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Maine News

Friday, November 7, 2008

Maine News for Friday, November 7, 2008

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Portland Press Herald

Democrats Mitchell, Pingree in line for legislative leadership posts
Both parties will choose their State House leaders over the next two weeks.

Maine House has glow of youth with six new members under 30
The lawmakers join two young re-elected colleagues, all from districts north of Augusta.

Surge in jobless claims signals recession taking hold in Maine
With new applications up 54 percent from a year ago, the negative trend in the job market appears to be accelerating.

Obama quickly aligns top staff
Hard-edged Rahm Emanuel accepts the chief of staff post, and more decisions are expected in the coming days.

Will Obama choose Mainers for federal posts?
Democrat Tom Allen and independent Angus King are in the running, experts say.

Financial crisis a test for Obama
The president-elect will have to weigh how to sway policy and Congress before he takes office.

Editorial
‘No’ means ‘try again’ to the gambling industry
The defeat of two ballot measures looking to expand legalized gambling won’t mean the end.

Voters in 12 towns made progress on school mergers
Tuesday's election results show that some towns still have a lot of work to do.

Bangor Daily News
AUGUSTA, Maine — Legislative Democrats, who appear to have strengthened their control of the State House, and Republicans mired deeper in minority status have one thing in common at the top of their to-do lists: Select leadership teams for the two-year session that opens on Dec. 3.
BANGOR, Maine — Adam Goode won Maine’s House District 15 (Bangor) race on Tuesday with more than 70 percent of the vote. He’s 25, by the way.

BANGOR, Maine — The Penobscot County budget committee Wednesday night approved a $14.41 million budget for 2009, which is $36,360 less than this year’s budget.

BREWER, Maine — The message from business owners along the North Main Street corridor, the stretch of roadway between Joshua Chamberlain Bridge and Penobscot Bridge, was loud and clear at Thursday’s public meeting about proposed traffic changes: Leave the downtown parking situation alone.

Editorial
Susan Collins not only won re-election Tuesday; she became the most important member of the Senate.

The 2008 presidential election has provided more evidence of the need to reconsider campaign finance rules.

Kennebec Journal
Jail change aids women inmates
AUGUSTA -- After months of planning and construction, the Kennebec County Correctional Facility is prepared to move most woman inmates from different cell blocks throughout the jail into a single pod.

BAD NEWS ABOUT ECONOMY MOUNTS
WASHINGTON -- A fresh wave of bad economic news, including a half-million Americans newly out of work and the weakest October retail sales in nearly 40 years, pummeled the stock market Thursday, driving the Dow Jones industrials under 9,000 again with a stunning two-day decline of 10 percent.

Maine's U.S. senators disavow Cabinet talk
Maine's two moderate Republican Senators have been rumored as possible candidates for cabinet posts in the Democratic administration of president-elect Barack Obama.

Craigslist agrees to thwart inappropriate, illegal activity
Anyone advertising erotic services on the Web site Craigslist, in Maine or elsewhere, will now need to provide a working phone number and credit card, and that information would be shared with police, if subpoenaed.

Furnace debate heating up
RANDOLPH -- The Budget Committee wants to know why selectmen and the public-works director disregarded a directive by voters to install a new furnace in the town garage.

AUGUSTA: Conduct closes soup kitchen
AUGUSTA -- The bad language and bad behavior that caused a one-day closure of the soup kitchen in downtown Augusta was absent at lunch on Thursday.

'What an opportunity for women to grow professionally'
AUGUSTA -- Edie Benttinen spent much of her career as a truck welder and boat builder. But, she said, she did not find the work fulfilling.

AUGUSTA: City to change how it buys oil
AUGUSTA -- A few months removed from locking in a heating-oil price -- and then watching as prices plummeted -- the City Council approved a policy change which administrators think will help avoid future budget surprises.

Editorials:

Olympia Gaming loses its bet on Maine casino
You come into Maine, spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a political and advertising campaign and leave empty-handed. Again.

Sun Journal
Legislators look to elect leaders
AUGUSTA (AP) - Legislative Democrats, who appear to have strengthened their majority control at the State House, and Republicans mired deeper in minority status have one thing in common at the top of their to-do lists: select leadership teams for the two-year session that opens on Dec. 3.

Disconnection rules begin Nov. 15
AUGUSTA (AP) - The Maine Public Utilities Commission's winter restrictions that bar electric utilities from disconnecting customers who try to pay their bills take effect Nov. 15.

Editorial
New county board should pursue charter
The two-thirds replacement of the Androscoggin County Commission, which too often put politics over public service, on Election Day was a mandate from voters to clean up the county's act.

Democrats must give up old ways, surge ahead
"What do we do now?"

MPBN
Allen Revisited

November 6, 2008 Reported By: A.J. Higgins

A late start, a reluctance to go for the jugular and a reliance on broad national themes are all being cited by political analysts as key reasons why Tom Allen suffered a stunning defeat in his U.S. Senate campaign Tuesday. Others say the Democratic congressman's reluctance to enthusiastically embrace voters in northern Maine's second congressional district may actually prove to be the reason why Republican Sen. Susan Collins led Allen by 22 points when the votes were counted.

A High-Powered Entepreneur To Operate Red Shield

November 6, 2008 Reported By: Anne Ravana

The woman who's taken over the reigns at the former Red Shield Environmental mill in Old Town may not be what workers expected. Lynn Tilton is the high-powered entrepreneur and CEO of a 6 billion dollar New York City-based investment and acquisitions firm with a fondness for jewelry and helicopters. But she says her company, Patriarch Partners, is excited about the ethanol fuel technology being developed at the mill and passionate about giving jobs to laid-off workers in the manufacturing industry.

Voters Weigh In On School Consolidation

November 6, 2008 Reported By: Keith McKeen

Maine voters approved 12 school consolidation plans on Tuesday, but another five were rejected. The Maine Department of Education is hailing the approvals, calling them steps toward streamlining school operations in the state. However, some communities whose voters rejected reorganization say the costs will out weigh the savings.

Stringent Salmon Protection Opposed By Industry

November 6, 2008 Reported By: Susan Sharon

Maine paper companies, water treatment plants and hydro-power producers are among those urging the federal government not to add Atlantic Salmon from the Androscoggin, Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers to the Endangered Species list. Salmon from eight downeast Maine rivers were listed eight years ago. But their recovery continues to be slow.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Portland Press Herald
Election gives Democrats firm control of state Senate
The party's margin over the Republicans rises from one seat to five -- the biggest since 1999.

Election 2008 briefs

Casino backers: Mainers have lost their chance
After Question 2's defeat, developers will turn to other states, the proposal's supporters say.

After defeat, harness track may relocate
The owner of Scarborough Downs may seek a place more receptive to slot machines.

Obama skips spotlight, gets down to work
The president-elect forms a transition team and courts U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel to be chief of staff.

Hope stays high after cheering fades
Barack Obama supporters Wednesday say his victory inspires the feeling that the U.S. has turned a corner.

New Congress turning much more Democratic
They capture GOP-held House seats in all regions, adding at least 19 to the 30 they took in 2006.

Results don't alter political landscape
Analysis: Obama's win laid the groundwork for a major shift, but he needs re-election to assure it.

Editorial
Charter commission opens a path for change
Electing a mayor would have a bigger impact than replacing the names on the City Council.

Scarborough glitch shows that the system worked
Clear paper ballots that can be optically scanned work well on Election Day.

PETER H. JOYWood-pellet purchases display not 'panic' but serious forethought
If buying stock when it is cheap is selfish behavior, then so is laying in fuel for the future.

Time to trust the kids on ways to create a greener world
With Barack Obama as president, there’s nothing that can’t be hoped for on their behalf.

Bangor Daily News
Bangor restaurateur Peter Geaghan offers health insurance to 10 of his employees through DirigoChoice. But on Wednesday, the day after Maine’s voters resoundingly overturned the new beverage tax that would have helped fund the state’s health insurance program, Geaghan already was looking for other options to keep his workers healthy.

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Democrats touted Election Day results Wednesday that they said show them expanding an already large margin of control in the state House of Representatives and the bare one-vote edge they have held in the state Senate.

Last November, Washington County residents were stinging over voters’ rejection of a Passamaquoddy petition to bring gambling — and therefore jobs and tourists — to their economically depressed corner of Maine.

Of the 18 school reorganization plans up for votes around the state during Tuesday’s balloting, voters in affected districts approved 12 plans and rejected five, including three in Aroostook.

PORTLAND, Maine — A former Republican strategist pleaded not guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Portland to charges that he lied to federal investigators five years ago about his role in jamming phone lines in New Hampshire Democrats’ get-out-the-vote effort in 2002.

AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. John Baldacci has told state agencies they have a week to come up with ways to cut $150 million from current state spending as state revenues fall further behind projections.

ROCKLAND, Maine — Knox County residents Tuesday voted out two veteran county commissioners and elected their replacements.

ST. STEPHEN, New Brunswick — Anyone but Bush seemed to be the consensus among Maine’s Canadian neighbors as they woke up Wednesday morning to learn that U.S. voters had elected Sen. Barack
Maine election officials have declared a record voter turnout but it’ll be days before a final tally is released, the secretary of state’s office said Wednesday.

Editorial
At several points in his improbable, inspiring and historic run for the White House, Barack Obama told voters his faith in America was restored by the electoral success he saw along the way. Pundits
As monumental as Barack Obama’s resounding victory in Tuesday’s election were the large, cheering, crying crowds that gathered in cities across the country to celebrate his win.

Kennebec Journal

Democrats take firm control of Maine Senate
AUGUSTA -- Richmond selectman and attorney Seth Goodall defeated an incumbent Republican Tuesday to help give his party firm control of the state Senate, according to election- night results.

Obama's long journey to White House
President-elect started with little beyond true believers

Activist from area returns to Chicago
Local attorney and Statehouse lobbyist Severin Beliveau said watching Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech Tuesday in Chicago is now at the top of his list of awe-inspiring political memories.

Voters' choices emerge in aftermath of election
Sen. Earle McCormick, R-West Gardiner, won re-election to his state Senate seat by defeating Democrat Sharon Benoit, of Monmouth, according to unofficial results.

On Maine Politics

Sun Journal
Senate 15 race heads for recount
After nearly 20,000 votes were cast, merely 102 ballots separated candidates in the race for state Senate District 15. Democrat Deborah Simpson upset Republican incumbent Lois Snowe-Mello by 0.5 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.

Maine Democrats retain House, Senate
AUGUSTA (AP) - Maine Democrats touted Election Day results Wednesday that they said show them expanding an already large margin of control in the state House of Representatives and the bare one-vote edge they have held in the state Senate.

Mills keeps House seat

Saviello keeps House seat

Knight re-elected in District 81

Gilbert wins House District 87 seat

Editorial
A trend toward gambling
This may sound strange, but in defeating Question 2, voters signaled support for casino gambling in Maine.

Credibility of major media melts away like early snow
More than the economy has melted down. What remains of big media credibility has also liquefied and won't recover anytime soon, if it ever does.

GOP's Summers concedes defeat in 1st District race
PORTLAND (AP) - Republican Charlie Summers congratulated Democrat Chellie Pingree Wednesday for her victory in their race for the open congressional seat in Maine's 1st District.

What's next for casino?
AUGUSTA - Gambling opponents said Wednesday that voters' refusal to allow a casino in Oxford County should close the door to more legalized gaming in Maine. But it looks like a safe bet that Mainers haven't heard their last gaming pitch.

Voters reject plan to close airport
BIDDEFORD (AP) - Voters in Biddeford have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that would have closed the city's airport.

Obama victory inspires Jenkins
AUBURN - Mayor John Jenkins won't forget there was a time in the nation's history when a black man might have been lynched for whistling at a white woman.

Collins thanks Lewiston backers at hot dog stand
LEWISTON - When Republican Sen. Susan Collins learned she had beaten her Democratic opponent Tom Allen in the heavily Democratic city of Lewiston, she said it was the "highlight of the evening."

MPBN
Governor Prepares Sobering Revenue Message

November 5, 2008 Reported By: A.J. Higgins

While Democratic leaders in the Maine House and Senate were celebrating expanded majorities as the result of yesterday's election, Gov. John Baldacci was preparing a sobering congratulatory message. State revenues are expected to dip sharply below projections over the winter and the Governor is now signalling his intention to cut current state spending by $150 million dollars over the next eight months. The situation is so critical, Gov. Baldacci may have to call the current legislature back into session within the next 30 days.


Mill Workers Anxious To Get Back On The Job

November 5, 2008 Reported By: Anne Ravana

The New York-based firm that purchased the Red Shield Environmental pulp mill in Old Town has announced it will put the 160 laid-off Red Shield employees back to work starting next week. Almost two weeks after the court-approved sale of Red Shield, Patriarch Partners closed on the deal on Tuesday and its CEO paid a visit to Governor Baldacci and mill managers on Wednesday.


Small Tech Company Proud Of Employee Healthcare Coverage

November 5, 2008 Reported By: Josie Huang

Elizabeth Harvey runs a small technology company in Portland's Old Port. She helps clients boost the rankings of their web sites on search engines like Google. It's a small operation with just five employees, but Harvey takes pride in the fact that she offers health coverage through the state's DirigoChoice insurance program.


Casino Backers May Look Elsewhere For Opportunity

November 5, 2008 Reported By: Tom Porter

The defeat yesterday of Question 2 - the proposed casino in Oxford County - has left the project's supporters rueing what they describe as a missed economic opportunity. Pat LaMarche, spokeswoman for Olympia Group of Las Vegas, which is the company behind the casino, says backers could now turn their attention to Maine's neighboring New England states.


Three Women And A Man To Represent Maine On Capitol Hill

November 5, 2008 Reported By: Keith McKeen

Democrat Chellie Pingree's victory over Republican Charlie Summers means Democrats continue to control Maine's first district congressional seat. But it also means that three fourths of Maine's congressional delegation will soon be women. That's a rarity on Capitol Hill.


Question One Wins

November 5, 2008 Reported By: Josie Huang

Maine voters overwhelmingly supported Question One and repealed a beverage tax passed by the legislature earlier this year. According to unofficial returns, Question One nabbed 64% of the vote with 78% of precincts reporting. The beverage tax would have gone toward funding Dirigo, a state-sponsored health insurance program. But those who called for the repeal said the issue was not about health care, but about Mainers' high tax burden.


Question Two Defeated

November 5, 2008 Reported By: Tom Porter

Perhaps the most hotly contested issue on the Maine ballot yesterday was Question 2 - the referendum proposal to allow a casino resort in Oxford county. The question was headed for defeat by a margin of 8% with 479 of 613 precincts reporting.


Collins Wins

November 5, 2008 Reported By: A.J. Higgins

What was supposed to be a closely fought Senate race ended in lopsided win for Republican incumbent Susan Collins who dealt a stunning defeat to her Democratic challenger, Congressman Tom Allen. According to unofficial returns from the Bangor Daily News, Collins captured 61% of the vote with 479 of 613 precincts reporting. Collins told MPBN's A.J. Higgins that she's looking forward to six more years in the U.S. Senate.


Pingree Wins

November 5, 2008 Reported By: Susan Sharon

The decision of first district Congressman Tom Allen to try to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins set off a political chain reaction in southern Maine more than 18 months ago. But by the time the dust from the June primary had settled, the contest left two former state senators to battle it out: Democrat Chellie Pingree and Republican Charlie Summers. Both are former state senators. Both got their start in small business. Both had sought higher office before and lost. Now it appears that Pingree is headed for Washington.


Michaud Wins

November 5, 2008 Reported By: Anne Ravana

Democratic incumbent Mike Michaud is returning to Washington to represent Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, handily defeating Republican challenger John Frary. This will be Michaud's fourth consecutive term.

Ellsworth American

An Incumbent and A Newcomer
ELLSWORTH — In two of the more closely watched races for the state House, incumbent Democrat Rob Eaton won another term in District 34, and Republican newcomer Brian Langley won the battle for District 38.

Incumbent State Senators Re-elected

ELLSWORTH — Incumbent state senators serving Hancock County enjoyed strong voter support in their bids for re-election.

Record Turnout
ELLSWORTH — Hancock County voters came out in force, casting nearly 32,500 votes in Tuesday’s general election and establishing a record turnout as 72 percent of the county’s registered voters cast ballots.

Voters Cork Beverage Tax


Maine Coast Memorial Hospital
This Week in Pictures
An Incumbent and A Newcomer
Election 2008
ELLSWORTH — In two of the more closely watched races for the state House, incumbent Democrat Rob Eaton won another term in District 34, and Republican newcomer Brian Langley won the battle for District 38.
Read more...
Incumbent State Senators Re-elected
Election 2008
ELLSWORTH — Incumbent state senators serving Hancock County enjoyed strong voter support in their bids for re-election.
Read more...
Record Turnout
Election 2008

County Vote In Line with State, Nation
ELLSWORTH — Hancock County voters came out in force, casting nearly 32,500 votes in Tuesday’s general election and establishing a record turnout as 72 percent of the county’s registered voters cast ballots.

Read more...


Voters Cork Beverage Tax
AUGUSTA — A new tax adopted in April by the Legislature was repealed by a vote of the people Tuesday, leaving the Dirigo Health insurance program to rely on its former funding method.

Democrats Control State Legislature
AUGUSTA — With votes still trickling in early Wednesday, Democratic and Republican leaders agreed that the majority of political power in the Maine House and Senate will remain with the Democrats.

City Sees Record Voter Turnout
ELLSWORTH — The city of Ellsworth mirrored Hancock County with a record number of residents voting in Tuesday’s election both by absentee ballot and at the polls.