This week’s edition!
Archive for January 2017
Governor’s Address: Experts recognize that lowering taxes would make Maine more competitive
Legislators may not understand how taxes work, but experts recognize the tax reforms in my budget would make Maine more competitive and more prosperous.
Dear Maine Taxpayer,
The non-partisan Tax Foundation has reviewed the tax changes in my budget, which reduces individual income taxes, lowers corporate taxes, broadens the sales tax and eliminates the death tax. They called my plan “a recipe for a more competitive state.”
They also liked my effort to simplify the income tax and reduce it to a flat tax of 5.75% in 2020. We have also proposed lowering the top corporate rate from 8.93% to 8.33%, which would still be relatively high compared to the national average.
But the Tax Foundation said this reduction would make Maine more competitive with its neighboring states.
Only Steps Forward: Auburn’s city budget depends on citizens’ priorities
By Jonathan P. LaBonté
Mayor of Auburn
If you take the time to read this weekly report, odds are you aren’t just doing it out of boredom. Perhaps you are from Auburn and catching up on local issues. Or, most likely, you are an Auburn resident, business owner or taxpayer and you want to ensure you know more about what’s happening with your tax dollars.
While citizens elect a city council, and that council adopts a budget, your input as the investors paying those bills is essential for two reasons. Are the goals of the Auburn City Council and city manager ones that you support; if not, how do we align them? And if they are, how much should we ask of you in tax money to implement them?
Enough is Enough: Those who commit violent criminal behavior should stay in prison
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Imagine having to caution and remind your children, as they leave your house for the playground, to drop to the ground if they hear a gunshot. Further, you remind them to remain on the ground, in place, until told by an adult to get up.
Imagine being in your apartment hosting a family get-together when suddenly a bullet comes crashing through a window, killing one of your relatives. This happened in the Bronx on New Year’s Eve.
In a 12th-floor apartment, Luis Diego was hugging his niece and welcoming in the New Year. Suddenly a bullet came through the window, killing him. He now goes down as New York City’s first 2017 homicide victim.
O’Malley named Lewiston Police Chief
Brian O’Malley is a 27-year veteran of the department and has held a variety of positions within the agency.
City Administrator Ed Barrett has announced the appointment of Brian O’Malley as Chief of the Lewiston Police Department. For the last six months, O’Malley has served as Interim Police Chief following former Chief Michael Bussiere’s retirement.
The City undertook a nationwide search for a new Chief. “Brian O’Malley was the consensus choice of a diverse hiring panel that evaluated over twenty qualified applicants for the position,” said Barrett. “Through that process, it became clear that he is strongly committed, not only to continuing and building upon the success the department has achieved, but to the community it serves. I look forward to working closely with Brian as he takes up this new challenge.”
Bean Supper features Park Ave. Pickers
The group holds a jam session open to all musicians on the second Tuesday of each month.
The Park Avenue Pickers Gospel and Blue Grass Band will perform at the United Methodist Church of Auburn’s monthly Public Bean Supper on Saturday, January 28. The music will begin at 4:15 p.m. and the supper will begin at 5:00. The menu will include baked beans, casseroles, potato salad, hot dogs, coleslaw, breads, beverages and pies. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for kids ages 6 to 12, and free for kids ages 5 and under. Come early for the best selection of pies.
Fire Chief tapped as new 9-1-1 Director
Chief Paul M. LeClair has been a member of the Lewiston Fire Department for 36 years.
A search committee has selected Lewiston Fire Chief Paul M. LeClair as the new director of the LA 9-1-1 Communication Center, effective March 1. LeClair has been a member of the Lewiston Fire Department for 36 years, serving as a Lieutenant and Assistant Fire Chief before being appointed Fire Chief in 2006. He will continue his public safety career with an agency he has been engaged with since its formation in 1996, most recently serving as its Interim Director since November.
Hammond Tractor supports GAHS
The staff of Hammond Tractor Company in Auburn recently presented the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society with a donation of $1,200. Years ago, the company’s employees and owners decided that, in lieu of Christmas gifts for the employees, a donation would be made each year to a local non-profit. Each Hammond Tractor location is responsible for choosing the designated nonprofit in their community. Pictured here (l. to r.) are Hammond Tractor Product Support Manager Dave Ponsant, Steven Dostie and Donna Kincer of GAHS, and Hammond Tractor-Auburn Manager Marie Herrick.
Only Steps Forward: Get out and enjoy Auburn during Annual Winter Festival
By Jonathan P. LaBonte
Mayor of Auburn
It’s winter. We are in Maine. And despite the thaw that came through the last couple of weeks, we still have a couple more months of cold and snow.
Luckily, here in Auburn there are things to do all winter to get outside and stay active. And, one weekend each winter, the city partners with dozens of groups in the community for the Annual Winter Festival. You won’t want to miss it this year.
The last weekend of January is packed full of activities that can keep you outside and active or inside staying warm with music and hot chocolate. The beauty of this event is it truly does offer a little something for each resident, or visitor, to experience.
If you have kids and want them to burn some energy, you’ll want to come down to Main Street where city staff will be building a massive playground out of snow for the weekend. It will be open all day and is free for kids. With so many other activities in walking distance from there, park in the garage and make the playground your first stop.
Enough is Enough: Legislature should direct resources toward citizens, not illegal guests
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Enough is really enough!
It’s time for those sitting on the sidelines–who are continually at war with themselves, trying to justify why a problem facing them is not their problem –to gain some intestinal fortitude.
It’s time for our local politicians, whether they label themselves progressive or conservative, to start representing those who elected them. Put aside your fear of being ostracized and labeled, grow a spine and start representing the people who elected you—those you swore to represent and protect.
Last Saturday, January 14, an Immigration Unity Rally was held at the Franco Center in Lewiston for the purpose of “creating an unbreakable line of love and resilience against potential deportations, criminalization and hate.”
Governor LePage and First Lady have weight-loss surgery at CMMC
“I really feel like I’m getting my life back.” —First Lady Ann LePage
Governor Paul R. LePage, Dr. Jamie Loggins and First Lady Ann LePage share a laugh in the kitchen of the historic Blaine House, the Governor’s residence. Keeping the weight off was a challenge, as the Blaine House staff makes mouth-watering pastries, scrumptious baked goods and freshly prepared meals almost on a daily basis for the many events held there. (TCT photo by Laurie A. Steele)
By Peter A. Steele
Governor Paul R. LePage made news last week when he announced he had undergone bariatric surgery to lose weight and improve his health, but he was not alone. His wife, First Lady Ann LePage, also had the weight-loss surgery.
The Maine media and people at public events had been speculating for months about the Governor’s noticeable weight loss. Was he on some kind of crash diet? Had he turned into a triathlete? Did he put a treadmill in his office to use while poring over legislation, budgets and vetoes? More importantly, was he sick?
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