by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Harlan Gardner turned 99 last month, and though he’s worn many hats in that time — Marine tail gunner, hearse driver, and mail carrier among them — it’s clear he’s also spent years honing his Downeast wit. He has a perpetual twinkle in his eye.

“It’s a sad place to be, the last one of the line,” Harlan says, pausing. “I’m glad they picked a smart one to be on the end.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Machias voters will not be asked to weigh in on two proposed budget items for the Machias Police Department, following a series of tense discussions between members of the Machias selectboard and budget committee.

The Machias Board of Selectmen last week voted 3 to 1 against asking voters to consider funding for a school resource officer and part-time police department administrator. The budget committee voted 2-1 in favor of putting the items to a town vote.

Equal Justice Under Law- (Empty) Words on the Façade of the Supreme Court

No State shall…. deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. - 14th Amendment to the Constitution

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others- Proclamation by Animal Farm’s pig rulers, George Orwell

The FBI and the Department of Justice cannot be trusted to administer equal justice under the law. Their actions over the last 5 years include:

On Saturday, May 1, Stage East and Indivisible Washington County celebrated the life of Jay Skriletz through a staged reading of his play, Houdini’s Secret. The event was part memorial and part fundraiser for the new Jay Skriletz Scholarship Fund, which will support youth and young adults interested in theater. With more than 20 attendees and $3,500 dollars raised, the event was felt to be a great success by members of Jay’s family and both organizations.

Dear People of Machias,

This Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Pellon Center, there will be a vote by Machias residents as to whether the town should lend its support to a new business applying for a state-funded Community Development Block Grant.

The business, a small farm-to-table restaurant, taproom, and micro-brewery called Bad Little Brewing Company, is the result of over two years work and planning by myself and my husband Sean, both career teachers from downstate, and a lot of other folks from business advisors to craftsmen, many from right here.

by Nancy Beal

In recent months, there has been an apparent statewide effort on the part of people promoting the right to bear arms to convince towns to sign on to their cause. To that end, members of the group have approached officials in small towns urging them to sign a resolution supporting the gun rights described in the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Their canvassing included Beals and Jonesport.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

More than 25 people turned out Thursday, April 29, to learn about a new Machias business requesting the town’s support for $180,000 in grant funding.

Arise Addiction Recovery in Machias is now traveling in comfort thanks to the generous donation of an anonymous supporter, who gifted the faith-based recovery center this 15 passenger Ford Transit van.

“We needed an upgrade, we had a 2007 Chevy Express that was uninspectable,” said program director Paul Trovarello.

by Jonathan Reisman

by Ruth Leubecker

More people are getting vaccinated every day, and at an accelerating pace, according to national CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. But not, however, in eastern Washington County, Maine.

by Jayna Smith

Warmer weather usually means more time spent outside.  With that should come the habit of checking for ticks, small bloodsucking parasites, many of which transmit diseases to people and to pets.

Griffin Dill, pest management specialist for UMaine’s Cooperative Extension, explained that ticks generally spend the winter months in a state of dormancy among the leaf litter under the snow.  If temperatures are above 40 degrees for an extended period, ticks can become active, even during the winter.

by Nancy Beal

After weeks of advertising recently for a director of the Jonesport campground and getting no response, selectmen spent less than five minutes April 23 approving the offer from a retired couple in the Houlton (Aroostook County) area to manage the popular summer spot on the Henry Point peninsula across Sawyer’s Cove from the marina.

by Jonathan Reisman

“I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”- Oath of Office/Allegiance

Cooper Robicheau has, for many years, raised money to help others in his community. This month he put his efforts into raising money for Lion of Judah football, which runs faith-based football programs in and around Machias throughout the warmer months. “My brother and I have been a part of Lion of Judah Football League for six years now,” said Robicheau. “I want to give back to a program that has impacted my life. I would like to raise money to get new helmets for the league."

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A public hearing will help Machias voters learn about a proposed Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) in support of a restaurant and brewery which aims to open at 101 Court Street this year. The hearing will be held in person and online on Thursday, April 29, at the Machias Telebusiness Center and on Zoom.

Machias residents will vote on the proposed grant application on May 12.

by Nancy Beal

Town officials in the Moosabec communities of Beals and Jonesport learned recently that their comprehensive plans, approved by the state and respective towns over 10 years ago, have expired. Their expiration not only suspends the growth and planning measures they contained but, more significantly for selectmen hoping to bring improvements to their areas, cancels a key component required by most funding entities.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The town of Machias will soon own its first hybrid police cruiser, a purchase unanimously supported by the Machias Board of Selectmen at their regular bi-monthly meeting held last Wednesday, April 14.

by Wayne Smith

Congratulations to Hayden Gardner for graduating from the Maine Criminal Justice Basic Corrections Academy last week. Though completed remotely,  a lot of work and study are required.

by Ruth Leubecker

Years of fundraising and creative community events resulted in Monday’s milestone groundbreaking of the upcoming Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center.

by Nancy Beal

Career technical education (CTE) has existed in coastal Washington County for years. Many law enforcement personnel in the Sunrise County and beyond began their training in the criminal justice program at Narraguagus High School. In the late 1990s, the building trades teacher at Machias Memorial High School took his class to Florida to help clean up and rebuild after a hurricane. Next week, the culinary arts students at MMHS will offer home-cooked (bagged) lunches to benefit a summer camp for teens (see details below).