Maine Politics News

Prospect Ave, Rumford

Penobscot Street, Rumford

These two infamous properties were on the market this winter if you didn't notice. But, soon they will be back on the rental market with someone local to manage them. Until recently, the person who owned these buildings was deemed an "absentee landlord" and demonized for putting his tenants in "harm's way."

Well let's enter the no spin zone and put things in perspective. But for the Sun Journal, all the drama that ensued during a property owner versus overzealous code inspector could have been avoided. It not only cost the town money for nothing (no pun intended) but it cost the property owner greatly as well.

Ventura County Star:
A key Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, a mix of
celebrities and academic types that meets quarterly, last month rejected the
idea of putting Vallee on postage. The Vallee camp says it will appeal the
decision, which it can do next year.As mentioned in the piece, Westbrook is hosting a re-dedication of Vallee Square on Saturday, July 25. Details of the event will be forthcoming.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Rudy Vallee: Modest Inspirer of Goose Flesh or National Menace? (January 22, 2009)
Related: Quote, Unquote: Brad Butler (October 8, 2008)
Related: Sign It (September 9, 2008)
Related: On Location: Movies at Riverbank (August 26, 2008)

The most dangerous lunatics in America are those who see domestic terrorism as "pro life."

HERE it is quite illuminating to hear Bill O'Reilly do everything he can to inspire formation of a lynch mob to avenge the babies. (The responses are very good and worth a listen.)

The Hill is reporting that Sen. Dianne Feinstein will meet with opponents of the EFCA. In it is yet another example that the media still does not understand what the Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 1409) does, nor even the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which the EFCA amends:
EFCA is often called "card-check" because one of its provisions would allow workers to form unions not by secret ballot elections called for by management but by a majority of employees signing petition cards stating their intention to organize.

Feinstein's compromise would replace that provision with a requirement that union elections be decided by mail-in ballots with the design that workers, not employers, would have a choice on when to form a union while their privacy would be protected from labor organizers.