Maine News for Thursday, August 28, 2008

Portland Press Herald
Allen urges change for next generations
The congressman from Maine is among four U.S. Senate candidates to address the convention.

Mental health crises defy police protocol
The Michael Norton case focuses attention on how police and hospitals respond to those who are suicidal.

Dechaine seeking new trial based on new DNA standard
A 2006 change in the law makes technological advances a basis for requesting a new trial.

Obama, Biden trumpet change on historic night
Reaching unprecedented ground – by acclamation – Obama and his running mate say it’s time to 'take back America.'

Blethen, Maine group end exclusive talks
Both sides say they still hope to come to terms on a sale, but other parties may now make offers for the newspapers.

Bloggers getting down to business
Companies large and small find that blogging can be a good way to do free marketing and connect with customers.

Editorial
Shift at agency doesn't change AIDS threat
Changing treatments led to the closing of Peabody House, but the epidemic remains.

DONALD A. GRANTBurying spent nuclear fuel would waste a resource worth billions
Recycling it instead would conserve energy, avoid more mining and help keep power plants going.

Letters
If McCain can't count houses, how can he be counted on?

Bangor Daily News

Grandson inspires Allen’s convention speech

DENVER — U.S. Senate candidate Tom Allen of Maine addressed the Democratic

Maine Internet speed increases, but U.S. lags

AUGUSTA, Maine — Over the past year, the speed of Internet access has

Mobile clinic for vets coming

Maine is among a half-dozen states selected to take part in a federal program

Union boss ‘Tired of being lied to’

MILLINOCKET, Maine — Multibillion dollar conglomerate Brookfield Asset

Maine Labor council decries union voting ads

BREWER, Maine — Calling them outright lies, officials from some of the region’s labor unions took aim Wednesday at a barrage of recent campaign advertisements claiming that the Employee Free Choice Act would take away workers’ right to a private ballot.

Collins campaign video released on Web site

BANGOR, Maine — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins released a re-election campaign video on her Web site Wednesday evening at about the same time her opponent, Rep. Tom Allen, was speaking at the National Democratic Convention in Denver.

Firm poised to open waste-to-energy plant

BAILEYVILLE, Maine — Baetal Corp. of Kennebunk is poised to open operations

Editorial

Save the American Dream

Preserving Frannie Mae and Freddy Mac is among the most important challenges that face this country.

Kennebec Journal

Maine Dems tout value of Tom Allen speech
U.S. Rep. Tom Allen invoked the future of his newborn grandson as he exhorted Democrats at the party's national convention in Denver to help improve the country for the benefit of succeeding generations.

Group ends negotiating status with Maine papers Maine Media principals say talks continue with Blethen Maine Newspapers' owners
Blethen Maine Newspapers and the investment group seeking to buy the company's properties have ended an agreement that gave the group exclusive negotiating rights.

ARSENIC STUDY IN SCHOOLS
Researchers are recruiting a new set of students from five Augusta-area towns to participate in a study evaluating what -- if any -- effect arsenic has on children's intellectual development.

Editorials:

Fishing line nearly silences one loon's song
But for the efforts of some goodhearted citizens on North Pond, the song of one lone loon was almost stilled this week.

THEODORA J. KALIKOW : The approaching winter will be our Hurricane Katrina
I didn't think I would be discussing energy anytime soon, since I just wrote a column about the issue. But then three things made me write more.

BUDDY DOYLE OF GARDINER : New administration must lead nation back to its finest values
The pre-eminent role of our government today should be to re-invent itself. There exists no confidence in government to accomplish much of anything. Witness Congress, currently vacationing. The solutions to our pressing issues -- the economy, global squabbling, employment, health care -- are futile if we fail to diffuse the bitterness and division. That's Job No. 1.

PAUL R. LEPAGE : Voters must elect strong leaders who will solve nation's problems
What should candidates be talking to us about this election?

Letters

American Dream not just for people earning $5M
I am hoping that the young adults of the U.S.A. think clearer than their older peers did during the last two elections, and they will vote for America.

'In my opinion,' McCain better suited to presidency
I thought this was an opinion page. I have sent you two letters expressing my opinion about Barack Obama and you won't print them because of unverifiable allegations. I didn't write anything that hasn't already been said on the Internet or TV or even in the newspapers.

Nader would discuss serious, important issues
It's fashionable once again for disgruntled Democrats to ridicule Ralph Nader's candidacy for president. The Kennebec Journal has weighed in with an especially vitriolic editorial (Aug. 18), accusing him of abusing the voters and making a mockery of the electoral process.

Sun Journal
Workshop eyes ways to weather winter
JAY - Legislative concern that people will have a hard time finding the resources to keep their homes heated this winter prompted an energy conservation workshop Wednesday at Jay High School.

After 22 years in mill, it's a shock
LIVERMORE FALLS - Kenny Smith didn't expect to be on the layoff list at the Wausau Paper mill after 22 years with the company.

During roll call, Maine delegation favors Obama, but 8 vote for Clinton
Maine's delegation gave 24 votes to Barack Obama and 8 votes to Hillary Clinton as the presidential nomination roll call was held at the Democratic National Convention.

Former mayor sues over MERC stench
SACO (AP) - Former Saco Mayor Mark Johnston is suing Maine Energy Recovery Co. over odors emitted from the trash-to-energy incinerator across the border in Biddeford.

Maine lawmakers endorse Obama
AUGUSTA (AP) - Present and former leaders of the Maine Legislature are pledging their support for Barack Obama, who will become the Democrats' nominee for president this week.

Maine attorney general warns of Visa scam
AUGUSTA (AP) - Maine's attorney general is alerting people about a scam in which people receive phone messages warning that they've reached the credit limit on their Visa cards.

No injuries reported at BIW fire
BATH (AP) - Officials say no one was hurt when a fire broke out on the roof of a building at Bath Iron Works.

Editorial
Getting a chill from the Almanac
On its Web site, the Farmers' Almanac keeps a running tally of when its predictions have turned into realities:

Biden's record suggests discord with Obama
DENVER - In selecting Sen. Joseph Biden as his running mate, Barack Obama gains some needed foreign policy expertise, but loses some credibility. If Washington is as bad as these two say it is, was Biden a contributor or an enabler during his six Senate terms? If 36 years in the Senate doesn't make you an "insider" and part of the problem, what does?

Letters
Defending unions?
I was struck with total disbelief when I saw the anti-union, anti-Allen ads being run so frequently on local television. Was I really being told that the Republicans and Sen. Susan Collins were defending unions? Surely everyone remembers the Reagan union-busting and the Republican anti-union positions of the last century. Was this a new, changed stance?

MPBN
Former Saco Mayor Sues MERC Over Foul Odor

The former mayor of Saco wants to eliminate the stench that he says has been plaguing residents of Saco and Biddeford for decades. Mark Johnston has filed suit in York County Superior Court against the Maine Energy Recovery Company and its downtown Biddeford trash incinerator for being a habitual nuisance under Maine law. The company has a 24-hour-a-day hotline to respond to odor complaints, but, as Keith McKeen reports, some local residents say that's not enough.

Program For Cancer Prevention Fails For Lack of Funding

A last-ditch effort by the 123rd Legislature to launch a cancer prevention program has failed after lawmakers were unable to find a source of funding to get the project off the ground. However, the goal of raising awareness and providing improved cancer screening will continue in the next legislative session, according to one lawmaker who wants to remove Maine from its ranking as the state with the highest per capita cancer rate in the nation. As A.J. Higgins reports, proponents of the plan insist the state must make cancer prevention a priority.

Labor Leader Blasts Anti-Union Ad Campaign

As most Maine television viewers, radio listeners and newspaper readers know, an intense advertising campaign is underway to draw opposition to the so-called "Employee Free Choice Act". The ads depict union bosses bullying workers and imply the act would take away workers' right to private ballot elections. The Eastern Maine Labor Council is speaking out against the ads, claiming they are the product of a corporate campaign aimed at keeping workers from unionizing and having any say in workplace decisions.

PolitickerME
Allen: We need change for the next generation

Maine News for Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Portland Press Herald
TV ad aims for repeal of Dirigo beverage tax
Taxing soda, flavored water, beer and wine isn't the way to fund a health program, a business coalition says.

City may make smokers wait till later to light up
Portland's proposal would restrict the hours when smoking is allowed on outdoor restaurant patios.

Maine delegates pitch unity at convention, see more to be done
They cite the wisdom of having both Clintons speak at the gathering.

It 'must be' Obama
Hillary Clinton urges her reluctant supporters to unite behind her onetime rival for president.

For bankruptcy filers, catching up can take decades
A study finds the fresh start comes with a price: many years of trailing their counterparts financially.

Katahdin's Millinocket mill to close about Sept. 2

Editorial

Old slur shouldn't be new name in Scarborough
The town got rid of an offensive nickname for its school sports teams for good reason.

Protesters have a right to be heard, but not to disrupt
A designated protest zone at the Democratic National Convention may be too far away.

CHARLES PRIESTTroops can see Obama's the candidate who supports them better
The Democratic candidate's proposals do more for active-duty service members and vets.

Letters
Obama can and will bring change

Are we all supposed to pay for everything for everyone?

Bangor Daily News

Panel: Election funds misused

AUGUSTA, Maine — A Princeton man running as an independent candidate for the

Updated 8:42AM

Maine assisted living benefits cut

AUGUSTA, Maine — State funding cuts that affect about 120 assisted living

Katahdin mill to shut down Sept. 2
MILLINOCKET — The Katahdin Paper Co. LLC mill will be shutting down

Feds start probe into park ranger brutality claim
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK — The National Park Service has begun its investigation

Editorial
Nomination Failure Lawmakers shortchanged the public last week by quickly dismissing two qualified

How Old Is Old Enough?
Vehicle crashes are the top killer of teens and young adults. Raising the driving age to 21 and launching new drivers by simply handing them the keys without prior

Pat LaMarche: Feminists: get used to ‘biden’ your tongues Some day I am going to publish my own dictionary. It’s going to have words

Kennebec Journal
OPENING SALVO: Maine beverage tax foes hit airwaves
Fed Up With Taxes group takes swing at new law with TV ad for Question 1

Study: Mainers lost out during recent recovery
AUGUSTA -- Mainers were more likely to be poor last year than when the last recession bottomed out in 2001, according to Census Bureau data released Tuesday.

GARDINER: Business park growth hailed
GARDINER -- City officials on Thursday will celebrate the expansion of Libby Hill Business Park with a ground-breaking ceremony.

State, breeder spar over kennel search
WISCASSET -- A judge has yet to rule if a search warrant executed in January at a Somerville woman's home -- resulting in the seizure of 66 animals -- was supported by enough evidence.

On Maine Politics

Beverage tax foes air ad

Editorials:

School merger progress wends slowly forward
As school officials continue to make swerving progress through the state-mandated consolidation process, one thing's become increasingly clear: Maine's small towns love their local schools, believe in them in many cases and don't want to lose them.

GEORGE SMITH : TV ads make trivial issues important and vice versa
Bet you wish Maine voted in September, as we did back in the day when we could brag, "As Maine goes, so goes the nation."

ALEC CAMPBELL : Valid arguments for legal drinking age to be 18
Legal drinking ages are formally set by individual states but the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 penalizes states with drinking ages lower than 21 by reducing their federal highway appropriations. This has effectively made 21 the national drinking age.

Letters to the Editor:

It's not good looks, but good brains we need
In regards to the letter from Frank Slason of Somerville, "Obama has one quality that will get him elected," (Aug. 13), I know lots of people say I will do this to help the American people -- but, it is only words no action, to get in the big white house and make sure he has a home for at least four years. But food and heat for us in Maine are out of reach.

Genetically engineered food part of larger plan
Many of us oppose genetically engineered foods. Looking beyond the official corporate and government press releases, studies show major decreases in health where these foods have been allowed on the market, increased food allergies, a dramatic increase in pesticide and herbicide use, sickness and death in lab animals, destruction of small farm agriculture, as well as new diseases like Morgellon's Disease.

'People's charter' work protects public petitions
The 2008 Augusta Charter Commission has completed its review.

Richmond tax shift will destroy rural character
The town of Richmond has recently re-valued its properties and, for some reason, the selectmen/assessors/overseers have decided to place a high proportionate value on rural open land.

Sun Journal
Maine delegates push party unity
Prominent Mainers attending the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday played down questions of party unity as delegates waited to see how long it takes for Hillary Rodham Clinton delegates and supporters to get behind presumptive presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Candidate to repay money
AUGUSTA (AP) - A Maine Senate candidate has been ordered to repay $2,000 to the Maine Clean Election Act fund for purchases made with public money.

No charges in assault over cell bill
PORTLAND (AP) - Prosecutors have decided against pursuing criminal charges against a Maine lawyer who flew into a rage and spanked his 20-year-old daughter in part over a $5,000 cell phone bill.

Millinocket mill closing next week
MILLINOCKET (AP) - Maine elected leaders say the Katahdin Paper mill in Millinocket will be closing its doors on or around Sept. 2. The mill previously set a July 28 shut-down date, but later said that date would be pushed back.

Buoy network has funding shortfall
PORTLAND (AP) - A network of weather buoys that gives weather forecasters, scientists and mariners detailed information about conditions from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia is in jeopardy because of a funding shortfall.

Cuts sting assisted living facilities
The state has slashed the money it pays to assisted living facilities to hold beds for residents who are in the hospital or away getting rehab. And when residents leave for reasons that aren't medical - say to visit family for a week - the state won't pay to hold their bed at all.

MPBN
Dechaine To Seek New Trial Based On DNA Evidence

The attorney for Maine's most famous child murderer says he plans to file a motion this week asking for a new trial. Steve Peterson says he'll make the request on behalf of Dennis Dechaine who is serving a life sentence for the 1988 murder of 12-year-old Sara Cherry. As Susan Sharon reports, under a new post-conviction statute in Maine...Dechaine and other prisoners who want to introduce DNA evidence that they think could exonerate them must do so by the beginning of next week.

UMaine To Host Conference On HIV/AIDS In People Over 50

Next month the University of Maine School of Social Work will host a conference on HIV and AIDs in the older adult population. According to the organizers of the event, within the next decade, about half of U.S. residents with HIV/AIDS will be over 50. Anne Ravana reports on what the state views as an urgent need to get people in that demographic tested for the virus.

Maine Schools Turn To Zipcar Program

Bowdoin College is the latest Maine school to sign on to the ZipCar sharing service this year. The Brunswick institution joins, Colby and the University of New England in following the lead of Bates College which adopted Zipcar last year. The company bills its service as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to the challenges of having a car on campus, Keith McKeen reports.

PolitickerME
Dean: Susan Collins = Lincoln Chafee

AFL-CIO Blasts Collins

It’s no surprise the Allen/Collins race is getting bloody and starting early.

Baldacci: Ditch the caucuses

Michaud talks taxes, Senate race at delegate breakfast

Maine News for Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Portland Press Herald
NOAA unveils rule to protect right whales
The regulation includes a large-vessel speed limit of 10 knots in designated waters off the East Coast.

WMTW decides not to air entire video
The fatal confrontation is too graphic to be shown to viewers, the station says.

Stripers really are the ones that got away this year
The bass lingered south of Maine, frustrating fishermen who yearly spend up to $30 million here.

Kennedy: Hope rises again
The ailing senator and the candidate's wife, Michelle, open the convention with a call for change – Obama.

Clean Election candidate ordered to repay $2,000
A truck cap, roof rack and GPS are deemed personal, not campaign-related.

Northeast homes sales dismal
In Maine, out-of-state buyers are sparse, locals are worrying about oil, and foreclosure filings double.

Wausau Paper to eliminate 150 jobs in Maine

Editorial

Choice of Biden doesn’t help, hurt Obama much
A known entity, Biden will appeal to blue-collar Democrats but may say something to regret.

JONATHAN BEAL'Card-check' a necessary defense against union-busting, bullying bosses
The opposition to it by corporate voices makes sense, once you see it takes away their power.

Letters
Collins voiced views of many

Laws don't make people responsible about drinking

Maine seat belt, helmet laws make no sense whatsoever

Bangor Daily News

Maine Dems gather in Colo.

DENVER — The state’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention being held here this week arrived over the weekend and prepared for one of the most highly anticipated Democratic conventions in recent memory.

Cashman: Reading a priority at PUC

AUGUSTA, Maine — Within minutes of his swearing-in ceremony last week, Jack Cashman was on the job as the third member of the state Public Utilities Commission. “I have a lot of reading to do, a lot of reading,” he said in an interview. “There are a tremendous number of important issues before the PUC.”

Allen slated to speak at convention

DENVER, Maine — Rep. Tom Allen, who is challenging Sen. Susan Collins for her

LIHEAP inquiries flooding agency

ELLSWORTH, Maine — Anyone calling the Washington Hancock Community Agency

Editorial

Dissecting Biden

The choice of longtime Sen. Joe Biden as Sen. Barack Obama’s running mate sends a wide range of signals. Whether those signals harmonize with or …

ClickBack on Folk Fest

This week, ClickBack focuses on the American Folk Festival, presidential politics and tidal power.

Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA Developer seeks tax break
AUGUSTA -- A proposed 20-year deal discussed by the City Council Monday would give the developer of the Central Maine Commerce Center a tax break worth $56,000 or more a year while giving the city several road improvements, new jobs and a development that might not happen otherwise.

SENATE HOPEFUL COMES 'CLEAN'
AUGUSTA -- The state ethics commission voted Monday to require a state Senate candidate to reimburse the Maine Clean Election Act fund more than $2,000 for a series of purchases made using public money.

Independent, former Democrat, rallying Mainers for McCain
AUGUSTA -- Rep. Tom Saviello stood on the Statehouse steps Monday to say he's leading a new group called Maine Citizens for McCain.

New students welcomed in their first day at UMA
AUGUSTA -- Addison Lewis is not your typical first-year college student.

Dems in Denver

Denver arrival

On Maine Politics

News from Collins, Dobson, Saviello

Editorials:

Biden won't help with votes, but his bite's an asset
A presidential candidate's selection of a running mate is supposed to tell us something about the candidate.

CRAIG HICKMAN OF WINTHROP : Bad cold not the best way to start Democratic convention
Editor's note: The writer submitted this column on Monday morning, before the convention actually began.

DAVID B. OFFER : Air Force generals get cushy digs 'befitting their rank'
The next time you squeeze into a airplane's seat with about two inches of legroom, sit back (if you can) and wish you were an Air Force general.

Sun Journal
Energy workshop set for Jay
JAY - People are invited to an energy conservation workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Jay High School library.

Otis mill to cut jobs
JAY - Citing the price of oil and other rising costs, Wausau Paper announced Monday that it would permanently shut down one of its two Otis mill paper machines by the end of the year and lay off approximately 146 of the mill's 235 workers.

Jay assessing weighs mill shutdown's effect on tax rate
JAY - Town Manager Ruth Marden told selectmen Monday she would know more Tuesday about the impact on the tax base when Wausau Paper permanently shuts down one of its two paper machines this fall.

Collins kicks off campaign bus tour
BANGOR (AP) - Sen. Susan Collins' campaign has hit the road on a bus tour that will take her across all parts of Maine in the weeks ahead.

Saviello heads state 'Citizens for McCain'
AUGUSTA - State Rep. Tom Saviello, U-Wilton, announced Monday that he is chairing Citizens for McCain campaign in Maine, part of a national effort to attract support among Democrats and Independents for U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

Editorial
Bethel has misread law on drug seizures
The ability to seize assets of drug traffickers is lucrative for police, justified by the simple, eye-for-an-eye principle of using forfeited drug proceeds to support drug investigations.

Gender had little to do with Clinton's defeat
There's nothing mellow about Hillary Clinton. She's the greatest polarizer since Richard Nixon. Her defenders are fierce, her detractors ferocious. It's not because she's a woman that she's "the might have been" as Democrats hold their convention in Denver, it's because of the kind of woman she is.

Letters
Keeping the peace
All voting should be private.

Based on research?
One hundred college presidents support lowering the legal age for drinking to 18 "based on research."

MPBN
Funding Cutback Hits Assisted Living Facilities

About 120 assisted living facilities that care for 4,000 needy Mainers are preparing for an uncertain financial future as they absorb yet another state funding cutback. The money was formerly paid to living center operators to ensure that residents who require hospitalization for an extended period of time would not lose their nursing home beds. The reimbursement from the state Department of Health and Human Services ended August 1st and presents a new obstacle for the care providers who are already coping with skyrocketing food and fuel costs.

Maine Convention Delegates Focus on Unity

The Democratic National Convention opened officially today in Denver, Colorado. Gathering for breakfast this morning at their downtown hotel were Maine's 31 delegates and super-delegates--some of whom are still pledged to Senator Hillary Clinton. Despite that, the delegates aren't focusing on rifts--they're talking about unity. From Denver, Barbara Cariddi has this report.

School Lunch Prices to Rise

With students returning to school next week, the state today released income guidelines for the reduced-price and free student meal programs. Given the nation's troubled economy, Maine public schools anticipate an increase in parents applying for the programs on behalf of their children. And with rising food costs, the prices of meals are on the rise. Many schools are hoping teachers and students who buy breakfast and lunch won't mind paying a bit more this year, and that the federally-assisted school meal program will keep up with the rising costs.

Maine Climatologist Heading For the Arctic Circle

While many Mainers are trying to get the most out of the all-too-brief summer we have up here in Northern New England, one Maine-based scientist has chosen to spend a month at one of the coldest places on earth. Dr Paty Matrai from the Bigelow Laboratories in West Boothbay is currently aboard the ice-breaker Oden, leading an international climate study team - and avoiding polar bears! She took time out of her busy schedule earlier today to talk with Tom Porter via satellite phone about the expedition.

PolitickerME
Maine delegation: First gathering