derek v.

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Following Blogs: 20

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Video Conferencing a Boon to Maine Students

derek v. posted an article on - Nov 16, 2009, 7:19 am
(Cross Posted @ Augusta Insider) Congresswoman Chellie Pingree secured $473,000 for developing video conferencing in Maine schools.  12 vocational schools and technical centers in 11 counties will r...
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Guest Post: Maine Fishermen Think Outside the Net

derek v. posted an article on - Nov 12, 2009, 3:02 am
By Braddock Spear of the Sustainable Ocean Project Fishermen are among the most innovative people in the world. They have to be in order to make a living and survive as an industry. The Midcoast Fish...
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Does Maine Education Make the Grade?

derek v. posted an article on - Nov 11, 2009, 7:04 am
As Matthew Stone has reported, a new study grading state’s education innovation came out recently.  The study, conducted by the Center for American Progress, the  American Enterprise Institute and...
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Charter Schools: The Educational Equivalent of the Snuggie?

derek v. posted an article on - Nov 10, 2009, 7:45 am
Charter schools are still a hot education topic in Maine.  A meeting in Augusta last month rekindled the fire.  Opponents of charter schools in Maine fear what will become of public schools.  They ...
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Guest Post: Truth Pressed to the Earth will Rise Again

derek v. posted an article on - Nov 6, 2009, 3:29 pm
By Harris Parnell (State Director of The League of Young Voters) On the historic election day of 2008, Equality Maine, the LGBTQ rights group here in Vacationland, worked with hundreds of volunteer...
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Now The MEA Wants the Glory

derek v. posted an article on - Nov 5, 2009, 4:20 pm
After a prolonged silence on Question 3 and declaring it was not important enough for a public statement, the MEA wants the glory.  A recent congratulatory email to MEA members has an interesting bit...
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School Consolidation Remains in Place

derek v. posted an article on - Nov 4, 2009, 8:14 pm
(Cross-posted @Augusta Insider) Voters rejected a repeal of school consolidation in Maine yesterday.  Question 3 failed 58% to 42%.  Pundits almost universally predicted Question 3’s failure.  E...
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Final Statement From Yes on 3

derek v. posted an article on - Nov 4, 2009, 8:40 am
Thank you to everyone who voted Yes on 3 and helped the effort.  Now we work to get the changes made that consolidation needs!  I’ll be doing a full analysis of Question 3 later at the Augusta Ins...
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Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry to Hold Interfaith Candlelight Vigils

derek v. posted an article on - Nov 1, 2009, 11:58 am
Portland, Maine (Sunday, November 1, 2009) — This weekend, faith leaders from the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry in Maine, will hold interfaith candlelight vigils in communities across...
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The MEA Saga Continues

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 31, 2009, 8:46 am
“Stop Excise Tax Cap” “Stop TABOR” Two bright red stop signs advise this to readers of October’s monthly MEA publication, the Maine Educator.  Questions 2 and 4 on this November’s ballo...
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Gubernatorial Candidates' Statements on Question 3

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 30, 2009, 5:51 pm
I have been rather vocal about my opinion on Question 3.  I thought it was time to give some others a chance.  I have presented some candidate views on Question 3 in one handy place.  An analysis o...
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Question 3 on 6pm News Tonight

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 30, 2009, 3:55 pm
I’ve just been informed that WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2 will be airing a 6 minute pro and con segment on Question 3 tonight at 6pm.  There’s still time to bring the truth and dispell the fears on repealin...
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Maine PTA Backs Yes on 3

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 28, 2009, 4:36 pm
Yes on 3 has received an important endorsement.  The Maine Parent Teacher Association supports a Yes vote on Question 3 to repeal the current school consolidation law.  The MPTA cites reorganized di...
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MEA's Revealing Opinon on Consolidation

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 28, 2009, 5:27 am
The latest Education Intelligence Agency Communique picked up on the piece I wrote criticizing the Maine Education Association leadership for ignoring school consolidation.  The EIA noted that the ME...
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Sen. David Trahan Supports Yes on 3

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 27, 2009, 5:34 pm
Repeal consolidation and treat all Mainers fairly Sen. David Trahan (R-Waldoboro) Question 3 on the November ballot asks Maine voters to reject the recently enacted law to consolidate Maine schoo...
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Setting The Record Straight On Question 3

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 27, 2009, 5:28 pm
From Yes on 3 Why Maine should vote YES to Repeal the School Consolidation Law Repealing the law will not cost Maine any money. There was a $36 million reduction in the state budget for educ...
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Nine Towns Can Vote Early

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 26, 2009, 10:27 am
Your vote is your voice.  You can make that voice heard earlier than the rest of the crowd in 9 Maine towns this week.  Early voting, which is separate from Maine’s absentee voting program, has be...
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MEA Remains Silent On Consolidation

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 26, 2009, 7:06 am
The purpose of a union is to protect the interests of its members.  The Maine Education Association is a state affiliate of the largest labor union in the United States, the National Education Associ...
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How You Can Help Yes On 3

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 25, 2009, 11:11 am
A post at the Augusta Insider shows that No on 3 has been getting help from corporate interests.  Yes on 3 is largely a grassroots movement.  This is why they need your help.  With a week left unti...
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Yes On 3: "We can't afford these kinds of savings."

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 22, 2009, 8:02 am
Dick Dyer, a member of the Maine Coalition to Save Schools, believes the current school consolidation law should be repealed.  Large districts, with possibly the most room for savings, were given exe...
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NO on 1 Calls Out Admitted Misrepresentation in Political Ads

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 21, 2009, 8:29 pm
Portland, Maine (Wednesday, October 21, 2009)— Jesse Connolly, campaign manager for NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality called on Mark Mutty, the Question 1 campaign manager, to stop advertising false st...
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Yes On 3: Why You Should Vote Yes on 3 to Repeal Consolidation

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 21, 2009, 8:13 pm
Skip Greenlaw of Yes on 3 has released an announcement supporting a repeal of the current consolidation late.  Greenlaw outlines why the law has failed, why it is unfair, how it is too rigid, how it ...
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Interview ME Gov Candidate Eliot Cutler (I)

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 20, 2009, 7:45 am
The Maine View has interview gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler.  Mr. Cutler is running as an independent.  We discussed his view on education, the economy, Dirigo health care, and more.  Please ...
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No on 1 Calls for An End to Distortions and Attacks

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 19, 2009, 4:17 pm
Speaker Hannah Pingree and former Maine Attorney General Jim Tierney joined together at No on 1 today.  They spoke refuting the education claims made by Yes on 1, as well as other worries.  Speaker ...
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Vermont's Education Commissioner Speaks on Consolidation

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 19, 2009, 3:56 pm
A few days ago, I brought you the news that Vermont is considering a similar move to consolidate their school districts.  Vermont officials were keeping their sights on Maine’s consolidation effort...
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Portland Daily Sun Says Repeal Consolidation

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 18, 2009, 8:38 am
The Portland Daily Sun recently released their November 3rd voter recommendations.  On the issue of school consolidation repeal, Question 3, the PDS recommends a YES vote.  A yes vote will repeal th...
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Weekly Blog Round-Up: Gubernatorial Inerviews, Marriage, & More.

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 17, 2009, 10:37 am
A  round-up of stories published Oct 11th – Oct 17th at The Maine View and from other Maine blogs The Maine View published many stories in support of Yes on 3, including a statement from Skip Gree...
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Town Officials Speak Out in Opposition to Question 1

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 16, 2009, 2:14 pm
Town officials met in Bangor today in support of No on 1.  They reiterated yet again that LD 1020 will end discrimination in civil marriage and continue protecting religious freedoms.  The officials...
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Yes On 3 Reply to Gov. Baldacci's Email

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 15, 2009, 6:36 pm
The following is Yes On 3’s reply to Gov. Baldacci’s recent email urging Democrats to vote to uphold school consolidation. Stonington-  Repeal of the school consolidation law (question 3 on...
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AG Mills Debunks Education And LD 1020 Myths

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 15, 2009, 3:04 pm
Maine Attorney General Janet Mills has just released her assessment of how LD 1020 (the same-sex marriage law) will impact Maine public school curricula.  AG Mills has gone over Maine laws related to...
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Secretary of State '09 Voter Information Guide

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 15, 2009, 1:06 pm
The Secretary of State’s office has released its 2009 voter information guide.  The guide provides information on what each question is asking, what they represent, and what a “yes” or “no”...
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Vermont Looks To Maine On School Consolidation

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 15, 2009, 12:36 pm
Our neighbors in Vermont are considering a path familiar to Mainers.  Vermont legislators are debating whether or not they should attempt to consolidate school districts.  Opponents of consolidation...
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Green Independent Party Releases Its 2009 Voter Guide

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 14, 2009, 8:47 am
The Maine Green Independent Party has announced its 2009 voter guide.  The guide covers the November 3rd ballot referendum questions, giving voters the Green Party’s opinion on each.  “It is a c...
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CM Bitter on Question 1

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 14, 2009, 7:14 am
CM Bitter is doing a series this week on their November ballot question picks.  Yesterday they began with Question 1.  Question 1 reads “Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couple...
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Charter School Battle Reignites

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 14, 2009, 5:19 am
Several groups are seeking to make Maine the 40th state to allow charter schools.  The groups, including the Maine Association of Charter Schools, Democrats for Education Reform, and the National Ass...
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Five-Town District backs repeal proclamation

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 13, 2009, 5:45 pm
From the Maine Coalition to Save Schools The Five Town CSD school board has voted to adopt a proclamation supporting repeal of the school consolidation law on Nov. 3 – a grassroots approach it is...
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Yes On 3 Statement from Skip Greenlaw

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 13, 2009, 5:00 am
Yes On 3’s Skip Greenlaw has provided The Maine View with his argument for repealing consolidation.  Mr. Greenlaw cites lack of actual savings, harsh penalties, and more in support of a consolidati...
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A Blue Hill Resident on School Consolidation

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 9, 2009, 3:12 pm
Robert Webster of Blue Hill posted this comment earlier today on a piece featuring a statement from Rep. Seth Berry on school consolidation.  Mr. Webster has given his statement as to why the school ...
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Women's and Children's Groups Support No on 1

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 9, 2009, 2:55 pm
No on 1 has received more endorsements from Maine women’s and children’s groups today.  Several groups including the Maine Women’s Lobby, Maine National Organization for Women, Family Planning ...
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Guest Post: Teresa S. Madore on Valuing Education

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 9, 2009, 7:23 am
(Originally published as a letter to the editor in the St. John Valley Times, summer 2009) At the turn of the 20th century, the rate of available knowledge used to double every hundred years, now the...
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The Fight for the Female Vote Continues

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 8, 2009, 7:11 pm
Coming on the heals of a piece analyzing Steve Rowe’s attempt to secure the female vote two other Democratic candidates have followed suit.  As reported in an update to the Rowe article, Rosa Scarc...
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No on 1 Phone-In Conference Today at 1pm

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 8, 2009, 8:29 am
NO on 1 Campaign Telephone Press Conference to Respond to the Baseless Attack on Maine Teacher of the Year and Other False Claims in the Latest Question 1 Campaign Ad and to Unveil a Response Ad Direc...
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Representative Seth Berry on School Consolidation

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 8, 2009, 4:46 am
Before Maine House Majority Whip Seth Berry (D-Bowdoinham) served in the legislature he taught students in New York City.  Rep. Berry has also acted as a consulting teacher in MSAD #57 and other scho...
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350 Maine Lawyers Support No on 1

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 7, 2009, 3:57 pm
The campaign against same-sex marriage is becoming unraveled.  Nearly every single argument that has been publicly made in favor of a Yes vote on Question 1 has been refuted.  The claims of rising l...
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Maine Green Indepenent Party Opposes Questions 2 & 4

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 7, 2009, 11:01 am
The Maine Green Independent Party has announced that they oppose Question 2 (excise tax) or Question 4 (TABOR II).  Maine Greens believe cutting excise tax only benefits those who can afford to buy a...
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Repeal School Consolidation NOW

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 7, 2009, 8:07 am
Numbers don’t say much by themselves. People can take a set of numbers and tell a story. Those who want to keep the current school consolidation law want to tell you a story. They want to tell you c...
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Steve Rowe and the Women Vote

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 6, 2009, 8:08 am
Former Senate President Beth Edmonds has released a statement asking for contributions to the Steven Rowe campaign. Beth Edmonds served four terms in the State Senate and was elected Senate President ...
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No on 3 Statement

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 5, 2009, 11:01 am
Newell Augur, the campaign manager for No on 3, has provided The Maine View with a statement as to why school consolidation should stand.  A statement from Yes on 3’s Skip Greenlaw and my opinion o...
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Yes On 3 Wants Your Story Heard

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 4, 2009, 4:12 pm
Have a story about how school consolidation has impacted your district?  The Repeal Consolidation campaign would like to have your story.  Here is your chance to make your opinion heard.  More deta...
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Separating Same-Sex Marriage Fact From Fiction

derek v. posted an article on - Oct 4, 2009, 3:51 pm
Earlier, Dirigo Blue posted part of a Bangor Daily News editorial on Question 1.  The post contained a piece of the Op/Ed which addressed the claim by Yes on 1 that gay marriage will be forced to be ...
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