Maine's Money Mystery: Who's Watching the Cash?

Maine's counties have a lot of money, but no one is keeping track of it. This is not a small issue. It's a big problem that has been ignored for too long. Washington County is a clear example. They are missing $11 million. This is not pocket change. Other counties are in the same boat. The money was meant for pandemic relief, but it seems to have vanished into thin air. The real issue is transparency. Maine's counties are not open about their finances. They do not share much information, making it hard to figure out what's happening. Annual audits are supposed to happen, but many counties are years behind. Washington County's last audit was in 2021. Aroostook County is even further behind.The problem goes beyond money. It's about leadership. Most of the time, only one person runs for these positions. This lack of competition means no one is pushing for better management. So, what can be done? People need to demand better. They should ask for timely audits, more media attention, and clearer information about candidates. Maine is a large state, and its counties need to be more accountable.