Governor Reaffirms No Decision to Reduce Maine National Guard, Sends Letter to President Obama

May 22, 2014

For Immediate Release: May 22, 2014
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, (207) 287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today reaffirmed his commitment to the Maine Army National Guard under his watch as Commander-in-Chief. Governor LePage this morning met with Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard, Brigadier General James Campbell, who provided a another briefing on the federal government’s scheme to reduce the National Guard across the country.

“Once again, no decision has been made, nor will it be for years,” said Governor LePage. “This issue has been mischaracterized in the media and politicized by liberal Democratic Representatives Chellie Pingreeundefinedwhose office leaked the information to reportersundefinedand Mike Michaud, who are trying to make it a campaign issue. It is shameful they would use the Maine National Guard members as pawns in their election-year tactics. I will say it again: While I am Commander-in-Chief, I will not do anything to harm the dedicated men and women of the Maine National Guard.”

On Thursday, Governor LePage sent a letter to President Barack Obama renewing requests to reconsider cuts to the Army National Guard. Under the President’s plan, the Guard would fall from about 355,000 to 335,000 personnel by 2017. Further reductions will take place if sequestration remains intact during fiscal 2016, dropping the Guard to 315,000.

“I am writing as the Commander-in-Chief of the Maine National Guard to express grave concern with your Administration’s proposal to significantly cut National Guard forces across the country,” the Governor stated in the letter. “I believe these cuts will harm national security and dramatically reduce the State of the Maine’s homeland security and emergency management capabilities.”

Governor LePage calls the cuts irresponsible, advocating that National Guard units are a cost-effective way to maintain combat capability while providing each State with a reliable and capable force to help maintain public safety and security.

“I understand fiscal restraints facing the federal government,” the Governor wrote. “Growth of welfare and entitlement programs and federal government bureaucracy have so consumed government that it is now forced to cut back on core government functions, like defense of the homeland. This proposal, however, is penny wise but pound foolish.”

The full letter is here.

In January, Governor LePage wrote a letter to the 49 other governors, urging them to contact their Congressional delegations and object to the federal government’s plan to reduce the National Guard.

In February, all 50 governors signed a letter to President Obama opposing the cuts to the National Guard.

Click on the photo above for a larger version of the map where the Maine Forest Service hopes to place budworm traps. In the townships with cross-hatching, landowners already have agreed to place traps. Landowners are needed in the areas without cross-hatching.

In June, with the help of landowners, the MFS plans to increase the number of pheromone trapping sites from about 100 last year to around 500 this year to better monitor the budworm population. Many landowners have already agreed to participate, but more are needed to work with MFS staff to place these traps for maximum coverage. Information is provided below about what trapping involves and how to contact MFS if you’re willing to help

“After I discount for the number of traps that will be placed by the MFS and U.S. Forest Service,” Dave Struble, state entomologist, said in an email, we’re looking for approximately 300 traps in the norther zone, 130 traps in the central zone,  and 15 traps in the Down East zone. If folks can let us know which towns their company would be willing to trap, then we can assign and package up supplies for each landowner.”

Spruce budworm are always present in Maine’s forests, but roughly every 40 years there is a budworm population explosion, which results in serious feeding damage to Maine’s balsam fir and spruce. In the most recent epidemic, between 20 and 25 million cords of spruce and fir were killed between 1975 and 1988.

MFPC, the Maine Forest Service and the University of Maine are leading the effort to develop a strategy for to address a budworm infestation that is expected in the next few years. Nine task teams have been working for several months on recommendations that are due at the end of May. Dr. Bob Wagner of the University of Maine will then pull all the recommendations into a report that will be reviewed this fall.  The teams are: Biology & Monitoring; Wood Supply Impacts; Economic Impacts; Protection Measures; Forest Management; Funding Strategies; Policy & Regulatory Implications; Public Communications & Outreach, and Research Needs.

Frequently asked questions about traps for spruce budworm moths:

1.    What is a pheromone trap? Pheromone traps are usedfor sampling, monitoring or determining the first appearance of a pest in an area. Because they lure budworm moths with sex pheromones, they are highly species-specific. The traps also are reusable, relatively inexpensive (approximately $14/trap – including killing agent and lure;),  and easy to place (three traps/site). They attract budworm moths even when the moths are present at very low densities.

2.    Where do I get traps? MFS will provide traps at no cost to landowners.

3.    When would I place the traps? During the first three weeks of June, before the moth flight, which usually occurs from the end of June through July.

4.    Where and how do I place traps? Training will be provided, but three traps are generally placed on mature or pole-sized trees in uncut or lightly cut spruce-fir stands.

5.    How often will I need to check traps? Although a sub set of traps may be monitored daily or weekly to check for flights, the sites surveyed by landowners need only be visited twice: once to set out the traps and once to collect the moths and retrieve the traps.

6.    When do I collect the traps? From August to early October. Then you empty all three traps into a zip lock bag marked with the sample site location and send it to the MFS lab in Augusta. Keep the traps to put out next year.

7.    What happens to the samples collected? MFS entomologists analyze the numbers and locations of moths collected to assess the budworm population and the risk to spruce-fir.

8.    Who should I contact to participate or for more information? Charlene Donahue, 207-287-324,, Insect & Disease Laboratory, 168 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333.

First Lady Ann LePage to Honor Veterans for Armed Forces Day

AUGUSTA – First Lady Ann LePage will be joining the Maine Troop Greeters this Saturday, May 17, 2014 for their annual Armed Forces Day Open House beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the Bangor International Airport Troop Greeter Room. Mrs. LePage will be the featured speaker; this year, they will specifically honor Korean Conflict Veterans. During the open house, First Lady LePage, along with the Maine Troop Greeters, will stop their official program to welcome a military flight which is expected to arrive at 2:15 p.m.

“I’m so honored to be asked to speak again this year during the Troop Greeter’s open house for Armed Forces Day,” said LePage. “To have the opportunity to honor our Korean conflict veterans, and greet a military flight while in Bangor, is a true privilege. It will be a day to remember.”

The Maine Troop Greeters began greeting troops who arrive at Bangor International Airport in May of 2003. It is their mission to welcome each troop home from war and give those leaving for war a proper send off. Since 2003, the Maine Troop Greeters have been there to meet over 7,130 flights with more than 1,444,968 service members and 359 military dogs.

NorthStar Hosting Open House at Each of its Bases

Bases include Farmington, Livermore, Rangeley, Carrabassett Valley, and Phillips

FARMINGTON, MAINE¾

In conjunction with National EMS Week, NorthStar Ambulance is hosting five base open houses May 19−23, from 3−6 p.m. The schedule is as follows: Monday, May 19, 111 Franklin Health Commons in Farmington; Tuesday May 20, 119 Federal Road in Livermore; Wednesday, May 21, 138C Park Street in Phillips; Thursday, May 22, 1001 Carriage Road in Carrabassett Valley; and Friday, May 23, 15 School Street in Rangeley.

Featured at each open house will be the recently unveiled Domestic Violence Awareness ambulance, base tours, information, and refreshments. On display will be Lifeline, a medical alert system in which subscribers can press a button when assistance is needed. Visitors can find out more about this program and many others when they visit.

For additional information, contact Carol Pillsbury at NorthStar 779-2423.

NorthStar responds to more than 5,000 calls each year in 71 communities over the 2,800 square-mile area it serves.

Androscoggin Valley Medical Arts Center Hosting Open House

Taking place Friday, May 23, 5–7 p.m. in Livermore Falls

Farmington¾

History Night is taking place in downtown Livermore Falls on Friday, May 23. The Androscoggin Valley Medical Arts Center (AVMAC) is taking part in the festivities by hosting an open house from 5–7 p.m.

Sponsored by the Livermore Falls Downtown Betterment Group, history night features antique automobiles, music, food, entertainment, and more.

“We invite history night participants to visit the Androscoggin Valley Medical Arts Center from 5–7 p.m. to tour the areas that house Franklin Health Livermore Falls Family Practice, outpatient specialty care, and lab and radiology services,” said Wendy Hall, AVMAC services coordinator and a member of the Betterment Group.

Highlighted throughout the medical arts center are historic reproduction art prints that come from old postcards of the region that have been preserved by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. A sampling of images featured includes: Smart’s Drugstore in Livermore Falls; Riverside House in Livermore Falls; Dreamland Theater in Livermore Falls; Granite Quarry in North Jay; Chisholm Mill in Chisholm; and the School House in North Jay.

Hall commented, “History night is a tribute to the heritage of this area. Stop by to chat with our staff and learn more about the many services that we provide. At the same time, enjoy a walk down memory lane.”

Blocking EBT cards from ATMs helps prevent abuse of welfare benefits

This week our Administration announced it is blocking the use of EBT cards at ATMs in prohibited locations. Once again, Democrats objected to this common-sense measure to protect the taxpayers’ money.

Hello, this is Governor Paul LePage.

In 2012, we made it illegal to use Maine EBT cards in bars, liquor stores, gambling facilities and places that offer adult entertainment, like strip clubs. As soon as they heard that we are now blocking ATMs, Democrats scrambled to find a reason to object to it. They claimed it took us two years to enforce the law. They are wrong.

The law made it illegal to use EBT cards at these places, but did not require us to mechanically prevent it. Blocking EBT cards at these ATMs is an extra step to prevent the inappropriate and illegal use of state and federal welfare benefits.

Welfare recipients are informed of the law when they are issued their EBT cards. We are now issuing new EBT cards with photos on them. The law is printed on the back of these new cards. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse to use EBT cards illegally. We want to make sure it isn’t even an option. 

The Department of Health and Human Services has already blocked EBT cards from 44 ATMs around the state. More than 200 locations will be blocked by August.

If someone uses an EBT card at a prohibited location, they will lose benefits for one year. A second violation results in a two-year suspension. If there is a third violation, that person will lose the benefit permanently.

We must make sure that each public dollar spent on welfare is used appropriately. These tax dollars are designated for daily necessities like diapers and healthy meals that vulnerable families and children need to survive. Spending these dollars on liquor or adult entertainment is incomprehensible, and this administration will not tolerate it.

Democrats have said that welfare fraud is a “victimless crime,” and they rejected all of my bills to enact common-sense welfare reform. It is inexcusable that Democrats and my opponents ignored these reforms that so many Mainers demand.

Democrats in liberal states California and Massachusetts have already blocked the illegal use of EBT cards at prohibited locations. But the liberals in Maine are still saying welfare fraud doesn’t exist. In fact, they want to expand welfare in our state.

Democrats don’t care about wasting your money on welfare fraud, but I do. That’s why I will continue to enact policies and procedures that prevent the misuse and abuse of taxpayer-funded welfare benefits.

It’s the right thing to do.  

Governor LePage Directs Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff Thursday, May 15, 2014

In accordance with the Presidential proclamation Governor Paul R. LePage has directed that the United States flag and the State of Maine flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Thursday, May 15, 2014 in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, which is observed May 11-17.

LePage Administration Begins Blocking EBT Use at ATMs in Liquor Stores, Strip Clubs and Bars

May 12, 2014

For Immediate Release: Monday, May 12
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has started blocking EBT cards from being used in ATM’s at prohibited locations. It is illegal to use the EBT card, which is used to access taxpayer-funded welfare money, in certain locations as a result of legislation signed by Governor LePage in 2012.

In May of 2012, Governor LePage signed into law “An Act to Strengthen the State’s Ability To Investigate and Prosecute Misuse of Public Benefits.” This law mandates that an EBT card may not be used in “a retail establishment where 50 percent or more of the gross revenue of the establishment is derived from the sale of liquor; a gambling facility, except that use of the electronic benefits transfer system is permitted in any portion of the premises of a gambling facility that is set aside separately for the sale primarily of staple foods; or a retail establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment.”

DHHS has already blocked EBT card use in 44 ATMs around the state. The Department is blocking of as many of these ATMs as possible and anticipates that more than 200 locations will be blocked by August. By law, if an individual uses an EBT card at a prohibited location, it is considered an intentional program violation and results in removal of that individual from the program for one year. A second violation results in a two-year suspension. If there is a third violation, the individual will be permanently disqualified from the program.

Some of the locations that have already been blocked include:

• PT’s Showclub, Portland
• Diamond’s Gentlemen’s Club, Bangor
• Styxx, Portland
• Bayside Liquors, Bar Harbor
• Foreplay Sports Pub, Portland
• Joka’s Discount Beverage, Waterville

“This initiative is designed to protect public funds by blocking inappropriate and illegal use of state and federal welfare benefits,” said Governor LePage. “This is not about politics – it’s about making sure that each public dollar spent on welfare is used appropriately. These tax dollars are designated for daily necessities like diapers and healthy meals that vulnerable families and children need to survive. To think these dollars may have been spent on liquor and adult entertainment is incomprehensible, and this administration will not tolerate it.”

“Democrats have said that welfare fraud is a ‘victimless crime,’ and they rejected four of my bills to enact common-sense welfare reform,” said the Governor. “It is inexcusable that Democrats and my opponents ignored these reforms that so many Mainers demand.”

California and Massachusetts have also blocked the usage of EBT cards at illegal and questionable locations to ensure appropriate use of publicly funded welfare funds. Maine contacted California to discuss their program while creating this initiative.

“Another positive aspect of this initiative is that it will ultimately protect the cardholder,” said Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew. “By ensuring the card will not work at ATMs in prohibited locations, the cardholder will be unable to initiate a transaction that otherwise would be considered a misuse of their public benefit. We want to make sure people are aware they can’t use their EBT cards in these locations, but we also want to make sure it isn’t even an option by shutting these locations down from EBT usage altogether.”

DHHS has a contract with the EBT vendor Xerox to process this work. Maine pays roughly $92 for each machine location that is blocked. This is similar to the work done by California and Massachusetts with the same vendor.

All welcome for an afternoon of friendship and refreshments

Farmington¾

The Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) Auxiliary is hosting its annual community tea on Wednesday, June 11, from 3–4:30 p.m. in the Bass Room at Franklin Memorial Hospital. The tea, which is free and open to the public, will include information sharing, refreshments, and live entertainment.

The tea will begin with refreshments of sandwiches, fresh strawberries, and three kinds of loose leaf tea: Marco Polo, Earl Gray, and Darjeeling, while background piano music is performed by Dr. David Dixon.

At 3:15 p.m. Kamilla Hall, outgoing Auxiliary president, will greet attendees; followed by Dr. Jay Naliboff, Franklin Health medical director, speaking on the Choosing Wisely initiativeundefinedhow physicians and patients can ensure that the right health care is delivered at the right time.

The tea will conclude with entertainment by the Narrow Gauge String Band performing down home country favorites.

“This is an afternoon of friendship, information, refreshments, and entertainment,” said Jill Gray, Auxiliary staff liaison. “Anyone with an interest is welcome to attend and group and individual table reservations are available.”

An RSVP and table reservations are requested by June 2 by calling Betty Mitchell at 897-2212. Those attending should look for parking directional signs on the day of the event.

The FMH Auxiliary hosts monthly activities and special events that raise thousands of dollars annually to support technology and programs at Franklin Memorial Hospital. Most recently, the Auxiliary’s annual gifts have supported the expansion of the healing garden on the hospital campus, as well as renovations the emergency department.