DOCSLIB.ORG

What's Inside Excitement, Energy, Engagement & Networking

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
What's Inside Excitement, Energy, Engagement & Networking December 2018 Excitement, Energy, Engagement & Networking If you do not already know, Mid-Maine and enjoying your own Chamber of Commerce is the leader and personal interests! We partner in providing real value and service to work hard to protect its members. That is our vision and in 2018 small businesses and we believe we have accomplished just that. look at tough state and local issues around new Small businesses represent a large segment of regulations, taxes and our 600 plus membership, bringing credibility costs that directly affect and a positive business perception to local small business. We consumers. The revitalization in the Waterville bring your voice to the area has created an excitement and energy table and advocate for that this region has not experienced in years. the betterment of the Many new businesses have opened their business community. doors in 2018, downtown, in the Hathaway The chamber initiates Creative Center and in the neighboring business-to-business communities. Mid-Maine Chamber has commerce, hosting multiple networking Mid-Maine Chamber is looking forward to provided support and guidance to these opportunities each month, connecting 2019. We are excited to watch our community businesses, helping to welcome them to our community professionals with each other. We open new doors and join together to make community and connecting them with other receive phone calls each day from individuals our region the best place to work and live. businesses in our membership. asking us to recommend local service Happy Holidays to our chamber community, providers such as hotels and restaurants to thank you for all you do. Engagement is key to making your auto repair. We recommend you, our chamber chamber membership work for you and members! Being a chamber member says you Mid-Maine Chamber Staff your business. Our Chamber has multiple believe in your community and the people Kimberly Lindlof, Kelly Smith, Brittnae committees; serving on one of them provides that work and live here. Our small, friendly, DeRoche and Patricia Michaud excellent networking opportunities, these energetic staff is extremely knowledgeable committees build strong business and about the region we serve and always willing personal relationships. We all lead busy to give a business a helping hand. lives. Build your business while promoting What’s Inside Sponsored by • From the Board • Member News • Member Calendar • People News December 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Chace The Chace Community Forum, on the first Community Forum 150 Main Street, floor of the Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street • Ribbon Cuttings Waterville Commons, is a communal events space for creating and cultivating dialogue and • Spotlight on American Meet the Reps is held to strengthen relationship building among community Lung Association relations between local businesses and members. government. Beer, wine, other beverages, and appetizers will be available. 50 Elm Street, Waterville, ME 04901 Tel: (207) 873-3315 Fax: (207) 877-0087 [email protected] www.midmainechamber.com Gary Levesque, Chair of the Board Kimberly N. Lindlof, President & CEO InTouch Newsletter designed by Lavender Designs, www.lavenderdesigns.com 1 From the Board– Gary Zemrak Here we are once These members are sure to bring fresh ideas an investment in our local communities. again, the end of and continued success to the Chamber. I am Colby College continues leveraging its another year! It’s confident new Board members will bring resources to redevelop several properties in December – the fresh faces to the important networking downtown Waterville. Investments by Colby holiday season events the Chamber hosts throughout the College, Thomas College and Kennebec is upon us, cold year. We know how successful Chamber Valley Community College in our educational weather has arrived, events are and I am confident will continueinfrastructure are being made to help and we have already to be in the future. Please check out the strengthen the human resources that will be seen snow. Once Chamber website, wwwmidmainechamber. available to all. again, the Chamber com, to view all the events and benefits of has enjoyed a very being a Chamber member. Our region had a lot of exciting news in 2018 successful year with the leadership of our and we look forward to seeing what 2019 has Chairperson Gary Levesque, the Board of The Chamber continues to see a lot of to bring. Please stop by to say hello to the Directors and the excellent staff led by Kim change and growth in the local economy staff and we are excited to network with you Lindlof. Thank you to the entire Board, their which coincides with the change and growth in the new year. We are pleased to share that hard work during the past year often goes that we have seen in our communities in Dan Bernier, Esq. will be the chamber’s 2019 unnoticed, it is essential to the operation of 2018. The Chamber delivers value to our chairperson. the Chamber and provides support to Kim membership and is constantly looking for and the staff. ways to make the chamber experience better Being a Chamber member has been very for its members. rewarding for me both personally and in A few board members have had the privilege business. I hope to see you at the next to have served the Chamber since the early It is an exciting time to be living in the Chamber event and I hope you get involved ’90s, we are now considered the “old timers.” mid-Maine region! The economy is too. You won’t regret it. It is encouraging to see many of our new Board growing, unemployment is decreasing, and —Gary members are from a younger generation. businesses, as well as individuals, are making Mid-Maine Chamber Calendar Monday, December 3 5:15 p.m. KV Connect Steering Committee Wednesday, December 7 7:30 a.m. Public Policy Committee Senior Vice President of Bangor Savings Bank, Wednesday, December 14 8:00 a.m. Executive Committee David Pease, engaged the audience in ways to build a passionate team that gets results at the Monday, December 19 8:00 a.m. Marketing & Membership Committee November Business Breakfast Series. Wednesday, December 21 11:30 a.m. Board of Directors Luncheon WORLD-CLASS ONLINE EDUCATION SOLUTIONS FOR MAINE’S WORKFORCE Call 207-213-2505. For comprehensive consumer and gainful employment information, visit Info.PurdueGlobal.edu. 2 2018 Ribbon Cutting Sponsor Upcoming ribbon cutting ceremony December 11, 10:00 am at Maine State Credit Union 81 Grove Street, Waterville Come celebrate its building expansion! Northern Kennebec Valley Career Center opened its doors with a new name The Maine Children’s Home for Little The Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street and a new location at Kennebec Valley Wanderers celebrated its new counseling Commons building opened its doors to Community College’s Hinckley campus. It center with a ribbon cutting ceremony! Camden National Bank. A ribbon was cut celebrated with an open house and ribbon to celebrate its new location. cutting ceremony. New Members Ally Charter Bus Jude Wahl 866-625-7682 www.allybus.com 3 Calendar of Events December 1, 1:00–2:30 pm December 12, 7:30 a.m. Camp Code at Waterville Public Library KVHRA hosts meeting at Augusta Civic FMI: www.watervillelibrary.org Center FMI: www.kvhra.shrm.org December 4, 1:00 p.m. December 13, 2:00 p.m. SSA and IRS presents Racing Towards Year IRS hosts Tax Reform Due Diligence End: Employment Tx Updates & Reminders Requirements webinar for tax practitioners Webinar FMI: www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/ Every Thursday, 2:00–6:00 pm FMI: www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/ Page/1148/27902 Chace Community Forum located at Page/1148/27718 150 Main Street in Waterville December 14, 5:00 p.m. December 6, 8:00–9:30 a.m. Good Will-Hinckley’s Holiday Magic Now through January 6 MaineGeneral hosts Community Health FMI: www.gwh.org Colby College Museum of Art hosts Assessment Forum for Employees at Alfond Torkwase Dyson: Nautical Dusk; through Center for Health, Augusta December 14, 5:30–7:30 p.m. January 20 Darkness Visible: Goya Prints FMI: www.mainegeneral.org The Framemakers hosts Holiday from the Lunder Collection; through Countdown meet the artists reception January 20 Nancy Spero: Unbound and December 7, 7:00 p.m. FMI: www.theframemakers.com through February 17 Currents 8:Carly Colby College hosts 49th Annual Service of Glovinski Carols and Lights at Lormier Chapel December 14, 7:00 p.m., 15 at 2:00 & FMI: www.colby.edu/museum FMI: www.colby.edu 7:00 p.m., & 16 at 2:00 p.m. Waterville Opera House presents Bossov December 1, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. December 7 & 8, 7:30–9:00 p.m. Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker Common Street Arts hosts 6th Annual Peacox Productions Present: A Magical FMI: www.operahouse.org Holiday Bazaar Christmas to benefitMaine Children’s FMI: www.watervillecreates.org Home for Little Wanderers December 15, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 pm FMI: www.mainechildrenshome.org MACE and Cirque du Geek’s Holiday December 1, 10:00 a.m. Cosplay Tea Party at Waterville Public New England Naturopathic Health hosts December 8, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Library FMI: www.watervillelibrary.org Chronic Fatigue and Adrenal Burnout with Waterville Creates! hosts 2nd Annual Joy Dr. Hayford to the Ville community holiday celebration in December 17, 6:00–7:00 p.m. FMI: www.facebook.com/ Waterville Kiwanis Club of Waterville hosts monthly events/492912991226638 FMI: www.watervillecreates.org meeting at Northern Light Inland Hospital FMI: www.northernlighthealth.ord/inland- December 1, 11:00 a.m. December 8, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Senate Governor Committee Date: 07/03/2019 (Final
    Key LD and Title Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Date: 07/03/2019 (Final Update - Session Has Ended) Most Recent Action Committee through Governor Most Recent Action (Occurred this week) Next Session Begins: 01/08/2020 LD Title Committee Original Chamber 2nd Chamber House Senate Governor Committee Sponsor 1. Regular Bills Still Being Worked Sections: 1. Regular Bills Still Being Worked 2. Bond Bills 2. Bond Bills 3. Governor's Desk 4. Appropriations Table 5. Study Table 3. Governor's Desk 6. Carry Over Bills 7. Laws Governor Mills decided to "hold" the following bills until the next legislative session. At the beginning of the next legislative session, the Governor will have three days to act on these bills. 8. Dead Bills 6/18 Taken from An Act to Expand Community Support 6/3 House Passed to be Appropriations Services for Certain Adult Members of Engrossed as Amended by 6/4 Senate Passed in 6/5 Finally Table and Finally 775 the MaineCare Program Divided Report 4/22 Committee Amendment A Concurrence Passed Passed HHS Rep. Lori Gramlich 6/19 Senate Passed to be Engrossed as Amended by Committee Amendment A as An Act to Improve Accountability of Amended by Senate 6/19 House Passed in 6/19 Passed to 6/19 Passed to be 793 Opioid Manufacturers Divided Report 6/13 Amendment A Concurrence be Enacted Enacted JUD Sen. Troy Jackson Resolve, Establishing a Task Force To Study the Creation of a Comprehensive Career and Technical Education 6/6 House Passed to be System To Support Workforce Engrossed as Amended by 6/7 Senate Passed in 6/19 Finally 6/19 Finally Rep.
    [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]
  • Citizen Initiatives Teacher Training Gas Taxes
    DEFENDING AGAINST SECURITY BREACHES PAGE 5 March 2015 Citizen Initiatives Teacher Training Gas Taxes AmericA’s innovAtors believe in nuclear energy’s future. DR. LESLIE DEWAN technology innovAtor Forbes 30 under 30 I’m developing innovative technology that takes used nuclear fuel and generates electricity to power our future and protect the environment. America’s innovators are discovering advanced nuclear energy supplies nearly one-fifth nuclear energy technologies to smartly and of our electricity. in a recent poll, 85% of safely meet our growing electricity needs Americans believe nuclear energy should play while preventing greenhouse gases. the same or greater future role. bill gates and Jose reyes are also advancing nuclear energy options that are scalable and incorporate new safety approaches. these designs will power future generations and solve global challenges, such as water desalination. Get the facts at nei.org/future #futureofenergy CLIENT: NEI (Nuclear Energy Institute) PUB: State Legislatures Magazine RUN DATE: February SIZE: 7.5” x 9.875” Full Page VER.: Future/Leslie - Full Page Ad 4CP: Executive Director MARCH 2015 VOL. 41 NO. 3 | CONTENTS William T. Pound Director of Communications Karen Hansen Editor Julie Lays STATE LEGISLATURES Contributing Editors Jane Carroll Andrade Mary Winter NCSL’s national magazine of policy and politics Web Editors Edward P. Smith Mark Wolf Copy Editor Leann Stelzer Advertising Sales FEATURES DEPARTMENTS Manager LeAnn Hoff (303) 364-7700 Contributors 14 A LACK OF INITIATIVE 4 SHORT TAKES ON
    [Show full text]
  • Maine AFL-CIO
    Maine AFL-CIO 2018 Working Families Legislative Scorecard Phone: 207-622-9675 • Fax: 207-622-9685 Maine AFL-CIO • 21 Gabriel Drive • Augusta, ME 04330 www.maineaflcio.org • email: [email protected] Ranking Our Legislators’ Commitment to Workers’ Rights and An Economy That Works for All 2018 Labor Lobby Day in Augusta The 128th Maine Legislature was set in a period of staggering inequality, stagnant wages and declining living standards. As working people, we look for the Legislature to: • reflect our core values of fairness, solidarity and economic justice; • do everything within its power to support workers and their families; • and take proactive measures to create a just economy. The Maine AFL-CIO is a statewide federation of more than 160 local labor unions in Maine. We represent more than 40,000 Maine workers and retirees delivering public services or working at paper mills, shipyards, hospitals, construction sites, utilities, and in manyother industries. We represent these workers and their families at the Legislature, and we organize 2018 Maine AFL-CIO COPE Convention together year round for workers’ rights and economic justice. This legislative scorecard seeks to capture the votes that were of the greatest importance to working people in the second session of the 128th Maine Legislature (2018). It provides information on those bills and lets you know how your legislators voted. Our Legislative Committee and Executive Board carefully reviewed all the bills that came before the State Legislature and selected which bills to work on and to score. We hope you find the scorecard useful and that you will use it to hold your state legislators accountable.
    [Show full text]
  • Where Does Your Chamber Stand on the Issues?
    MID-MAINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 50 Elm Street, Waterville, ME 04901 207-873-3315 www.midmainechamber.com Where Does Your Chamber Stand on the Issues? 2019 Policy Positions Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce is dedicated and committed to promoting, educating and advocating for business prosperity and regional economic improvement. Our mission in- volves advocating for public policy that will assist our region to prosper and grow. The Public Policy Committee has developed and implemented these policy positions for the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce with the endorsement of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Education & Workforce Development Educational opportunity and achievement are essential to the region’s economic health and quality of life. Without an educated workforce and diligent efforts to develop the pipeline of workers that business- es need to compete globally, our competitiveness of quality workers will diminish. Our region struggles to replace the high rate of retiring workers with a qualified workforce needed, as our college students are leaving the State for higher paying jobs. To that end, the Chamber supports: • Aligning education opportunities with private, public and non-profit workforce needs to attract skilled workers to mid-Maine. • Promoting and expanding of quality early childhood through 12th grade curriculum and programs (including public, private and charter schools). • Encouraging schools to share & combine resources so that more opportunities are offered to stu dents. • Promoting mid-Maine as a higher education hub. • Increasing high school & higher education going and completion rates through financial aid aware ness, expanding transfer agreements, dual and concurrent enrollment classes and Career and Technical Education.
    [Show full text]
  • LAW and LEGISLATIVE DIGITAL LIBRARY at the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library
    MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE The following document is provided by the LAW AND LEGISLATIVE DIGITAL LIBRARY at the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library http://legislature.maine.gov/lawlib Reproduced from scanned originals with text recognition applied (searchable text may contain some errors and/or omissions) REP. SARA GIDEON SEN. GARRETTP. MASON CHAIR SEN. AMY F. VOLK SEN. TROY D. JACKSON SEN. MICHAEL D. THIBODEAU SEN. NATHAN L. LIBBY VICE-CHAIR REP. ERIN D. HERBIG REP. JARED F. GOLDEN REP. KENNETH W. FREDETTE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 12STH MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE REP. ELEANOR M. ESPLING GRANT T. PENNOYER LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 12Sth Legislature ~ Legislative Council ,r- November 30, 2017 10:00 AM REVISED AGENDA Action CALL TO ORDER ROLLCALL 1 SUMMARY OF THE OCTOBER 26, 2017 MEETING OF THE Decision LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REPORTS FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF OFFICE DIRECTORS 36 • Executive Director's Report (Mr. Pennoyer) Information 37 • Fiscal Report (Mr. Nolan) Information 42 • Studies Report (Ms. Rylan Barr) Information REPORTS FROM COUNCIL COMMITTEES • Personnel Committee No report • State Rouse Facilities Committee i L No report I OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS 44 Item # 1: Suggested Procedures for Deciding Appealed Bill Requests Decision .:. 45 Item #2: Consideration of Appealed Bill Requests for Introduction Roll Call Vote in the Second Regular Session ofthe 128th Legislature (Separate Binder) List included 115 STATE HOUSE STATION, AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0115 TELEPHONE 207-287-1615 FAX 207-287-1621 56 Item #3: Recommendation for MELD Bill Production System Replacement Decision .:. 58 Item #4: Notice of the Single Audit of the State of Maine (Office of the State Information Auditor) 61 Item #5: Acceptance of the Loring Development Authority Annual Report Decision ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMARKS ADJOURNMENT Page 2 REP.
    [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]
  • Annual Town Report for Year Ending December
    Town Townof Norridgewock of Norridgewock 16 Perkins16 Perkins St. St. PO BoxPO 7 Box 7 TOWN OF Norridgewock,Norridgewock, ME 04957 ME 04957 www.townofnorridgewock.comwww.townofnorridgewock.com TOWNTOWN OFFICE OFFICE 634-2252634 -2252 NORRIDGEWOCK MONDAYMONDAY – WEDNESDAY, – WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY FRIDAY 8:30 AM 8:30 TO AM 4:15 TO PM 4:15 PM THURSDAYTHURSDAY 8:30 AM 8:30 TO AM 6:00 TO PM 6:00 PM Like usLike on FACEBOOKus on FACEBOOK for up -forto- update-to notices-date notices (Town (Town of Norridgewock) of Norridgewock) ANIMALANIMAL CONTROL CONTROL DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT (Dave (HuffDave) Huff) 634-2252634 -2252 Or callOr the call Communications the Communications Center Center at at 474-6386474 -6386 CENTRALCENTRAL MAINE MAINE REGIONAL REGIONAL AIRPORT AIRPORT 634-5351634 -5351 CODE CODEENFORCEMENT ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OFFICER & PLUMBING & PLUMBING INSPECTOR INSPECTOR 634-5735634 -5735 TUESDAYTUESDAY 1:00PM 1:00PM TO 4:00 TO PM 4:00 PM THURSDAYTHURSDAY 9:00 AM 9:00 TO AM 6:00 TO PM 6:00 PM NORRIDGEWOCKNORRIDGEWOCK PUBLIC PUBLIC LIBRARY LIBRARY 634-2828634 -2828 TUESDAYTUESDAY & THURSDAY & THURSDAY 10:00AM 10:00AM TO 6:00 TO PM 6:00 PM SATURDAYSATURDAY 10:00 AM10:00 TO AM 2:00 TO PM 2:00 PM SOPHIESOPHIE MAY LIBRARY MAY LIBRARY 634-2828634 -2828 WEDNESDAYWEDNESDAY 10:00AM 10:00AM TO 2:00 TO PM 2:00 PM NORRIDGEWOCKNORRIDGEWOCK PUBLIC PUBLIC WORKS WORKS GARAGE GARAGE 634-2253634 -2253 NORRIDGEWOCKNORRIDGEWOCK SEWER SEWER DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT 634-4738634 -4738 NORRIDGEWOCKNORRIDGEWOCK WATER WATER DISTRICT DISTRICT 634-2660634 -2660 SAD 54SAD SCHOOLS:
    [Show full text]
  • Madison 2017 Report for Web.Indd
    TOWN OF Madison 2017 Annual Report For the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Backyard Farms Celebrates 10 Years of Growing in Madison! What does it mean to be “Business Friendly”? This year’s cover reflects the growth of one local industry while the Town closes a chapter in the paper making industry. The direction Madison moves in the future depends on a concerted effort to re- main business friendly. In 2014 the Town earned the designation from the state as a “Certified: Business Friendly Community”. We were issued big blue and white highway signs which we proudly display at the various entrances into Town. We promote on our website that we are one of 30 such communities in the state. But what does it mean to be “Business Friendly”? To some it might mean that it’s the sole responsibility of the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen to ‘Create Jobs!’. It is my opinion that government at any level is not the job creator, but rather the local govern- ment must work hard to create an environment where the private sector can locate, develop and thrive; result- ing in job creation. Like many communities in central Maine, Madison faces challenges in maintaining that “Business Friendly” environment. We are not necessarily close to I-95, we have an aging workforce and we have a shrinking school-age population. While there is not much we can do about our physical location, we can focus on de- veloping a stronger work force to attract business development. Over the last three years the Board of Select- men have been working toward three economic development objectives.
    [Show full text]
  • Support for Legislative Document 1290 (S.P
    May 6, 2015 The Honorable Scott Cyrway The Honorable Louis Luchini The Honorable Jonathan Kinney Maine State Senate Maine House of Representatives Maine House of Representatives 3 State House Station 2 State House Station 2 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0003 Augusta, ME 04333-0002 Augusta, ME 04333-0002 Re: Support for Legislative Document 1290 (S.P. 465) Dear Chairs Cyrway and Luchini, Ranking Minority Member Kinney, and members of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs: On behalf of the Center for Competitive Politics,1 I write to offer our support for L.D. 1290, which wisely repeals the Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA) and diverts the balance of the Maine Clean Election Fund to the Department of Education. Contrary to the unfounded claims of their advocates, “clean elections” programs, more appropriately known as tax-financed campaign systems, have roundly failed to achieve their stated goals. While the intent of the MCEA may have been noble, in practice, a variety of academic research and the Center’s own research demonstrate that these programs: (1) contain alarming amounts of corruption; (2) relatedly, fail to decrease the incidence of public corruption; (3) fail to change legislative voting patterns or reduce lobbyist influence; (4) fail to promote electoral competitiveness; (5) fail to increase either occupational diversity or female representation in legislatures; (6) fail to result in financial savings to taxpayers; and (7) fail to improve voter turnout or trust in government. As the Center’s own research shows, the Maine Clean Election Act, in particular, has suffered from many of the aforementioned problems.
    [Show full text]
  • STATE of MAINE 129Th LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR SESSION
    STATE OF MAINE th 129 LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR SESSION REPORT OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MAINE’S REDUCED IGNITION PROPENSITY CIGARETTE ACT Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety April 2021 MEMBERS: SEN. Susan Deschambault, Chair SEN. Scott Cyrway SEN. Mark Lawrence Staff: REP. Charlotte Warren, Chair Jane Orbeton, OPLA Analyst Rep. Grayson Lookner Suzanne Voynik-OPFR Analyst Rep. Victorian Morales Lauren Metayer, OFPR Analyst Rep. Daniel Newman Deborah Fahy, Committee Clerk Rep. Danny Costain Rep. Lois Reckitt Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety Rep. Richard Pickett c/o Legislative Information Rep. Bill Pluecker 100 State House Station Rep. Lois Reckitt Augusta, Maine 04333 Rep. Braden Sharpe Prepared by Richard E. Taylor, Senior Planning and Research Analyst Office of the Maine State Fire Marshal Table of Contents Executive Summary …………………………………………………………………. 3 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………….. 3 Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarettes…………………………………………….. 4 Statistics on Smoking Related Fires and Deaths in Maine……………………… 4 - 8 Consumption ….……………………………………………………………………… 11 Implementation Efforts ……………………………………………………………. 12 Findings ………………………………………………………………………. 13 Summary and Recommendations…………………………………………………… 14 Appendix A: Chapter 253, An Act Concerning Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarettes 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Smoking has been the leading cause of fire deaths in Maine and across the nation for three decades and perhaps more. It is not however, a leading cause of fire in Maine. The rate of fire deaths due to smoking are higher than any other cause including cooking, heating, electrical, and arson fires primarily due to the proximity of the victim to the heat source (cigarette) and material first ignited (clothes, bedding, etc.) This history and the nature of smoking related fire deaths, in combination with other states passing similar pieces of legislation lead Maine’s 123rd legislature to pass “An Act Concerning Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarettes,” Chapter 25 3, 22 M.R.S.A.
    [Show full text]
  • Gardiner Tightens Leash
    Page 1 1 of 119 DOCUMENTS Kennebec Journal October 18, 2018 Thursday Gardiner tightens leash BYLINE: JESSICA LOWELL SECTION: Pg. 1.A ISSN: 07452039 LENGTH: 662 words DATELINE: Augusta, Me. FULL TEXT Gardiner officials are expected to vote on a measure that would tighten up the city's leash law to require that dogs be on leashes in parks and public areas. City officials OK move requiring all dogs leashed GARDINER -- Even as Gardiner elected officials voted Wednesday to impose a citywide leash law, they also agreed to form a committee to recommend revisions to it. That move reflects the difference in interests between those who live in Gardiner's more densely populated areas and those who live in more rural neighborhoods. Since August, city officials have heard from residents about dog attacks and bites in and around downtown Gardiner and at Waterfront Park. As a result, the City Council has been considering a change to the city's ordinance to require dogs to be on leashes unless they are on their owners' property or on the property of someone who permits them to be off the leash. At a public hearing two weeks ago and again Wednesday, Peter Giampetruzzi brought his objec- tions to city officials. "It's a knee-jerk reaction to a singular incident," Giampetruzzi said. "It's an erosion of my liberty and a deteri- oration of my quality of life in Gardiner." He noted that the ordinance would restrict the actions of law-abiding dog owners and would be ignored by those who were not responsible.
    [Show full text]