This week’s edition!
Archive for April 2018
Governor’s Address: Democrats Delay the Tough Decisions until after the November Election
As the legislative session enters its last weeks, Democrats are sitting on their hands, hoping voters won’t notice they have avoided making the tough decisions that affect your families, businesses and wallets.
Tax conformity and funding Medicaid should be two separate, simple issues. However, the Democrats have linked them in their search for Medicaid expansion funding. The end result? They are doing nothing on either.
“Tax conformity” is when the state adopts the same tax code as the federal government to avoid having two sets of laws—one for federal taxes, and another for state taxes.
Maine should conform, but we must ensure it doesn’t increase taxes—you should keep the money you have earned. Here’s what you need to know.
Community Credit Union celebrates completion of Lewiston branch renovations
Among those helping to cut the ribbon were (from l.) Jessica Blackwell, Nicole Fournier, Tiffany Mathon, Marcel Gagne, Rebecca Conrad, Matthew Shaw, Lorraine Foster, Betsy Sibley, Christina Carter, JoAnn Jackson, Jen Hogan (with scissors), Laurie Pelletier, Alfreda Fournier, Kayleigh Ogden, Michelle Green, Kate Adams, Russell Giasson, Maynard Chapman, and Elizabeth Keene.
A large crowd attended the recent ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to celebrate the official completion of renovations to Community Credit Union’s branch at 144 Pine Street in Lewiston. The event was jointly presented by the L-A Metro Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Business After Hours and its UpLift L-A young professionals group.
Turner student named 2018 salutatorian at Umaine
Brianna DeGone
Brianna DeGone of Turner has been named salutarian of the University of Maine at Orono’s 2018 graduating class. Along with valedictorian Graham Van Goffrier of Norwell, Massachusetts, she will be honored at the school’s 216th commencement in Harold Alfond Sports Arena in May.
DeGone, who is also the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Engineering, is a first-generation college student who will receive a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering with a minor in business administration.
Snow Angel Challenge raises $3,610 for AHCH
The Fortin Group presents a donation check to Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice for its first Snow Angel Challenge. Pictured here (from left) are Fortin Group Funeral Director Roger Bouffard, Family Services Manager Matthew Richard, General Manager Kevin Simoneau, with AHCH’s Director of Marketing & Development Sonya Purington and President and CEO Ken Albert.
It would be safe to say that Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice’s Snow Angel Challenge took the area by storm.
During the month of February, the agency challenged people to video or photograph themselves, friends, neighbors, or pets making snow angels, and to post the results to Facebook with the hashtag #AHCHangel. For every post, the Fortin Group donated $5 to support patient care at AHCH for those who otherwise cannot afford it. By months’ end, 722 angels had been made, raising $3,610.
Twin City Thunder sign first player
Jeromey Rancourt was a standout player on a two-time Class A state championship-winning team at Lewiston High School.
The Twin City Thunder hockey team has announced the signing of its first player. Jeromey Rancourt has been a member of a two-time Class A state championship-winning team at Lewiston High School, a four-time MEAHA state championship- and two-time USA Hockey Tier 2 national championship-winning Maine Moose team, and most recently the T1EHL Fox Motors.
In its inaugural 2018-19 season, the Twin City Thunder will compete in the USPHL Premier North Division, playing their home games at Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn.
Governor’s Address: Let’s Prohibit Towns from Making Our Elderly Homeless
As we wrap up this legislative session, I am making our elderly a top priority. Unfortunately, they are not a priority for Democrats.
Senior citizens on fixed incomes struggle to pay rising property taxes. Municipalities are allowed under current law to foreclose and sell the property for the amount of taxes owed.
Consumers have many protections if a foreclosure involves a mortgage. When the bank forecloses, it sells the house and pays the homeowner any remaining equity after all debts are paid.
However, in a municipal foreclosure, when a senior citizen owns the home outright, those protections disappear. There’s no requirement that the municipality sell the property at market value and no requirement that the balance of the equity be returned to the homeowner.
We’re talking about people living on fixed incomes. Their home’s value is their only savings.
Edward Little basketball teams honored by legislature
The Edward Little High School girls and boys basketball teams are pictured here during a recent visit to the Maine State Legislature, where both teams were honored with legislative sentiments for their 2018 Class AA State Championship victories. This was the boys team’s first basketball state title in 72 years and the girls team’s first-ever state championship.
Local warden promoted to Landowner Relations position
Game Warden Corporal Dave Chabot
The Maine Warden Service has selected Game Warden Corporal Dave Chabot of Greene to fill its second Landowner Relations position. Chabot will compliment Corporal Rick LaFlamme in the program by focusing on small landowners.
Chabot has had a comprehensive 21-year career with the Warden Service, including service on many boards and commissions on the state, local, and department levels. He has held supervisory-level positions as a field training officer, Maine Warden Service Cadre team leader, board examiner, and Maine Criminal Justice Academy instructor. He is an active member of the Warden Service’s K9 team.
St. Dom’s students perform Living Stations of the Cross
Students at Saint Dominic Academy commemorated Good Friday on March 30 by performing the Living Stations of the Cross at the school’s Auburn campus.
While many Catholic schools are closed on Good Friday, St. Dominic president Donald Fournier said students attended for a half day so they would have the opportunity to witness the Stations of the Cross. Students from both the Lewiston elementary school campus and the Auburn middle and high school campus attended.
Steven Curtis Chapman to perform at East Auburn Baptist Church
Multi-Grammy Award-winning Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman brings his solo tour to the Twin Cities on Wednesday, April 11 for a 7 p.m. concert at East Auburn Baptist Church, located at 560 Park Avenue. Tickets start at $33 and are available at StevenCurtisChapman.com.
Connect with Us on...
