by Governor Paul LePage

It is so refreshing to have a president in the White House who truly understands what it takes to create jobs and grow the economy.

From his long and successful career in business, President Trump knows firsthand that a burdensome tax code doesn’t create jobs, it kills them. When he outlined his vision for tax reform last week, I was pleased to see it will help Maine families keep more of their hard-earned paychecks.

Lots of people think that their family yards need less attention in the fall, but autumn is no time to ignore your lawn and landscape.

 “What you do now will determine the quality of your family yard next spring and summer,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), the international trade association representing more than 100 power equipment, engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. 

by Sen. Angus King

 During my time in Maine this summer, I visited all of the 16 counties in our state, hearing feedback from Maine people about the issues important to them, their families and their communities. My stops throughout the state once again reminded me that Maine is a big small town with very long streets – we care about each other and our friends and neighbors. Listening to people from Sanford to Fort Fairfield – and everywhere in between – is a breath of fresh air and helps guide my work in Washington.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

This week, Downeast customers of Verizon Wireless received letters stating that their cellular service contracts would be cancelled effective Oct. 17. The letters were titled “Important information regarding interruption to your service.”

Dear Editor,

I am writing as one of the 375,668 “No” voters, asking our legislators, the 17 members of the Joint Select Committee on Medical Marijuana Legalization Implementation and fellow citizens to reflect upon the Pandora’s box that commercialized pot will open in our beautiful state. I’ve been a property owner in Maine since 1988 and year-round resident since 2011.

Upcoming events

• • • • • •

Movie - Friday, Sept. 15 - 6 p.m. - Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie - Henry D. Moore Library - free admission - refreshments by donation 207-546-7301

• • • • • •

Bean Supper - Sept 16. West Lubec Methodist Church, 5 p.m. 

• • • • • •

by Jessica Griffin - Brown 

The Washington County Thriving in Place Initiative invites you to “Repair & Winterize My Home,” a free informational session on Sept. 26 from noon to 3 p.m. at the East Machias Community Center, located in the Firehouse building across Route 1 from the East Machias Post Office.  

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A local Facebook page connected two strangers who wanted to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey, and from that connection grew a plan that spread across Washington County. Their combined efforts will culminate in a truckload of supplies bound for Texas this week. Southeastern Texas was struck with Hurricane Harvey on August 29. The flooding is extensive.

Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has launched the Veteran Advisory Panel, a new body consisting of Maine Veterans that will assist the Congressman in more effectively hearing from and conveying the interests of Veterans across Maine’s 2nd District to Congress.