Governor LePage Calls on Leadership to Help Lower Energy Prices

Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

Verso announces 300 job losses in Jay mill, cites energy costs, taxes

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage sent a second letter Friday to legislative leadership calling for action to reform Maine’s obsolete and costly energy policies. The letter was prompted by an announcement from Verso about the loss of 300 jobs at its Jay paper mill.

Governor LePage sent a letter to leadership Thursday regarding the recent closure of Franklin Fueling Systems Saco facility, which outlined concerns about expensive energy and electricity prices in Maine. Both companies cited energy costs as a barrier to operating in the State.

“The announcement today that Verso Paper Company will shut down two machines in Jay and lay off approximately 300 Mainers is extremely troubling and disappointing—but not surprising,” wrote Governor LePage. “I have said over and over during nearly five years as Governor that we must make Maine more competitive and that capital investment goes where it’s welcomed and stays where it’s appreciated. Every decision I make as Governor attempts to make Maine more competitive. Unfortunately, too many legislators can’t say the same. Their strict adherence to the status quo will surely result in the loss of more jobs.”

The Governor’s Energy Office continues to collaborate with other New England States to build cost-effective energy infrastructure that reduces energy prices. “We are in partnership with four other New England states working to facilitate additional energy infrastructure to expand natural gas and hydropower into the region,” said Patrick Woodcock director of the Governor’s Energy Office. “The Administration has also proposed significant energy legislation to modernize and lower the cost of state policies that were put in place years ago. We should move forward with bold energy legislation rather than status quo policies that are simply adding costs to employers and not delivering results.”

Governor LePage last session introduced three bills to lower the cost of energy for Maine’s businesses. These included the following: •“An Act to Reduce Electric Rates for Maine Businesses.” The legislation would refund a portion of the pollution auction collected under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) back to ratepayers. Specifically, starting in July 2015, 55 percent of funds collected under RGGI (approximately $5.7 million in FY 2014) would be returned directly to business ratepayers, thus lowering their electricity rates. The Legislature carried over this legislation until the next session.

• “An Act to Improve Natural Gas Price Competitiveness for Maine’s Manufacturers.” The bill authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to aid large natural gas users in obtaining adequate natural gas supplies at a reasonable cost. Utilizing the PUC’s existing authority to contract for natural gas capacity, this bill would permit large natural gas users to contract for their own supplies, using the state’s transmission and distribution utilities as the creditworthy ‘backstop’ for the supply contract. The Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee voted against this bill in June.
• “An Act to Focus Energy Laws on Energy Cost.” The bill takes several actions to reduce energy costs for Mainers. The legislation authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to encourage aggregation of distributed generation (i.e., energy produced near where it is used), thus capturing the benefits of such generation for ratepayers. The bill also makes several changes to the state’s complex renewable energy policies, to encourage procuring clean energy sources at a lower cost. The bill changes the state’s long term contracting authority to focus on lower cost projects, and it eliminates both the net energy billing program and the state’s renewable portfolio standard. All ratepayers pay for these subsidy programs, but at current pricing is doing little to encourage development of cost-effective renewable energy. The Senate passed this legislation, but the House voted against the legislation in June.

In May, Governor LePage testified before the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Energy and Power in support of a bill to speed the federal permitting process and lower energy costs across our nation.

The draft legislation aims to improve the permitting of interstate natural gas pipelines, along with a draft bill to reduce the regulatory burdens on hydropower production. Governor LePage spoke about how the process must be modernized and the hydropower licensing process improved to make it more efficient and transparent, while continuing to uphold environmental protections.

“Natural gas and hydropower are ready to power our idle mills. I appreciate the work that this Committee is doing to bring rationality to the federal permitting process,” said Governor LePage at the hearing. “I encourage the Committee to adopt these modest bills and to continue the work to accelerate the energy infrastructure projects that can bring additional prosperity to Maine and the rest of the country.”

Nurse Practitioner Joins Franklin Health Behavioral Services

Has advanced nursing experience in behavioral health

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Suzanne Alexis, NP, has joined the staff of Franklin Health Behavioral Services. Other providers in the practice include psychiatrist Arthur Dingley, DO; nurse practitioner Rebecca Chandler, APRN; and social worker Deborah Clague, LCSW.

Franklin Health Behavioral Services is located in the Mt. Blue Health Center next to Franklin Memorial Hospital, and offers a continuum of care in the areas of mental health and medication management. Outpatient services are also provided at the Androscoggin Valley Medical Arts Center on Main Street in Livermore Falls.

In her new position, Alexis will be responsible for psychiatric assessments and evaluations of adolescents and adults, medication management, and therapeutic mental health counseling. She will provide services in Farmington.

Alexis is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who received her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Southern Maine. While there, she completed two long-term clinical practicums with Maine Behavioral Healthcare in Biddeford and Springvale providing advanced psychiatric mental health care for individuals of all ages, as well as families.

Before going to graduate school Alexis served as a children’s targeted case manager at Maine Behavioral Healthcare in Portland for four years. While there she received commendation for excellence in collaboration with the legal system for youth in drug court.

For more information or to make an appointment call 778-0035.

Physician Assistant Joins Livermore Falls Family Practice

Has 14 years patient care experience

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Physician assistant Lenia Coates, PA-C, has joined the Franklin Memorial Hospital medical staff as a provider at Franklin Health Livermore Falls Family Practice. Other providers in the practice are Heidi Decker, MD, and Mary Dunlap, FNP.

Coates has 14 years experience as a physician assistant providing care for patients since 2001. Most recently, she provided pediatric and adult emergency medicine at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida, treating a wide variety of acute illnesses.

Coates received her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.

Coates and her husband Steven have purchased a home in Livermore Falls where they will reside with their three daughters, ages 12, 10, and one-and-a-half.

Franklin Health Livermore Falls Family Practice is located in the Androscoggin Valley Medical Arts Center at 21 Main Street in Livermore Falls, where patients can also access outpatient specialty care, and laboratory and imaging services.

For appointments, call 897-6601.

Drug Crisis Summit Participants Announced

August 18, 2015

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

Top officials will meet to discuss resources and take action

AUGUSTA – The list of participants who are attending the Drug Crisis Summit held by Governor Paul R. LePage on Wednesday, August 26 is now available. The group, which will discuss public safety strategies to address the deadly drug epidemic facing Maine, consists of top officials from state, local and federal law enforcement agencies and the justice system, as well as addiction treatment and recovery advocates.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Morris released the list Tuesday morning, which includes U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty; Chief Justice Leigh Saufley; Attorney General Janet Mills; and State Emergency Medical Services Medical Director Dr. Matt Shool.

“We must identify how to best utilize the scarce resources available to combat Maine’s heroin crisis,” said Governor LePage. “I am very impressed by the group of individuals who will be at the table, and I anticipate an exchange of information that will help us find solutions to improve the health and safety of all Mainers.”

In recent years, the influx of illicit drugs into the state has risen in Maine, specifically heroin. More than 200 Mainers in 2014 died as a result of drug overdoses. The call to action and convening of the summit by Governor LePage came immediately after learning about 14 heroin overdoses in Portland, all of which occurred in a 24-hour period.

"Heroin has hit Maine hard and now we're starting to see an evolution of heroin,” said Commissioner Morris. “Initially, we were seeing heroin and fentanyl mixed together, but we are now finding many more cases of fentanyl alone. It's a lot cheaper to produce than heroin. We must identify specific problem areas and seek solutions before we lose more lives."

The list of participants includes the following:

Governor – Paul R. LePage
U.S. Attorney – Thomas Delahanty
Chief Justice – Leigh Saufley
Attorney General – Janet Mills
State EMS Medical Director – Dr. Matt Shool
Commissioner Public Safety – John Morris
Commissioner DHHS – Mary Mayhew
U.S. Marshal – Noel March
DEA SAC New England – Michael Ferguson
Executive Director MCOP – Robert Swartz
President Maine Sheriffs – Sheriff Joel Merry
President Maine DA’s -Stephanie Anderson
Portland Police Chief – Michael Sauschuck
Chief Customs & Border Patrol – Daniel Hiebert
Colonel State Police – Robert Williams
Colonel Warden Service – Joel Wilkinson
Colonel Marine Patrol – Jon Cornish
Maine Drug Enforcement – Roy McKinney
Medical Examiner’s Office – Dr. Marcella Sorg
Maine National Guard – Brigadier General Gerald Bolduc
President Acadia Hospital – Daniel Coffey
Chairman Bangor Area Recovery Network – Bruce Campbell
Chief Medical Officer Maine General Hospital – Dr. Steve Diaz

Blaine House Executive Chef to Represent Maine at Great American Seafood Cook-off

August 6, 2015

For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 6, 2015
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

Blaine House Executive Chef to Represent Maine at Great American Seafood Cook-off

AUGUSTA – Blaine House Executive Chef Chris Hart will represent Maine in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off on Saturday, August 8 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

The competition, hosted by Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, will be streamed live at GreatAmericanSeafoodCookOff.com. Chef Hart is one of 12 chefs from around the country competing for the highly coveted title of America’s Best Seafood Chef.

“I’m extremely honored to be able to represent Maine and am looking forward to the competition,” Hart said. “It’s a great opportunity to really showcase Maine lobster, which has become a culinary icon that symbolizes the very essence of Maine – cold, pristine waters, a rugged coast, premium products, independent, hard-working fishermen and a legacy of sustainable harvesting practices that reaches back more than 400 years.”

Chef Hart came to the Blaine House from the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, where he was the banquet chef for two years before his promotion to executive chef and food and beverage manager. In September 2011, he was recruited by Maine’s First Family to be executive chef at the Blaine House.

“In addition to being an excellent chef, Chris is a terrific guy,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “Whether he is making a sandwich or preparing a formal dinner for dozens, his culinary talent really comes through. I had the privilege of tasting the dish he will prepare at the Seafood Cook-off, and I’m sure it will be a winner. In fact, I was hoping for a final tasting before he takes off for New Orleans.”

Judges for this year’s contest include Brooke Bell, editor of “Taste of the South” and editorial director of “Louisiana Cookin’”; Steve Green, founder and CEO of #Foodiechats; Anne E. McBride, culinary program and editorial director for strategic initiatives at The Culinary Institute of America; Barton Seaver, director of the Healthy and Sustainable Food program at the Center for Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Chef Rick Tramonto, executive chef and founding partner of Tru in Chicago; and Chef Wesley True, returning to the Cook-Off after winning second place in 2010.

Each chef will have one hour to create and plate his dish. America’s Best Seafood Chef 2015 will be announced at 4:50 p.m.

The Cook-Off is dedicated to promoting sustainable and domestic fisheries and is produced in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Whole Foods Market, Southwest Cargo, Taste of the South and Tabasco.

Statement of Governor LePage on Supreme Judicial Court Decision

August 6, 2015

For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 06, 2015
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today released the following statement with regard to the Opinion of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court:

“This was not about winning or losing; it was about doing things right,” said the Governor. “We are fortunate to be able to seek legal opinions from the Judicial Branch, and we’re thankful the Justices came to a fast and fair resolution to this issue. We look forward to moving on and continuing to work for the Maine people.”

From the very beginning of this issue, the Governor has been focused on following the mandates of the Maine Constitution. In reading the Constitution’s plain language, the Governor concluded that under the circumstances, the three-day veto procedure was triggered, giving more time than usual to return vetoes. The Legislature disagreed.

Since the law was not settled and the answers were not known, the Governor sought guidance from the Supreme Court Justices.

Governor LePage to Convene Experts to Address Maine’s Drug Crisis

August 5, 2015

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

Top officials will meet to discuss resources and take action

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage will convene in August a group of top officials from state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, addiction treatment and recovery advocates and other experts and professionals to address the deadly drug epidemic facing Maine. The call to action by Governor LePage came immediately after learning about 14 heroin overdoses in Portland, all of which occurred in a 24-hour period of time.

Governor LePage will hold a summit later this month with a variety of experts from state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies, substance abuse treatment centers, the medical community and others to focus on ways to make an impact in the fight against heroin trafficking and addiction in Maine.

In a letter sent Wednesday to Legislative leadership, Governor LePage urges lawmakers to reconsider allocating funding for much needed resources to combat the State’s drug problem. “The national and state media is finally paying attention to Maine’s drug crisis, and we are hearing stories on a daily basis about overdoses from heroin and other opiates. You must take action now to stop the flow of this deadly poison into our state,” he wrote.

The original biennial budget submitted by Governor LePage included funding for 4 new District Court Judges within the Judicial Branch, 7 Investigative Agents in the Department of Public Safety and 4 Assistant Attorney General positions within the Office of the Attorney General. The Legislature provided only half of those resources.

“How many more Mainers must die before you commit the resources we need to fight this drug epidemic? Deaths from heroin quadrupled from seven in 2011 to 28 in 2012, then went up to 34 in 2013 and surged to 57 last year. Even more alarming is the rising number of overdose deaths involving fentanyl, which is 40 times stronger than heroin and is often combined with heroin without the user’s knowledge. Fentanyl-related deaths have increased dramatically from 9 to 43 from 2011 to 2014,” stated Governor LePage in the letter.

Funding for these critical positions is needed to combat the increased threat to health and public safety of Mainers. Adequate resources within law enforcement and the judicial branch, combined with treatment and recovery, will help prevent and treat the devastating effects deadly drugs, especially heroin, has on thousands of families and individuals in Maine.

Franklin Health Stress Reduction Program Starting Sept. 3

Participants will learn to apply mindfulness practice to stressors

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Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) is once again offering its intensive nine-session stress reduction program that is designed to teach participants scientifically proven practical skills to reduce stress and improve overall health and happiness. This fall’s program instructor is Dr. Kathleen Hickey.

“The course is designed for adults and the skills gained will help participants apply mindfulness practice to the many life stressors in everyday life,” said Dr. Kathleen Hickey. “Mindfulness means being completely in touch with the present moment in a non judgmental fashion. Several formal mindfulness practices will be taught including very basic yoga; however, no prior experience with yoga is necessary to take the class.”

The course is consists of eight consecutive 2.5–3 hour sessions and includes an all-day retreat on Saturday, October 24. Participants should be committed to performing one hour of daily practice and homework to learn and practice mindfulness meditation, Hatha yoga, and body scan.

“This course has been incredibly worthwhile for me and would highly recommend it,” a past participant stated. “I really loved this program and looked forward to participating weekly. I have grown to love and look forward to my daily meditation session as I recognize it as a tool to manage my crazy day.”

Anyone interested in the program is asked to preregister and complete the prescreening form that is available from the FMH Education Department by calling 779-2381. A mandatory orientation session is taking place on Thursday, September 3 at 6 p.m. in the hospital’s Bass Room. After attending the orientation, participants can decide if they would like to move forward with the complete course. Payment will be due at that time for those who wish to continue.

The cost of the program is based on a sliding scale fee according to household income. Scholarships are available to help defray costs. For additional information or to register contact the FMH Education Department by calling 779-2381.

Dr. Peter Ameglio Joins Franklin Health Orthopaedics

Is an experienced physician with strong people skills

Farmington¾

Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) introduces Peter Ameglio, MD, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who joins Franklin Health Orthopaedics and Franklin Memorial Hospital in mid-August.

Dr. Ameglio completed his medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and his four-year orthopaedic residency at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, both in Bronx, New York. That was followed by a yearlong Foot and Ankle Fellowship at Portland Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center in South Portland, Maine.

Dr. Ameglio has 15 years experience in general orthopaedics, including sports medicine and joint replacements. Most recently Dr. Ameglio provided care in Brunswick at Coastal Orthopaedics. 

“We are very pleased to have Dr. Ameglio join us to meet the orthopaedic needs of our community, including orthopaedic surgery. He is an experienced physician with strong people skills, who will be a great addition to Franklin Memorial Hospital’s outstanding medical staff,” said Rebecca Arsenault, FMH CEO and president.

Franklin Health Orthopaedics, which also provides podiatry and sports medicine services, is located on the second floor of the Franklin Health Medical Arts

 FMH to Destroy Certain X-ray Films

Patients may request to keep films

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Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) announces that it will begin destroying x-ray films of patients who were born before 1980 and who haven’t had an x-ray performed at Franklin Community Health Network since 2008.

Maine law requires that hospital x-ray films be retained in the original or electronic form for five years, or in the case of a minor, five years past the age of majority. After that time, films may be presented to the patient or destroyed. Written x-ray reports, however, are retained permanently in the patient’s medical record.

According to Linda Dunham in Diagnostic Services, “The destroyed films will also include mammogram films in those women who haven’t had a mammogram here since 2004.”

“Public notification is a medical record regulation,” said Dunham. “Previously films were destroyed without notification, so many films done prior to 2000 at Franklin Community Health Network may have already been destroyed. The affected films include those produced at Franklin Memorial Hospital, FMH Outpatient Services in Livermore Falls, Franklin Orthopaedics, and Rangeley Region Physical Rehabilitation.

In August, a company specializing in disposing of confidential information will be at Franklin Memorial Hospital to destroy the films.

Anyone wanting to retain his or her x-ray films should leave a message at 779-2105 or 1-800-398-6031, ext. 2105.