This week’s edition!
Wildlife Park opens Saturday
Nearly 30,000 followers have kept up with park happenings during the off-season, “liking” and commenting on photos of park wildlife posted on Facebook.
The Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, will open for the 2017 season on Saturday, April 15 at 9:30 a.m., just in time for the long Patriots Day weekend and school vacation week. Park staff have been working diligently to remove enough snow so paths will be clear, most wildlife exhibits will be open, and the parking lot and access road will be passable. While the turtle ponds may still be frozen over and the nature trails may not yet be walkable, visitors will be excited to see a new beaver in her pond in the furbearer exhibit.
Governor’s Address: Higher taxes drive away successful people – but don’t take it from me
Liberals and the media are constantly defending the need for higher taxes. They criticize me when I tell Mainers that high taxes harm the economy. Well, don’t take it from me. Check for yourself.
Dear Maine Taxpayer,
I have been traveling all over the state, educating Mainers about the destructive effect that high taxes have on our economy. With over 45 years of experience as a businessman, I can tell you firsthand that taxes drive out companies and successful people.
Liberals believe high taxes are needed to fund their pie-in-the-sky ideology that government should be all things to all people. But high taxes are a very real issue for the people who have to pay them.
When taxes get too high, these people will find someplace else to call home—even if it’s just 6 months and a day.
Only Steps Forward: LA Arts integrates creative businesses with economic development
By Jonathan P. LaBonte
Mayor of Auburn
LA Arts has launched a new series called “Place for Makers” to highlight some of the creative businesses here in Lewiston-Auburn and to introduce them to not only local residents, but also those “from away” who may not be aware of their talents.
The continued evolution of LA Arts into an arts agency that integrates its work into the economic and community development direction of both cities is something to be applauded and further supported.
The Place for Makers series kicked off at Rancourt & Co, a shoe factory tucked behind Central Maine Health Care on Bridge Street. In the nondescript, interconnected buildings, Mike Rancourt and his team go about constructing some of the finest shoes in the world. You may have heard reports during the recent Olympics about the Ralph Lauren-labeled shoes worn by all of the United States Olympians being made in Lewiston.
Enough is Enough: Liberal legislators to raise tax on working-class Mainers
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Like you, it does my heart good to see millions of college and university snowflakes, augmented by older adult wannabees looking to relive their college days during the 1960s and ’70s, trying to outdo each other in an attempt to rid society of what they deem unacceptable thoughts and behaviors.
They take up what they believe are noble causes, seeking change, but most importantly hope to shine a spotlight on themselves and be recognized for what they consider to be their altruistic behavior.
Now before the Maine State Legislature is a bill aimed at working-class men and women, which, if passed, will deny them their daily stress reliever: puffing tobacco.
LYAC seeks student artwork on theme “Treat All Listeners Kindly”
The Lewiston Youth Advisory Council includes members Khafiya Dualeh, Clare Kramer, Emma Williams, Jazy Dumas, Maggie Elwell, Deni Federico, Courtney Caouette, and Carolyn Adams.
As part of their positive communications campaign, the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council is asking students in Pre-K through Grade 8 to submit artwork with the theme “Treat All Listeners Kindly” (T.A.L.K.). The campaign was launched on February 7, and LYAC recently presented an informative community T.A.L.K. workshop on the topic at the YWCA.
Food for Thought Luncheon to feature Kevin Hancock
Hancock will discuss his experiences with spasmodic dysphonia and his recent book, “Not for Sale: Finding Center in the Land of Crazy Horse.”
Kevin Hancock, President of Hancock Lumber Company, will share his experiences with being diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia and how this condition changed his management style and his approach to life at the next L-A Senior College Food for Thought Luncheon on Friday, April 14.
APL author visit will explore sexual assault on campus
For Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness Month, Auburn Public Library’s Teen Life Skills series will present a program featuring Maine author Maria Padian on Thursday, April 13 at 3 p.m. Padian will read an excerpt from her newest book, “Wrecked,” and lead a discussion about the relationship issues it raises. Free and open to teens and young adults ages 12 to 21, the program will take place in the library’s Teen Space. Joining in the discussion will be community educators Whitney Parrish of Safe Voices and Hannah Johnson of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services.
Stand-up comedy students to perform at Guthries
Posing here with instructor Harold “Tuck” Tucker (c.) are students (from l.) Crystal Bernard, Drew Bertelsen, Brian Collins, Jenny Oswald, Nick Gordon, Angela Merrill, Audra Welton and Shawn Howe.
Lewiston Adult Education students will put their newly-honed comedy skills to the test in a comedy show at Guthries Restaurant & Café on Monday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. Members of professional comic Harold “Tuck” Tucker’s “Stand-Up Comedy Workshop” at Lewiston Adult Education, the students will perform their comedy routines in place of taking a final exam. The show is open to the public at no charge.
Governor’s Address: Legislators Must Enact Welfare Reform for Future Prosperity
Over the past six years, welfare reform has been at the forefront of my agenda as your Governor.
Dear Maine Taxpayer,
Some of these reforms have required legislation, such as capping TANF at 5 years back in 2011 and prohibiting the purchase of cigarettes and alcohol with welfare last year.
Despite overwhelming public support for welfare reform, many welfare reform bills have failed because of the entitlement mentality in Augusta.
That’s why many of our greatest welfare reform successes have not come from legislation, but from executive action.
Only Steps Forward: Rising water and sewer bills point to need for efficiencies
By Jonathan P. LaBonté
Mayor of Auburn
Many of you may have recently received your latest water and sewer bills in the mail. While I also got mine, I know other taxpayers have, too—it’s been the major topic of phone calls and folks approaching me as I’m out and around town.
Knowing that city budget season is upon us, folks are worried about the continued increases in taxes and fees when their incomes aren’t rising alongside it.
A few months back, I provided some thoughts and concerns about the proposed rate increase at the water district. Because of the heavy reliance on a major water consumer like Cascade Fiber, which is now closed, and expenses rising faster than revenues, double-digit rate increases were passed.
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