A2 PORTSMOUTH HERALD SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2013 WWW.SEACOASTONLINE.COM FROM PAGE ONE MORE THAN 200 JOBS WOULD BE CUT UNDER LEPAGE’S PROPOSED BUDGET BY GLENN ADAMS Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage’s administra- tion on Friday presented a proposed $6.3 billion budget that eliminates more than 200 state positions, seeks to share the state’s teacher retirement costs with local school districts, and makes changes in the state welfare system to address an expected $40 million reduction in federal matching funds. While the Republican gov- ernor said his two-year budget takes steps toward “rightsizing DEB CRAM/[email protected] state government” amid “chal- AP PHOTO Board members of the Seacoast Chapter of the Veterans Count Club held their fi rst meeting lenging and diffi cult times,” At the State House in Augusta, Maine, on Friday, state Sen. Justin Friday. Front: Bill Schuler, Deb Grott, Darci Knowles, Mark Sullivan, David Hampson, retired Col. Democrats and teachers were Alfond, D-Portland, questions spending cuts outlined by the Rick Greenwood, Greg Whalen, Paul O’Neil, Mark Jacobsohn. Back: Doug Bates, Dick Martell, Rick quick to pounce on portions Appropriations Committee. Courtemanche, Bill Bogdon, Renee Riedel-Plummer. they see as a tax shift from state to local taxpayers. recommended by Governor also are faced with diminishing “This budget is a giant shell LePage, if approved by the federal stimulus money and in- game. It shifts the cost and Legislature, position the Uni- creased use of human services VETERANS: the burden to towns and local versity of Maine System to programs by people already ‘Urgent response unit’ needed school districts, hurting middle again freeze tuition, this time enrolled in them. class homeowners,” said Lois for each of the two next aca- Senate President Justin Al- Continued from page A1 said it’s important not to take erans Count Club does today. Kilby-Chesley, teacher and demic years,” Page said in a fond was focused on what he for granted the men and women But when the Air Force president of the Maine Educa- statement. estimated would be a tax shift the Seacoast. who ensure the safety of Ameri- base closed in the early 1990s, tion Association. The budget, just a under $6.3 of about $400 million to local Plans to expand the support cans each and every day. Greenwood said the support LePage did not appear at the billion, is slightly larger than communities. service were revealed last year “There’s just so much that’s program ended. State House budget briefi ng, the current budget, which now “That is obviously a concern at the inaugural Veterans Count not being done, not only for the Since that time, Greenwood but he released a statement stands at $6.1 billion. Eighty to all of us around the table be- Club breakfast fund-raiser at members of the military, but said people on the Seacoast saying his spending plan “bal- percent of the total is consumed cause we all come here repre- the Sheraton Portsmouth Har- also the families they leave be- have been eager to fi nd ways to ances priorities for the people by two departments — Educa- senting our communities, and borside. The event featured hind,” Sullivan said. help support the local contin- of Maine by maintaining the tion and Health and Human that’s a tremendous amount of veterans from most military He said the new club will not gent of servicemen and service- crucial safety net for our most Services — with Education money to be taking from them branches, members of the local only focus its efforts on helping women. vulnerable while holding the accounting for 45 percent and in this budget,” the Portland private sector, and local and soldiers when they return home “The Seacoast has always line on our already too high tax Human Services taking 35 per- Democrat said. state elected offi cials. It was the with potential employment op- been a strong supporter of the burden.” The budget, which cent. Of the 200 state positions Republican lawmakers ac- fi rst time the group had gath- portunities, but also through the military,” he said. “People have covers the fi scal cycle starting targeted for elimination, more knowledged the budget would ered in Portsmouth. day-to-day issues they encoun- been anxious and wanting to July 1, now faces legislative than half are in the Transporta- force painful choices, but they Friday’s meeting was among ter while getting settled. Finan- do this, they want to reach out review in the months ahead. tion Department. claimed it would protect the the fi rst for members of the cial support offered to military and they want to help, they just It seeks to increase property During a briefi ng for legis- disabled and elderly as well as Seacoast group’s board of di- members through the program didn’t know how.” tax breaks for older Mainers lative leaders and reporters, make investments to move the rectors. may include, but is not limited Greenwood, who lives in in two programs, and tempo- Finance Commissioner Sawin economy forward. Members of the club’s board to, transportation, housing, rent, Stratham, said that support ser- rarily suspend municipal rev- Millett, who’s been in state “I appreciate that you are of directors include Mark Sulli- fuel assistance, utilities, vehicle vice has returned in the form of enue sharing. It also proposes government or close to it for bringing forward a budget van, Rick Courtemanche, Mark repair, gasoline, food, child care, the Veterans Count Club. rollbacks in some social pro- several decades, called the that does not include a tax Jacobsohn, Darci Knowles, tuition and medical expenses. “There’s a huge pent-up grams, such as discontinuing proposal “one of the more dif- increase,” House GOP Leader retired Col. Dick Martell, Dan “It could be something like demand in terms of need, and state-funded cash assistance fi cult budgets I’ve dealt with.” Ken Fredette of Newport told Morrison, Paul O’Neil, David getting food in the fridge for there’s a lot of people out there for legal non-citizens who are “The difference here today Millett. Hampson, Bill Bogdon, Rick them or helping them get their that want to help,” he said. not entitled to Social Security is we don’t have those low- Legislators’ immediate Wallis and Greg Whalen. car back on the road,” Sullivan Among the topics discussed Income benefi ts. The budget hanging fruit options. ... We’re challenge will be revising the Other members include re- said. during Friday’s kick-off meet- seeks to maintain funding for basically out of the easy-button spending outline for the fi scal tired Gen. Kenneth Clark, He said many assistance ing was a fund-raising event state colleges and universi- options,” said the commission- year that will end June 30. The retired Col. Rick Greenwood, programs available to returning the group is planning to hold ties, a provision that pleased er, who faced a volley of ques- supplemental budget accounts Renee Riedel-Plummer, Doug service members involve a lot of at the Service Credit Union University of Maine System tions from legislative leaders. for nearly $90 million in ex- Bates and Lisa Sirak of Easter red tape and waiting. Sullivan Headquarters in Portsmouth Chancellor James Page. While the easy options are tra obligations for Medicaid, Seals of New Hampshire. said he’s hoping the new club on Armed Forces Day, May 18. “The appropriation levels gone, administration offi cials shrinking federal matches for As the chairman of the board, will expedite requests for help. Riedel-Plummer said while social programs and revenue Sullivan said the new local ef- “There’s just no urgent re- plans are in the early stages, estimates showing $35.5 mil- fort will be designed to help the sponse unit available to them,” the fund-raiser promises to be lion less than anticipated due many men and women who live he said. “That’s what we are.” a unique event featuring many to the sluggish economy. in the Seacoast and serve their Having been stationed at the members of the military, both To balance the books, bud- country. Pease Air Force Base, Green- past and present. get writers scaled back exist- With a grandfather who wood said there was once a Anyone interested in attend- ing programs, delayed school served in World War I, a father local program called the Hon- ing or learning more about the funding payments from June who served in World War II and orary Commanders Group that program can contact Mark to July, and made other in- a son who is currently serving helped military members in a Sullivan at 766-1955 or msulli- come saving changes. in the Persian Gulf, Sullivan similar fashion to how the Vet- [email protected].

ROLLIE: Will be home tonight if recovery goes well

Continued from page A1

resting comfortably at the vet- erinary hospital. His back leg is swollen and lacerated, but an X-ray did not indicate a big break, Meg Nich- ols said. He did suffer a tear in one of his lungs, she said. “We were just lucky he did not have a (serious) internal injury,” she said. If all goes well, Rollie will be home tonight, she said. At 22 months, Rollie appears to have many more years to participate in one of his favorite activities, grabbing a log from the wood pile to carry around. “We have a cat that may be a little disappointed he’s home,” Meg Nichols said. The couple got Rollie as a puppy from a breeder in Ban- gor. On Wednesday at about 7:30 RICH BEAUCHESNE/[email protected] a.m., a dog walker had Rollie on Meg Nichols sits with Rollie, who has multiple injuries and is now recovering at the Port City Veterinary a leash on Organug Road when Referral Hospital in Portsmouth. the German shepherd spotted a Portsmouth Herald squirrel and took off, breaking ning. No one could fi nd him. On Friday around 6 a.m., couple knew it was their dog 111 New Hampshire Ave. his collar, according to York So started a search that in- Nichols was ready to start an- from a distinctive mark on his Portsmouth, NH 03801 Animal Control Offi cer Larry volved the family, McAfee, Kit- other day of searching. tongue, she said. McAfee. tery Police Offi cer Jay Durgin “In the dark this morning, David and Meg’s daughter, Contact us: (603) 436-1800 Rollie ran across Organug and his K-9 partner, and at least I was trying to think, ‘Where Coco Nichols, who is in medical Circulation Customer Service: Call 1-888-736-4061 Road, and was hit by a truck 40 volunteers. Rollie’s photo and would he go today?’” she said. school in Portland, spent every and inquire about EZ-Pay, our lowest cost heading south, McAfee said. status on Facebook had many Nichols never thought Rollie spare moment searching for The truck did not stop. The dog in York on the lookout for the would go as far as Cape Ned- Rollie. and most convenient way to subscribe. took off onto the grounds of wounded German shepherd. dick, she said, but Durgin was “Thank God he’s alive,” Coco To advertise: (603) 570-2148 the nearby York Golf & Tennis “I couldn’t believe people already checking the area of said Friday. Club, and apparently kept run- came with their own dogs in Chases Pond Road off Mountain Meg Nichols is thankful to all The Portsmouth Herald is published by Seacoast Media Group, a subsidiary of search of our dog,” Meg Nichols Road. who participated in the search, Dow Jones Local Media Group. Published mornings at 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801, except designated holidays. (USPS 439-440) Periodical postage paid at Portsmouth, NH said. “I was just struck by the Around 8:30 a.m., she got the and grateful to the good Samari- ISSN-0746-6218. Postmaster: Send address changes to the support. People were out there, call from her husband reporting tan who stopped to pick up Rol- Portsmouth Herald, 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801. eight, 10 hours a day.” that Rollie had been found. The lie. She said she knew neighbors and residents would be there ERRORS & OMISSIONS: “The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space to help if she was in need, but actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred, whether such FRIDAY LOTTERIES people went above and beyond error is due to the negligence of the publisher’s employees or otherwise, and there shall be no anything she could imagine. liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement.” Tri-State Daily: Mass Daily: 5-2-8-1 / 7-1-5-4 “We live in a special com- Seacoast Media Group reserves the right to extend or deny credit to any customer. Day: 1-3-1 / 2-4-6-0 Mass Cash: N/A munity,” she said. “I’ve lived MEMBER AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS Evening: 7-9-4 / 1-5-5-1 Mega Millions: N/A © 2013 Seacoast Media Group in York a long time and never realized it.”