candidates are lining up for local legislative races that will be decided next November. There's always another election around the corner." He shook his head and … Continue reading Dead letter office
Space Oddity
The city of Biddeford takes its politics seriously. Elections in this city are complex and vibrant, and they too often reveal a community at odds with itself. Biddeford is a city in transition during difficult economic times. It is a city brimming with potential and possibility, yet it too often remains as one of its own … Continue reading Space Oddity
My Picks: Biddeford 2013
While a handful of folks have put a lot of energy into telling the world who not to vote for, I decided to share who I am going to vote for in Biddeford's municipal election on Tuesday. All of the 29 candidates on the ballot deserve our thanks and appreciation for their willingness to step up to the plate and serve their … Continue reading My Picks: Biddeford 2013
Where are you going?
As he always does, General Wallace Nutting answered the door with a grin and his blue eyes sparkling. We agreed to meet at his home, and he apologized for "being a bit disheveled." He had just finished his daily workout, and was still wearing his workout sweats. He is 85 years old. To be in the … Continue reading Where are you going?
Paper Thin
It was one of the worst places to watch the final game of the World Series. But it turned out that it was the best place to watch the final game of the World Series. I would dare say that watching the World Series from the confines of an in-patient psychiatric unit is about the most … Continue reading Paper Thin
‘Round here
Obviously, there are a lot of correlations between politics and football. In both, I have been little more than a spectator. I know my limitations, but I admire those who suit up, take the field and are willing to take some hard hits to accomplish their objective. Today our community celebrates the annual Battle of … Continue reading ‘Round here
Mark Johnston: Rocket Man
Former Saco Mayor Mark Johnston/ Marlee Hayes photo Something strange is about to happen on the other side of the Saco River. It's as rare as a blue moon and perhaps more difficult to understand. Mark Johnston will not be running for mayor in Saco. Johnston, 61, says he has spent nearly 40 years in … Continue reading Mark Johnston: Rocket Man
If you believe in forever
And so it was --- amidst all this talk of a government shut down, an "unfair" system of health care delivery and a skyrocketing national debt --- that my youngest son was assigned to read Animal Farm. As so many of us learned in high school, George Orwell wrote Animal Farm as an allegorical reference to … Continue reading If you believe in forever
NOTES TO CARL | LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY 