Just for the fun of it, I would love to know all of the state and federal employees who owe money on taxes! I betcha the numbers would be alarming!!!

Not living in a vacuum Dennis? Why are you committing yourself and your family to a job in the Maine Senate that doesn't pay enough to meet your familiy's needs? There are lots of things I'd rather do in life, but I'm working a job that provides for my family. That is living the financial struggle. You are living in a dream world.

MaineFriend it would scare us how many of the politicians especially owe the government! This guy could sell off a piece of the property to get $$ to pay the taxes but he choses to keep it. Just another person holding onto something they can't afford! I am not voting for him just because of this reason. He has a responsibility to us to make sure his taxes are paid if he wants us to pay ours!!

Get a real job, or sell the property. This is just the type of person that we don't want in Augusta. He can't be accountable for his own financial situation. And you want him to be accountable for OURS?? Hardly.

I would really like to know all of the facts involved with the rest of the story. I am cusrious how long the family has owned the properties in question, and and waht the tax payment history has been. I will still be voting for Dennis, and I owe him the bennefit of doubt on this matter.

nutsandbolts: I think that you have the "rest of the story". He's not coming out and denying owing them. He's mismanaged his finances land overspent ike so many other Americans. But instead of being accountable and doing the right things to pay down his debt, he ignored it. But people like you will still vote for him...thus rewarding bad behavior. Ironic that his family has "worked out a plan" to pay off the debt by Thanksgiving now that it's public information. He fits right in down in Augusta.

If he has mismanaged his personal finances, what is he going to do with our State's Finances? The article says he owes not $10,000 for 2006 (I assume plus interest) In addition to his 60k salary which is above the median he has health insurance on us! If he is not living on the land he owes back taxes on this property is a LUXURY and there are many ways he could make $$ from the property by selling leasing etc.... That is what government tells us regular folk... why does it not apply to them?

Frankly, I'm surprised his financial problems got to this point. I would have expected a PAC to pay off his debts in exchange for favorable votes in their pet issues.

Dennis Damon is not my Senator and for that I'm thankful, but it has nothing do with this. I think that his personal finances are none of our business and I wish he and his family the best in resolving their financial issues. I certainly hope this was not a partisan ploy.....because it would not make me proud of my Grand Old Party.

He doesn't get a $60K salary. That is a combined salary with his wife. Read the article, folks before you comment. I guess most of the cynics above believe in the Republican way -- voting only for the rich! I voted for Dennis Damon and I voted on his record of service to Hancock County. Check out his record before you vote based upon an economic difficulty that is affecting many here in Maine. Jeez... if most so-called Republicans really knew their party's platform of supporting the rich and richer... they would change their ignorant and bigoted comments.

Read the article, folks - Senator Damon's family income is $60K, and I doubt that is net income. I proudly voted for Dennis Damon based upon his service to Hancock County. Most of the cynics commenting above don't know squat about his record and obviously just rather trash a good man's reputation. I guess most of the cynics above vote the typical Republican way -- vote for the rich - who then vote for more money for the rich and so on. You have to be a real dummy not to catch on that the middle class is suffering because of republican policies... and the working and middle class (which most Dems fall into) are being screwed whether or not they are in government, or working in a school, or working in any other occupation. I challenge the shallow cynics above to actually read more than sensational articles and look into platforms and records....

Can we please vote these folks out of office tomorrow?

There are many sanctimonious writers today who are fortunate that we don't delve into their personal finances. Dennis Damon and his wide have made sacrifices so that he can participate in the legislative process - giving up some material comforts so that he can help those less fortunate, so that he can help businesses thrive, so that he can help others get better jobs and improve their station in life. People love to criticize legislators, but precious few run will actually run for office to try to make a difference. He isn't trying to get out of paying his property taxes - he is working on a plan to get them paid off. Because he is an elected official, apparently you people think it is fine to just heap it on. If you are so smart, why aren't you running for office? I know the answer: because you would rather complain. Well, keep complaining - you are POP - part of the problem.

I would like to say I am in full support of Senator Damon!!! He is not my state Senator I wish he was. I have known Senator Damon since my Freshman year in high school 36 years ago. I am grateful for the sacafice he is making to work in Augusta he is one of the hardest workers there chairing

two committees. The people that wrote the attacks on Senator Damon could never make that sacrifice the best thing they can do is sit back and complain. Senator Damon is of high character and morals I am very happy to call him a friend these 36 years I hope he will be a friend for another 36.

Can we please vote these folks out of office tomorrow? We need fiscal responsibility, especially these times of economic crisis!!

Joecool56000 is right on! I have heard Senator Damon speak on a variety of functions and I know he has helped countless people. Way to go, Joe Cool! It would be easy to step on the bandwagon and drag somebody down and bash them rather than face our own issues and problems. He and his family are like thousands of other families across Maine who are struggling to keep their head above water. Let's show him some respect, support and gratitude.

Of course this was a partisan ploy. Why else would this story come out the day before Election Day? Hello??? His opponent must feel that he can get a leg up on him if he is dragged through the mud. I hope he wins with 60 or 70% of the vote. People are getting tired of dirty political tricks.

I've read every comment about this. To reiterate the most commonsense, bi-partisan view: 1) get another job, like your wife probably did in the summers and she only had 3 months off... and 2) I know a few good people that SHOULD run for different offices but don't because they know their past would be drudged up and scrutinized. They know that they would have to lead by example in that office and therefore don't. There were many comments re: the good that Damon has done...but he needs to lead by example, and this example of not paying his taxes for 2 YEARS overshadows whatever good he's done. who knows how long it would have gone on had it not been brought up.

You people are out of control. Listen to the excuses. No wonder our state and country are going down the crapper. NO ACCOUNTABILITY

GO VOTE

He's holding on to the properties so he can sell them at a later point (we call know the market is down). I wouldn't trust the guy

'Judge not lest ye be judged!' Dennis has done a lot of good with his elected position but because he owes back taxes he's suddenly not worthy of his senatorial abilities and position? We are such a hipocritical society! Perhaps Dennis has spent his energy doing for others, giving to us, doing for us, etc that he has put his own needs last until now, when he's in too deep and MUST deal with it. Why hasn't the town pushed him in the past few years to work out a payment plan?--------because people of position just simply aren't approached about unpleasant personal situations unless they have to be. Our society simply 'turns the other cheek'. Before dismissing Dennis, think. Very often there are 'circumstances' in our lives that put us in a place or position that we never ever thought we'd be in. Humans are so quick to jump on each other at the slightest variances, like 'Fair weather friends". I have known Dennis all of my life, although we are not what you'd call 'close friends'. I've known his wife since 1963. They are both very generous, caring, giving people. To think that this current sitation of Dennis' is blatantly dishonest is insane. Dennis is one of the better government officials in the state, and believe me, I know a lot of them. Why discard him because of an unintentional situation? Grow up. Look at all of the facts and choose the ones that are really pertinent to his serving us in the Senate.!

Sarad124 - why is it when one political party exposes a candidate it is the people's right to know but when an opposing party exposes a candidate it is sabotage and a ploy to divert the issues. GET REAL! First of all, I know both of these individuals running for Senate in this district. One better than the other. They are both decent people. People who truly care about the issues and their community as well as their State. It is unfortuante that one has fallen on hard times and faces a tough situation. But the beauty of our democracy is that we have the right to choose the candidate that we feel will best serve us. I know people who have always supported Senator Damon that now have a different view of how they would or should vote. Regardless of his current situation he still deserves our respect for serving us as a State Senator these past years. I know Mark Remick and have for many years. He is an honest person with good values and has worked hard for his family, his community and has served the public. He would also make a fine senator and represent his community well. I feel that some of the comments on this page are ridiculous and the individuals who made them need to think before they spout off at the mouth. My grandfather said it was better to keep your mouth shut and be considered a fool then to open it and remove all doubt.

Many jobs today require background checks, criminal, credit history, driving, fingerprinting, and etc.; and many federal jobs require FBI background checks. Why shouldn't legislators, state and federal, be held to at least the qualifications for a file clerk at DHHS?