100 years ago,1911

C. H. Blethen, chief of the Auburn Fire Departmen,t and his four assistants have received a copy of the Firemen’s Herald of New York of Jan. 7, which gives the Auburn Department a write-up on the merits of the department. The write-up is illustrated with a beautiful half-tone cut of the chief and his assistants. Needless to say, the men were highly pleased at being commended by this publication, which is one of the most important firemen’s publications in the country.

50 years ago, 1961

Ralph Mosher, secretary of the Auburn Citizens Association, has asked one of the Auburn legislators to file a bill calling for a 1 percent “Maine pleasure tax.”

The proposed pleasure tax would fall on horse and harness racing, beer and liquor, pin ball machines, beano, card games, pool, bowling, shuffle board, golf, hockey, boxing, wrestling, church raffles, lotteries, auto and motorcycle racing, fairs and carnivals and all other forms of amusement. These are not essential when compared to a tax on food and other necessities, Mosher said.

25 years ago, 1986

Lewiston City Administrator Lucien B. Gosselin had his proposed $33 million 1986 budget dumped back in his lap Tuesday following a City Council decision to have Gosselin draw up a list containing about $300,000 in possible cuts.

After outlining his 1986 budget for the council, Gosselin was instructed to suggest cuts for the $18.6 million city-portion of the budget. However, Gosselin made it clear he could not make similar recommendations for the $14.5 million school budget.