This week’s edition!
Archive for May 2014
LAWPCA wins Environmental Excellence Award
From left: LAWPCA Board Chair Phil Nadeau, Governor Paul R. LePage, LAWPCA Superintendent Mac Richardson, LAWPCA Assistant Supt. Travis Peaslee, and Maine DEP Commissioner Patricia Aho.
The Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority (LAWPCA) was presented with a 2014 Environmental Excellence Award recently for their voluntarily efforts to go beyond regulatory requirements to promote innovation and environmental sustainability.
LAWPCA was recognized by Governor Paul R. LePage and Maine DEP Commissioner Patricia Aho for its anaerobic digestion and co-generation facility for waste water solids that went operational in 2013. Others receiving the statewide awards were Texas Instruments, Allagash Brewery, and the Maine Water Environment Association.
Auburn committee announces Memorial Day events
An Auburn committee made up of city officials and representatives from local veterans’ groups has announced several events for Memorial Day weekend.
The annual Twin Cities Memorial Day Parade will take place on Saturday, May 24 at 9:30 a.m. The route will start in Lewiston and cross the bridge to include Great Falls, Turner and Court Streets in downtown Auburn. Following the parade, there will be a ceremony at Veterans’ Memorial Park, where veterans and local officials will honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Luncheon events at several Auburn American Legion and VFW posts will follow the service.
Local law enforcement agencies launch new tip service
As a result of a county-wide partnership, the Lewiston-Auburn 9-1-1 Center has begun accepting anonymous reports of underage age drinking and drug use via text message, website and mobile application.
The program, known as AndroTip, allows concerned citizens, parents and teens to anonymously submit information they might otherwise feel uncomfortable reporting. The information is sent through a Canadian server, which encrypts the information and sends it to the L-A 9-1-1 communications center. The text the Center receives is stripped of any identifying name or number information.
L-A Vets seek help to place memorial flags
The L-A Veterans Council needs you!
If you would like to help place individual flags at the gravestones of the 5,000 veterans buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lewiston, report to contact person Jerry Dewitt at the Mausoleum on Switzerland Road in Lewiston on Sunday, May 18 at 1 p.m.
Each year, towns and cities are required by state law to purchase and place individual American flags at the gravestone of every veteran buried in their cemeteries by Memorial Day. Lewiston places over 7,000 flags in its 13 cemeteries, 5,000 of which are placed in St. Peter’s Cemetery alone.
Volunteers carry out this work. While the L-A Veterans Council coordinates the work for St. Peter’s Cemetery, many of their members are elderly and are unable to assist. They need your help.
Enough is Enough: Working to protect the over-taxes middle class
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
He refuses to compromise. It’s his way or the highway. Well, boo-hoo.
For years the Democratic Party, along with Maine’s editorial writers, have shoved their vision of a socially just society, where people live in harmony and the government provides for everyone’s needs, down the throats of our over-taxed middle class. This wonderful idea, however, fails to recognize two major factors: money and human nature.
But this is what self-imposed guilt does to you. You were born white into a nuclear family, a family that provided you with food, clothing, shelter and love. Your home was warm in the winter and comfortably air conditioned in the summer. Your world consisted of manicured lawns, swimming pools, spacious neighborhoods and extended summer vacations at the lake or seashore. You enjoyed all this while the least of our society suffered extreme hardships. It’s just not fair.
Balderdash!
“Maine is IT!” offers free summer courses for new IT students
Students interested in studying information technology at one of Maine’s community colleges, including Central Maine Community College in Auburn, may be eligible for scholarships to cover the cost of their coursework this summer.
The “Maine is IT!” initiative, funded by a three-year, $13 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, is making it possible for Maine’s seven community colleges to dramatically expand the courses and programs they offer in Information Technology (IT). A related scholarship program will enable some students enrolling in the programs for fall to get a free jumpstart toward their degree this summer.
L-A Police and Fire Depts., local “heroes” honored by Red Cross
Three L-A residents, along with four departments of first responders in the Lewiston-Auburn region, are among those to be honored this year as “Real Heroes” by the American Red Cross of Maine.
“These are truly special people who share the common thread of taking action to help others,” says Jennifer Gaylord, Branch Manager of the United Valley office of the Red Cross. “This year, as a special recognition, we’re honoring the Fire and Police Departments from Auburn and Lewiston for their tremendous work during the 2013 Lewiston fires.”
Receiving the “Blood Real Heroes Award” is Hallie Twomey of Auburn. Twomey is a supporter of giving the gift of life through blood drives and organ donation. She tragically lost her son to suicide four years ago and organizes an annual blood drive in his honor. Twomey and her husband gave the ultimate gift of life by choosing to donate their son’s organs. In addition, Twomey has raised thousands of dollars for the New England Organ Bank, is currently in the live organ donation process, and actively promotes organ donation awareness.
Enough is Enough: Lewiston must take a long, hard look at its budget
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Today in Lewiston we stand at a crossroad. Over the past several years prior city councils, our city administrator, our finance director, our development director and the many entrepreneurs located in the area of upper Lisbon and Main Streets have worked hard to create a vibrant downtown—a downtown that has become a destination.
We have listened to our young professionals; these young professionals represent Lewiston’s future. We have added bike lanes to our streets, nature trails and parks in neighborhoods throughout the city. We are slowly, but steadily, putting into place our Riverfront Plan. The Balloon Festival and the Dempsey Challenge bring thousands of people to Lewiston each year. These visitors spend large amounts of money at local businesses.
Recognize this man?
Since Friends of Pettingill was formed 17 months ago to encourage and guide the development of a city park at the site of the former Pettingill School on College Street in Lewiston, members of the organization have been working to find a photograph of the school and park’s namesake, Lee Duren Pettingill. They finally tracked down the college graduation photo shown below with the help of Bowdoin College.
L.D. Pettingill was born on August 26, 1894 in Fairfield, Maine, the son of Alvah G. and Ellen Duren Pettingill. He graduated from Jordan High School in Lewiston and was a 1916 graduate of Bowdoin College. A chemist by profession, he worked for the Pepperell Manufacturing Co. and the Lewiston Bleachery and Dye Works.
Bates announces honorary degree recipients
Acclaimed actress Glen Close will be among the four people receiving honorary degrees at Bates College’s 148th Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 25.
Bates College will confer honorary degrees on four leaders from the arts, business, journalism and technology during the college’s 148th Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 25.
Delivering the Commencement address and receiving an honorary degree will be Isabel Alexis Wilkerson, author of the acclaimed “The Warmth of Other Suns.” Also receiving honorary degrees during the ceremony will be pioneering computer scientist John Seely Brown, renowned actress and social activist Glenn Close, and leading Maine entrepreneur and champion of corporate social responsibility David Shaw.
