EVERY BODY ON THE MOVE: NEW WEB SITE AND FUN PROGRAMS

LAUNCH FRANKLIN COUNTY YOUTH INTO ACTION THIS SPRING

 

Farmington, MEundefined

 

EveryBody is on the move in Franklin County. The campaign that encourages kids and teens in Franklin County to get out, get moving, and try something new has just launched a website: EveryBodyOnTheMove.org.

 

EveryBodyOnTheMove.org encourages kids (and their parents) to find out about physical activities happening in Franklin County that are enjoyable and affordableundefinedin fact, most programs are free! Schools, businesses, and groups are welcome to share their own events and activities with the rest of the community, so that everyone knows where to go for healthy body-moving fun.

 

Newly added programs include:

 

·    Rangeley FitKidz! at the Rangeley Fitness Center on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:30-4 p.m. Students in grades 5-12 of any fitness level will receive physical training, plus free membership for the duration of the program. Registrations are ongoing through June 2. Free.

·    Let’s Go Afterschool! at Stratton School on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:30-4:30 p.m. This program is for students in grades 1-4. Registrations are ongoing through May 27. Cost is $1 per day.

·    Strong Spring Walking Program at Strong School on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-4 p.m. during the month of May. Free.

 

Summer activities at Rangeley Fitness Center, Strong Elementary, and other locations will be coming soon.

 

“There are so many benefits for kids and teens to get moving, even if they’ve never tried any sports or physical activity before,” said Laurie Soucy, EveryBody’s programming director. “Our new website is a clearinghouse for all the fun things that are happening in Franklin County.”

 

Governor LePage Recommends Judicial Nominees

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today announced he will recommend the nomination of The Honorable Jeffrey L. Hjelm to the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine and Deputy Attorney General William R. Stokes to Superior Court.

“As Governor, I have the utmost respect for and have been impressed with the high quality work of the Judicial Branch,” said Governor LePage. “In selecting judges, my focus is on the qualifications, demeanor and integrity of the candidatesundefinednot politics. Justice Hjelm and Deputy Attorney General Stokes reflect those priorities. I am confident that they both will live up to the high standards we expect from Maine judges.”

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.

Job-killing liberals are blocking Maine’s progress   

My administration worked hard this year to reform Maine’s welfare system, but liberals rejected our efforts. They said we should concentrate on job creation. But they rejected those efforts, too.   

Hello, this is Governor Paul LePage.   

Since we took office, we have made significant progress in creating jobs. More than 17,000 private-sector jobs have been created in Maine. The unemployment rate is the lowest since 2008.    

Further, there are almost 8,000 jobs available on the Maine Job Bank.   

These are not just minimum-wage jobs at fast-food joints. Job openings range from part-time work to full-time professional occupations. It’s a good start, but we need to do more. We need to attract industries with high-paying careers that can lift Maine’s hard-working families into the upper middle class.   

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. But we must also work to attract the large companies with the kind of good salaries and benefits that will increase the quality of life for Mainers.   

Big business is good for small business. Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of GE, said that for every one job GE creates, 8 more are created in the supply chain. Those 8 jobs come from small and medium businesses.   

But global competition is fierce. Immelt said GE will do more business in North Africa next year than the United States. GE will sell Algeria $2.7 billion worth of turbines for power plants.   

Immelt said the biggest demand in his industry is for engineers and welders. He said states must make sure their schools are focusing on STEM education. We see that kind of need right here in Maine.   

Bath Iron Works just announced it will hire 600 more workers to build six Navy destroyers. BIW is creating an onsite training facility to teach new employees the unique skills the shipyard needs. Nearly 6,000 workers in highly skilled occupations will be employed at the shipyard. We need more BIW’s in Maine.   

That’s why my administration proposed Open for Business Zones, which would have provided incentives for big businesses to come to Maine and provided a large amount of work for sub-contractors within the supply chain.   

When I traveled to North Africa a couple of weeks ago, I saw the success of Morocco’s Free Trade Zones. Morocco has attracted major foreign investment with a simplified tax structure and an aggressive plan to trade with Europe, the U.S. and China.   

Within a five-year period, they have attracted 500 companies and thousands of jobs. They now have a world-class port at the mouth of the Mediterranean.   

We know what we must do to attract big companies and high-paying careers to our state. Maine will be left behind in the global economy if we do not become more competitive.   

Job-killing liberals are blocking our progress. They want to grow welfare. We want to grow the economy. That’s why we will keep working to attract investment and business.   

Mainers deserve the good-paying careers they will bringundefinednot just for the next election, but for the next generation.   

Governor LePage Meets Finalist In “Doodle 4 Google” Contest

Fifth-grade Maine student seeking votes for “Save a Google Bees” 

 

 

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage met today with Inga Zimba, Maine’s state winner in the nationwide “Doodle 4 Google” contest and a fifth-grade student at Albert S. Hall School in Waterville.

The contest began with over 100,000 contestants, but judges have since narrowed the submissions to 50, one finalist from each state.

Inga is one of 10 other finalists in her fourth- and fifth-grade group. “I love to draw; I sketch things all the time,” she told the Governor. When asked what inspired the object of her doodle, Inga replied, “Over 124 foods would be gone if we didn’t have bees!” Hence, the title of her drawing: “Save A Google Bees.”

To view Inga’s artwork and vote for her to become a national finalist, go to www.Google4Doodle.com.

“I admire Inga’s inspiration, her dedication to something she loves and believes in,” said Governor LePage. “She certainly has an exciting and successful future ahead.”

Inga’s family, her art teacher, Hollie Hilton, and her school principal, Barbara Jordan, also accompanied Inga to meet the Governor. Hilton and Jordan said Inga’s determination, sweet spirit and leadership have made her a natural role model for her fellow students, who have cheered her on all along the way.

Google will be sending Inga to an awards ceremony at Google Headquarters in Mountain View, California. The national winner’s animated doodle will be featured on the Google homepage for the day of June 9.

“Google is inspiring children to do amazing things,” said Inga. “In the future, I think I’d like to study bees.”

 

 

Governor LePage Designates $10,000 In Contingency Funds For Veterans Memorial       

VFW Post to construct memorial in Fort Fairfield

AUGUSTA – Governor LePage has designated $10,000 from his contingency funds to support the construction of a veterans memorial in Fort Fairfield. The initiative is led by VFW Post 6187 which has donated the land next to their building for the future placement of the memorial.

“The sacrifices of Maine’s veterans mean so much to my family,” said Governor LePage. “To Ann and me, there is no greater satisfaction than honoring our military heros. Our history demonstrates that Maine soldiers have always answered the call and bring a traditional Maine work ethic to the fight. I appreciate the dedication that has gone into the building of this memorial, ensuring that our veterans will never be forgotten.”

The memorial will include ten flag poles and seven granite stones – one for every war, for a total of six, and an additional stone representing a vow to never forget our veterans.

“From all the veterans of VFW Post 6187 in Fort Fairfield, we thank the Governor for his support for the veterans,” said John Holschuh, memorial chairman. “A lot of Veterans in Aroostook County need to be recognized and remembered for the sacrifices they gave to this nation.”

Just in front of the flag poles and stones is space dedicated to the laying of 2,100 brick pavers with veterans’ names. The memorial will also include four granite benches from which visitors will be able to view the flags, stones, and bricks.

“Freedom is not free,” said Holschuh. “It is only with the sacrifices made by current and former service men and women that allow us to live the American way of life. These honored veterans and their sacrifices need to be remembered. They want to be able to point to a brick engraved with their name, or a relative’s name, and tell their children about the person and their sacrifices made.”

Anyone who is interested in purchase of a brick paver on which to have a veteran’s name engraved should contact VFW Post 6187 at 130 Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield, Maine.

Free Workplace Safety Training Courses in May

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2014 Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, Maine Department of Labor, 207-621-5009 Courses offered in Augusta, Farmington, Machias, Portland, Presque Isle, Rockland and Wilton AUGUSTAundefinedThe Maine Department of Labor’s SafetyWorks! training and safety consultation program announces free training courses for May. "Maine's SafetyWorks! program has been recognized nationally for its commitment to worker safety" said Governor Paul R. LePage. "These free trainings can help employers prevent hazardous work environments and keep their employees safe on the job." All courses are held in SafetyWorks! Training Institute (STI) at the Central Maine Commerce Center, 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta unless otherwise noted. To register, call (207) 623-7900 or register online at http://www.safetyworksmaine.com . Businesses with several employees requiring the same training course should contact SafetyWorks! to ask about the free onsite training program. Mine Safety & Health Administration: Refresher May 5, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Rockland CareerCenter May 29, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., STI, Augusta The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires all surface mining (ex: stone crushing, gravel pit, etc.) employees to receive eight-hour annual training. Site-specific training will also need to be conducted once attendees return to their respective job sites. Laws Governing Workplace Rights May 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Washington County Community College, Calais May 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., University of Maine at Farmington This course is designed for human resource or benefits professionals, accountants, business owners, managers, or payroll supervisors. This seminar covers wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, leave requirements (family medical leave, family sick leave, and domestic violence) and break requirements. Also, addresses commonly asked labor related questions. OSHA Recordkeeping May 9, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Presque Isle CareerCenter May 15, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Seasons Event and Conference Center, Portland This class provides thorough and comprehensive six-hour training for both new and experienced safety and human resources personnel. You will learn the OSHA rule (29 CFR 1904) regarding recording and reporting work-related injuries and illnesses as it applies to your organization. This class includes several hands-on activities on how to correctly fill out the required injury reporting forms. 10-Hour Construction Standards Training - May 12 and 13, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This one-and-a-half-day course gives basic information on several of the OSHA standards for construction (29 CFR 1926). Attendees who complete the course will receive an OSHA 10-hour course completion card for construction. Class runs from 8:30-4:30 on day one and 8:30-12:30 on day two. OTI charges $5 per card. Forklift Operator Training - May 16, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This half-day class is designed for new operators and instruction will involve classroom and hands-on training. This training does not meet the requirements to qualify the participants to be a "qualified operator". Only the employer can provide such certification. Machine Guarding - May 19, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants in this class will learn about the standards for metal and woodworking machines, as well as various machine guarding techniques. We will be applying basic guarding practices when specific issues aren't covered in the regulation. OSHA Subpart O will be covered. Confined Space Entry - May 20, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A confined space has limited or restrictive openings for going in and out and is not meant for continuous use by workers. OSHA uses the term "permit-required confined space" (permit-space) to describe a confined space in which workers are exposed to serious hazards. Employers must find out if confined spaces are permit-required. Attendees will learn how to evaluate confined spaces, monitor them during use, and set up rescue procedures. Mine Safety and Health Administration: New Miner - May 21, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wilton CareerCenter The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires all surface mining (ex: stone crushing, gravel pit, etc.) employees to receive eight-hour annual training. However,site-specific training will also need to be conducted once you return to your respective job sites. Respiratory Protection - May 22, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Where workers are required to wear respirators to do their jobs, employers need a respiratory protection program. Learn about the types of respirators, their uses and limitations and how to decide which to use. We'll show you how to do fit-testing and teach you about medical screening, respirator cleaning and maintenance, and what should be included in a written program. Silica Awareness-Protecting Workers from Silica - May 23, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. What do street sweeping, sandblasting, dry walling, cutting stone or brick, and working in a dusty environment have in common? All expose workers to silica dust, which can lead to silicosis - an often fatal lung disease - and other serious illnesses. Exposure to silica dust is so common and dangerous that OSHA is considering strengthening its rules. Learn about the health hazards of silica, the OSHA regulations, and how to protect workers from overexposure. Trenching and Excavation - May 30, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You will learn the dangers to employees, soil classifications, OSHA requirements, and the types of protective systems to prevent cave-ins. You will also learn what is meant by "competent Person." SafetyWorks! is not OSHA and cannot issue fines or citations to private businesses. While SafetyWorks! helps businesses of any size, priority is given to small businesses. The program trains about 8,000 people and consults at nearly 1,000 worksites in Maine each year. Employers interested in learning more about the consulting and training services offered by SafetyWorks! should call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or visit http://www.safetyworksmaine.com .

Governor LePage Issues Statement On Failure To Care For Elderly, Fight Drug Crime 

AUGUSTA – After the Appropriations Committee failed to fund bills that would fight drug crime and pay nursing homes, Governor Paul R. LePage vowed today to fund nursing homes that are in imminent danger of closing.

“It is inconceivable that the Appropriations Committee, which is ruled by a Democrat majority, would rather pay for posters and PR campaigns for smoking cessation than fund nursing homes, which take care of elderly Mainers. We found the revenue to keep nursing homes open and provide care for our most vulnerable citizens, but the Appropriations Committee chose to ignore our elderly. They talk about helping Maine people, but their actions reveal the height of their hypocrisy.”

 “The Legislature failed the Maine people, but the Executive Branch is now working to find every discretionary dollar we have available to fund two nursing homes that are on the verge of closing by July 1. We will do whatever we can to find up to $3.5 million to save these nursing homes. The Legislature went home without doing its job, but I will keep doing mine. We must not fail our elderly.”

 “I urge everyone to call the members of the Appropriations Committee and tell them to do what's right for elderly Mainers and to keep nursing homes open.”

“While the drug problem in Maine is growing every day, the Appropriations Committee refused to pass my bill to fight drug crime. We identified a source of funding to pay for MDEA agents, judges and prosecutors to get drug dealers off the street, but Democrats still fail to recognize the epidemic sweeping through our state. With the rising number of drug-addicted births, drug arrests and overdose deaths, it is unconscionable that liberals are still soft on drug crime.”

Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee members:

 Senator Dawn Hill (D-York), Chair

207-337-3689 

 Senator Emily Ann Cain (D-Penobscot)

207-866-3753 

Senator Patrick S. A. Flood (R-Kennebec)

207-395-4915 

Representative Margaret R. Rotundo (D-Lewiston), Chair

207-784-3259 

Representative Michael E. Carey (D-Lewiston)

207-344-3017 

Representative Linda F. Sanborn (D-Gorham)

207-939-2879 

Representative Megan M. Rochelo (D-Biddeford)

207-929-0110 

Representative Aaron M. Frey (D-Bangor)

207-249-9969 

Representative Erik C. Jorgensen (D-Portland)

207-939-7120     

Representative Kathleen D. Chase (R-Wells)

207-646-2118   

Representative Tom J. Winsor (R-Norway)

207-527-2233   

Representative Tyler Clark (R-Easton)

207-488-2633    

Representative Dennis L. Keschl (R-Belgrade)

207-441-3701    

AUGUSTA – In a robing ceremony conducted at the Kennebec County Superior Courthouse this afternoon, Governor Paul R. LePage administered the oath of office to seven judges – five appointees to the District Court and two District Court judges appointed to the Superior Court.

The following individuals are those newly appointed to the District Court:

Judge Andrew Benson, Athens
Judge William Schneider, Durham
Judge Lance Walker, Falmouth
Judge Eric Walker, Belmont
Judge Barbara Raimondi, Auburn

These new judges received from Chief Justice Saufley at the ceremony a judicial robe symbolizing objectivity, neutrality, and the Rule of Law.

Governor LePage also administered the oath of office to Superior Court appointees Justice Daniel I. Billings of Bowdoinham and Justice Robert E. Mullen of Waterville.

“I commend you for your work to uphold a standard of integrity in our judicial system. I am confident in your character and have great faith in your sense of fairness,” Governor LePage told the judges and justices. “Thank you for your dedication to the people of Maine and to our Great State of Maine.”

Hospital to Host Summer Health Careers Exploration Camp

Openings remain for June camp

 

Farmington, Maine¾

 

Openings remain for Franklin Memorial Hospital’s Summer Scrub Club Camp taking place June 23–26 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at Franklin Memorial Hospital. The camp is designed to introduce participants to a wide variety of careers available in health care and is open to all students who will be entering grades 7-12.

 

A sampling of careers explored may include: physical therapy and sports medicine, nursing, pharmacy, radiology, anesthesiology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, medical lab science, mental health counseling, and emergency medical services.

 

Campers will have the opportunity to participate in unique hands-on activities and demonstrations such as casting, suturing, prostheses, lab analysis, and emergency response to a mock accident. All campers will receive certification in Heartsaver CPR.

 

For more information or to register, please contact Devon Frechette in the Education Department at 778-2451 or e-mail, dfrechette@fchn.org

The Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Group (SSDPG) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) was published in the Federal Register this morning.  Approximately $3 million is available and the application deadlines are: June 24, 2014 for electronic applications filed through http://www.grants.gov and June 30, 2014 for paper applications.  A copy of the SSDPG NOFA is attached. 

 

Following are a few pointers to keep in mind:

 

1.         Grants may be made to Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers where a majority of the board of directors or governing board is comprised of individuals who are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. 

 

2.         To qualify for the SSDPG program, applicants must have a board of directors or governing board that is majority-controlled by members of socially disadvantaged groups.  This requirement applies to all applicant types, including cooperative development centers.  Applications that fail to address or meet this requirement will not be considered for funding.

 

3.         New for FY 14 -- The Agency has established annual performance evaluation measures to evaluate the SSDPG program.  Applicants must provide estimates on the following performance evaluation measures as part of their narrative:

•           Number of businesses assisted;

•           Number of cooperatives assisted; and

•           Number of small, socially disadvantaged producers assisted.

 

4.         The new CFDA number for SSDPG is 10.871.  This is needed on the application form.

 

Requirements for this program are listed in the attached NOFA.  The NOFA, FY14 Application Template, and other information about this program is available on our website at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_SSDPG.html. 

 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

 

Thanks,

Bev

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Beverly A. Stone | Business Programs Specialist | Energy Coordinator
Rural Development

U.S. Department of Agriculture
967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4 | Bangor, ME  04401-2767
Phone:  207.990.9125 | Fax:  207.990.9129