Seems there's a problem in the nearby town of Clifton. One individual who has set up a blog had decided to "target" one particular neighbor for several months making numerous allegations and posting signs along the road where he and his neighbors live that have created a most unpleasant environment. In order to ensure he will receive no rebutal to his attacks and allegations, he has eliminated the Comments component of his blog. So one must presume the blog is intended to be his public means of making unchecked allegations and/or venting his obvious unchecked anger. And he believes "This is the way Maine should be."
Times are difficult when one is unemployed, in the midst of a divorce, and is reported to have their home in foreclosure. There are millions of Americans who can probably identify with at least two out of three of those situations. But that is no excuse for attacking a neighbor who has moved into the neighborhood and just wants to live a decent lifestyle. If the judger expects the one to be juded to be perfect and without any errors, then, of course, the "judge" must be perfect, too. In this case, the one writing the blog is far from that target.
There is a LOT MORE to the story than any reader will find on the Clifton News blog.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
RECENT NIGHTS
Has anyone stayed up lately to see how beautiful the moon has been over the water? Last night around 11PM the reflection was so clear, and the water so calm, it was as though there was an outside light turned on somewhere. Straight across the pond lay the beam of light like a beacon from the heavens. The loons were certainly happy as they sang late past the midnight hour.
But something happened around 2:56am. I heard the sounds through the open windows - loud and long enough to awaken me and I looked as the digital clock by my bedside. It sounded as though a small dog had been hurt. The cries went on for several minutes. It was in the distance but clear and disturbing.
Sights and sounds from the Maine woods.
But something happened around 2:56am. I heard the sounds through the open windows - loud and long enough to awaken me and I looked as the digital clock by my bedside. It sounded as though a small dog had been hurt. The cries went on for several minutes. It was in the distance but clear and disturbing.
Sights and sounds from the Maine woods.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
ROUTE 9 PAVING PROJECT
The road is looking fine. Drives nice, too. There have been some "one lane" traffic delays but they haven't been too long or terribly inconvenient. Certainly worth the price for the improvement over the potholes.
It is really amazing how fast sections have been done and phases completed. Unfortunately, in talking with some of the work crews, it seems that the Maine DOT didn't take in to consideration any of the reported problems of water runoff caused by the way the road was paved in the first place.
The current project is to remove the old stuff and replace with new stuff leaving the slopes and curves just the way they were before. This is even after the original crew had been advised of the soil erosion and uprooted trees on shoreline properties between Squirrel Lane and Comins Hall. Our ever-effective (defective) state government agencies at work. And DEP thinks THEY know how property owners should and shouldn't manage their own land. Yeh. Right.
It is really amazing how fast sections have been done and phases completed. Unfortunately, in talking with some of the work crews, it seems that the Maine DOT didn't take in to consideration any of the reported problems of water runoff caused by the way the road was paved in the first place.
The current project is to remove the old stuff and replace with new stuff leaving the slopes and curves just the way they were before. This is even after the original crew had been advised of the soil erosion and uprooted trees on shoreline properties between Squirrel Lane and Comins Hall. Our ever-effective (defective) state government agencies at work. And DEP thinks THEY know how property owners should and shouldn't manage their own land. Yeh. Right.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
SAD NEWS
It is with a deep sadness and shock that we heard early last week of the passing of Carolyn Baker, resident of Eddington and long-time librarian of the Clifton Library. While I have looked daily in the online version of the BDN for her obituary, I have not seen it. Therefore I can only pass on what I was told.
We all know that Carolyn was eagerly waiting for the kidney transplant that was to make possible the healthier life she was working toward and looking for. As I recall, her sister in another state was going to be able to provide that organ. But Carolyn needed to go through certain procedures to be ready. Unfortunately, time and conditions were not on her side and she passed away before the transplant could take place.
So many people loved and respected her. Yours truly included. She gave much to her community and others of all ages. She was always cheerful and positive. She will be missed greatly. Thoughts and prayers are extended to her family and close friends.
We all know that Carolyn was eagerly waiting for the kidney transplant that was to make possible the healthier life she was working toward and looking for. As I recall, her sister in another state was going to be able to provide that organ. But Carolyn needed to go through certain procedures to be ready. Unfortunately, time and conditions were not on her side and she passed away before the transplant could take place.
So many people loved and respected her. Yours truly included. She gave much to her community and others of all ages. She was always cheerful and positive. She will be missed greatly. Thoughts and prayers are extended to her family and close friends.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
BEST FRESH PIZZA
I had a real hankering for a good pizza last night. Not a frozen pizza, not a diet pizza, not a warmed over piece of cardboard with red sauce.
No - it wasn't Friday, the "traditional" pizza night. But my stomach said loud and clear, "It's PIZZA night!"
The challenge was that Stomach issued this message at 7:50pm. And Route 9 is under some major construction - improved construction to be sure (and it's moving really fast) but, did I want to drive up the driveway to find out if the road crew was still working? Did I want to go out in this never-ending, and enough-already humidity just for a pizza. Stomach said, "YES, YOU DO."
Fortunately I knew where to go - as long as the kitchen was still open, that is. So out came the telephone book and straight to the E's (for Eddington Store). Yes, the kitchen was stil open for a "Take and Bake Pizza."
Truth is, if I had not seen that small sign outside the store - otherwise known as the Citgo station - here in Eddington some weeks ago, I wouldn't know they can prepare the best pizza evah! But they do. With just about any topping you can imagine. Largest size is called Medium. Dough is fresh as are the toppings.
Early in June, with family here we ordered four. One family was here from Massachusetts in the middle of an Italian area. And members of that family (sausage and fresh tomatoes and an extra cheese) said after the first bite, "Now that's a pie!", which I learned meant one mighty fine pizza pie.
You get your "pie" in a box with instuctions to bake it straight on the rack at 450 degrees for 7-10 minutes. Personally, I think, even with a pre-heated oven (at least my oven) 13 minutes is about right. Perfecto!
Mamma Mia, that's a pie! (And with four toppings last nite, the price was $10.99.)
No - it wasn't Friday, the "traditional" pizza night. But my stomach said loud and clear, "It's PIZZA night!"
The challenge was that Stomach issued this message at 7:50pm. And Route 9 is under some major construction - improved construction to be sure (and it's moving really fast) but, did I want to drive up the driveway to find out if the road crew was still working? Did I want to go out in this never-ending, and enough-already humidity just for a pizza. Stomach said, "YES, YOU DO."
Fortunately I knew where to go - as long as the kitchen was still open, that is. So out came the telephone book and straight to the E's (for Eddington Store). Yes, the kitchen was stil open for a "Take and Bake Pizza."
Truth is, if I had not seen that small sign outside the store - otherwise known as the Citgo station - here in Eddington some weeks ago, I wouldn't know they can prepare the best pizza evah! But they do. With just about any topping you can imagine. Largest size is called Medium. Dough is fresh as are the toppings.
Early in June, with family here we ordered four. One family was here from Massachusetts in the middle of an Italian area. And members of that family (sausage and fresh tomatoes and an extra cheese) said after the first bite, "Now that's a pie!", which I learned meant one mighty fine pizza pie.
You get your "pie" in a box with instuctions to bake it straight on the rack at 450 degrees for 7-10 minutes. Personally, I think, even with a pre-heated oven (at least my oven) 13 minutes is about right. Perfecto!
Mamma Mia, that's a pie! (And with four toppings last nite, the price was $10.99.)
Thursday, July 8, 2010
THE FISCAL STATUS OF THE STATE OF MAINE'S CHECKBOOK
It would behoove Maine voters, at least in this area, to regularly pick up the weekly editions of the Ellsworth American. Even though it is a weekly newspaper, unlike the Bangor Daily, the NEWS regarding this state's government is more informative and less partisan than the daily spoon-fed pablum issued by the BDN. Case in point was data provided in the June 17th edition which I saved to review for postings. Seems today is as good as any to look at some of the items.
The Maine Heritage Policy Center, produced jointly with the national Citizens Against Government Waste, has issued a new "Maine Piglet Book." As quoted in the Ellsworth American, this edition "shatters the myth that state spending is cut to the bone and only tax hikes and spending increases will lift the state out of its fiscal crisis." And there are 36 pages of reasons why Mainers should be concerned about the fiscal policies of government in Maine.
As an example, neither the Governor nor the Legislature really like to talk about the state's entire DEBT, choosing instead to focus on pieces of the bigger picture when questioned. However, the "Maine Piglet Book" puts on strong glasses and looks at the the nearly $13 BILLION.
According to the review provided by the Ellsworth American, the "lion's share of that amount is represented in just three components: $5 billion of UNFUNDED (emphasis added) liability in the retiree health care plan for state employees and teachers; $4 billion in bonds issued by various state agencies that involve a moral, but not necessarily legal, state obligation; and $3 billion of UNFUNDED (emphasis added) liability in pension funds for state employees and teachers.
COMMENT: When Maine state government can't pay what they owe and are responsible for (such as the state's share for public education) what has been its' practice? Passing the bill on down to the people in the form of increased property taxes. Think about property taxes having to cover an additional $13 billion on unfunded liability in the coming years. How many Mainers - or even summer property owners - will be able to pay those bills?
*****
Another informative article in the same June 17 edition (all on the Editorial pages BTW - so nice to see political positions located where they belong don't you know) - had to do with the effectiveness of all these Bonds we have been passing - to create jobs.
I will admit I was in support of two of the Bond initiatives on this last ballot. Probably would still have voted for the transportation even after reading the article in The Ellsworth American - BUT....
Those four Bond initiatives totaled $108 million-plus-interest. And they all carried the flag "to create jobs." Remember? Did you know that The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (TARP) has, as of March 2010, brough to Maine $792,422,158. According to our illustrious Governor, that amount of money has created 1,130 jobs. IF the governor is right (and why would he report fewer jobs than were created?), that's $701,258 cost per job - with most of the jobs in the public sector...meaning state government. Was that what TARP intended? More government jobs? At over $700,000 per job?
The Ellsworth American provided some examples: The DOT used up $93,543,753 of that TARP and it created just 42 jobs with it - that amount to $2,227,232 per job!
I realize that, right here, we are watching some long overdue work being done on Route 9. Culverts are being dug up and I, for one (and speaking for several neighbors) hope the new, deeper road-side culverts will absorb a lot more of the water from rains and snow melting. Those of us on the downside toward Davis Pond are experiencing waterfall effects that are uprooting entire trees and their root systems, erroding property and devaluing property regardless of what Augusta wants to claim. And we are supposedly going to see Route 9 paved from the Brewer line to the Clifton line. None of us will miss the potholes. So I am willing to acknowledge there are costs for asphalt, gravel, equipment, etc. But not to the tune of over $2 million per job/position. And these are probably not permanent positions.
There will be more to review and discuss between now and November but this year we MUST pay attention to the issues. As voters we cannot be complacent and vote just because it's the same old familiar face, or because "Johnny" is someone we know. It is time for the voters in this state to accept the responsibility that is theirs - If we do not put an end to what has driven this state to the brink of bankruptcy because of irresponsible spending and a lack of accountability on the part of social and welfare program recipients, this entire state will become truly lost to those who care for it the most.
The Maine Heritage Policy Center, produced jointly with the national Citizens Against Government Waste, has issued a new "Maine Piglet Book." As quoted in the Ellsworth American, this edition "shatters the myth that state spending is cut to the bone and only tax hikes and spending increases will lift the state out of its fiscal crisis." And there are 36 pages of reasons why Mainers should be concerned about the fiscal policies of government in Maine.
As an example, neither the Governor nor the Legislature really like to talk about the state's entire DEBT, choosing instead to focus on pieces of the bigger picture when questioned. However, the "Maine Piglet Book" puts on strong glasses and looks at the the nearly $13 BILLION.
According to the review provided by the Ellsworth American, the "lion's share of that amount is represented in just three components: $5 billion of UNFUNDED (emphasis added) liability in the retiree health care plan for state employees and teachers; $4 billion in bonds issued by various state agencies that involve a moral, but not necessarily legal, state obligation; and $3 billion of UNFUNDED (emphasis added) liability in pension funds for state employees and teachers.
COMMENT: When Maine state government can't pay what they owe and are responsible for (such as the state's share for public education) what has been its' practice? Passing the bill on down to the people in the form of increased property taxes. Think about property taxes having to cover an additional $13 billion on unfunded liability in the coming years. How many Mainers - or even summer property owners - will be able to pay those bills?
*****
Another informative article in the same June 17 edition (all on the Editorial pages BTW - so nice to see political positions located where they belong don't you know) - had to do with the effectiveness of all these Bonds we have been passing - to create jobs.
I will admit I was in support of two of the Bond initiatives on this last ballot. Probably would still have voted for the transportation even after reading the article in The Ellsworth American - BUT....
Those four Bond initiatives totaled $108 million-plus-interest. And they all carried the flag "to create jobs." Remember? Did you know that The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (TARP) has, as of March 2010, brough to Maine $792,422,158. According to our illustrious Governor, that amount of money has created 1,130 jobs. IF the governor is right (and why would he report fewer jobs than were created?), that's $701,258 cost per job - with most of the jobs in the public sector...meaning state government. Was that what TARP intended? More government jobs? At over $700,000 per job?
The Ellsworth American provided some examples: The DOT used up $93,543,753 of that TARP and it created just 42 jobs with it - that amount to $2,227,232 per job!
I realize that, right here, we are watching some long overdue work being done on Route 9. Culverts are being dug up and I, for one (and speaking for several neighbors) hope the new, deeper road-side culverts will absorb a lot more of the water from rains and snow melting. Those of us on the downside toward Davis Pond are experiencing waterfall effects that are uprooting entire trees and their root systems, erroding property and devaluing property regardless of what Augusta wants to claim. And we are supposedly going to see Route 9 paved from the Brewer line to the Clifton line. None of us will miss the potholes. So I am willing to acknowledge there are costs for asphalt, gravel, equipment, etc. But not to the tune of over $2 million per job/position. And these are probably not permanent positions.
There will be more to review and discuss between now and November but this year we MUST pay attention to the issues. As voters we cannot be complacent and vote just because it's the same old familiar face, or because "Johnny" is someone we know. It is time for the voters in this state to accept the responsibility that is theirs - If we do not put an end to what has driven this state to the brink of bankruptcy because of irresponsible spending and a lack of accountability on the part of social and welfare program recipients, this entire state will become truly lost to those who care for it the most.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
THEY ALSO SERVE
Flags were waving. Bands were playing. Parades were conducted. Programs on the television lauded the sacrifices and commitments made over generations by the men and women of this country’s military. All true. However, there are others who have and do serve right along those in uniform and little is realized of their sacrifices and contributions. I am speaking of the families – the wives, husbands, too, in some cases and the children. (Yes, there are the parents but their sacrifices are of a different nature.) Today I write about the spouses and children – the immediate families of those in uniform because their efforts make such a difference, are so demanding and of which so little is known. I know of this from watching my daughter and her family.
My son-in-law is a Navy Lieutenant currently serving on a carrier based in a foreign port. It is a new assignment that began this past February when he left his family in Texas for preliminary training on the east coast in the U.S. As of July 4, his family had spent a total of five days with him in early March when they joined him in Washington D.C.
However, during the time he has been gone, his wife has completed the following:
•Home-schooled both boys, aged 7 and 9 and gotten them through their year-end exams;
•Organized their home in preparation for putting it on the market (in this depressed economy);
•Sold the home, signed off all necessary escrow papers, and closed all accounts in preparation for the family’s relocation to another country;
•Worked with the contracted packers for three separated structured packings of the families household items: (1) the things to be stored in Texas (because they will not be shipped to the new location), (2) items considered “priority” that would be shipped first (cannot total more than 1,000 lbs – such as the family bikes since that will be the basic means of local transportation, critical cooking utensils and the coffee pot!), and (3) the rest of the household goods that “may” arrive within two months. This includes the furniture, which may, or may not, arrive in tact – with the necessary screws and bolts, or with new scratches, broken legs, etc.;
•Closed out all appropriate financial accounts, set others on “hold” status until their return after this deployment, and laid the groundwork for those that will be needed once the family has set up base at their new location - and arranged for everyone to have annual dental and medical checkups with doctors/dentists familiar with them;
•Arranged to move out of the house in time for the new owners to take possession. This included temporary quarters in the process. To his credit, her husband had made flight arrangements and some hotel arrangements for her for this period. But she still needed to keep the boys on an emotional level during all these stages and changes while SHE was being torn in several directions at the same time with constant deadlines.
Between July 5 and the 28th, there was a brief stay here in Maine and then on to California to visit with the rest of the family before an early morning flight across the Pacific – just the three of them – to a foreign land. But “Dad” was out at sea and, one more time it was up to her, my daughter, to help the boys settle in.
Again to his credit, my son-in-law had found another Navy wife (with an 18-month old) who would meet my daughter and the boys at the airport and guide them to the Navy base which was sime distance away and to their temporary housing. NOTE: Navy families really help each other that is a tremendous blessing worthy of acknowledgement.
Within four days of their arrival, his ship was back in port and he was there with his family for the first time since last March. But only for a few days before the ship sails again. During this brief time together, she will go through Base/Country Orientation that includes obtaining a new driver’s license and becoming familiar with her surroundings and the Command hierarchy. “Dad” bought her a vehicle – orangey red of some make – but without a foreign driver’s license she cannot drive it. Fortunately he already has a license so shopping is on the list during this brief time together.
And then her husband/Dad and the ship will be leaving - this time for several months.
While he is out at sea, she will:
•Move into their new housing;
•Set up whatever financial accounting systems are needed (that weren’t left in place back in the states);
•Receive and unpack whatever shipments are delivered – tracking what is broken or damaged for subsequent claims to be filed;
•Get the boys’ school books organized and set up their home-schooling schedule;
•Get the family into a church group and the boys into their respective AWANA group where she will also find out more about the leadership responsibilities her husband signed her up for…;
•Get familiar with driving in a new country with different patterns and locations to take over the basics of running a home and maintaining a responsible family;
•And maintain whatever communications are available with her husband so he will continue to feel and be an integral member of the family unit – and not worried about anything regarding the family so his mind will be totally on his job and safety. And, of course, they will all be learning more of the new language they have been working on for months.
Then there will be the standards – finding new friends for the boys, learning about the culture, etc., etc., etc. I just hope that somewhere in there she gets some decent rest and sleep. After all, I am her mother, even though I realize she is an adult and a wife and a mother, too. However, separate from all that, somewhere in there, I see her and the other spouses as another component of the many who also serve and help keep this country strong. I know she is.
She has already gone through this routine at least six times. And like I said earlier, the boys are currently only 7 and 9.
My son-in-law is a Navy Lieutenant currently serving on a carrier based in a foreign port. It is a new assignment that began this past February when he left his family in Texas for preliminary training on the east coast in the U.S. As of July 4, his family had spent a total of five days with him in early March when they joined him in Washington D.C.
However, during the time he has been gone, his wife has completed the following:
•Home-schooled both boys, aged 7 and 9 and gotten them through their year-end exams;
•Organized their home in preparation for putting it on the market (in this depressed economy);
•Sold the home, signed off all necessary escrow papers, and closed all accounts in preparation for the family’s relocation to another country;
•Worked with the contracted packers for three separated structured packings of the families household items: (1) the things to be stored in Texas (because they will not be shipped to the new location), (2) items considered “priority” that would be shipped first (cannot total more than 1,000 lbs – such as the family bikes since that will be the basic means of local transportation, critical cooking utensils and the coffee pot!), and (3) the rest of the household goods that “may” arrive within two months. This includes the furniture, which may, or may not, arrive in tact – with the necessary screws and bolts, or with new scratches, broken legs, etc.;
•Closed out all appropriate financial accounts, set others on “hold” status until their return after this deployment, and laid the groundwork for those that will be needed once the family has set up base at their new location - and arranged for everyone to have annual dental and medical checkups with doctors/dentists familiar with them;
•Arranged to move out of the house in time for the new owners to take possession. This included temporary quarters in the process. To his credit, her husband had made flight arrangements and some hotel arrangements for her for this period. But she still needed to keep the boys on an emotional level during all these stages and changes while SHE was being torn in several directions at the same time with constant deadlines.
Between July 5 and the 28th, there was a brief stay here in Maine and then on to California to visit with the rest of the family before an early morning flight across the Pacific – just the three of them – to a foreign land. But “Dad” was out at sea and, one more time it was up to her, my daughter, to help the boys settle in.
Again to his credit, my son-in-law had found another Navy wife (with an 18-month old) who would meet my daughter and the boys at the airport and guide them to the Navy base which was sime distance away and to their temporary housing. NOTE: Navy families really help each other that is a tremendous blessing worthy of acknowledgement.
Within four days of their arrival, his ship was back in port and he was there with his family for the first time since last March. But only for a few days before the ship sails again. During this brief time together, she will go through Base/Country Orientation that includes obtaining a new driver’s license and becoming familiar with her surroundings and the Command hierarchy. “Dad” bought her a vehicle – orangey red of some make – but without a foreign driver’s license she cannot drive it. Fortunately he already has a license so shopping is on the list during this brief time together.
And then her husband/Dad and the ship will be leaving - this time for several months.
While he is out at sea, she will:
•Move into their new housing;
•Set up whatever financial accounting systems are needed (that weren’t left in place back in the states);
•Receive and unpack whatever shipments are delivered – tracking what is broken or damaged for subsequent claims to be filed;
•Get the boys’ school books organized and set up their home-schooling schedule;
•Get the family into a church group and the boys into their respective AWANA group where she will also find out more about the leadership responsibilities her husband signed her up for…;
•Get familiar with driving in a new country with different patterns and locations to take over the basics of running a home and maintaining a responsible family;
•And maintain whatever communications are available with her husband so he will continue to feel and be an integral member of the family unit – and not worried about anything regarding the family so his mind will be totally on his job and safety. And, of course, they will all be learning more of the new language they have been working on for months.
Then there will be the standards – finding new friends for the boys, learning about the culture, etc., etc., etc. I just hope that somewhere in there she gets some decent rest and sleep. After all, I am her mother, even though I realize she is an adult and a wife and a mother, too. However, separate from all that, somewhere in there, I see her and the other spouses as another component of the many who also serve and help keep this country strong. I know she is.
She has already gone through this routine at least six times. And like I said earlier, the boys are currently only 7 and 9.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
