WMCA Provides Career Counseling for Recent Manufacturing Technician Graduate

 

Photo caption:  Cathy Stairs, from Western Maine Community Action, provided on-going career counseling to recent NTI Manufacturing Tech graduate , Anderson Council resulting in a full-time hire with a local employer.  Photo by Monica Millhime.

 

Lewiston – Western Maine Community Action (WMCA) Case Manager, Cathy Stairs, has been assisting Anderson Council, a recent NTI Manufacturing Technician graduate with career options.  Council has secured full-time employment with International Door in Lewiston as a result of the work search guidance.  Council was one of eight candidates who participated in the Northeast Technical Institute Manufacturing Technician program supported through funding by WMCA, and the Bureau of Employment Services’ Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP).  The 14 week training program valued over $5,000 for each eligible participant, included 60 hours of WorkReady and 350 hours of manufacturing training.  The program promoted pathways to employment and advancements within the manufacturing industry.  “The success of this program is a result of forward-thinking modeling with course content, collaboration among business partners, and the students’ dedication to completing the course.  Students were engaged and recognized the manufacturing industry is experiencing an up-tick in the demand for skilled labor in the job market offering attractive wages and benefit packages,” said Patti Saarinen,  WIOA Site Coordinator WMCA – Lewiston CareerCenter.  “The integration of education and training is the best-practice model for success.”  FMI on future training programs call 753.9005.

L-A ROTARY LUNCH CLUB TO WELCOME STEPHANIS GELINAS MARCH 1

Auburn - On Thursday, March 1, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Stephanie Gelinas will be the featured guest speaker at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Gelinas, M.S, CCC-SLP is the founder and executive director of Sandcastle Clinical and Educational Services and LA Hearing Center in Lewiston. She has been practicing in the field of speech and language pathology for 33 years.  Stephanie attended the University of Maine at Farmington, graduating in 1984 with a dual degree in elementary education and speech correction. She went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences from Syracuse University in 1986. In 1996, she opened Sandcastle. The agency’s team of 50 professionals focuses on early detection, diagnosis and intervention, both clinically and educationally. Born and raised in Lewiston, Stephanie is proud of and engaged in the community where she still resides. She is the immediate past president of the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as Paul Harris Fellow award recipient and Rotarian, Stephanie is also a past president of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club, serves on the Health Advisory Committee for Promise Early Education Center and is on the board of directors for Tri County Mental Health Services. Stephanie is a 2007 graduate of the Androscoggin Leadership Development Institute. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband, Gerry, 6 children and 8 grandchildren. Her passions include the outdoors, traveling, and participating in triathlons.  Reservations are not required at the luncheon.  FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 713.7045 or email millhime@myfairpoint.net.  Events and other club information are posted at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org and www.facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.

Rotarian Roger Philippon to address L-A Rotary Lunch Club April 5 at CMCC

Auburn - On Thursday, April 5, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Central Maine Community College Campus, 1250 Turner Street, Auburn , Roger Philippon will be the featured guest speaker at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  A Lewiston native, Philippon, is dean of planning and public affairs at Central Maine Community College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Maine and a master’s degree in adult education from the University of Southern Maine. Long active in local civic affairs, Philippon is a former Lewiston City Councilor and Planning Board member. He served for many years as chair of the Advisory Board for the Franco-American Collection at USM/L-A College. Roger serves on the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, and is a member of the Maine Public Relations Council. He and his wife, Celeste. live in Lewiston and devote much time and energy to the Community Little Theater, where Philippon also serves on the board. They are the proud parents of son Joseph, who serves as the Community Resource Officer for the Lewiston Police Department, and proud grandparents to grandsons Isaha and Jackson. The Rotary meeting will be held in the conference room TWR 405, on the fourth floor of The Tower, the newest building on the campus.  Tours of the campus will be held directly following the luncheon.   Reservations are requested for the off-site luncheon by calling 713.7045 by April 1.  FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 713.7045 or email millhime@myfairpoint.net.  Events and other club information are posted at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org and www.facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.

L-A Rotary Lunch Club to Welcome Peter Baker January 18

Auburn - On Thursday, January 18, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Peter Baker  will be the featured guest speaker at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Peter Baker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Program Director, for Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter.  Baker holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern Maine and has been working in dementia care since 2006. He has worked in long-term care centers as a Social Services Director, Dementia Program Director and as an Executive Director.  As the program director for the Alzheimer’s Association, Caron oversees the care and support services provided by our Maine Chapter serving the entire state of Maine. His areas of expertise include family care consultations, information and referral services, crisis support, safety services, care planning, and emotional support. Externally, his work focuses on educating professionals and community members about the disease, facilitating support groups and training support group leaders. Reservations are not required at the luncheon.  FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 713.7045 or email millhime@myfairpoint.net.  Events and other club information are posted at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org and www.facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.

L-A Rotary Lunch Club to Welcome Warren & Amy Shaw January 25

Auburn - On Thursday, January 25, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Warren and Amy Shaw  will be the featured guest speakers at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Warren and Amy Shaw are the founders of At a Bend in the Road, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a place where Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship families in Maine can find specialized support for their unique needs. Warren works in Product Development at Thos. Moser Cabinet Makers where he has been employed for the past 25 years.  Amy is a stay at home Mom and Program Director for ABR.  The Shaw family personally experienced the great need for appropriate and specific supports for families who were raising a child with a history of trauma, neglect, and abuse. In 2001 they adopted their 9-month-old daughter from a Siberian orphanage.  Due to her young age, they expected to bi-pass many of the challenges common in raising a child with a history of neglect and abuse.  They discovered this was not the case, and through the years of tremendous struggle, they met other families who had similar unmet needs for unique and specific supports.   ABR was formed in 11/2012 in response to this need.  Reservations are not required at the luncheon.  FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 713.7045 or email millhime@myfairpoint.net.  Events and other club information are posted at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org and www.facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.

Rotarian Joanne Bollinger to address L-A Rotary Lunch Club February 1

Auburn - On Thursday, February 1, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Joanne Shea Bollinger will be the featured guest speaker at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Bollinger was sponsored as a new member to the L-A Rotary Club by President, Monica Millhime, and induced was into the Club on October 19, 2017.  She is a Board member of WISE-Women’s Initiatives that Strengthen and Empower, a non-profit in Maine since 2005, to move vulnerable women and children in western Zambia to self-sustaining lives. Her first trip to the project in 2013, intended as a one-time immersion experience in a small African town, inspired her to become involved in a deeper way. She now travels to Zambia at least once a year to advise, collaborate and learn from the local women who do the actual work on the ground. Much of her time in the US is focused on fundraising, sharing the WISE story around the country. Her passion is WISE’s scholarship program which currently supports 150 secondary students who would have no options for school beyond 7th grade, especially young girls at risk of early marriage. A special connection has been forged with the Nkwazi Rotary Club in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital: a trip to Zambia must include a visit with them.  Bollinger grew up in Auburn (EL ’63), never expecting to return. Following a career in music, teaching in Camden, Woolwich, Brunswick and singing throughout New England, she spent 12 years in Illinois with her second husband. Returning to Maine with her husband and following his death from Alzheimer’s Disease, the circle to Auburn was closed in 2014, when Joanne came “home” to be near her son and his wife.  Reservations are not required at the luncheon.  FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 713.7045 or email millhime@myfairpoint.net.  Events and other club information are posted at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org and www.facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.

L-A Rotary Lunch Club to Welcome Candace Sanborn February 15

Auburn - On Thursday, February 15, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Candance Sanborn  will be the featured guest speaker at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Sanborn is the Chief Marketing Officer for Community Concepts, a non-profit organization providing a variety of family, transportation and housing support services to residents in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties. Prior to joining Community Concepts in January 2016, Sanborn had an extensive 30 year career in strategic planning and marketing in business and as a consultant to a variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations in Maine and the Northeast.  She has a BA in Journalism from the University of Maine and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern New Hampshire.  Active in her community, Sanborn has served on numerous state and local non-profit boards and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) and the Maine Community Foundation. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, she has two grown children and lives in Auburn with her husband. Reservations are not required at the luncheon.  FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 713.7045 or email millhime@myfairpoint.net.  Events and other club information are posted at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org and www.facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.

L-A Rotary Lunch Club to Welcome Tim Gallant February 8

Auburn - On Thursday, February 8, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Tim Gallant  will be the featured guest speaker at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Gallant  is a Maine Staff Assistant for Congressman Bruce Poliquin. When he is not representing Congressman Poliquin at events or working on local Veterans’ benefits and claims, he volunteers at his church- Pathway Vineyard, serves the community through organizations such as the Lewiston ELKS Lodge, and more.  Gallant served in the Navy for 19 years from 1975 through 1994. He attended boot camp in Great Lakes, IL and Navy Aviation Electrician School in Millington, TN. He has served with the Blue Angels in Pensacola, FL, Patrol Squadron 23 in Brunswick, ME- where he was one of the first to earn the Air Warfare Designation in the Navy (AW), Naval Recruiting District New Jersey in Iselin, NJ, Naval Air Facilities AIMD in Lajos, Azores, Portugal, on the USS Destroy Peterson (DD 969) Norfolk, VA while attached to Helicopter Squadron 34, and as the Senior Instructor at the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA. Upon retirement from the Navy, Gallant used his GI Bill to attend Concordia University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. He returned to Maine in 2001, and accepted a positon as Building Grounds and Transportation Director at Maine School District 43 in Western Maine. He then became the Parks Superintendent for the Town of Rumford. Gallant retired in 2009 and returned to school to earn a second degree in Applied Science as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. During this time and as a disabled veteran himself, he was also helping Veterans receive benefits through his local VFW and American Legion Posts. Since 2016, he has worked as a Staff Assistant to Congressman Bruce Poliquin out of his Lewiston Office. While he focuses primarily on helping Veterans with their benefits, the Congressman’s Lewiston Office also helps constituents in dealing with the federal government and all federal agencies. The Congressman’s district offices in Maine, including at 179 Lisbon Street here in Lewiston, regularly assist with VA issues and claims, immigration applications and problems, Social Security and Medicare, the IRS, and much more. Gallant and the entire staff in Congressman Poliquin’s office are happy to help the local community in any way they can.  Reservations are not required at the luncheon.  FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 713.7045 or email millhime@myfairpoint.net.  Events and other club information are posted at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org and www.facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.

LOWER THAN DIRT

 

Last Tuesday night, I attended the sub-committee meeting hosted by Councilor Norman Albert and Councilor Mark Lunt pertaining to the situation with Lisbon Emergency Services.  The purpose of the meeting was to update the members of the sub-committee on the changes Lisbon Emergency had made to their By-Laws.  The meeting was conducted with no microphones or handouts so the members of the audience could not heard a lot of what was said and without a handout could not follow along.

I have been complaining about this situation for years but our Town leadership treats citizens as second class citizens.  What I mean is they do not care if the Public hear what is going on during these Public meetings.  I listen to Councilors complain that not many citizens take an interest in what is going on in town.  Well, when you are treated in this manner it is hard to maintain an interest when you cannot hear and no one cares.  Also, I have attended numerous briefing during my forty years working for the government and I never sat through a briefing that I could not hear everything said and I always had a handout in which to follow along.  At the end of classified briefings, the handouts were gathers back up and destroyed.

 

I have complained to our leadership on numerous occasions and they really do not care if they are professional or not.  This is just one of several reasons; I do not attend Town Council meetings.  If our leadership is not interested in what I have to say, then I am wasting my time attending.  Most of every Town Council meeting has been decided the outcome before the meeting so it is only a formality any ways.

 

Now, some can say that the By-Laws of Lisbon Emergency belong to Lisbon Emergency’s.  However, if the Town of Lisbon is hosting the meeting and Lisbon Emergency is asking for the taxpayers to supplement Lisbon Emergency; the taxpayers have a right to see the documents being discussed.  Just call me old fashion!  It is my personal opinion, that if you conduct a meeting in the town office and invite the Public; they should have handouts available to follow along.  If you do not want the people to attend and if you do not care if they hear or know what is going on; then stay out of our pockets to.  In other words, the citizens of Lisbon are being asked to pay for something but do not have a right to see and know what they are being forced pay for.

 

When is our leadership going to start treating its citizens like people, again?

 

Larry Fillmore

 

YOU BE THE JUDGE!!!!!

On December 19, 2017, our loved Town Council performed yet another illegal Executive Session.  This is exactly the same way it was when Councilor LaRochelle was on the Town Council the last time.  At least they waited until the second meeting to start again.  I believe that before you can be a Councilor you must know how to read.  Since the oath of office they take, requires you to obey the laws of the State of Maine; each Councilor should know the law pertaining to Executive Sessions.  Maine Statue 405, Executive Sessions is only three pages long and outlines what can and cannot be discussed behind closed door.

 

Paragraph 6, Permitted deliberation, states “Deliberations on ONLY the following matters may be conducted during an executive session:”   It goes on to outline 8 sub-paragraphs for which an Executive Session is authorized.  Sub-paragraph C. reads “Discussion or consideration of the condition, acquisition or the use of real or personal property permanently attached to real property or interests therein or disposition of publicly held property or economic development ONLY IF PREMATURE DISCLOSURES OF THE INFORMATION WOULD PREJUDICE THE COMPETITIVES OR BARGAINING POSITION OF THE BODY OR AGENCY.”  The last portion of this provision is the most critical because it outlines when this sub-paragraph can be used for an Executive Session.

 

On December 19, 2017, the Town Council when into Executive Session under the above cited sub-paragraph and when they came out Councilor Kolbe read a prepared motion that read: “Move to loan $146,940.00 with a 10-year term at an interest rate of 5% to Jason LaVerdiere and Tyson LaVerdiere doing business as Flux Restaurant as followers:  $100,000.00 from the IRP fund and $46,940.00 from the Commercial Loan Fund.”  This was the only application for the Revolving Loan Fund program so where is the competition.  How is approval of the only application going to change the bargaining position or going to be changed if this information was released?  The loan application does NOT meet the criteria for Executive Session under the provisions of Maine Statue 405.  I support the approval of the loan application BUT not in the manner it was done.

 

This Town Council meeting is only Councilor LaRochelle’s second meeting.  It would appear that the community is in for three more years of back-door dealings and illegal Executive Sessions.

 

Call your Councilors and tell them to stop these illegal Executive Session and start complying with the law by discussing them in Public.

 

Larry Fillmore

LET THE FUN BEGIN!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday night will begin the downfall of the community, again.  I am surprised it took until the second meeting with Fern LaRochelle to start.  On Tuesday agenda, there is an item under Executive Session, called Acquisition of Real Property or Economy Development.  Executive Session is where Fern LaRochelle does most of his wheeling and dealing because it is in SECRET.  No one can ever know what goes on behind closed doors.

 

Information put out in Executive Session pertaining to real property or anything that pertains to the bid process is restricted to ONLY Councilors.  I call this “insider information” because none of the other individuals that want to bid on the subject matter know what was discussed in Executive Session but Councilors are allowed to bid as private citizens.  Once again, there is no “conflict of interest” but ONLY in Lisbon.

 

No Councilor should be able to take part on anything discussed behind closed doors because it gives them an unfair advantage.  Fern LaRochelle has taken advantage of this in the pass when he purchased town property at a reduced price.  Having insider information provides Councilors with an advantage. 

 

I am shocked that the Chairman of the Town Council and the Town Manager waited until the second meeting to start this trend all over again.

 

Larry Fillmore

 

 

WWW.LISBONME.ORG

If you are wondering what “www.lisbonme.org” is; it is the address for the Lisbon town website.  The purpose of this website is to keep the people informed as to what is going on in Lisbon, Maine.  It should be an attempt to provide transparency for our local government.  However, as Mr. Joe Hill noted in his great article titled “Lisbon Has An Ongoing Problem Notifying Residents” no matter how many times residents complain nothing gets changed.

 

This is a shame because the solution is quite simple.  All scheduled meeting must be posted to the “Event” calendar on the Home page. I am going to provide two solutions to the problem:

 

Option 1:  Make the Councilor, who is responsible for the Board/Committee, responsible for posting the meeting/cancellation to the “Event” calendar.

 

Option 2:  Make the Councilor, who is responsible for the Board/Committee, responsible to notify the Town Manager’s Administrative Assistant to all meetings/cancellations.  This will ensure they are posted to the “Event” calendar on the town website.

 

This simple change will ensure that citizens have one location to be informed about ALL meetings.  This way the people can choose which meetings they want to attend and have an interest in.  However, before the town can implement these changes; they must first post all the Boards/Committees/Sub-Committees on the town website under the section called “Boards/Committees”.  Currently, the website ONLY lists 9 of the 18 Boards/Committees listed under “Council Committee Assignments”.  The Town Manager needs to ensure that all Boards/Committees/Sub-Committees are listed under the section called “Board/Committees”.

 

These simple changes will ensure that the people of Lisbon are kept informed and will show transparency.  By the way, taxpayers are paying tax dollars for the town website so why are we NOT using the site for what it was intended to do.  By selectively posting just what management want the people to see; the town is censoring what the people can and cannot have for information. So why are we wasting tax dollars on a web site that is NOT providing what we need?

 

Call your Councilors and ask them why the town is wasting tax dollars?  Also ask your Councilors; “Who has oversight over the posting of the town website”?

 

Larry Fillmore

 

 

 

Lisbon Has An Ongoing Problem Notifying Residents.

Last week's article by Larry Fillmore reminded me of a frustrating incident I had last winter.

Last January or February after braving a rather nasty snow/sleet storm  I arrived at Town Hall to find the advertised Council Meeting had been canceled. This cancellation was not noted on the outside electronic board or on the Town Web Site.   

On the return two miles drive back to my home, I wondered if the Town of Lisbon could be held partially liable if someone had a serious accident driving to or from this canceled meeting.  Bartenders can be held liable if they give an inebriated person excessive alcohol that causes an accident. Could Lisbon be held liable if they are the reason an accident victim is driving to or from a canceled meeting.  -- Probably not---

In my humble opinion, Lisbon has a serious ongoing problem keeping residents apprised of  Town Meetings, Cancellations, Informational material for meetings as well as updated budget information.  It would only take a minute to update the Town's Website or send an E-mail to notify residents of any meetings or changes to meetings.

By not keeping the residents notified of ongoing town business the Council is speaking volumes about the way they view residents.

They are silently saying to each and every resident:

•  We don't respect you enough to keep you informed.
•  We tell you we want you at meetings but we really can't be bothered to actually do the work to notify you.

How many times since 2010 have you heard someone complain that all the documentation for the Council Meeting isn't available on the Website?  I have heard this complaint dozens of times. Usually, someone will post the information a few days later 

when the Council has already voted on the measure.

If Councilors can't be bothered to keep residents informed why should residents respect and help the Council?  This respect goes both ways.

Respectfully
Joe Hill

 

HE’ssssss BACK!!!!!!!

Well, the people have spoken and re-elected Fern LaRochelle to the Town Council, again.  I am NOT a fan of Fern LaRochelle and this article is my personal opinion.  It was not bad enough that when he was on the Town Council before; there were back door meetings, numerous actions was conducted in Executive Session and Fern conducted secret meetings with the Millers over the Worumbo Mill property.  I believe Fern also took advantage of his position on the Town Council to purchase town owned property at a reduced price.  I call this “insider information” but to everyone else he was legal as a citizen.

 

As you can tell, I believe that Fern is part of the problem and not the solution.  Take the Lisbon Communication Center as a prime example, Fern lobbied hard to keep it in Lisbon instead of closing it and utilizing the Androscoggin County Dispatch at a savings to the taxpayer of roughly $200,000.00.  This was strictly a political decision, instead of a sound logical decision, with the best interest of the community being first.  Currently, the Lisbon Communication Center cost the taxpayers of Lisbon over $300,000.00 a year; money that could be better used to improve the community.  Fern did this as a sub-contractor of the town for wrecker/vehicle recovery service.

 

Why do I bring this out, yet again, it is because the first thing Fern did was appoint himself as the Councilor to the Public Safety Committee. This means he has a say in the Lisbon Communication Center which dispatches wrecker/vehicle recovery service for the town.  I believe this would be concerned a “conflict of interest” anywhere else except Lisbon.

 

Also, it is my opinion the length of the Town Council meetings will increase two fold because Fern likes to hear himself talk.  He is always saying “At the end of the day”.  So for the next three years, I believe that Fern will be wheeling and dealing and costing the town more money than it needs to spend.  In my opinion, Fern LaRochelle is a primary member of the “good old boys network/political machine” of Lisbon.

 

This is my personal opinion but I believe that Fern LaRochelle has to screw his pants on in the morning.

 

Larry Fillmore

 

Training Partners Support St. Mary’s Medical Assistant Program

 

Photo caption:  Pictured (l-r):  front row – Marie Blessing, Audrey Condon, Dancile Nshimirimana, Francis Nguyen, Kassandra Hebert, Katie Hamilton, Darcy Goyette, Mary Ann Gowell, instructor.  Second row – Jessica Biron, Dinah Morris, Tracy Crossman, Sandra Barnich, Trisha Newcomb, Justine Gray, Lori Adkins, Melissa Dalton, Kelsa Brennan, Kayla Caron, Patti Saarinen, WIOA Site Coordinator WMCA – Lewiston CareerCenter.  Third row – Paula Bolduc, Julian Kirouac, Brittany Wilkins, Miranda Hutchinson, Cathy Stairs, WMCA Employment & Training Specialist.

 

Lewiston – St. Mary’s Health System, 96 Campus Avenue, held a celebration ceremony on Tuesday, November 28 at the facility recognizing  19 local students for completion of their Medical Assistant classes.  Instructor, Mariann Gowell,  welcomed administrators, staff, family, friends, and community partners for the presentation of certificates.   Brittany Blais, St. Mary’s Talent Acquisition Partner & Human Resources, also shared remarks and thanked partners for making the program possible.

Students successfully completed a fast paced, condensed curriculum offering training to assist physicians with the clinical responsibilities of a medical office. The program included 140 hours of classroom/lab training with routine lab procedures, phlebotomy, EKG, diagnostic testing, etc.  Following the classwork, students are completing the final weeks of an Externship schedule of 160 hours.  Many of the students also earned a WorkReady certificate covering the topics of effective workplace communication techniques, resume and interviewing skills, conflict resolution, teamwork, and other important soft skills. This St. Mary’s employer driven project was made possible through the collaborative support and grant funding provided by Western Maine Community Action, Bureau of Employment Services/Competitive Skills Scholarship Program, and Gray/New Gloucester Adult Education.  The combined curriculum empowers students with the skills and knowledge essential to the specific job field.  “This graduation class is not only the result of the students’ dedication but also a prime example of train-to-work where business, education, and workforce development collaborate,” shares Patti Saarinen, WIOA Site Coordinator WMCA – Lewiston CareerCenter.  “The integration of education and training is a best-practice model for success.” 

"St. Mary’s Health System is proud of the success of the students that have completed this course,” shares Brittany Blais at St. Mary’s.  “This program was designed and executed in collaboration with Western Maine Community Action, Maine Department of Labor, and Gray-New Gloucester Adult Education after we recognized a need in our system for Medical Assistants.  It was a wonderful opportunity that will hopefully fulfill our need for qualified medical assistants and allow these students an opportunity to grow professionally in a rewarding career.  We are very appreciative of the efforts that all parties contributed to make this successful and wish the best of luck to these students." 

 

Monica M. Millhime

Employment & Training Business Specialist

CITIZENS OF LISBON AND BOWDOIN WAKE UP!!!!!

 

Last Wednesday night, I attended HALF a meeting on the issue of the Lisbon Emergency situation.  However, upon arrival at 06:40 PM, I learned the meeting had already started.  It was on the town website as starting at 0700 PM.  I have no idea what time it really started but I missed a discussion on the Request for Procurement (RFP).  The last meeting was cancelled (without notice to the Public) because they had not received a response to the RFP.  I came to see what was in the RFP’s.  Apparently, I missed that whole discussion.  It would be nice if you could believe the town website.

 

I think I should catch everyone on up on what is going on with Lisbon Emergency.  Lisbon Emergency, Inc. is operating at a loss.  They are asking the taxpayer of Lisbon and Bowdoin to bail them out with additional funds.  Check out the chart below:

 

FY                    TOTAL CHARGES   LISBON SHARE   BOWDOIN SHARE
2018-2019     $162,152.78           $127,884.46        $34,267.92
2019-2020     $187,762.90           $149,172.84        $39,590.06
2020-2021     $251,354.03           $199,245.74        $52,108.29

 

This is to maintain the current level of service to our communities.

 

I have utilized Lisbon Emergency several times this year and the service I have received was outstanding.  The Emergency Medical Technician’s (EMT) were very professional and very efficiency.  There is no question Lisbon Emergency is a valuable asset to our communities.  Without their service, our communities would have to wait for ambulance service (United Ambulance Service) to come from Russell Street in Lewiston.  Utilizing United Ambulance Service would not cost the towns anything but there will certainly be a delay.   CAN WE AFFORD THE DELAY?

 

When I asked if Lisbon Emergency had looked into alternative solutions before these towns bail them out; I was immediately informed by Chairman Ward this is NOT a bailout.  I do not understand why this is not a bailout.  Lisbon Emergency is a private business, providing a service to these towns, and are asking the taxpayer to add additional funds to their revenue to operate.  HOW IS THIS NOT A BAILOUT?

 

This is a real tough situation because if the taxpayers do not come up with the additional funds; Lisbon Emergency will have to shut down and United Ambulance Service will have to provide citizens with emergency medical services.  This is a critical situation that directly affects the lives of every person in both communities.  Bowdoin has a town meeting in March and will vote on it.  However, Lisbon does not have a town meeting to decide these issues;  I believe because everyone in Lisbon is affected by this issue; it should be decided by a vote of the citizens and NOT left up to the Town Council.  This is just too important.

 

Think about where the money is going to come from?  The town of Lisbon is currently wasting over $200,000.00 by keeping the Communication Center open instead of using the Androscoggin County Dispatch center.  This was a political decision instead of a logical one.  CAN WE AFFORD TO SUPPORT BOTH?

 

Larry Fillmore

 

WHAT EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD KNOW!!!!!

 

This is an informational paper on our American flag that every patriot should know.  I will start with the colors; which are red, white and blue.

 

COLORS:

 

Red – Signifies valor and bravery.

White – Signifies purity and innocence.

Blue – Signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

 

STARS:

 

There are fifty stars representing each state in the union.  The stars are arranged by 5 rows of 6 and 4 rows of 5 totaling fifty. These stars are in a blue background.

 

BARS:

 

There are thirteen bars representing the original thirteen states.  They start with red and alternate with white.

 

MY VIEWS:

 

Starting with the Revolutionary War, American have lived and died defending the American flag.  Many American patriots have sacrificed everything so that others could live in peace.  Americans have been fighting all over the world to defend the American way of live. 

 

Freedom does not come cheap but the rewards for maintaining our democracy and republic are very gratifying.

 

Whenever, you see the American flag flown remember the many Americans who have sacrificed so much in the defense of this flag so that you can live in peace with all the freedoms you have.

 

God Bless America and God bless this nation.

 

 Larry Fillmore  

NOT A CLUE!!!!

On October 25, 2017, Dorothy Fitzgerald and myself arrived at the town Office to attend a meeting of the sub-committee on Emergency Medical Service in Lisbon announced by Councilor Norman Albert at the October 3, 2017 Town Council meeting.  I was greeted by the Town Manager, Diane Barnes, who informed me the meeting was cancelled until the Request for Procurement (RFP) was received.  I asked Mrs. Barnes why there was no notification of the cancellation posted anywhere and was informed she notified the sub-committee members.  I asked why she did not notify the people of the cancellation.

 

According to Mrs. Barnes, she does not notify the people of sub-committee cancellations.  So Dottie and I wasted our time; thinking we were going to attend an EMS that was cancelled without notifying the people.  This I see as a problem that has a simple solution; so I contacted Chairman Allen Ward of the Town Council and offered the following solution:

 

“The town has a web site that has an "Event" calendar on it.  Every Chairman of ANY committee/sub-committee should be required to notify Diane of the schedule or cancellation of any meeting open to the Public.  One of the many purposes of the web site is to keep the people informed.

 

There is no real reason why the people are being held in the dark when the town is supposed to be transparent.

 

The town council needs to insists on transparency when it comes to the people.”

 

I did not receive a response from Chairman Allen Ward but did receive a response from the Town Manager, Diane Barnes in which she said:

 

“I did not post the meeting on our website therefore, there I did not post the cancellation.  I was the one that notified the committee members that the meeting was canceled.

 

To me, Mrs. Barnes response does not address the problem or the solution I offered.  This means that the people are not being kept informed on issues that concern them.  I call this a deliberate act of concealing meetings from the people; that shows a lack of transparency by the Town Manager.

 

However, tonight I noticed an EMS meeting scheduled on the Town Website for next Wednesday so maybe someone DID get the message.  We will have to wait and see how long this last.

 

Larry Fillmore

My Right to Support the Candidate of MY Choice

 

Some one is taking away my right to support the candidate of my choice.

 I support Scott Gaisson in his running for the Maine House of Representatives

He would work hard for the citizens of Lisbon and the State of Maine.

When I found that he was running I asked him if he would place one of his

political signs in on my property, which he or one of his supporters did.

 

A sign for Mr.. Gaisson's opponent, Rick Mason, was placed on my neighbor's property

weeks ago. I respect that my neighbor has a right to support a candidate

of his choice and place a sign on his property.

 

A little over a week ago someone removed Scott Gaisson's sign, from my property.
I found it in the middle of the road, in the School Street, Route 196 intersection,

badly damaged after being run over by numerous vehicles. 

I found the sign and put it again on the wire stand. A few days later Mr.. Gaisson

replaced the damaged sign with a new one.

Sometime  between Friday evening and Saturday morning Scott Gaisson's

sign was again stolen.

Not only was Scott Gaisson's sign missing, but a second one for his opponent

was placed on my neighbor's property.

 

I called the Lisbon Police Department and reported that a political sign was stolen,
not once but twice. The police office who responded suggested that the sign on my property

was taken by teenagers.

Kids who had a new sign to place on my neighbor's property at the same time. 

                Really??????????         This is improper politics at it's worst.   

 

Someone is taking away my right to support the candidate of my choice for the Maine 
House of Representative.

 

I am asking that whoever removed Scott's sign do the right thing and bring it back,

no questions asked.  

 

And no, I am not even suggesting that my neighbor removed the sign from my property. 
He and I have more respect for each other that that.

 TO TAKE DOWN, REMOVE, DAMAGE A POLITICAL SIGN IS AGAINST THE LAW

 

Respectfully,

Dot Fitzgerald

A Lisbon Concerned Citizen