In the Spirit of Community

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

In the Spirit of Community PRSRT STD Postal Customer U.S. Postage PAID Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 Permit No. 62 Portland, ME The Cape Cour erECRWSS Volume 31 Number 16 An Independent Not-for-Profi t Newspaper Oct 10 - Oct 24, 2018 Serving Cape Elizabeth Since 1988 capecourier.com In the Spirit of Community A rare fi nd at The Cape Courier supports Cape Fall cleanup Crescent Beach Elizabeth High School Athletes 2018 schedule By Peter de Paolo Disposal fees at the Recycling Center will be waived for residents transporting Walking along Crescent Beach in Cape their own material and/or items from Oct. Elizabeth, by far the longest stretch of sand in 13 to Oct. 29, 2018. town, is a year-round habit for some, though Fees will be waived from Saturday, walking there can have its challenges. In October 13 through (up to including) the colder months, the freshwater streams Monday, October 29. Contractors how- that run down the beach to the ocean can be ever will be assessed fees in accordance diffi cult to cross, especially if your footwear with current regulations. isn’t waterproof. And the beach is wide open In addition to the above dates, the to the wind off the water, and that can make Recycling Center will be open four Sun- conditions a lot less comfortable in the cold. days between Oct. 21 and Nov. 11 for the Still, it’s a great asset that many people use disposal of recyclables, leaf, yard wastes, and enjoy in every season. wood waste, bulky waste and brush only. If you’ve never been, or if you tend to only Fees will be assessed on applicable items walk as far as the end of the sand beach to on Nov. 4 and Nov. 11. the south, or if your only experience there is Items normally destined for the trans- staking out a spot on the sand on a hot sum- fer station compactor (household refuse) mer day, I’d encourage you to walk the beach will not be accepted on Sundays. For as far as you can, then climb up onto the more information please contact Public trail that continues above the rocky portion Works, 207-799-4151. of the shoreline. You can follow this mostly FALL 2018 SCHEDULE fl at grassy road-like pathway to the southern Sunday, Oct. 21 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. boundary of the park, but along the way there Photo by Tara Simopoulos Sunday, Oct. 28 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. are several smaller paths that lead off toward From left to right John O’Connor, Natty Holmes, Andrew Miller and Alison Ingalls, mem- Sunday, Nov. 4 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -see CRESCENT BEACH page 18 bers of the CEHS Super Fan Club, hold the Cape Courier banner at the Cape vs Greely Sunday, Nov. 11 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. game at Hannaford Field, along with CEHS students, in the student section of the stands. Garden Musings: Fall roses in bloom CEHS students join national walkout By Kim Case in support of assault victims By Kevin St. Jarre Photo by Abby Mello Students wearing their SafeBAE shirts, from left to right, are Lilli Frame, Grace Erskine, Bella Rodrigues, Raina Sparks, Kim Knauft, Avery Palma, Ellie Macnuff , Maddie McCormick and Anna Stevens. SafeBAE works to prevent and educate about sexual assault in middle & high school. Some Cape Elizabeth High School stu- oritized perpetrators, instead of survivors dents joined a national walkout recently to of sexual assault for too long. We wanted to signal solidarity with survivors of sexual as- make it very clear that we do not agree with sault and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a college Kavanaugh’s nomination and/or confi rma- professor who accused Supreme Court nomi- tion and that we, as a community, stand with nee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting survivors. This was done in collaboration Photo by Kim Case her when they were in high school. with the CEHS Youth Activist Group and David Austin Peach Roses are the late bloomers of our garden this September. We One of the organizers was CEHS stu- SafeBAE, and was announced through so- thought we’d seen the last blooms but here we are in late September. And with them, dent Lillian Frame, who said, “This walkout cial media. We weren’t allowed to announce beginning around the fi rst of the month we’ve seen a small surge in honey bee activity happened because of the allegations by Dr. this on the school loudspeakers, so we used around them and our other late fl owering plants- happy to have them as they prepare Christine Ford and Deborah Ramirez against Instagram and email primarily. It was orga- for winter. the Supreme Court nominee. We have seen nized Saturday night [and] Sunday and was Do you have something special happening in your garden? Let us know! them ridiculed, ignored, and discounted and amazingly successful given the last-minute we refuse to accept it. Our culture has pri- nature.” Page 2 • The Cape Courier LETTERS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Oct 10 - Oct 24, 2018 The Cape Courier A candidate of ‘integrity and Jordan’s book a P.O. Box 6242 Cape Elizabeth Maine 04107 passion’ to serve our community ‘fanstastic historical 207-838-2180 www.capecourier.com In less than one month many of us With reproductive rights in jeopardy at resource’ have the opportunity to vote for the best the federal level, she will be a strong pro- If you have not read William B Jordan candidates to represent us in Maine and choice voice in our state. Anne Carney Jr’s fantastic book “A History of Cape Eliza- OUR MISSION STATEMENT beyond. I’m excited to be casting my has worked as a lawyer representing low beth Maine” please do so soon. What a fan- Th e mission of Th e Cape Courier is to foster vote for Anne Carney for Representative income Maine residents, she’s served on a sense of community by presenting news tastic historical resource! and hope you will join me. I have lived our Land Trust, and she’s raised children specifi c and unique to Cape Elizabeth Unfortunately it ends in the mid 60s be- and its residents, and, whenever possible, in Cape Elizabeth for fourteen years and here in our school system. She knows our cause the book was published in 1965. I’d to promote volunteerism within our know the beauty and opportunity that community. Anne will be a progressive like to share with you what he wrote on page community. this area can off er. I know that we need ally and voice in the legislature on issues 164, “ ...Were it not for the foresight of a few BOARD OF DIRECTORS a representative who will listen to our from jobs to the environment. I hope dedicated individuals the shores of Cape Roger Bishop, needs and work hard to represent us in you will join me in supporting and voting Elizabeth would soon have been beyond the Debbie Butterworth, Kim Case, Augusta. Anne has integrity, a strong for Anne Carney for the Maine House of reach of all but a few members of our affl u- Jeff Mitchell, Jerry Harkavy, work ethic, and the passion to make our Representatives on November 6. Bill Springer ent society. Now the joys of days gone by community better. I have two children will have some meaning for the generations Publisher: Tara Simopoulos in the Cape schools and I know she will [email protected] Corin Swift yet to come.” What say ye? fi ght for better funding from the state Editor: Marta Girouard and better technology in our classrooms. [email protected] Chris Lowenstein Community Reporter: Kevin St. Jarre [email protected] Rebecca Millett ‘brings passion Advertising Manager: Tara Simopoulos Democracy at its (Display and classifi ed ads) [email protected]/207-939-9766 and caring to her work’ best This is a letter asking for your support of the fi nancial aspect of each legislative Bookkeeper: As a former Civics teacher, I am extreme- [email protected] of Rebecca Millett for another term (her proposal makes her a natural person who ly pleased to have taken part in Cape Eliza- fourth) in the Maine Senate. Rebecca looks to work across the aisle in a bipar- Proofreaders: beth’s Town Council meeting on September Chuck Rzeszutko, Ginny Blackwood brings passion and caring to her work tisan manner. Much of the legislation 19, 2018. The Town Council has been grap- on the bills that come before the Senate. she sponsors has bipartisan support. Webmaster: Wendy Derzawiec pling with, among other concerns, the con- She brings a balance of concern for the Photo fi nishing: Ann Kaplan tentious issues surrounding, “paper streets”, fi nancial integrity of the state and sup- Distribution: William Alexander Michael and Janet Efron public access to the sea, a proposed medi- port for Maine’s people. Her work on For general information: ated agreement concerning Surf Side Ave., behalf for Maine citizens includes mak- [email protected]/207-838-2180 and their role as stewards of public assets. I ing health care accessible for all Maine’s Notice about For Advertising: witnessed democracy at its best. citizens and working to insure high qual- [email protected] Our Town Councilors seriously deliber- ity education for all Maine’s students Writers: Debbie Butterworth, Wendy publication of ated issues of the public’s interests before which includes improving the quality of Derzawiec, Bob Dodd, Erika Carlson Rhile, a vote was taken to reject the proposed educational standards K through 12, col- Marta Girouard letters during settlement between the 5 abutters to Surf lege accessibility and fi nancial support Photographers: Martha Agan, Jenny Side Ave.
Recommended publications
  • June 9, 2021 the Honorable Susan M. Collins 413 Dirksen Senate Office
    June 9, 2021 The Honorable Susan M. Collins The Honorable Angus S. King, Jr. 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building 133 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 Washington DC 20510 The Honorable Chellie Pingree The Honorable Jared Golden 2162 Rayburn House Office Building 1222 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Dear Senators Collins and King, and Representatives Pingree and Golden: WHEREAS, the people living on the land that would eventually be designated as the District of Columbia were provided the right to vote for representation in Congress when the United States Constitution was ratified in 1788; and WHEREAS, the passage of the Organic Act of 1801 placed the District of Columbia under the exclusive authority of the United States Congress and abolished residents’ right to vote for members of Congress and the President and Vice President of the United States; and WHEREAS, residents of the District of Columbia were granted the right to vote for the President and Vice President through passage of the Twenty–Third Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1961; and WHEREAS, as of 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau data estimates that the District of Columbia’s population at approximately 712,000 residents is comparable to the populations of Wyoming (582,000), Vermont (623,000), Alaska (731,000), and North Dakota (765,000); and WHEREAS, residents of the District of Columbia share all the responsibilities of United States citizenship, including paying more federal taxes than residents of 22 states,
    [Show full text]
  • Maine Legislature State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333
    MAINE LEGISLATURE STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333 April 20, 2020 Senator Susan Collins Senator Angus King 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building 133 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 Representative Chellie Pingree Representative Jared Golden 2162 Rayburn House Office Building 1223 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 Dear Senator Collins, Senator King, Representative Pingree, and Representative Golden: th We, the undersigned members of the 129 ​ Maine Legislature, write today asking that you ​ support an amendment to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. ​ ​ We are grateful for the passage of the CARES Act and the assistance it will provide, but in its ​ ​ current form, we are concerned that the funding Maine will receive cannot be used to address the massive losses in state revenue we expect to incur due to the coronavirus. Current guidance requires that approximately $1.25 billion of the funding Maine is expected to receive must be used for expenditures that: (1) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID–19; (2) were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 for the State or government; and (3) were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020. These significant restrictions, and an inability to specifically use these funds to offset revenue shortfalls, will seriously inhibit Maine’s ability to respond to this crisis. More flexible federal funding will help us continue to provide vital services, prevent further shutdown of key sectors of the state economy and hasten recovery once social distancing measures are relaxed.
    [Show full text]
  • S/L Sign on Letter Re: Rescue Plan State/Local
    February 17, 2021 U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Members of Congress: As elected leaders representing communities across our nation, we are writing to urge you to take immediate action on comprehensive coronavirus relief legislation, including desperately needed funding for states, counties, cities, and schools, and an increase in states’ federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP). President Biden’s ambitious $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan will go a long way towards alleviating the significant financial strain COVID-19 has placed on our states, counties, cities, and schools, and the pocketbooks of working families. Working people have been on the frontlines of this pandemic for nearly a year and have continued to do their jobs during this difficult time. Dedicated public servants are still leaving their homes to ensure Americans continue to receive the essential services they rely upon: teachers and education workers are doing their best to provide quality education and keep their students safe, janitors are still keeping parks and public buildings clean, while healthcare providers are continuing to care for the sick. Meanwhile, it has been ten months since Congress passed the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund to support these frontline workers and the essential services they provide. Without significant economic assistance from the federal government, many of these currently-middle class working families are at risk of falling into poverty through no fault of their own. It is a painful irony that while many have rightly called these essential workers heroes, our country has failed to truly respect them with a promise to protect them and pay them throughout the crisis.
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Update House and Senate Committee Assignments
    LEGISLATIVE UPDATE HOUSE AND SENATE COM MITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Today joint standing committee assignments for the 128th Legislature were made public by the presiding officers of the Maine House of Representatives and the State Senate. Despite sitting in the minority in the House of Representatives, House Republicans will outsize Democrats on the Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Committee and Marine Resources Committee, and will have parity on the Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Committee, Insurance & Financial Resources Committee, and the Veterans & Legal Affairs Committee. Governor LePage will be submitting his final biennial budget in early 2017 and it promises to include a number of provisions that will lock Democrats and Republicans into a prolonged period of review, line-item editing, and deal making. The all-important and uber-powerful Appropriations & Financial Affairs Committee will steer the direction of the budget following a vetting and review from each policy committee. Sen. Jim Hamper (R-Oxford) will return as AFA Senate Chair and will also be joined by long-time committee member Sen. Roger Katz (R-Kennebec). In fact, the Republican compliment on the committee will be unchanged from the prior session save for one member, whereas Democrats return with familiar faces and new leaders. Rep. Drew Gattine (D-Westbrook) has left the Health & Human Services Committee to now chair Appropriations and Sen. Cathy Breen (D-Cumberland) will take the one seat allocated to her caucus. However, longtime member and Augusta power broker Rep. John Martin (D- Eagle Lake) will again join the powerful budget writing committee. Please see the following for lists of committee membership. Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Environment and Natural Resources Sen.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Spirit of Community Capecourier.Com Fully Involved: a View Into CEFD, CEHS Student Wins Prestigious the New Ladder Truck Award, Will Go to Washington, D.C
    PRSRT STD Postal Customer U.S. Postage PAID Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 Permit No. 454 Portland, ME The Cape Cour erECRWSS Volume 33 Number 2 An Independent Not-for-Profi t Newspaper Feb 19 - Mar 10, 2020 Serving Cape Elizabeth Since 1988 In the Spirit of Community capecourier.com Fully Involved: A view into CEFD, CEHS student wins prestigious the new ladder truck award, will go to Washington, D.C. By Mara DeGeorge By Kevin St. Jarre Cape Elizabeth High School student Isabel Berman has won the Maine’s Pru- dential Spirit of Community award this year. According to an announcement by CEHS Principal Jeff rey Shedd, Berman was recognized for an educational fi lm she created, titled “The Truth,” around the dangers of vaping. The Prudential Spirit of Community Award is given to one high school and one middle school student from each state in the nation who has demonstrated outstanding acts of volunteerism. The fi lm was shown at both Cape Eliz- abeth Middle School, and in an evening showing at CEHS. Shedd wrote, “The Prudential award is a big deal. Isabel will be traveling to Washington, D.C. for an awards ceremo- Contributed photo ny together with award winners from all of the other states.” CEHS senior Isabel Berman has won a prestigious award for her community ser- -see AWARD page 9 vice, and will travel to Washington, D.C. for the awards ceremony. Photo contributed by Robert Kamilewicz CEFD’s new ladder truck, a Quint, which has a 500 gallon water tank capable of Sledding on the slopes pumping 1,500 gallons per minute.
    [Show full text]
  • January 2017
    Becky Fles, President, MSAD 11 James Grant, President-Elect, Brunswick Maureen King, Vice President, RSU 21 UPDATE... Dale A. Douglass, Executive Director, [email protected] Elaine M. Tomaszewski, Acting Deputy Executive Director, [email protected] Victoria A. Wallack, Director of Communications & Government Relations, [email protected] January 2017 Budget cuts funding, changes EPS formula Details of the governor’s proposed biennial budget as it affects public education are beginning to emerge, with 48 changes to the Essential Programs and Services funding formula that include eliminating state funding for system administration and support for School Boards. That support includes administrative support at board meetings and in preparation of the budget, as well as central office staff support, legal fees for contract negotiations and for school board legal liability. Legislature to review The Education Committee is getting its second briefing on the 145 K-12 bills proposal this Thursday, February 2, starting at 2:30 p.m., in Room 202 of the Cross Office building. Click on the link below to listen Members of the newly elected Legislature have submitted at that time: 1900 bill titles including nearly 145 dealing with K-12 education. http://legislature.maine.gov/Audio/#202 Aside from the biennial budget, which has significant The Appropriations Committee will begin holding public hearings implications on districts (see related stories), there are: on the biennial budget in early February with hearings on the K- At least five bills dealing with implementation of 12 portion of the proposal possibly the week of Feb. 13. When Question 2, including one to delay, one to repeal and two schedules are officially set, MSMA will send out bulletins.
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Council Meeting Agenda Packet 2019-12
    P 1 P 2 P 3 P 4 P 5 P 6 P 7 129th Legislature - Second Regular Session Legislative Council Action on Legislative Bill Requests December 6, 2019 Action Representative Ackley of Monmouth LR 2722 PASSED An Act To Provide a Death Benefit for Volunteer and Part-time Firefighters LR 2723 TABLED An Act To Allow Municipalities To Set Below-market Interest Rates for Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Programs Representative Andrews of Paris LR 2864 FAILED An Act To Recognize Occupational Licenses from Other States To Attract New Residents and Business to Maine LR 2868 FAILED An Act To Allow the Sale of Privately Held Fine and Rare Spirits by Auction Senator Bellows of Kennebec LR 2971 FAILED An Act To Require Employee Safety within the Funeral Industry Representative Bradstreet of Vassalboro LR 2828 FAILED An Act To Conform State Labor Law with Federal Labor Law Representative Brennan of Portland LR 2846 FAILED An Act Regarding Socially Responsible Investing by the Maine Public Employees Retirement System LR 2878 FAILED An Act To Expand Protections for the Privacy of Online Consumer Information Representative Campbell of Orrington LR 2729 FAILED An Act To Amend the Qualifications and Hiring Process for an Owner's Representative for a School Construction Project Page 1 of 10 Office of the Executive Director 12/6/2019 2:45:00 PM P 8 129th Legislature - Second Regular Session Legislative Council Action on Legislative Bill Requests December 6, 2019 Action Representative Campbell of Orrington LR 2743 FAILED An Act To Amend the Solid Waste Management
    [Show full text]
  • June 21, 2021 the Honorable Chuck Schumer Majority Leader United
    June 21, 2021 The Honorable Chuck Schumer The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Majority Leader Speaker United States Senate United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Mitch McConnell The Honorable Kevin McCarthy Minority Leader Minority Leader United States Senate United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Madam Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader McCarthy, As state legislators, we are the day-to-day technicians in fifty unique laboratories of democracy. We do our part to make government work to the benefit of all, regardless of party. This was true during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when almost every state did its patriotic duty to provide voters relief and remove barriers to voting. This expansion of safe, secure voting led to an election with historic turnout. The scope of these state-level attacks is unparalleled. Close to 400 anti-voter bills have been introduced in legislatures across the nation, with many signed or on the way to becoming law in Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Arizona, and others. Make no mistake: these unpatriotic attacks on our elections will undermine confidence that elections in America can possibly represent the will of a checked and balanced majority. They present a deep threat to our democracy and will lead to material harm to communities that have long been under-represented. In a functioning democracy that fairly represents the voices of all people, elected officials should work together to expand the right to vote and protect the sanctity of elections. Indeed, we have attempted again and again to work with our Republican colleagues to set policies that safely and securely expanded voting access—but they simply refuse to act in good faith.
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Scorecard
    Maine Service Employees Association, SEIU Local 1989’s Legislative Scorecard: SOMSEA 129th Maine Legislature Special See whether your state senator and state representative voted pullout for or against MSEA and workers on key issues we tracked. section! During the 2019-2020 Legislature cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, we tracked every state legislator’s votes on key issues impacting Maine workers. To be sure, important legislation remains pending that we’d also like to score, including LD 1978 reforming the MainePERS disability process, LD 1878 establishing a career path for adjunct professors in the Maine Community College System, and LD 1355 strengthening the retirement security of workers in the State Police Crime Lab and State Police Computer Crimes Unit. Please contact your state senator and state representative today; encourage them to finish the Legislature’s business! Use this Scorecard to see whether your state senator and state representative voted for or against MSEA and workers on these key issues: • Approving the bipartisan two-year state budget (LD 1001, signed into law by Governor Mills). We supported the final budget. It addresses understaffing, funds our Judicial and Executive Branch contracts, and increases funding for Child Development Services, Governor Baxter School for the Deaf/MECDHH, and the Maine Community College System. It makes MSEA-SEIU PASER Member Frank Geagan, at right, asks his State Senator, Brad Farrin, to support investments in local schools and progress a comprehensive study of compensation for state employees in 2019 during the Maine AFL-CIO on property tax relief by increasing revenue Labor Lobby Day. Senator Farrin voted against Maine workers and MSEA on all the issues we sharing.
    [Show full text]
  • Directory of Joint Standing Committees, 129Th Maine Legislature
    DIRECTORY OF JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES 129th LEGISLATURE Committee Mtg. Room# Ext. Clerk Senate Chair House Chair Policy Fiscal Broadcast 1 Days Analyst(s) Analyst(s) Channel Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry T/Th 214 CB X1312 Dylan Sinclair James Dill Craig Hickman Karen Nadeau MichaelOFPR Russo 35 Chairs’ Office 214A CB Appropriations and Financial Affairs M-Th 228 SH X1316 Marianne Catherine Breen Drew Gattine Maureen Dawson OFPR Analysts 23 MacMaster (OFPR) Criminal Justice & Public Safety M/W/F 436 SH X1122 Cynthia Fortier Susan Charlotte Warren Jane Orbeton Lauren Metayer 31 Chairs’ Office 433 SH Deschambault Daniel Tartakoff Suzanne Voynik Education & Cultural Affairs M/W/Th 208 CB X3125 Jayne Deneen Rebecca Millett Victoria Kornfield Hillary Risler Rachel Tremblay 38 Chairs’ Office 207 CB Karen Nadeau Energy, Utilities & Technology T/W/Th 211 CB X4143 Abben Maguire Mark Lawrence Seth Berry Lucia Nixon Michael Russo 41 Chairs’ Office 211A CB Environment & Natural Resources W/Th/F 216 CB X4149 Caleb Roebuck Brownie Carson Ralph Tucker Daniel Tartakoff Michael Russo 40 Chairs’ Office 216A CB Health & Human Services T/W/Th 209 CB X1317 Rowland Geoffrey Patricia Anna Broome Luke Lazure 37 Chairs’ Office 210 CB Robinson Gratwick Hymanson Erin Dooling Health Coverage, Insurance & Financial Services T/W/Th 220 CB X1314 Veronica Snow Heather Sanborn Denise Tepler Colleen Lauren Metayer 39 Chairs' Office 220A CB McCarthy Reid Inland Fisheries & Wildlife M/W 206 CB X1338 Linda LaCroix James Dill Catherine Nadeau Deirdre Schneider Michael
    [Show full text]
  • Maine Legislature 2 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0002
    Maine Legislature 2 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0002 January 18, 2021 Commissioner Michael Sauschuck Department of Public Safety 45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1 104 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333 Dear Commissioner Sauschuck, As elected representatives, we are extremely concerned about recent posts and comments made by Maine Bureau of Capitol Police Chief Russell Gauvin on social media. Chief Gauvin expressed support for conspiracy theories that led to the violent insurrection against the government at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 and the death of two police officers. His words portray an inability to neutrally provide for the safety of every member of the Legislature. At this historic juncture in which there are viable, coordinated threats against lawmakers, we find Chief Gauvin’s comments reprehensible, and his apology utterly insufficient. We believe Police Chief Gauvin should be immediately placed on administrative leave while a full and transparent investigation takes place, and next steps are determined. Those who commit to public service are held to a higher standard for public comments. The words of Police Chief Gauvin made in recent months and reported over several years have diminished our trust in his ability to serve in his current role. Many of us may never feel safe at the Maine State House facility again so long as Chief Gauvin is in charge of security or a member of the Capitol Police. We believe in justice and the right to due process. Thank you for doing your due diligence during these perilous times. Signed, Rep. Kyle Bailey, Gorham Page 1 Speaker Ryan Fecteau, Biddeford Rep.
    [Show full text]
  • 06.17 Open Letter Vertical
    JUNE 2020 We Won’t Go Back: An Open Letter from State and Local Legislators Urging the U.S. Supreme Court to Defend Abortion Access We all deserve the right to make decisions about our families and our bodies, free from coercion or violence. As elected officials in states and localities, we are committed to protecting and advancing these rights. In the past decade, hundreds of restrictions on abortion care have been passed at the state level, and more local governments are restricting abortion in their own towns and counties. The resulting patchwork of laws means that a person’s ability to access your their right to abortion depends on your zip code and the contents of your bank account, with low-income people, people of color, young people, immigrant communities, and rural communities paying the steepest price. As public servants, it’s our job to not only support policies that allow our constituents to survive but policies that allow them thrive. The United States Supreme Court’s forthcoming decision in June Medical Services v. Russo, which concerns medically unnecessary regulations on abortion providers, is an opportunity for the Court to uphold precedent and ensure Louisiana does not devastate peoples’ ability to get safe, legal abortion care in their communities. Anything less—allowing the Fifth Circuit and Louisiana to disregard the Court’s precedent —would open the door for states to regulate abortion out of existence for millions of families. Abortion isn’t a right if you can’t access it. The avalanche of recent state abortion restrictions, passed despite the highest levels of public support for abortion rights in decades, distorts our democracy.
    [Show full text]