Republican Caucus

February 4th, 9:00 A.M.
Farrington Elementary School
249 Eastern Avenue, Augusta
Caucus Contact Person: Kim Pettengill
Phone #: 907-8205    E-Mail: kimepettengill@gmail.comt.

Democratic Caucus

February 26, 12:30 p.m.  (time may change)
Greater Gardiner Boy’s and Girl’s Club
14 Pray Street, Gardiner
Contact Information:   Diane Potter
For voters who are currently unenrolled in a party or new registrants, a Registrar will be available 1 hour before the actual caucus begins. 

In a recent report by The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, it was discovered that between 2003 and 2010 the state paid nearly $235 million to organizations that were run by state officials or their spouses.

“It is reasonable to ask our elected leaders to disclose who is paying them. It is good for the health of our democracy and the people of Maine,” said Governor LePage. “This will increase trust in the system and ensure that people have the opportunity to take appropriate action and make decisions accordingly.”

The bill would require legislators, executive branch officials and constitutional officers to identify if they or family members who hold executive or management-level employees were paid more than $1000 by the state. Additionally, the executive employee must identify the source of the compensation, the type of economic activity and the title of the position held by the immediate family member.

Lead sponsors of the bill are Senate President Kevin Raye, R-Perry and House Speaker Robert Nutting, R-Sidney. “This bill will close a loophole and help establish a greater level of transparency in state government. I appreciate the opportunity to work with Governor LePage in bringing this bill forward and giving the Legislature an opportunity to improve the law and correct this situation,” said Raye.

Speaker Nutting added, “Republicans in the Legislature have promised to bring transparency to Augusta, and this is one way of achieving that. Maine taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent.”

The bill also requires an executive employee whose employment has ended to file a statement of finances and a statement of positions within 45 days after the termination of employment relating to the final calendar year of the employment. Current law creates a loophole in that if an executive employee leaves office or state employment before the financial disclosure deadline they are not required to file their finances. This measure ensures that loophole is closed.

The bill will now have a public hearing and work session. An affirmative vote by the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs is needed before going to the entire Legislature.

LD 1707-An Act to Define, Prevent, and Suppress Gang Activity

January 27, 2012

Testimony by: Sarah T. Moon, Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (M-PAC)

Senator Mason, Representative Plummer, Members of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee my name is Sarah T. Moon and I am here today as a member of the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (M-PAC) representing our statewide members and hundreds of incarcerated Mainers. Thank you for allowing us to have this opportunity to be a voice for these women and men. My testimony today includes input from M-PAC members in and outside of Maine prisons.

To say that this legislation is problematic would be a monumental understatement. Our members are deeply concerned with any law that incarcerates adults and/or minors for asking, “Will you join my street gang”. There are volumes of research data available that shows “enhanced sentencing” and upgraded crime classification—including but not limited to adding new crimes and mandatory sentences—does nothing to deter crime. Yet in spite of this data, bills of this kind continue to surface.

In its original form this bill requires judges add 1-4 years onto normal sentences provided that a District Attorney proves gang affiliation. The “proof” required is flimsy at best. The bill cites one usable method as the use of “reliable sources”. Our members hope that going forward terminology and tactics of this nature are left in Totalitarian regimes where they belong.

In addition, any legislation with the racialized term “gang” begs the question, who is the law targeting? Past news stories that focus on possible gang activities in Maine have centered on Asian, Sudanese, and Somali populations. M-PAC advocates are incredibly apprehensive about the potential for racially targeted groups being profiled and falling under increased scrutiny. We feel that legislators need to do more research and spend time understanding the far reaching consequences of hastily compiled bills that inadvertently or not target Maine’s racial minorities.

Furthermore, while we understand it may not be the intent of the sponsors, co-sponsors, and the committee to reduce the privacy and civil rights of individuals, if this legislation passes it will do just that, because it applies pressure on the community and/or members of to become gang experts when it authorizes them to be “reliable sources”. This bill incites an attitude of fear that hyper sensitizes community members to hand gestures, tattoos, and colored clothing to name a few. By setting the tone for “gang” fear, this legislation is calling attention to the predominately benign behaviors of youths and adults as they imitate popular culture portrayals of their favorite TV shows, social networks online, and music.

M-PAC concurs that a growing phenomenon of peer group affiliation exists everywhere in the world, whereby young people—by virtue of family circumstances, poverty, unemployment, lack of mentoring, lack of access to education, and sometimes chemical addiction—seek attachment and identity. However, defining them as “street gang members” only perpetuates a growing social issue where the individual’s privacy is stolen, they are typified in their area, and are ultimately overlooked for job opportunities and positive community reinforcement. The severity of a gang classification is one that often stays with the person for life. M-PAC supports positive reinforcement and mentoring programs, which reinforce skills and leadership among our youth instead of sending them into the world stereotyped and profiled.

Moreover, M-PAC recognizes the bill generates from Representative Volk’s and the co-sponsors good intentions, however we feel this bill is a simplistic and redundant attempt at solving a social problem. Adding prison beds for hastily defined gang members creates a problem that has consequences reaching the community and the state budget.

I would also like to add that M-PAC has worked with hundreds of incarcerated women and men over many years and we have seen groups form affiliations, yet, to date, our members—both in and out of prison—have not encountered “gang” members. In fact, every source that M-PAC has that is incarcerated across the state reports that gangs are not present in Maine’s adult prisons. These reports come from younger inmates, as well as older inmates that are serving lengthy sentences who are known as “long-timers”.

In the interest of time, I will conclude by pointing out that the handouts you received include quotes taken from different news articles regarding the issue of gang legislation, mentoring programs, and this bill specifically. I would like to add that although Representative Volk has been in contact with M-PAC stating that she plans to amend the bill, our members do not and will not support this bill in its original or any amended form.

Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition extends its hands to law enforcement and legislators for help with future drafts of proposals and information. We believe that protecting our youth is not just important it is vital, but we reiterate that adding pathways for them to enter the criminal justice system is simply not the way to do it.

Thank you.

Westbrook’s Police Chief Bill Baker said in August 2010: “I would even go so far to say there isn’t any visible or active gang activity in Westbrook. What there is is people with connections to the gangs, some of whom act badly in Westbrook and get prosecuted for crimes.” In the same article, former Portland Police Chief James Craig said that he thought the gang situation in Portland was in its infancy. http://www.pressherald.com/news/24-with-gang-links-arrested-in-maine-cities-during-sweep-_2010-08-21.html

In “Gang Myths & Realities,” a Jan 2010 story in the Bangor Daily, Arlen Egley Jr., a senior research associate with the National Youth Gang Center in Florida said it’s important to distinguish gang activity from full-fledged gangs. “Just because certain gang graffiti or tagging shows up in a public park in Bangor does not mean the Crips have set up shop,” he said in a phone interview. “Frequently, gang names are copied, adopted, or passed on, but in most instances, there is little, if any, real connection between local groups with the same name other than the name itself.” http://bangordailynews.com/2010/02/05/news/bangor/gang-myths-vs-realities/

In a Seattle Times report, Javier Luna, 34, credited the complete turnaround in his life, even his survival, to a city of Seattle initiative that provided adult mentors, jobs and recreation to young gang members. He said, “I got all of this because an individual gave me a chance and believed in me and the system allowed it.” http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008726881_savedfromgangs10m.html

In the January 25, 2012 edition of the Portland Phoenix Lance Tapley writes, In a letter to the Criminal Justice Committee, the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers said the bill is unnecessary: It “criminalizes conduct that is already a crime under Maine law, the crime of criminal conspiracy.” Tapley also reports, “If I had had the opportunity to take my name off the bill, I would have,” said one of the bill’s cosponsors, Senator Justin Alfond, a Portland Democrat. http://portland.thephoenix.com/news/133066-gang-buster-bill-gets-dissed/#ixzz1ketTl300

If you read this in The Valley Voice, please take a few seconds and “Like” The Valley Voice on Facebook.

My vision for Maine is one that brings a more prosperous tomorrow to my fellow citizens. And by looking back at our past we can learn how to better shape our future.

Hi. This is Governor Paul LePage.

The fiscal well-being of our State is critically important to our road to recovery. Currently, members of the Appropriations Committee are working to solve a massive financial shortfall within the Department of Health and Human Services.

The $220 million dollar deficit is not a simple problem to solve, but I have provided a common sense approach that will redesign our welfare program to a state of sustainability.

As highlighted in my State of the State Address my administration did not create this problem nor did we invent it. Many of our legislators did not create this problem, nor did they invent it. But regardless of who is responsible, we must fix it.

Our plan is reasonable and responsible in that it allows the system to protect our most vulnerable.

Unfortunately, we no longer can be all things to all people. As the welfare program has grown our revenue has not, and the simple truth is we are spending money we don’t have. By eliminating services to 19 and 20 year olds and those who do not have disabilities or children we strengthen the safety net for our most needy.

By reducing eligibility to the federal standard for optional services we maintain an affordable safety net that will serve more than 280,000 Maine people.

But we must not delay in taking action. And I am cautiously optimistic Appropriations Committee members are working toward a solution by February 1.

As Democrats reflected on the State of the State speech bonding was brought up.

While it’s true we have a real need for transportation improvements and bonding would create short-term construction jobs, we must first get our fiscal house in order. Bridges and roads are essential to a healthy economy, but we can’t talk about borrowing more money until we have a plan to pay our current bills.

As I outlined Tuesday, energy and education will be the catalysts to job creation.

Mainers earn some of the lowest wages in the country and hard working families deserve more money in their pockets. We have great potential to increase the per capita income, but to do that our high energy costs must be addressed.

Next month, you will hear about an energy proposal that will lower electricity rates for Maine residents and businesses. Not only does our high electricity cost have an effect on the economy and our job creators, but it also hurts Maine families.

In addition to our plan, you’ll hear more about the Administration’s support to encourage expanded investments in alternative sources of energy and efficiency. I also support all forms of renewable energy including hydropower. We must remove the 100 megawatt restriction on this renewable green energy.

We have the ability to accept a balanced approach that will benefit our environment and economy – and we must – as we look to our future.

Our youngest generation is our future and a strong education system will lead them on the path toward success.

Education Commissioner Steve Bowen and I believe the best way to shape a student is to offer real choices – choices that inspire our students and encourage them to succeed.

For too long, we have quarantined our students in a system that doesn’t work for everybody. That’s not to say public education is not a valuable resource, because it is – for some. By expanding learning options for students and making use of every educational resource we can better prepare our children for the 21^st century.

It’s important our teachers have the tools they need to succeed as well. Therefore, it’s crucial they understand the expectations of effective educators. We must empower our teachers with ongoing support and meaningful feedback.

Research proves that the school-based factor with the biggest impact on student learning is the effectiveness of a teacher. Commissioner Bowen is working on a set of standards of effective practice for our teacher and principal evaluation systems, and soon we will release all the details.

In closing, I will tell you this, if we choose to set politics aside for the greater good we will be able to work on sensible solutions for all Mainers.

As your Governor it is a privilege to lead our great State. It is a privilege to share a vision with you and I thank you for listening.

Ann and I hope you have a most enjoyable weekend. Take care.

If you haven’t done so please take a few seconds and “Like” The Valley Voice on Facebook.

Eliot R. Cutler, American Elect Director; Chair, OneMaine, Website: http://www.onemaine.com/

AUGUSTA, MAINE -Secretary of State Charlie Summers announced Wednesday that the Americans Elect Party successfully gathered sufficient signatures of Maine registered voters to qualify to participate in the June 12, 2012 Primary Election.

In order to gain qualified party status in Maine, the Americans Elect Party was required to submit at least 28,638 signatures from Maine registered voters who are either enrolled in the Americans Elect Party or who are unenrolled. The Americans Elect Party submitted signatures to the Secretary of State on December 15, 2011. Maine election law requires that the petitions be filed before 5 p.m. on the 180th day preceding the primary election (which was December 15, 2011) and must contain signatures and legal addresses of voters equal in number to at least 5% of the total vote cast in the State for Governor at the last preceding gubernatorial election.

After a thorough review of the petitions, officials at the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions prepared the Determination of Validity http://www.maine.gov/sos/news/2012/determinationvalidpetition.pdf that enumerates the certification effort supervised by the Secretary of State. The Determination finds that 30,908 of the submitted signatures are valid; this surpasses the required number by 2,270 signatures.

After the Americans Elect Party holds its required municipal caucuses and state convention, the party is qualified to nominate candidates for the primary ballot as well as nominate a presidential candidate.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN ELECT PARTY

THE GOAL OF AMERICANS ELECT is to nominate a presidential ticket that answers directly to voters—not the political system.

American voters are tired of politics as usual. They want leaders that will put their country before their party, and American interests before special interests. Leaders who will work together to develop fresh solutions to the serious challenges facing our country. We believe a secure, online nominating process will prove that America is ready for a competitive, nonpartisan ticket.

AMERICANS ELECT is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that is not affiliated with any political party, ideology or candidate. It is funded exclusively by individual contributions—and not from corporate, labor, special interest, foreign, or lobbyist sources. And we intend to repay our initial financing so that no single individual will have contributed more than $10K.

Ultimately, Americans Elect is the first nominating process that will be led directly by voters like YOU.

WEBSITE:

http://www.americanselect.org

M-PAC warns against LD 1707: More prison beds for so-called gang members would bring excessive costs, negative consequences

ELLSWORTH – Jim Bergin, co-coordinator of Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (M-PAC) said today that advocates are deeply concerned about the severity of sending someone to prison for up to forty years (a Class A crime) if convicted of asking a peer to join a “criminal street gang.”

Despite volumes of research data showing that “enhanced sentencing”; upgrading classifications for crimes; adding new crimes; and mandatory sentencing for judges does nothing to deter the rate of crime, some Maine legislators are proposing legislation that could – in addition to sending a person to prison for up to forty years for asking someone to join his or her “gang” – require judges to add on one to four years to normal sentences if a district attorney can prove affiliation with a gang through “a reliable informant,” as defined by LD 1707 – An Act to Define, Prevent, and Suppress Gang Activity.

Bergin said, “Advocates for lowering costs of prisons to balance Maine’s budget believe this proposed legislation by a few well meaning representatives is a simplistic and redundant solution to a social problem.” He says that “More prison beds for hastily defined gang members would create a problem with spiraling negative consequences that doesn’t exist in reality.”

“If one projects this line of thinking, then to deter jaywalking we just need to increase the penalty for any miscreant who might be apprehended crossing in the wrong place,” continued Bergin.

At M-PAC’s statewide meeting on January 7, members concurred that the danger of this legislation is the term “gang,” which in Maine, according to advocates’ statewide experience and immersion in youth groups and prisons, is nearly nonexistent.

M-PAC concurs that a growing phenomenon of peer group affiliation exists internationally, whereby young people – by virtue of family circumstances, poverty, unemployment, lack of mentoring, or chemical addiction – seek attachment and identification outside the family. The problem of gang affiliation, as seen in some other states, arises when the peer group becomes involved in negative or criminal behavior to which the individual participants conform.

“In working with hundreds of inmates over many years,” says Judy Garvey, co-coordinator of M-PAC, “we see forms of group affiliation over and over again, but to date have not encountered a so-called ‘gang member’ in or outside of prison. Those on the outside and inside of prisons say this is not a problem for Maine. To define a peer group as a ‘gang’ because of tattoos copied from Facebook, or hand movements seen in movies or on YouTube, is erroneous; and to increase sentencing as a result of this provocative label would be costly, counterproductive, and damaging to communities. There are better options to preventing potential gang encroachment,” says Garvey.

Westbrook’s Police Chief Bill Baker said in August 2010: “I would even go so far to say there isn’t any visible or active gang activity in Westbrook. What there is is people with connections to the gangs, some of whom act badly in Westbrook and get prosecuted for crimes.”

At the same time, former Portland Police Chief James Craig said that he thought the gang situation in Portland was in its infancy. http://www.pressherald.com/news/24-with-gang-links-arrested-in-maine-cities-during-sweep-_2010-08-21.html

In “Gang Myths & Realities,” a January 2010 story in the Bangor Daily News, Arlen Egley Jr., a senior research associate with the National Youth Gang Center in Tallahassee, Fla., said it’s important to distinguish gang activity from full-fledged gangs. “Just because certain gang graffiti or tagging shows up in a public park in Bangor does not mean the Crips have set up shop,” he said in a recent phone interview. “Frequently, gang names are copied, adopted, or passed on, but in most instances, there is little, if any, real connection between local groups with the same name other than the name itself.” http://bangordailynews.com/2010/02/05/news/bangor/gang-myths-vs-realities/

Past news stories on possible gang-related activity in Maine have centered on Asian, Sudanese, and Somali groups. M-PAC advocates are very apprehensive about the potential of subjecting Mainers to this kind of additional scrutiny based on race. “There is a great need for legislators to talk about what groups may be targeted during discussions of ‘gangs,’” says Bergin.

Who and what defines a “gang member?” Wording of this far-reaching bill would characterize a teenager as a gang member if he/she had a certain “style of dress or use of hand or other signs, tattoos or other physical markings.” Equally disturbing to human and civil rights advocates is the increased loss of privacy for society as a whole. Being defined as a gang member could be based on whether a person is identified as such by a “reliable informant” or perhaps lives in or visits a so-called gang’s neighborhood.

Rather than punitive and costly sentencing enhancements, M-PAC wants money put into proven mentoring and prevention programs. In a Seattle Times report, Javier Luna, 34, credited the complete turnaround in his life, even his survival, to a city of Seattle initiative that provided adult mentors, jobs and recreation to young gang members. “I got all of this because an individual gave me a chance and believed in me and the system allowed it,” he said.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008726881_savedfromgangs10m.html

M-PAC wants to know which agencies will benefit from federal, state, DEA, or other funding if LD 1707 passes, and why this legislation – with far-reaching effects – is such an emergency. M-PAC also questions why “representatives of the US Armed Forces” are on the Maine Gang Task Force membership, as reported by Eric Berry, head of the task force.

Garvey summarizes, “When Mainers can’t afford to heat their homes, take care of their elders or pay for health care and schooling, state and federal taxes and law-enforcement resources should not be utilized to push up incarceration rates at a cost of $40,000+ per person per year. Let’s look, instead, to resources available for mentoring programs that work. Maineshould fund addiction rehabs and offer mentoring, internships, and employment to young people seeking identity and community. They won’t find that in any prison. Mainers are too sensible to simply take money handed out – with strings – that will end up costing far more than we can begin to imagine.”

University of New England Blewett Hall 006
716 Stevens Avenue,
Portland, ME (map)

Price: $1.00/Donation

Refund policy

Join us for another season of $1 Permaculture Movie Nights.  This time we’ll be watching the critically acclaimed Gasland.

This is an absolute must-see film regarding the extraction of natural gas in North America and, increasingly, in the Northeast region of the US.

It is especially urgent for all of us to see this while the natural gas rhetoric is heating up in our own state.

http://www.naturalgaswatch.org/?p=976

http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineHeadlineNews/tabid/968/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3479/ItemId/18071/Default.aspx

While it’s possible that natural gas may be “cleaner” at the tailpipe, there is an entire product life cycle that leads up to the point of use that should inform our energy consumption and production decisions.

“As American energy firms look for new sources of petroleum, natural gas has become an increasingly important part of their portfolios, especially after the 2005 Energy Policy Act (created with the participation of Dick Cheney, a former executive with energy giants Halliburton) removed environmental protection restrictions against hydraulic fracturing drilling (known in the trade as “fracking”).

Since then, gas drilling has been sharply on the rise, and when Josh Fox, a theatrical director and filmmaker, was offered $100,000 for the gas rights to family property on the Delaware River Basis in Pennsylvania, he was curious about the possible effects of drilling. Fox set out to talk to other property owners about what he could expect, and their answers startled him — fracking taints water sources near drilling sites, and many households have discovered their water is not only undrinkable after gas drilling, it’s even flammable.

It turns out this is just the tip of the iceberg of the environmental damage done by reckless gas drilling, and in his documentary Gasland, Fox travels to 34 states and talks to dozens of property owners and environmental experts on the under-reported menace of fracking and the truth about the dangers of natural gas.

Gasland was an official selection at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi”

Here’s the trailer:  http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gasland/trailers/

6:30 Potluck Supper (bring a dish to share and your own potluck kit!)

7:00 Announcements and Movie

8:30-8:45-ish Discussion and Closing

Hope to see you there!

Justin Chenette

Over the past few months I have written a political column for the Valley Voice covering a wide range of issues with our state government from civics education to fiscal responsibility.

Hopefully, I have helped to spur discussions around the dinner table about the potential solutions to the problems facing the economic and political future of this state. Only through that dialog can real solutions develop. This concept is sorely lacking with the so-called leaders in Augusta; just simply listening to the needs of their constituents.

Those of us on Main Street are frustrated with the political bickering that is taking place. I could probably speak for most of us when I say I’d like to see long term solutions to the fact young people have to leave the state to find opportunities or our high taxes on people and small businesses or our rising healthcare costs.

Instead of hearing how hundreds of jobs are being created and that seniors can actually afford their prescription drugs, I see on the news Maine ranking last out of all the states for our business climate and the government wanting to cut programs so much that our most senior members of our community have to make the difficult choice between heating their homes, putting food on the table, and buying drugs to keep their bodies from failing.

Our future is at stake. The American dream is slowly eroding away unless we act now. That idea that we can work in a good paying job, buy a home, raise a family, have affordable and quality healthcare, be able to send my kids to college, and retire with dignity and financial stability. I want to ensure I can have a happy and healthy life not only for myself but for future generations of Maine people.

The failure to provide us with common sense leadership in Augusta is putting this state on the wrong path. It is with this frustration that I’d like to announce my candidacy for State Representative. Politicians need to mean it when they say put people before politics because until that actually takes place, Democrats and Republicans will continue this awkward high school dance where both sides are unwilling to take the initiative to work together.

This will be my last column until after the 11-month adventure of the campaign comes to a hopefully successful close. In the meantime, I’m forming a coalition of democrats, republicans, and independents as I go door-to-door and actually listen to the needs of my neighbors. Join with me and together we can help put Augusta on the right path; the path of the people.

Justin Chenette is now a candidate for State Representative District 134-Saco. For more information on his positions on the issues, you can visit www.justinforsaco.com.

Justin Chenette

By Justin Chenette

As we approach the new legislative session, I would be remiss not to reflect on the previous session as a benchmark to look forward.

When the legislature and the Governor are more concerned about placing an ‘open for business’ sign out by the highway and making whoopie pies the state treat, clearly there is a major disconnect with the interests of the people on Main Street.

This is partially due to the political make up of the government with the party who holds the most power, but it’s not just them. This isn’t about party affiliation. Only when we have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can real solutions develop. It shouldn’t be about the D or the R after someone’s name; it should be about doing what is right over what is easy.

We cannot keep electing the same people in office and yet in the same breath expect a different result. Who is actually working tirelessly to help end the partisan bickering and re-establish a structure for solving the REAL problems in our state. If each of us speaks out and holds officials accountable, no longer will our so-called leaders be able to hide behind a veil of status quo as their constituents are crying out for change.

If we RETHINK the priorities with what the people actually want and REFORM the policies to reflect that, we can then RENEW the commitment of a Representative Democracy.

It’s high time politicians in those hallowed halls of Maine’s capitol city remember who they work for and should be fighting for each and every day. We hold more power than they want us to believe. We are the deciding factor between their political aspirations and a defeat at the ballot box. We are the employers and they are the potential employees. During elections, we are essentially holding job interviews trying to determine the best candidate for the position that would work the hardest for us.

Maybe the time has come for an individual to run for office who isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers to get the job done; who will stand up for the interests of his or her constituents over trying to score political points for the next election; and will tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear in a 30 second sound bite. The good old boy political game needs to be unraveled and replaced by a system that actually works for those who work the hardest in the state; you.

The time for games is over. The time for solutions has come.

Rethink. Reform. Renew.

Justin Chenette is a candidate for State Representative District 134-Saco. For more information on his candidacy visit www.justinforsaco.com and connect with him on www.facebook.com/justinforsaco.

Frankfort joins Rumford, Brooksville and Caratunk as the most recent Maine communities to be proactive in zoning for grid-scale industrial wind developments.   See the news report here

In other news, Sumner’s Board of Selectmen voted to extend the moratorium on wind power development for six months to give the Industrial Wind Ordinance Committee (IWOC) time to research and draft a final ordinance for a town vote.  Read that story by clicking here

Even the city of Portland, a large consumer of electricity, is considering an ordinance to regulate wind turbines. The Bangor Daily News stated  “The ordinance language… would allow wind turbines as tall as 160 feet in some areas of the city, namely industrial, airport business and certain recreational open space zones. By comparison, Maine’s tallest building – Franklin Tower in Portland – stands 16 stories, or 204 feet, tall.

“In residential zones in Portland, the windmills are proposed to be capped at 45 feet in height on properties larger than half of an acre where there isn’t a pre-existing lower height limitation.

“They would not be allowed in stream protection areas, historic landscape districts or historic cemeteries, but in nearly every other city zone, at least roof-mounted windmills – reaching no taller than 10 feet above the structure height – would be permitted.”  Read about it here

FMM applauds Portland citizens for being proactive. We encourage those in southern Maine to support their neighbors in rural, outlying areas who are trying to protect the quality of their communities, too. Imagine hundreds and hundreds of turbines-each 2-2 1/2 times taller than Portland’s Franklin Tower building–lining 300 miles of ridges in rural Maine; ridges that are far away from the areas of Maine with the highest energy consumption–thereby necessitating hundreds more miles of massive expensive high-voltage transmission corridors.

It doesn’t make sense, does it?  Maine people are getting the message.  More people daily are coming to realize that mountaintop industrial wind power is unnecessary, unsustainable, and unaffordable, despite the intense lobbying and marketing campaigns that have portrayed it as green and good.  Recently, the Land Use Regulation Commission voted to have staff draft a ‘deny’ decision document for First Wind’s Bowers project.  This year we successfully petitioned the Board of Environmental Protection to write new noise emission standards for wind developments.  In June, fifty-two Legislators voted in favor of a 1.5 mile setback between wind turbines and residences.  Over 20 Maine municipalities have decided toenact protective zoning ordinances to adequately deal with this new form of high-impact / low-benefit development that so threatens Maine’s economy and environment.  These positive changes are due to the tireless efforts of our people and the generosity of our financial supporters.

To find out what you can do to help, contact us at info@friendsofmainesmountains.com

And…..please mark your calendars for Saturday, February 18^th. Friends of Maine’s Mountains and the Harraseeket Inn are collaborating on a fund-raising event featuring Maine’s premier humorist, Tim Sample-LIVE! Details to follow.  We hope you can join us for an evening of fun. Tim is sure to chase your late-winter blues away!

Justin Chenette

Voters across the state overwhelmingly chose to continue the string of defeats that would have granted clearance for casinos and racinos to be put in select communities.

Question 2 was defeated 55 percent to 45 percent which would have allowed a racino in the city of Biddeford and Washington County. Question 3 would have allowed a casino in the city of Lewiston and had the greatest margin of defeat 63 percent to 37 percent.

The issue isn’t with what the voters decided at the polls, but rather who were the voters making the decision. Putting slot machines in Biddeford passed by Biddeford voters, but not by the overall state results.

Why is it that residents of outside communities can vote on an issue that should only be decided within the particular city in question? 60 percent of Biddeford residents felt that welcoming a new business would mean the creation of potentially hundreds of jobs in the city and a jolt into the local economy to 40 percent that didn’t. Those were the only votes that should have been looked at and used.

The same goes for Lewiston and Washington County. Interestingly enough, Biddeford residents voted down Lewiston’s plea for a similar request with the same margin of difference. This shows that the idea of gambling in the state isn’t supported, but when it comes down to specifics, like job creation in your backyard, then it’s a whole new ballgame. When faced between clinging to ideals and tangible jobs or economic growth, people tend to toss the ideals out the window in favor of possible improvements in the way of life.

Any issue, not just casinos, should be up to the residents. I, a resident of Saco, should have no say in what other communities choose to do or do not do. On the flip side, if Saco was in a debate over allowing a casino to come in, I wouldn’t want any person outside of Saco residents making the decision at the ballot box.

Here’s hoping that local issues are decided by local people and the state referendum can be saved for items that have far reaching affects on all Mainers.

— Justin Chenette is a host of Youth in Politics, airing on WPME Sundays at 2 p.m. and WPXT at 8:30 a.m. He is a former member of the Maine State Board of Education, a graduate of Thornton Academy and is currently attending Lyndon State College, majoring in broadcast news. Follow him on Twitter @justinchenette, like him on Facebook.com/JustinChenetteOfficial, or visit his website at justinchenette.com.

Charlotte Warren, Associate Director, Maine Women's Lobby

Wahooooooo! Hip hip hip hooray! We did it!

Ahem, excuse me. Today is a really good day.

Thanks to you – and your hard work – same day voter registration remains law in Maine. This has been quite a journey – and you’ve been with us for it all.

The story of this journey started during the legislative session – when the Maine Women’s Lobby, along with many coalition partners, worked to defeat the bill to repeal our 38-year-old same-day voter law.

It continued in June when a group of you gathered here at the Maine Women’s Lobby to file an application for a people’s veto and then hand delivered it to Secretary Summers…

I could go on, but you know the rest of the story.

You already know about the thousands of volunteers and signatures, the fierce battle, and you know about the win.

You made this possible. And, I wanna be the first to say thank you!

There is more to this story. This is about more than same day voter registration. This is about standing up and saying NO (well, we actually said yes, but that meant no). I digress. We said NO to the roll-back of our values.

What a difference your voice makes.

Throughout the session, we worked together to defend against a dangerous roll-back agenda. We defended our environment, child labor laws, choice, and much more.
Yesterday, thousands of volunteers (including three members of the Maine Women’s Lobby staff) collected over 35,000 signatures to put marriage equality on the ballot in 2012.

And, we preserved voting rights.

This is what you can do when you raise your voice!

Today is a really good day.

Thank you.

Useless endorsements; alienating college students; efforts to limit democracy; republican hypocrisy; all are ways to describe the past few months of this election cycle.

Let’s begin with useless endorsements. When a candidate has to tout endorsements, I feel as though they are filling our brains with fluff in order to distract us from the real issues in the race. I don’t need to know that a few contacts you’ve manipulated have come out to publically support your candidacy. What I need to know is how are you going to best represent me if you get elected. How will you specifically create growth in the economic sector aka job creation? How will you help fix our failing school system? The list goes on and on of the issues facing our local communities not to mention our state, nation, and even the world.

When endorsements are made by news operations, like newspapers for instance, it really hurts their creditability as a whole. It gives me no reason to believe anything that paper writes about any of the other candidates even when it’s presented as fact simply because of the actions of a few executives on an editorial board. That’s how quick the standards of journalism can fly out the window.

Clearly these endorsements, no matter how frivolous they are, are not meant for college-aged voters. To my amazement, the state of Maine, through the mouthpiece of demagoguery, has devalued the involvement of young people in our democracy. It is one thing to question the legitimacy of voters, but it’s another thing entirely to question whether college students should be able to vote in the state they are earning their education in. Or what about political posturing about Democrats busing students to the polls in order to make it easier for them to vote? The only reason Republicans don’t like that is because more young people tend to vote democratic. If someone wants to bus me to the polls, so I don’t have to use up America’s gold aka oil, I’m all for it. It would be like saying we shouldn’t help senior citizens to the polls. I’m pretty sure there isn’t a problem with that.

On the topic of politically driven rhetoric, it is hypocritical for Republican leaders to support removing same day voter registration when members of their own party in power have previously registered on Election Day themselves. There shouldn’t be a double standard between the people in power and the people who put them in those positions. It’s already hard enough to get citizens active in our democratic process. Limiting the one day of the year when people hear about casting their ballot the most lacks common sense and to be frank is undemocratic. Going back to the topic of college students, it would affect my generation the most. Sadly, not everyone in my peer group is as passionate about government participation as I am. This is partly due to our schools failing to adequately prepare students for the realities and responsibilities of the real world, so let’s not blame young people entirely.

This all culminates on Tuesday November 8^th. That is the day where your voice can truly be heard. You have the power to influence the decisions that govern our lives. This column isn’t meant to tell you how to vote, but instead is meant as a way to stimulate a part of your brain many probably haven’t used since the last election cycle. You don’t have to march in the streets or run for office to get a message out there; you can check a box on a piece of paper or electronic machine.

Happy voting!

“I appreciate all the hard work by Senator Collins to ensure passage of the Senate Transportation funding bill, which includes changes in federal law regarding truck weight limits on Maine’s interstate highway system. This legislation would create a much safer road system and it would help move Maine’s economy forward.”

Currently, heavier trucks are prohibited by federal law from traveling on federal interstates in Maine.  Instead, they are required to travel on secondary roadways that cut through downtowns on narrow streets. In most of the surrounding New England states and nearby Canadian provinces, the heaviest trucks are free to use the interstates, but not in Maine. This not only puts Maine businesses at a distinct competitive disadvantage, but also creates major safety issues.

While the provision to allow heavier trucks on the interstates is included in the Senate Transportation funding bill, similar language is not included in the House version.

“I am calling on Representatives Michaud and Pingree to get behind this provision and to ensure language that would fix this problem is included in the final version of the bill.”

NEXT ELECTION DATE: November 8, 2011

VOTER REGISTRATION

Maine residents may register to vote anytime, including the day of the election. You must be 18 years of age and a resident of the City of Gardiner. Proof of residency and proof of identity is required, such as a driver’s license indicating a physical street address in Gardiner (not a post office box or mailing address).

We have four voting disctricts, however, all voting is held at one consolidated voting place

Gardiner Area Boy’s & Girls Club on Pray Street

Polls open 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS

The Registrar’s Office is open during regular office hours through November 7, and will be available at the polls on Election Day. The Registrar will also be available Wednesday evening at Gardiner City Hall on November 2, from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Absentee ballots are available at City Hall or applications are available online or by calling 582-4460. In addition to normal business hours, the Clerk’s Office will also be open for absentee voting and registration the following:

Wednesday, November 2 4:30 – 7 p.m. City Hall

Please note, due to recent changes in election laws, absentee ballots will not be available after the close of business Thursday, November 3. After November 3, there are Special Circumstances that Absentee Ballots are available, however, the applicationn must be signed by the voter. Please contact the City Clerk’s office for more information.

Sample Ballots for November 8, 2011 Election:

Referendum Local Ballots

By: Justin Chenette

At this point, some of you have probably at least heard of the protests going on in New York on Wall Street and subsequent copycats across the country including here in Maine.

I say ‘heard’ because not all of the media outlets are giving too much credence or coverage to these grassroots movements. If Tea Party protests get exclusives and media access then so should others as well, especially those that are amassing thousands of people across the country.

This column isn’t about endorsing one side or another or even mentioning the issues in the debate, it’s about the idea that every citizen in this country has a right to speak his or her mind. It doesn’t matter if some of the people in these protests aren’t extremely knowledgeable about how our market economy works or the complexities surrounding corporate interests. It is their fundamental right to be able to petition a government or organizational system for a redress of grievances that they may have.

As someone who has covered politics for many years now, it would make more sense to me that this outpouring of frustration be directed at the individuals that have the real power; the individuals who have the most to lose by not listening to their constituencies; the politicians. These so-called leaders are the ones responsible for regulating Wall Street and reigning in corporate abuses if they happen.

What is most disturbing about what is taking place, though, isn’t what right-wing conspiracy theorists are calling anarchist behavior of the protesters; it is the images through viral videos of the alleged police brutality and abuses. One television reporter and his cameraperson were even maced in the face and beaten with a baton for simply being near the protesters. That’s just one of many examples that raise red flags for me that this isn’t just about keeping the peace or for public safety or any of the other excuses that seem to be thrown about. True, there are times that protests get out of hand or protesters break policy and need to be dealt with by authorities, but at what point is it going too far.

I’m not suggesting that the police officers are at fault or that they are doing anything wrong per say, but I am suggesting that we are not a Third-World country where free speech and assembly are outlawed. This a country built upon the foundation of freedoms and rights, not of police ruled suppression.

If the images of authorities beating and macing people were of Mainers, let’s say in Monument Square, would it change the significance or impact? What is happening in one area could just as easily happen somewhere else, so keeping tabs on current events such as this is extremely important. Just because you don’t like what someone has to say or fully understand where someone is coming from, doesn’t give anyone the right to suppress their voice in this democratic society we live in.

I for one would like to see all this energy channeled in a more productive way like at the ballot box, but it isn’t for me or anyone else to say what’s the right or wrong way to get a point across.

Let freedom ring.

 By George L. Tibbetts Jr.

President O’bama has been pressing nearly everyday for a back to work program for the countless thousands of unemployed or underemployed Americans. Fact is that the nation is broke, the people are broke and if we were to look at the country in purely economic terms, we are bankrupt. If the country was a business, it would qualify for the same insolvency protections afforded businesses in the same boat. “Balance the budget”, is the cry from many in Washington. People, we ain’t ever going to balance a multi-trillion dollar budget deficit so clearly a better approach is to put people back to work so that they can keep their homes, provide educational opportunities for their children, and protect individual financial stability for this generation and those to follow.

As it is now, our financially strapped citizens are having to rely on what savings and liquid assets they may have, relief from increasingly shrinking welfare and public assistance programs, food banks and the like while on the brink of becoming homeless or are already living in alternative housing situations. All of these human conditions put an increased burden on the states and cities as the federal faucet runs drier and drier.

Another road block to real economic recovery is the unwillingness of the rich to take on any further tax increase based on the fact that they assume it is their dollars that fuel the economy. As the diminishing middle class pays more taxes the rich won’t even agree to an increase of a meager 3% of their income. And, I don’t see much movement in Congress for its members to strengthen the economy by reducing their income and benefit packages.

As an economic fact, it also holds true that “the dollar” in of itself is worth nothing more than the paper on which it is printed. Rather, the dollar is an indicator of the economic foundation of the country as measured by our Gross National Product (GNP) Wikipedia defines GNP as the market value of all products and services produced in one year by labor and property supplied by the residents of a country. It’s a be damned if you do or damned if you don’t situation but I think income from working Americans will produce real dollars down the road and spur real growth in all the economic sectors.

What O’Bama has been talking about along with many governors is that this recession provides an excellent stage for rebuilding infrastructures like highways, schools, bridges and exploring and bolstering alternative energy stratagies to include more use of natural gas, tidal/water power and energy conservation.  You’ll note that I didn’t mention coal or wind because I personally find wind as an unreliable source of energy and coal as one of the most highly pollutant energy resources in the world. Coal is also very unhealthy for people who work in or around the mines from which coal is derived. Nuclear energy may be an alternative energy source especially if nuclear fission could be developed.

The nation stands a much better chance of recovery when people are working and we’re not talking about just construction jobs. The building trades require steel and a host of other materials. The back to work effort also provides opportunities across the employment spectrum. There is room in the science and technology areas, room too for accountants, administrators and other support professionals. These people will need to be well-educated so there will be an increase demand for those in teaching professions. Income also means healthier state and local economies moving forward.

And, let’s not forget outsourcing. Case in point is that during one of my VA  hospital admissions I took some time to look at the hygienic products I had been supplied with. From toothbrushes, to wash pans, combs, and bed pans, I found that none had been made in America. They came from China, Thailand, and one product even came from Vietnam which, as a Vietnam veteran, I found particularly interesting. I felt pretty sure that we could produce those same items at home with American labor and without the need for child or exploited labor which is the case in many of these countries. All these items, of course, were poorly made and disposable. Seems to me that at least we could keep some of these items out of the recycle bin and produce at least some of them that are of higher quality and also reusable. It is also my belief that Americans would buy quality American made products if they were well made and long-lasting. For example, I have a pair of Bostonian shoes made right here in Gardiner, Maine that were manufactured during the 60′s. Except for replacing the soles a couple of times, I have worn them on many occasions and they still look nearly new. 

Simply said, we need to put our workforce back to work. Pipe fitters, plumbers, electricians, welders, truck drivers, assemblers and, yes, shoe workers plus many other trades people. We will all benefit from a back to work program. Back to work isn’t a “give away” program, we need their expertise and the things that they will build. If we did all we could, it might become possible that our best and finest students would be able to complete in the science and technology fields to the degree that it becomes unnecessary to import people to fill positions in Silicon Valley with people from abroad. Who knows we may even be able to get N.A.S.A. programs back from the Russians.

The Presidents approach is the only one I have heard that makes any sense whatsoever. Let’s get it going on because there is no time like the present. This is NOT and should NOT be a partisan issue.

Maine Vocals Venue Site

20th Annual HARVEST FEST October 6-7-8-9
75 Carson Hill Road, HARMONY Maine 04942
http://mainevocals.net/ 207 696 4444

4 Days of LIVE MUSIC with 30+ Bands on 100+ Acres

Big Rhythm Wine featuring Tom Constanten of the Grateful Dead, Holy Smoke, Between the Lines, The Tree, Stream Reggae, Odlaw, Swiftshire, The Van Burens, Skyfoot, Dead Ahead, Nippin the Nub, Supernaut, Care Factor Zero, Pongo’s Groove, the 220s, Mudseason, Gallactic Warrior, Yellow Roman Candles, A Constant Battle, KP & the Dirty Burgers, Brothers Donovan & dReAmSwell, Dan Hudson Band, Southside Jimmy, Mauce, Planetary Circus Kingdom + more

Single-day passes or weekend camping tickets (includes all entertainment) at the gate or online now: http://mainevocals.net/HARVEST FEST Ride Share

Remember to bring donations for the Freedom Field FOOD DRIVE

This festival is staged as a fundraiser for the petition drive to end marijuana/hemp prohibition in Maine.

Justin Chenette

This past week a ban went into place making it against the law to text while driving. A $100 fine is attached as a penalty for the offense if caught.

The key concept is ‘if caught’. Tell that to the dead truck driver in North Berwick who, accordingly to police reports, became distracted with a cell phone and crashed into an Amtrak Train. Tell that to the thousands or more teenagers that either die or get severely injured from car accidents directly related to getting distracted at the wheel.

Legislation was and is needed to help curve cell phone usage while operating a motor vehicle. When we cast our ballots on Election Day, we assume our legislators will develop policy and write laws that will have some direct impact on our lives hopefully for the better. This is a prime example of setting aside party politics for saving lives. Implementing policies like a texting while driving ban is something that our legislature should be focusing their efforts on rather than things like making the whoopie pie our state dessert.

But is this texting ban with a simple $100 fee really going to solve the problem?

As someone who has texted while driving in the past, I’m not so sure everyone will stop cold turkey though it could make some people think twice.

We are in an instantaneous gratification society in which we need to be constantly checking our emails, Facebook updates, and tweeting our every move. Most of this can be done without being anchored to a desktop computer screen. Devices are in the palm of our hands from so-called smart cell phones to computer tablets which makes it very easy to continue the trend.

A death caused by a texting while driving incident should be used as a catalyst to evaluate our own lives. Is that one text message really that important? Could it just wait until you reach your destination or just pull over to the side of the road? Maybe we need to take the 20 minutes or so that we are in our cars on the way to or from work to take a break from the constant barrage of media communications. I find driving is one of the only times I can really reflect on how my day or even life in general is going unless of course there is a lot of traffic on the road.

Finding time when we can be by ourselves without having people physically around us or virtually communicating with us is hard. We all need some ‘ME TIME’ as Madea in Tyler Perry movies likes to point out. While there are plenty of other distractions while driving that could cause accidents, banning texting is a step in the right direction. You can fill that void instead with reflection or just focusing on the task at hand, driving. There are plenty of people out there that obviously have trouble multitasking let alone just driving in general.

Justin Chenette is a TV host of Youth in Politics airing on WPME Sundays at 7am & WPXT at 8:30am. He is a former member of the Maine State Board of Education and is currently attending Lyndon State College majoring in broadcast news. Follow him on Twitter @justinchenette, like him on Facebook.com/JustinChenetteOfficial, and visit his website at justinchenette.com.

What comes to mind when you hear the word marriage? Love, commitment, family, all are words typically associated with the concept of joining in union with the person that makes your world go round. Some choose to have a big lavish wedding with all the bells and whistles while others, like my parents, get it done at the local court house. Either way, you get a little piece of paper signifying your union through the state in which you live and the many rights and benefits that come with it.

There was a period of time when people only married within their social circles based upon their rank and wealth in society. The poor married the poor and the rich married the rich. There was a period of time when people could only legally marry within their own ethnicity. Whites married whites and blacks married blacks.

We are now in a period of time when men who love men and women who love women cannot legally marry in most states. Like those other times before, society deemed it unacceptable based on their higher morality that masked their own bigotry. Let us be reminded of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

If you have been so blessed as to have someone in your life to love, turn to that person. Look deep into their eyes and gaze a bit. In that moment, all that matters is your love; the love you share with that particular person. You aren’t thinking about society or religion or what your neighbors think. At that moment ask yourself; would you like to be denied the opportunity to legally signify your love for that special person just because of how other people thought about it or what the government tells you is right or wrong?

The problem is people lose sight about what the debate over marriage equality is all about; love. It is as simple as that. It isn’t about changing a definition, approving of a certain lifestyle, or teaching something in a classroom. It comes down to the love between two people. If you want your love called marriage, why should you then turn around and deny someone you don’t even know the same opportunity?

When interracial marriage was outlawed, there were many people that didn’t understand why you would want to be with and marry outside your race just like now there are many people that don’t understand why you would want to be with or marry someone of the same sex. While the concept might be packaged differently, the root issue of discrimination still lingers, though this time in a cloud of religion rather than racism.

The minute I hear someone interject religious beliefs into a discussion about marriage I get confused. There is a reason why there isn’t a religious prerequisite to get hitched nor does your designated religion appear on your marriage license. We were all thought in school that there is a separation between church and state or are we cherry picking bits and pieces of the constitution?

Marriage is a legal contract through the state. If you don’t want it to be that way, laws need to be changed. It is against our constitution for a state to deny a certain group of people rights including marriage. A hypothetical example would be if a state denied all women from getting a public education just because their women. Marriage is a state social service and therefore should be treated as such.

53 to 49 was the final outcome of the defeat of Maine marriage equality back in the 2009 election cycle. Remember your loved one and how you would want to be treated when this issue pops up in conversation or in the voting booth in the near future.

Justin Chenette is a TV host of Youth in Politics airing on WPME Sundays at 7am & WPXT at 8:30am. He is a former member of the Maine State Board of Education and is currently attending Lyndon State College majoring in broadcast news. Follow him on Twitter @justinchenette, like him on Facebook.com/JustinChenetteOfficial, and visit his website at justinchenette.com.