This week’s edition!
Archive for December 2011
LETTER: MaineWire.com to present the other side of the news
To the Editor:
The Maine Heritage Policy Center (MHPC) has just gone online with a site dedicated to providing news and information about the policies, policy-makers, ideas and events that affect our daily lives, our futures and the future of Maine. The site aims to provide daily reports on these subjects.
In an ideal world, Maine’s established media would welcome this site as a source for factual information not otherwise easily available and for ideas with which they are unfamiliar. In the real world, they are bound to feel a bit uneasy about its appearance.
There are a number of reasons that this is so. They don’t relish another Internet competitor at a time when almost all daily newspapers are suffering a decline in circulation and advertising revenue as readers look to such sites for their political information. The MHPC represents conservative and libertarian points of view with which Maine’s established media are uncomfortable and which they know little about and don’t care to learn more.
Mayor’s Corner: “Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men”
By Laurent F. Gilbert Sr.
Mayor of Lewiston
As I start my 211th column, I go through this exercise every week. What am I going to write about this week?
My thoughts for this week were to write about my opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline because of the threat to the environment in a number of states it would pass through or write about the extension of the payroll tax cut for the working class.
As I opened my computer this morning and checked out my Facebook, I found a message that my daughter Karla McMahon posted. It was quotes from Mother Theresa of Calcutta. Since this column will appear shortly before Christmas Day, I thought I would share Mother Theresa’s quotes with the readers here in the spirit of the season.
Bob Macdonald is Mayor of Lewiston
Robert E. Macdonald emerged victorious Tuesday in a run-off election to determine the next mayor of Lewiston. He squeezed out the victory by 70 votes, winning 2,543 votes to the 2,473 votes cast for Mark W. Paradis.
Paradis may not have been there in person, but he was in spirit as his wife Ronnie, son Phillip and several supporters were at the polls, encouraging residents to vote for him. Paradis, who announced last Wednesday that he was battling cancer, died unexpectedly on Friday.
According to the charter and state statute, the run-off election went ahead as scheduled. Had Paradis received the most votes, the mayor’s seat would have been declared vacant. Then an entirely new election would have been called, and anyone could have run for the position.
Mayor’s Corner: A tribute to Mark W. Paradis, a man for his community
By Laurent F. Gilbert Sr.
Mayor of Lewiston
As I write this column on Saturday afternoon while here at Lewiston City Hall, I am still in a state of shock upon hearing of the death of mayoral candidate Mark W. Paradis a short 24 hours ago.
I had just returned from lunch on Friday when City Administrator Ed Barrett informed me that Mark had died earlier in the morning.
At this point there were consultations with the city attorney to determine what the legal process was for the upcoming election. It was clearly obvious that the election needed to proceed, according to state statute and the city charter.
As I am writing this, I know not the result of Tuesday’s election. I have been a supporter of Mark Paradis’s campaign for election, and at the press conference Friday afternoon I said: “I still intend to vote for him at the polls on Tuesday, and I would encourage other residents who had intended to vote for him to still go to the polls and vote for Mark Paradis.”
LePage: The original intent of Medicaid has been lost
By Governor Paul LePage
Weekly Message
When I released details last week about the Dept. of Health and Human Services supplemental budget, I knew it was going to be difficult news to share with Mainers. These were not easy decisions to make but they were necessary.
In the last decade, the Democrats’ solution to affordable health care insurance was to transition people to Medicaid. This solution was shortsighted; it hurt people who need insurance coverage the most; it forced all Mainers to pay for much costlier health insurance premiums; and it increased taxes.
FAQ about DHHS shortfall posted on Governor’s website
With the Legislature’s budget-reviewing committee working this week to review proposed changes in Maine’s Medicaid program, also known as MaineCare, Governor Paul LePage has posted more information about his plan onto the Office of the Governor website. See www.maine.gov/governor/lepage.
In an effort to better inform Maine people, the website offers additional information about the Department of Health and Human Services supplemental budget, which includes facts and frequently asked questions about the Governor’s plan to reform Medicaid.
In a recent Democratic radio address, Sen. Seth Goodall (D-Richmond) accused the Governor of creating the plan for political gain—an accusation that Governor LePage says has no merit.
LETTER: Monument at Bates Mill No. 5
To the Editor:
Much has been said about Bates Mill No. 5 and its disposition. I agree with Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert that ideas without limits result in many humorous ideas.
Perhaps a more sobering suggestion should be made by submitting an application for historical landmark status as a tribute to over-reaching union management; legislation to accelerate foreign competition; agencies to regulate, stifle and over tax; ownership finding money easier in foreign lands with few restrictions; a federal government “spreading the wealth” to other lands and re-electing the same people or kinds of people to state and federal governing bodies who profit from assisting larger hard- and soft-money campaign contributors.
A “Celtic Christmas Extravaganza” at Franco Center
The critically acclaimed Boston String Quartet brings a Celtic Christmas Extravaganza to the Franco-American Heritage Center on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. This year’s featured vocalist is Pan Morigan.
For the second year, The Boston String Quartet returns to its New England roots to thrill audiences with their signature mix of music and movement, original storytelling and holiday joy. Be prepared for a thrilling concert of soaring Irish melodies, thumping rhythmic patterns, and Celtic flavor. With their engaging and refreshing take on beloved holiday favorites, the quartet incorporates the vocal stylings of Pan Morigan into their repertoire.
First Festival of Art and Lights is Saturday in Downtown Lewiston
On Saturday, December 10 from noon to 5 p.m. Downtown Lisbon Street will be filled with holiday cheer! The first Festival of Art & Lights will feature 14 downtown locations with 38 high-quality artisans selling wonderful gifts such as jewelry, scarves, pottery, wood working, fine art, lamps, photography, wreaths, poinsettias and more!
Mellow jazz, an afternoon wine tasting and chair massages will be offered for adult shoppers. The festival will also include activities for children, such as snow painting (weather permitting), snowflake making and photos with jolly ol’ St. Nick.
Lewiston Mayoral Run-Off Election is Tuesday
A citywide Special Mayoral Run-Off Election will be held on Tuesday, December 13 for the purpose of electing a mayor for the City of Lewiston.
There are two candidates running for the Office of Mayor: Robert E. Macdonald, 6 Jolin Street; and Mark W. Paradis, 82 Prospect Avenue.
The Lewiston City Charter requires that the mayor be elected by a majority vote. Of the five candidates who ran for mayor at the November 8 election, none received a majority of the votes cast. The two candidates who received the highest amount of votes must run against each other for the position in a special run-off election.
