And another thing …

In his first speech since rejoining the Legislature, Rep. John Martin scolded the news media — especially large Northern Maine daily newspapers — for focusing upon personalities more than issues. The once and future Czar of Eagle Lake then outlined his political philosophy: “Reward your friends and punish your enemies.” But it’s nothing personal, mind you.

Opponents of a tire-chipping plant planned for rural Fairfield don’t get mad, they get busy. In just a few days last week, they leased a piece of adjacent land, hauled in a mobile home, drilled a well and laid out a septic system, thus creating a Potemkin subdivision too close to the property line for the tire project to meet state regulations. A whole new concept in NIMBYism — portable backyards.

Comfortably retired after a career as head of the Strategic Air Command, Gen. George Lee Butler today is a leading advocate for the abolition of the nuclear weapons he once commanded and the recipient of a disarmament group’s annual award. The presenter was actor Pierce Brosnan, licensed-to-kill James Bond on screen but a devout pacifist in real life. Such men of conviction are rare — and darned lucky hypocrisy’s not a crime.

Elsewhere on the character front, President Clinton was boosting U.S. forces in South Korea the other day. He promoted a private. He sang “Happy Birthday” to a sergeant. He shared a meal of rations with the troops. He admits he chewed, but denies he swallowed.

Ten months after the feds promised a fast and full recovery, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development stiffed the Northeast on ice-storm disaster relief and said there’s no more. After weeks of arguing with the affected congressional delegations, HUD finally relented a bit and said there will be more if next year’s budget allows. At this glacial pace, the progression from outright shafting to empty promise and all the way to actual help should be complete by the next storm of the century.

Camden selectmen recently voted to give the town office staff an extra day off, citing their excellent work and, in particular, their diligence to duty. Now the town is being assessed a $360 late fee for failing to pay its county taxes on time — turns out the bill got lost in a pile of municipal paperwork. OK, so make it a half day.