Your Scribe has been thinking mightily, and here are some notions for 2008:

- The mayor of South Portland is daft and/or a publicity hound for suggesting that Maine be broken into two states, north and south. He says communities in the south pay too much in taxes in support of communities to the north that have smaller tax bases. So he is suggesting southern Maine "secede" to make its own state. Several points: He is elected by the council, not the people; it is inordinately hard for a "region" of a state to withdraw; and lastly, it's a dumb idea smacking of elitism. But he received much attention after he made the suggestion several weeks ago, and then repeated in the presence of media.

- Plum Creek will begin work in the Moosehead region sometime this year. I hate to say it but the corporation's money and persistence is starting to pay off. Two major battles against the "people" that I remember over the years were won by those in the corporate corner: the nuclear plant in Wiscasset and the nuclear plant in Seabrook, N.H. Different issues I agree, but there it is. I admire the Land Use Regulation Commission's willingness to hang in there, but as long as those who own private property have the RIGHT to develop their land within the state and/or community guidelines, then Plum Creek is holding the cards. In looking for something positive in this distressing scenario, we must remember that the LURC has forced Plum Creek to make noteworthy concessions in the amount of land and lake frontage that has been earmarked for conservation.

- Tom Allen will beat Susan Collins in the race for the U.S. Senate. I know, Collins is ahead in the polls. But I can't believe that Democratic strongholds in Biddeford, Portland, Lewiston, Augusta and Waterville won't result in an Allen victory. Has Collins done anything except agree with the Bush Administration? (That's a rhetorical question. Please don't respond with a list of achievements as my mind is made up on this subject).

- Interest in building camps and cabins will increase this year, despite palpitations in the banking and real-estate industries. A lot of people have made money in the last decade (this group does not include me), and recreational land is looking good compared to stocks, bonds and real-estate investment trusts. (An aside: I recently read a book about Enron, and will never be comfortable with the statements of corporate executives and accountants again.) Rangeley and Jackman will be two areas that will see increased traffic.

- I am considering throwing a party this summer at my cabin in New Sharon for those who love the outdoors. Food and beverages will be free but attendees will have to bring a photo of their camp or cabin. I always enjoy talking to camp aficionados about the rewards of this type of rural retreat, and I think a gathering would be great fun.

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