Articles

Destroying to Save?

The administration of Washington County Community College announced recently it was suspending its Eastport boatbuilding program. The suspension, said the college president, “is a positive step that will reinvigorate the program.” Reinvigorating it would certainly be a good idea. Whether shutting down the program will accomplish that goal is unclear. College officials cited declining enrollment

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Tax Cap

The tax cap that’s headed for a referendum ballot later this year would push homeowners’ valuations back to 1996 and cap property taxes at one percent of those values. Because Maine relies so heavily on property taxes, a cap would necessitate one of two things: drastic cuts in services at the state and local level,

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Author’s Query

To the editor: I am researching Virgil Geddes, a former resident of Atlantic. He and his wife, the painter Minna Besser Geddes, lived in a converted schoolhouse, which is now the Swan’s Island library. Geddes was born in Nebraska in 1897, served in the Navy during WWI, then worked for newspapers in Chicago and Paris

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Vinalhaven’s Caucus

To the editor: I have tried mightily to resist but I can’t. A couple of your (our) readers wrote in the last issue complaining about my having reported on Vinalhaven’s “combination” Democratic/ Republican caucus. They had several specific complaints. First, they suggested you consider enforcing your op-ed policy, which quite specifically encourages precisely the sort

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Poor Government

There is real value in the U.S. Coast Guard’s practice of investigating, reporting and making recommendations after fatal accidents at sea. While the reports may be incomplete – in many cases the vessel in question is unavailable for examination – they sum up the factors that may have contributed to an accident. The information is

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A Reviewer who reads the books

To the editor: Just a note to thank Working Waterfront for an excellent review of my novel [Sapphire Sea, March 2004]. After being reviewed in a couple of national newspapers and all around the state, I really appreciate a book reviewer who reads the books. Kudos to Nancy Griffin! John B. Robinson Portland

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Wonderful Memories

To the editor: …Enjoy the Working Waterfront very much as the Maine news of the seafaring trade brings back many wonderful memories. Philip Conkling’s writing is inspiring and delightful… Marguerite S. Buckley Danbury, Connecticut

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Laughed Out Loud

To the editor: Wonderful read!! Having never been able to convince my husband to live on an island, I live vicariously through the publications of the Island Institute. When I read the adventures of Rusty Warren, I try to imagine how I would handle such and such. Today I read Mid-Life, Mid-Winter, Mid-Ocean [WWF March

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Yum — Good!

To the editor: I just finished reading Randy Purinton’s article on razor clams [WWF March 2004]. Twenty-five years ago, living on Cape Cod where I did much shellfishing, I dug into a mess of razor clams. Folks said they were okay to eat but no one ever did. I took home about a dozen with

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Not Government Funded

To the editor: I am writing in response to Sally Noble’s article entitled “Runway dispute affects North Haven air service” which appears on page 15 of your March issue. In mentioning emergency air service, Noble refers to LifeFlight as “this government-funded program.” That reference is completely false; LifeFlight of Maine is a private non-profit organization.

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