Volunteer Completes FMH Chaplaincy Training Program

Provide pastoral care and support for patients and their families

FARMINGTON, MAINE¾

The Chaplaincy Program at Franklin Memorial Hospital welcomed its newest volunteer, Linda Fournier of Jay, in a ceremony held at the hospital chapel on July 9. Fournier joins ten other trained volunteers who visit with patients and family members weekly under the direction of hospital staff chaplains.

To qualify, Fournier completed a 100-hour training program of instruction and supervised visiting, under the direction of Staff Chaplains Rev. Douglas Allan Dunlap and Rev. Tim Walmer. The chaplaincy volunteer training includes studies on topics such as ethics, religious traditions, communications skills, prayer with patients, family support, and supervised visiting.

Fournier brings to the chaplaincy program prior experience as a licensed social worker and in serving people with disabilities and those in hospice care.

In addition to Franklin Memorial Hospital, Fournier volunteers in the community in many capacities, including assistance with the winter Warming Centers project of Farmington area churches. She is a member of Old South Church, United Church of Christ, in Farmington.

For additional information on the chaplaincy volunteer program call 779-2509. Inquiries are welcome from people of all religious traditions.

Governor LePage Urges Mainers to Stay Safe After Flooding, Power Outages from Powerful Storm

August 14, 2014

AUGUSTA – With record rainfall in Portland, thousands of Mainers without power and widespread flooding of roads due to powerful thunderstorms, Governor Paul R. LePage is urging Mainers to stay safe and praising the response of public safety agencies.

“The thunderstorms came down hard, the flood waters rose fast and many lost power,” Governor LePage said. “The rain has stopped, the waters have receded and power is being restored. Damage reports so far have been minimal, but we are urging Mainers to stay safe and take all precautions when dealing with flooded basements and roads, as well as any downed power lines.”

The Governor has cleared his schedule for Thursday so he can keep informed of any areas that have been hard hit and provide the necessary response.

“Local police, fire and emergency agencies in the larger municipalities have done a terrific job responding to this quick-moving and powerful storm,” Governor LePage said. “The Maine Emergency Management Agency has monitored the situation statewide, and we are prepared to use whatever state resources are needed to assist Mainers in need.”

The flooding of roads and low-lying areas overnight left about 6,500 Mainers without power. Portland got more than six inches of rain, with more than four inches falling in just two hours Wednesday nightundefinedbreaking the previous record rainfall set in 2004.

Many roads were closed due to the rising water, and there were some minor precautionary evacuations, but most roads are back open this morning. Local police and fire officials were able to stay on top of the situation, and the Maine Emergency Management Agency received no calls from county or local EMA offices. Intermittent showers are expected throughout the day today.

Severe Thunderstorm Safety Tips

If you are in an area being hit by a severe storm:

Take shelter in a secure building if possible NWS: Lightning Safety page If driving, pull over if heavy rainfall makes it difficult to see Observe any roadway barricades and markers; find another way around. Two feet of moving water will sweep away a car, even a pickup or SUV. Under the water, a flooded roadway may be totally washed away. Stay well away from rushing streams, and even deep drainage ditches. Especially keep children and pets away from these areas. As little as 6 inches of moving water can sweep an adult off his or her feet.

As the storm moves away, crews are making good progress to clear downed lines and restore power.

The Maine Emergency Management Agency is asking Mainers to respect all emergency crews working to clear debris, trim trees, and restore power in the wake of this storm. Staying out of the way will allow these crews to get their important work done as quickly as possible.

Report all downed lines or outages to your electric utility. Also call them to learn the status of restoration efforts.

• Central Maine Power: 800-696-1000
• Emera Maine (formerly Bangor Hydro): 855-EMERA-11

For more information

• Road conditions: DOT's 511 Travel Information Service
• National Weather Service Gray
• National Weather Service Caribou
• National Hurricane Center

First Lady Ann LePage and Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Travis Mills to Skydive with All Veteran’s Parachute Team

August 8, 2014

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 08, 2014
Contact: Lynn Harvey, 207-512-0280

AUGUSTA – First Lady Ann LePage, on August 9, in support of Freedom Fest 2014, will join the Patriot Guard Riders for a motorcycle parade beginning in Caribou, Maine at 9:30 a.m.. She will then offer opening remarks at 11:45 a.m. and at 2:00 p.m, along with Staff Sergeant (Ret.) and quadruple amputee, Travis Mills, skydive into the event.

“Duane Belanger, the organizer and driving force behind Freedom Fest asked me to lead the event by riding in with the Patriot Guard Riders – which I gladly agreed to do.” Mrs. LePage said. “Then Duane approached Travis and asked him if he would skydive into the event. Travis said he would if I would. I agreed right away; before I really thought it through. I’m petrified of heights, but I am a firm believer that it’s more than talking the talk of supporting our veterans – it’s walking the walk – or perhaps in this case, falling from the sky!”

Freedom Fest is an outdoor concert being held at the Fort Kent Municipal Airport in an effort to raise funds for a Veterans Museum and Community Center in Northern Maine; a joint project of Martin-Klein American Legion Post 133 and the Fort Kent Historical Society. Gates open at 9:00 a.m.. The event will kick off with a bike run from Plourde Harley Davidson in Caribou to Fort Kent lead by the Patriot Guard Riders and welcomed by Saluting Marine, Staff Sergeant Tim Chambers. The motorcycle parade is expected to arrive at Freedom Fest at 10:30 a.m.

For more information regarding Freedom Fest, including ticket information and a schedule of events, please go to http://www.freedomfest2014.com

State to Start Drug Testing of Convicted Felons Who Are Receiving Welfare Benefits

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage announced Wednesday the State of Maine is moving forward with its plan to conduct drug tests of convicted drug felons who are applying for or receiving welfare benefits.

Over the last several months, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has focused on designing its drug-testing measures to ensure privacy and fairness, while reinforcing accountability and integrity in the program. The tests will be required of drug felons who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.

“Maine people expect their tax dollars to be spent supporting our most vulnerable citizens – children, the elderly and the disabled,” said Governor Paul LePage. “We must ensure that our tax dollars do not enable the continuation of a drug addiction. “TANF is a short-term benefit that assists families and children with the basic necessities. If someone tests positive for drugs, they are clearly putting their addiction ahead of their family’s needs. Being drug-free is a critical aspect of moving away from poverty and toward self-sufficiency. We must do all that we can to make ensure children’s needs are being met and that the TANF recipient has the best possible chance at economic independence.”

When a person applies for benefits, the individual must report whether he or she has a prior drug-related felony conviction. If the answer is yes, the State will schedule a drug test and notify the individual 24 hours prior to the actual test.

“Our rules are drafted according to the knowledge we have gained over the last several months. As a result, our drug testing program is based on best practices and aligns with federal law,’’ explained Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew.

If a person tests positive, the individual will have the option to be tested a second time. At any time, an individual can avoid termination of benefits by enrolling in an approved and appropriate substance abuse program. Those who fail to disclose they are convicted drug felons will be found in violation of program rules and will face immediate termination of benefits.

AUGUSTAundefinedThe Maine Department of Labor is calling for public comment on proposed changes to rules surrounding job training programs for minors. The public hearing will be held on August 22, 10 a.m. to noon at the SafetyWorks! Institute at the Department of Labor Building, 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta.

The purpose of the proposed change is to allow students enrolled in approved Career and Technical educational programs to train on specific equipment, located at a business, that is necessary for their course of study.  Because of the size and expense of some modern, standard industrial equipment, CTE schools cannot afford to purchase or maintain that equipment solely for training students. The changes would allow students to train on the equipment at a business under strict supervision.  Businesses hosting the training will have to comply with a number of conditions under the proposed rules.

“Many technical educational programs are at a disadvantage because some of our labor laws have not kept up with the changes in technology and job training,” said Governor Paul R. LePage.  “These changes will keep students safe but provide the opportunity to gain specific skills on updated equipment that our schools cannot afford to buy.  This helps our students start on a great career and our businesses remain competitive.”

The proposed changes affect the “Rules Governing Hazardous Occupations for Minors Under the Age of Eighteen in Non-Agricultural Employment.” A copy of the proposed changes to the rules is available at http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=624970&an=1 .

“These changes are a result of collaboration between the Departments of Labor and Education,” said Commissioner of Education James Rier. “Our CTE students need access to training equipment so that the skills they learn in the CTE programs match the skills needed in their industries, and the Department of Labor responded.”

“The top priority is to keep students safe while using the equipment,” said Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette. “We have built a number of provisions into the rules that require close collaboration and supervision between the business and the CTE staff.  Employers training students must meet specific criteria to ensure safety and compliance.  At the same time, the changes provide the employer with a highly-trained future workforce, so it is worth their investment of time and personnel to do it the right way from the start.”

There are a number of changes proposed, including redefining "Student Learner" to include the students in a CTE cooperative program; defining a “CTE-Student” as one who is enrolled in an approved CTE program offered from a CTE center or region as defined in Title 20-A M.R.S.A., Chapter 313, §8301-A, §8306-B, §8401 and §8451; and requiring the CTE program to maintain control over the educational experience including the schedule and educational performance deliverables through a written agreement.

The changes require not only that the CTE program include close supervision by an experienced adult who has direct line of sight and within the student’s hearing range but also that the CTE program provide basic safety training for the CTE student related to the selected program and field of work prior to the student performing work that would otherwise be prohibited by the rules. Per the changes, all apprentice, CTE student or student-learner programs must have a written agreement that provides a description of the job, processes, expectations, schedule of work and name of the individual; the employer and school coordinator or principal must sign the agreement.

The new rules also give guidance for situations where 17-year-old high-school graduates who have completed an approved training program but cannot currently be employed in a hazardous occupation due to their age. Under the proposed rules, the graduate may work in a hazardous occupation in which training under an apprentice or student-learner program has been completed as provided in this section, even though the youth is not yet 18 years of age. Federal law allows such employment. For example, this would allow a 17-year-old who graduates after completing several years of training to avoid waiting one to three months until his or her birthday to be employed in his or her trained professionundefinedwith that profession being one currently prohibited for individuals under the age of 18. 

Last, the rules changes detail the definition, program overview and hazardous occupations for Junior Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Persons, previously not identified under Title 26. A paid or volunteer junior emergency medical service person who is 16 or 17 years of age may partake in allowed activities as defined under the proposed rules and in accordance with the Maine Emergency Medical Service Act of 1982 (32 M.R.S.A. Chapter 2-B), and the Maine EMS Rules.

Written comment can also be submitted by September 3 by 4:30 p.m. to Susan Wasserott at Maine Department of Labor, 54 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0054 or 207-621-5096 or Susan.Wasserott@maine.gov .

These rules are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Standards. Additional information about employment laws in Maine are available at the Bureau of Labor Standards’ website at http://www.maine.gov/labor/bls/index.shtml .

Governor Congratulates ReEnergy on Restart of Biomass Plant in Ashland

August 4, 2014

For Immediate Release: Monday, August 04, 2014
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531
Doug Ray, DECD Communications Director, 207-624-9802

AUGUSTA – As a result of ReEnergy’s decision to restart its biomass-to-electricity plant in Ashland twenty-five new jobs are coming to Aroostook County. Governor Paul R. LePage today offered his congratulations to the company.

“This is terrific news for Aroostook County,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “I thank ReEnergy for their investment and congratulate them on the decision to restart operations. My team has worked proactively with ReEnergy over the last few years in an effort to get where we are today. This is what happens when government partners with the private sector in efforts to improve our economy for the benefit of all Mainers. ReEnergy’s decision is further proof Maine’s economy is headed in the right direction.”

ReEnergy ceased operations in 2011 due to market conditions, but is planning to restart the plant as early as this December. According to the company, the restart is expected to create 25 new direct jobs and an estimated 150 new indirect jobs.

Several members of the LePage Administration including Energy Director Patrick Woodcock and forest products advisor Rosaire Pelletier played a significant role in helping ReEnergy identify and gain access to the resources needed to help get this plant back up and running. Specifically, the Administration initiated a discussion with Emera Maine to determine whether the facility could be a part of an effort to bolster reliability in the region in the medium term, while a plan for long term reliability is considered by the MPUC.

The 39-megawatt ReEnergy Ashland facility generates renewable energy from responsibly harvested green forest residue biomass and unadulterated wood. It is capable of producing approximately 284,000 MWh of electricity each year undefined enough to supply nearly 37,000 homes. Maine is one of the largest biomass electricity producers in the country with over 20 percent of the State’s electricity generation coming from biomass power plants.

Governor LePage Designates $10,000 In Contingency Funds For New Gloucester Veterans Monument

July 31, 2014

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 31
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage has designated $10,000 from his contingency fund to support the building of the New Gloucester Veterans Monument. The memorial is a joint project of the New Gloucester, Maine Historical Society and Lunn-Hunnewell AMVETS Post No. 6. The finished work will especially honor all New Gloucester veterans, those who served in times of war and those who served in times of peace.

“My wife and I cannot express enough our gratitude for our brave men and women who sacrificed for the sake of our freedom,” said Governor LePage. “I commend the work of the community members, the engineers, the McCann family and the New Gloucester Veterans Committee for their cooperation in the construction of this very special memorial honoring New Gloucester residents.”

“We were overwhelmed, the whole committee, I mean,” said Bill Kiley of the New Gloucester Veterans Committee upon hearing the news of the Governor’s designation of funding. “We had a chicken barbeque to raise money; we fed 184. We told the crowd what the governor had done - $10,000 for the monument. Response was everything but a standing ovation. Well, actually there was a standing ovation. Without that [funding], we’d be still be struggling.”

Throughout his administration, Governor LePage has made it a priority to support Maine’s veterans and active duty service men and women. First Lady Ann LePage has dedicated herself to the cause of supporting our military members and their families through participation in welcoming troops home, hosting veterans and their families at the Blaine House and her commitment to the Wreaths Across America organization.

At this point, 1,142 names of New Gloucester veterans will be engraved on a set of granite tablets surrounding the centerpiece. Behind the arrangement of memorial stones will wave the American flag, the State of Maine flag, and the POW/MIA flag. Land for the memorial was donated by the McCann family on Route 100 in Upper Village.

“As the daughter and grand-daughter of Navy veterans, I am very pleased with the support Governor LePage and First Lady Ann LePage have shown to our military men and women, veterans and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our great country,” said Representative Ellie Espling of New Gloucester. “Their support of the New Gloucester Veterans Monument project is deeply appreciated. As a small town, we are humbled by this support for a project that means so much to us.”

Community volunteers have donated time, gravel, equipment and more. The New Gloucester Veterans Committee just recently met with the engineers to get ready to prepare the ground.

To learn more about the project and how you can help, please visit www.newgloucester.com and click on “New Gloucester Veterans Monument.”

Senate Confirms Governor LePage Judicial Nominees

July 31, 2014

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 31, 2014
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – The Maine State Senate unanimously confirmed today nominees of Governor Paul R. LePage to the Maine courts. Governor LePage nominated in May the Honorable Jeffrey L. Hjelm to the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine and Deputy Attorney General William R. Stokes to Superior Court.

“Justice Hjelm and Deputy Attorney General Stokes exemplify standards of excellence and integrity. I am confident that they both will live up to the high standards we expect from Maine judges," said Governor LePage.

Governor LePage will administer the oath to Hjelm and Stokes in the coming days.

Jeffrey L. Hjelm, a resident of Camden, is a Superior Court justice for the Knox County Superior Court. Justice Hjelm was appointed to the District Court in 1992 by Governor McKernan. He was first nominated to the Superior Court by Governor King in 1998 and was reappointed by Governor Baldacci in 2005. Governor LePage nominated him again for the Superior Court in 2012.

Prior to becoming a judge, Justice Hjelm served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division and in private practice at Vafiades Brountas & Kominsky. A graduate of Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., he earned his law degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio.

William R. Stokes, a resident of Augusta, is the chief of the Criminal Division of the Maine Attorney General's Office. Stokes began his career with the Maine Attorney General’s Office in 1977 and has served under nine Attorneys General.

As chief of the Criminal Division, Stokes is responsible for the homicide unit, welfare fraud, financial crimes and victims’ advocates. He oversees drug prosecutors, as well as appellate and corrections attorneys. Attorney Stokes is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Boston and Suffolk University Law School in Boston. He is also the mayor of Augusta.

The members of the Governor’s Judicial Selection Committee are Joshua Tardy, Esq., Irwin Tardy & Morris, LLC, Newport; Gloria Pinza, Esq., Pierce Atwood, LLP, Portland; David King, Partner, Rudman & Winchell, Bangor; Geoffrey Rushlau, District Attorney, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, & Waldo Counties; Harold Stewart II, Esq., Stewart Law Office, P.A., Presque Isle; John Hobson, Esq., Perkins Thompson, P.A., Portland; and Timothy Woodcock, Shareholder, Eaton Peabody, Bangor.

Governor Calls for Bold Action on Energy Policy to Lower Electric Rates

July 31, 2014

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 31, 2014
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, (207) 287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage issued a statement Thursday after the Public Utilities Commission approved an increase in transmission and distribution rates for electricity.

“Electric rates are extremely important for our elderly, who are on fixed incomes and cannot afford any rate increases, and for our businesses, which must compete nationally and internationally with regions that offer lower electricity rates. These rates are also a factor in attracting new investments in our state. Instead of the old way of simply adding surcharges to the cost of energy and signing long-term contracts that raise costs for ratepayers, Maine must increase our access to natural gas, hydro power and any other source that lowers the bottom-line rate for electricity. Despite our Administration’s efforts to lower electricity rates, old policies from the past two administrations continue to fail Maine,” said Governor LePage.

The LePage Administration has been focused on lowering rates for Mainers, having proposed and successfully allocated $1.5 million annually to lower rates for Mainers. In addition, the Governor has advocated for increasing the capacity of natural gas pipeline into New England, which would allow the lowest-priced natural gas to power the region, rather than oil or expensive imported natural gas from overseas.

In addition, the Governor has advocated more competition for the state’s renewable-energy policies and allowing all renewable sources, including large hydroelectricity, to power Maine.

State of Maine Concludes Fiscal Year With Surplus

July 30, 2014

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary (207) 287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage announced Wednesday that the state ended the fiscal year with a surplus, which brings total revenue reserves to more than $90 million.

Improved fiscal management and reliable revenue forecasting are contributing factors for the flow of excess money. There is now a surplus of $39.1 million and an excess General Fund balance of $9.8 million.

“When I came to Augusta in 2011, I found that our state’s reserves had been cleaned out by the previous administration,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “We immediately went to work to pay our long overdue welfare debt to Maine’s hospitals, introduce long-term stability to the State’s finances and increase the balance of the budget stabilization fund, which is also called the rainy day fund.”

After the payments that are required as part of the statutorily required year-end “cascade” were made, the State concluded the most recent fiscal year with total reserves of $93.2 million.

The balance of the budget stabilization fund, a key focus of Governor LePage and rating agencies such as Moody’s Investor Services, has increased by more than $8 million after the year-end transfer, bringing the total balance to $68.3 million.

“My fiscal policy focuses on the next generation, not the next election,” said Governor LePage. “I campaigned on a pledge of fiscal responsibility, and my actions since day one have reflected a commitment to that pledge.”

After all year-end transfers, the State has $12.5 million in unappropriated surplus that will carry forward to be used in Fiscal Year 2015.

“With conservative cash management and reliable revenue forecasting, the State of Maine is in a sound financial position entering the new fiscal year,” said State Finance Commissioner Richard Rosen. “We still have much work to do. But under the leadership of Governor LePage, the State has made tremendous progress."