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Maine News

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Maine News for Thursday, August 21, 2008

Portland Press Herald
Panel eyes ways to help Mainers stay warm
State House: Lawmakers examine options such as energy audits, changes in regulations and more aid.

Maine Senate OKs Baldacci's nominees

Governor withdraws pesticides nominee
The decision follows a committee's rejection of Deborah Aldridge, an organic blueberry grower.

Unionization bill gets high profile in state
Election 2008: Sides form over a labor measure to let employees form a union without secret-ballot votes.

Opponents hoping to sink Saco's shark tournament
The Humane Society calls such events cruel and wasteful, but local organizers cite the benefits, including fundraising.

Editorial
Voting system flaws hurt where it counts
Eight years after the debacle in Florida, doubts remain at American polling places.

Lower drinking age a solution only for colleges
Some higher education leaders want to push this problem off their campuses.

Letters
Stories with Internet links useless without computers

Bangor Daily News
Bangor: Hollywood Slots celebrates hotel grand opening

BANGOR, Maine - Hollywood Slots on Wednesday unveiled the final component of its $132 million-plus gambling and entertainment complex.

Quebec onstage: Folk fest to spotlight our northern neighbor

This year, thousands of tourists have flooded Quebec City as it celebrates the 400th anniversary of its founding. Can't make it to Quebec this year? Don't worry. The American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront is bringing a bit of Quebec to you when Bangor's summer event opens this Friday.

Ex-Mainer pleads not guilty to Bush, Obama threat

MIAMI - A man formerly from Maine who authorities said kept an arsenal of weaponry and military gear pleaded not guilty Wednesday to threatening to assassinate both President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Wet summer weather boosts Maine's wild blueberry crop

ELLSWORTH, Maine - The stretch of wet weather this summer may have put a damper on a few vacation plans, but it has boosted the prospects for the state's wild blueberry crop.

Northern Maine cancer rate studied

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick - A medical researcher from Maine is in New Brunswick this week hunting for clues about why people living in counties along the border have higher than average rates of cancer.

'Grandfamily' summit focus on law, kinship

There are about 11,000 children in Maine being raised by family members other than their parents - aunts and uncles, grandparents, older siblings and others.

Gambling board lifts gaming expansion hiatus

AUGUSTA, Maine- Noting that everyone was ignoring it anyway, the Maine Gambling Control Board has opted not to extend its request for an intermission before any more casino-style gambling venues are authorized.

Lincoln wind farm gets mixed reviews

LINCOLN, Maine - Al Roy gets a lovely view of the sun rising over Rollins Mountain and glinting off Egg Pond. So do fellow Egg Pond Road residents Harry Washburn and Donald Smith.

Old Town: Red Shield financing delayed

OLD TOWN, Maine - Employees at Red Shield Environmental will have to wait until September to learn the fate of the mill that they were hoping would be restarted by the end of this month.
Editorial
Weatherization Day

With heightened concern over expected high heating bills this winter, many have looked to government for solutions. While increased funding from Washington for LIHEAP and state support for energy efficiency is important, community groups and individuals can step in now to help.

Unnecessary ESA Re-write


The Endangered Species Act has rightly been criticized for being slow and cumbersome. Eliminating a key provision of the act - which requires agencies that promote development, such as the Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Reclamation, to consult with agencies charged with protecting wildlife - is not the solution.

August 21 Letters to the Editor

Kennebec Journal
SEEKING WINTER AID
AUGUSTA -- Lawmakers serving on a special panel on energy issues met for the first time Wednesday to talk about what the state can do to help thousands of people heat their homes this winter.

Community leaders to meet today on heating
AUGUSTA -- Social service groups, local government officials and oil fuel dealers will convene today to target issues that could affect Maine residents when the bitter winter months set in.

Focus on union voting method
Legislation that would allow organizers to unionize workplaces without secret-ballot elections has the potential to significantly shift the balance of power in the workplace, a fact being highlighted in Maine this summer by television ads and other marketing initiatives.

CHELSEA Town to mull new school
CHELSEA -- An initiative to erect a new building to house Chelsea Elementary School advances to its next step early next week.

Organic farmer shot down as board choice
Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday withdrew his nomination of an organic blueberry grower to the Board of Pesticides Control after intense lobbying against her by groups that represent conventional farmers.

Allen postpones, Dems gear up for convention

Editorials:

Agencies, groups mobilize forces on energy front
It's going to take a lot of work to help Mainers cope with high energy prices.

LIZ SOARES OF AUGUSTA : Car-free days help you help environment
I was going to write an entire column detailing how I spent a car-free day, but I realized that would be too boring.

GORDON L. WEIL, A CONSULTANT, PUBLISHER AND AUTHOR : Political conventions are scripted, boring ... maybe
The 2008 Democratic National Convention may achieve something that for more than a quarter of a century has been lacking in such gatherings.

Letters

Ammons' departure from paper 'a terrible loss'
I was very disappointed to read in this morning's newspaper (Aug. 12) that Patty Ammons was leaving the paper. What a terrible loss this will be to her many readers.

U.S. needs to return to sound monetary system
The American people were given a bill of goods by the international bankers. The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 created a central private bank, the sole purpose of which was to destroy the dollar that was once backed by gold and silver.

Democrats should make national debt major issue
The Democratic party has an opportunity to become the party of fiscal responsibility, taking from Republicans a perception that contributed greatly to the election of Ronald Reagan.

Sun Journal

Panel opens review of Maine energy issues
AUGUSTA (AP) - House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, convening a new legislative task force, isn't ruling out action by the lame-duck Legislature on heat and energy issues later this year.

Governors, premiers to meet
BAR HARBOR (AP) - Maine will be the host when New England governors and premiers from eastern Canada meet next month to talk about energy, transportation and economic development.

Barge strikes bridge, but no major damage
SOUTH PORTLAND (AP) - A barge that was being towed out of Portland Harbor struck the Casco Bay Bridge on Wednesday. No injuries were reported and the Coast Guard said there appeared to be no major damage.

Rating cardiac care in Maine State's hospitals fall within range of national average
Nearly everyone gave an aspirin to patients coming through the door with a heart attack. Were they sent home with instructions on how to take care of themselves? Not always.

Editorial
Passengers are a costly proposition
The Lewiston and Auburn city councils have approved $20,000 to study whether passenger flights should fly from A-L airport.

Debate reminds faith should be in God, not government
The "civil forum" featuring presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain may not have been as exciting as Michael Phelps winning his eighth Olympic gold medal, but it was civil and it was a forum from which emerged useful information.

Letters
Beware Obama
His father and grandfather were both born in the Muslim faith. He was enrolled in a public school and called the prayer by the imam, according to a column by Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times, "one of the most beautiful sounds at sunset."

College knowledge
After reading the article on Aug. 19 stating college presidents say lowering the drinking age could help, I couldn't even finish reading the paper without stopping to write this letter while the details were fresh in my mind.


MPBN
OTB Facility Being Investigated
All bets could be off for a Waterville off-track betting facility which is under investigation by the Maine State Harness Racing Commission for alleged unidentified violations of its OTB license. The commission has scheduled a hearing next month to determine whether Autotote, a subsidiary of Scientific Games, is properly licensed as an OTB at John Martin's Manor and in compliance with any associated requirements involving the serving of food and alcohol. Pending their findings, commissioners could suspend or even revoke the facility's OTB license.

Anti-Plastic Bottle Campaign Launched in Portland
"Take Back The Tap" is the name of a new initiative aimed at convincing the public to drink more tap water and less from plastic bottles. In Portland, the anti-bottle campaign comes on the heels of a city council resolution urging the state's congressional delegation to support a federal clean water trust fund to insure that municipalities have clean, safe tap water. But the fledgling pro-tap water campaign goes a step further. It urges local restaurants to take bottled water off their menus. Keith McKeen reports.

Task Force Developing Energy Plan
A special legislative task force formed to develop a plan to help Mainers with heating costs this winter met at the State House today to gather information on the resources available through state agencies and what they may be lacking. As Anne Ravana reports, House and Senate leaders are still in the very early stages of putting together a bipartisan plan to help Mainers get through what promises to be a very expensive -- if not disastrous -- heating season.

PolitickerME
Breaking:
Allen to address Democratic National Convention

Hoffman decision denied by U.S. Justice Souter

McKane considers year-round daylight savings for state

Senate coasts through nomination process

Ellsworth American
Here Comes the Sun
EASTPORT — As Maine grapples with its addiction to fossil fuels, some alternative energy visionaries are looking to the sun and moon as renewable sources of energy.

In East Blue Hill, A Solar Subdivision
BLUE HILL — The next time Maine endures a catastrophic ice storm, the lights will be burning brightly within the 11 homes being planned for Pond House Trail.

Harnessing the Tides
EASTPORT — You don’t need a graduate degree in fluid dynamics or hydrokinetics to appreciate the energy inherent in the sea.

State Financial Services Commissioner Tapped for University Post
AUGUSTA — The Governor’s commissioner of financial services, Becky Wyke, has been tapped to be the vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Maine System — the second job she’s been offered in less than a month.

Veto Question on Tax Hikes To Appear on Nov. Ballot
AUGUSTA — Taxes on beer, wine, soda and health insurance passed at the end of the legislative session to fund the state’s subsidized insurance plan known as DirigoChoice will be challenged on the November ballot.

Forecasters Trying to Gauge Impact of Oil Prices on State Revenue
AUGUSTA — State revenue forecasters are working to determine how much worse an already bad situation can get if oil prices don’t come down.

Average Heating Oil Price Down to $4 a Gallon
AUGUSTA — The average price of heating oil has dropped this week to $4 per gallon — down 42 cents from last week — along with the price of a barrel of crude.

Food License Hikes Intended to Help Pay for Health Inspections
AUGUSTA — The state is increasing license fees on places that sell and make food — from convenience stores to maple syrup producers — to raise money to help pay for health inspections.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Maine News for Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Portland Press Herald
Nominees endorsed; final votes are today
State House: Lawmakers work to fill seats on the Dirigo, corrections boards.

Baxter Building may be sold
The Maine College of Art has lined up a buyer who intends to restore the historic Portland building.

Oil fuels boom in West Texas
Real estate, jobs and other segments that are struggling nationally are thriving here.

Navy's shipbuilding compromise aims to please all sides
But a House panel that has opposed it before controls the fate of a third Zumwalt.

Editorial
City should be careful when regulating prayer
If there are parking concerns during a Saturday prayer gathering, then address those narrowly.

Third DDG-1000 good news for 5,900 BIW workers
The Navy's change of heart removes any uncertainty over the shipyard's future.

Letters
Explore options for winter heat

Republicans have forgotten what they used to profess

Bangor Daily News
The reasons energy costs are high in Maine

According to Richard Davies, head of the Maine Public Advocate office, there are three reasons energy prices in Maine are higher than in other regions of the country, even though they are lower than those in other New England states.

Rising energy costs challenge remote Monhegan, Matinicus

Of all the residential power users in the state of Maine, the ones that pay the highest rates may be the ones that live farthest from land.

St. Agatha residents invited to join municipal tax club

ST. AGATHA, Maine - Residents and property owners in this northern Maine lakeside town have until Aug. 22 to sign up for a municipal tax club and participate in a monthly tax-payment plan.

Study: Maine fattest in New England

Maine ranks a respectable 34th among the 50 states in its rate of adult obesity, according to a new report, but it has the highest rate of adult obesity among the six New England states.

Maine praised for efforts to curb substance abuse


AUGUSTA, Maine - Former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, chairman of a national study commission on substance abuse, met with Gov. John Baldacci on Tuesday and praised Maine’s prevention efforts.

Hiker in Acadia says ranger assaulted him

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, Maine - Just by looking at Tim Wild, it’s easy to tell that something happened to him.

Truck spills load of crabs in Brewer

BREWER, Maine - A pile of live crabs was served up to residents Saturday morning when the truck carrying them spilled the crustaceans across North Main Street, Sgt. Rich Smith said Tuesday.

Diplomat hopeful, sees Iraqi progress

The situation in Iraq has improved in the past several months, according to a career diplomat with ties to Maine.

Editorial
After Musharraf

The excitement over Monday's resignation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was short-lived. Just a day after he announced he was stepping down, the leaders of the country's two main parties are already disagreeing and issuing ultimatums as violence continues.

Frary's Follies


John Frary's colorful campaign for the 2nd Congressional District seat now held by Mike Michaud has been, by turns, amusing, confusing, frustrating -and finally, disappointing.


Michael A. Nissenbaum: Canada, not wind, is energy solution
'What we love about Maine - trees, lakes, mountains, our history - is also our chief economic advantage. Investing in new ways in our traditional industries - such as tourism - will reap greater economic rewards.' Gov. John Baldacci

Judith Lewis: Fuel solutions, stuck in muck

It seemed, at the time, like such a good thing for the planet: In the winter of 2005, I turned in my red, gas-hungry Jeep Wrangler for a near-new, diesel-burning Volkswagen Beetle. Inspired by a number of pioneering friends, I would fill my little green slug bug with a nontoxic, sweet-smelling fuel made from vegetable matter called biodiesel.

Kennebec Journal

Baldacci's picks seek Senate nod
AUGUSTA -- The Maine Senate will meet today for a confirmation session in which members will consider nominees for everything from the state's top finance position to the Board of Pesticides Control.

U.S. HAS FUNDS FOR MILL SITE
AUGUSTA -- The city is getting up to $100,000 in federal help to determine what, if anything, is lurking in old, underground fuel storage tanks at the abandoned American Tissue Mill site.

AUGUSTA Charter panel nears report
AUGUSTA -- The system of electing four city councilors by ward and four at-large is still in.

MOTORCYCLIST DEATH RATE FALLS
Motorcycle fatalities across the nation continue to steadily climb, government safety officials announced, but although more motorcyclists in Maine are perishing in accidents, the number is fewer per registered motorcycle than last year.

Super merger meeting Thursday
A simultaneous meeting of seven school boards on Thursday could offer some clarity for six towns whose school systems are merging into one regional district.

Destroyer decision pleases BIW, others
The Navy's decision to build a third Zumwalt-class destroyer seemingly satisfies almost everyone.

Opinion
GEORGE SMITH : Returning to GOP after 90 days as Democrat not as easy as expected
Confession time. On Thursday, I will have been a Democrat for 90 days. It'll be an important day of decision for me.

Letters

Life in prison too good for some criminals
After reading "Attack survivor's battle" (July 23) with sadness, I remember the letter to the editor from Doug Jenkins of Chelsea, "We all need to step up to prevent home invasions" (June 4).

Sex offender's hearing sends the wrong message
I have great concern regarding the message given in the hearing of the sex offender, conditions of probation and contact with the victim, "Letters to a sex offender" (Aug. 8).

Sun Journal
Maine health board nominees OK'd
AUGUSTA (AP) - A former House Republican leader was virtually assured of membership on the newly expanded board that oversees the state's 5-year-old Dirigo health insurance program on Tuesday as he won a solid committee endorsement for Senate confirmation.

LaMarche says she won't 'lie' for casino
The campaign to bring a privately run casino to Oxford County was dealt a blow Tuesday when Pat LaMarche said she would no longer serve as the effort's spokesperson.

'It's only been a few kids'
AUBURN - A jury listened Tuesday as a former Park Avenue Elementary School music teacher confessed his urges for touching the buttocks of little girls.

Editorial
Throwing money in the furnace
Today, the next committee to tackle energy issues convenes its first of five meetings in Augusta. This is the aptly-named HEETForce, or Heat and Energy Emergency Task Force, assembled by the leadership of the Legislature.

MPBN
LaMarche Leaves Casino Campaign
The spokesperson for the campaign to bring a casino resort to Oxford County has resigned, citing moral failings and disreputable conduct within the campaign. Pat LaMarche, a former candidate for Governor in 2006 for the Maine Green-Independent Party, released a statement today saying she will no longer speak - or work in any capacity - on behalf of Evergreen Mountain Enterprises, LLC., which has secured a statewide referendum on the November ballot. The campaign's leader, Rumford attorney Seth Carey, faces misconduct charges related to his legal practice. The campaign's advocacy efforts remain uncertain.

Lawmakers Say Dirigo Health Faces Uncertain Future
Three new nominees to the Dirigo Health Board received the approval of a legislative policy committee today as they prepare for a pending Senate confirmation hearing. But the program they hope to guide is facing one of the most critical junctures in its five-year-old history. Yesterday, the Maine Secretary of State's office validated a petition to allow a November referendum on new taxes devised to fund the insurance program. Some lawmakers now fear the Dirigo program's future is anything but certain.

Portland Rabbi Appeals Zoning Decision
Support is building in the Jewish Community for a Hasidic Rabbi whose traditional weekly prayer meetings are in jeopardy of being quashed by the city of Portland. For decades, Rabbi Moshe Wilansky has been conducting religious services at his home in Portland, but concerns about possible traffic bottlenecks and a zoning violation prompted the city's zoning administrator to issue an order for the worship services to cease. Supporters of the Rabbi, including the Maine Civil Liberties Union, say shutting down the worship services would be a violation of religious liberty.

PolitickerME
Commission questions $2K in MCEA purchases by state Senate candidate

Supreme Court Justice Souter mulls stay of Hoffman court decision

Oxford County casino project loses member

The Bush Loyalty Score: U.S. House

Monday, August 18, 2008

Maine News for Monday, August, 18, 2008

Portland Press Herald
Pre-buying your heating oil? State, industry urge caution
Customers are being told to ask dealers to explain how they will provide oil.

Task force to tackle high cost of heating
The legislative panel will hold at least five public meetings before issuing a report in November.

State committees to hold confirmation hearings
On Wednesday, the full Senate will be in session to make final decisions on the nominees.

College-bound Maine students find loans are available here
They apparently escape problems with loans that students in states such as Massachusetts have faced.

Analog TV shutdown kills free cell-phone TV

Editorial
Council should accept Maine State Pier deal
The framework does a good job of limiting the city's risk in an important development.

Energy plan offers substantial response
Without precluding a special session, the governor may have made one unnecessary.
[August 17, 2008]

Community colleges in right place at right time
Foresight in creating the system is paying off big as economic times get tougher.
[August 17, 2008]

Leigh Donaldson
There are many reasons why we still need print journalism
Where else will people find the solid reporting on events near and far that no other outlet creates?

Letters
Collins should turn attention elsewhere

Criticism of Maine bottler cites questionable 'facts'

Bangor Daily News
Back-to-school tax holiday lacking panel support

AUGUSTA, Maine - Twenty states have a "sales tax holiday" during the summer months to help ease the burden of families buying back-to-school clothes and supplies, but similar proposals have not made it out of committee in Maine.

Special Report: Welfare in Maine after '96 reform act
It's been more than 10 years since then-President Bill Clinton signed into law a piece of legislation that became known as the Welfare Reform Act.

Hoffman: 'I'm going to be on the ballot'

BELFAST, Maine - Herbert Hoffman, the retired psychologist who is running as an independent in the U.S. Senate race against Rep. Tom Allen and Sen. Susan Collins, told a small group of supporters Saturday that he believes the United States Constitution is on his side in his effort to get his name on the statewide ballot this November.

Keeping the heat in

With the public's heightened concern about energy - especially its cost - and high expectation for government solutions, Gov. John Baldacci has proposed a modest short-term plan that sets the appropriate tone of using state resources wisely before moving to spend money the state isn't likely to have.

Tax reform challenges

While it is welcome news that Gov. John Baldacci wants to lower the state's income taxes, many more details are needed before this becomes realistic. One of the biggest problems is that with the state already predicted to face a large shortfall in its next budget cycle, revenue reductions will only worsen the budget gap.

August 18 Letters to the editor

Kennebec Journal

New energy panel will meet
AUGUSTA -- A new legislative panel meets for the first time Wednesday to begin work on setting an agenda to help Mainers cope with the high cost of heating their homes.

Several legislative committees to meet this week
AUGUSTA -- Several legislative committees will be back at the Statehouse this week to hold confirmation hearings on nominees for various councils and commissions.

Students dodge lending worries
While college-bound students in Massachusetts and elsewhere have struggled to secure private loans for the coming school year, Maine students have largely been able to escape those worries, lending and college officials say.

Editorials:

Governor works within limits to design energy aid
Gov. John Baldacci has devised a series of short-term actions to help Mainers meet the difficult challenge of high energy prices through the end of 2008. From heating oil aid to an optional four-day work week for some state workers, the governor's plan is an appropriate and thoughtful response to the growing crisis in the state.

Nader's 'bid' not valid enough for debate or ballot
Seventy-four-year-old Ralph Nader, once the scourge of corporate America, is becoming the laughing stock of democratic America.

I-295 repaving effort belied early fears
The repaving of Interstate 295 from Gardiner to Topsham, formally finished last week, could have been a mess. Instead, it was an example of how to do things right.


Sun Journal
College applications rise
PORTLAND (AP) ­- School officials say applications to Maine's universities and community colleges have increased this year due to greater marketing efforts and a flagging economy.

Festival draws 145,000
LEWISTON - Rhythm, blues and propane burners blended with applause while a near-perfect sunset provided the backdrop for one final ride into the skyline high above the Twin Cities as the 16th Annual Great Falls Balloon Festival drew to a close Sunday evening.

Auburn police test out Segways
AUBURN - Gliding through the city at a brisk 12 mph, standing tall and going places no cruiser can go, Auburn police are one step closer to the reality of Robocop.

Noel Madore: Delegate, political intern, senior in high school
At first, he liked Republican Congressman Ron Paul for president.

Letters
Working for oil
John McCain's energy policy is to sacrifice the lives of a few Mainers for oil company profits.

MPBN
Governor Proposes $12.6 Million Energy Plan As GOP Repeats Call For Special Session
Governor John Baldacci today said that he will not call a special session of the legislature to deal with looming energy concerns this winter. Instead, he unveiled a multi-million dollar plan that he says includes investments in weatherization, fuel assistance, and transportation. GOP leaders, meanwhile, are repeating their call for a special session next week, as well as a short-term infusion of state funds into a federal heating assitance program.

Allen Ties Collins to "Misleading" Ad
Maine union leaders and the Tom Allen for Senate campaign are demanding that Republican Senator Susan Collins condemn an ad that depicts union members and the 1st District Democratic congressman as tools of organized crime mobsters. The ad is misleading according to critics who claim it distorts the intent of federal legislation crafted to make it easier for workers to organize a union. But, as A.J. Higgins reports, one Maine business advocate is convinced the so-called card check bill will encouarge union bosses to intimidate workers into joining.