WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE PEOPLE????

I have been reviewing the proposed 2018-2019 Municipal budget, which currently has a $1,900,000.00 increase over last year’s budget.  I am going to show some outstanding differences. 

 

Let’s start with the biggest irresponsible act of all.  It is a pay increase for all employees disguised as Cost-of-Living-Allowance (COLA).  All town employees, regardless of their position, have been receiving this for the past eight-ten years.  This year is no exception.  COLA was created by the Federal government to off-set inflation but is used to ensure ALL employees receive a wage increase EVERY year regardless of the economy.

 

DEPT HEAD                          2018 Salary             2019 Proposed      Difference

Town Manager                   $95,047.00              $96,482.00              $1,435.00

Assessing Director                58,565.00                59,452.00                    887.00

Code Enforcement               73,090.00                77,777.00                 4,687.00

Finance Director                   75,394.00                77,228.00                 1,834.00

Town Clerk Director            54,217.00                56,560.00                 2,343.00

Chief of Police                       76,130.00               77,270.00                 1,140.00

Fire Chief                                69,797.00                75,005.00                 5,208.00

EMS Director                           1,523.00                   1,546.00                        23.00

Public Works Director        42,246.00               75,005.00              32,759.00

Solid Waste  Director          21,123.00                          0.00              -21,123.00

Recreation Director             61,014.00                61,922.00                     908.00

Library Director                    51,788.00                54,089.00                  2,301.00

General Assistance Dir       10,353.00                10,508.00                     155.00

Economic Director               53,878.00                57,276.00                  3,398.00

Treatment Plant Dir            21,123.00                82,717.00                61,594.00

                                                                                                TOTAL           $97,549.00

 

Ryan Leighton

Public Works Director      $42,246.00

Solid Waste Director          21,123.00

Treatment Plant Director  21,123.00

                        TOTAL          $84,492.00  in 2018

(Not bad for an individual with no qualification for any position)

 

Now, I dare anyone to show me an equal means to justify the difference in salaries.  These salaries were determined by the Town Manager, Diane Barnes and I cannot understand how they were determined, maybe by favoritism. 

 

The total increase, for just the Department Heads, is $97,549.00 by my calculator.  I believe that there are approximately 100 town employees and this is just 15 employees.  So what is this COLA increase going to total for the other 85 employees?

 

I can never remember getting a $1,400.00 dollars pay increase every year and I worked for forty years.  Can any of you citizens remember when you did?  This is not only wrong but totally irresponsible on the part of the Town Manager and the Town Council as a whole.  We, the people, hired or elected these individuals to represent our best interest and as far as I am concerned they failed measurable.  

 

I will be reporting on numerous other problems with this proposed budget but I know that it will not make a difference to either the Town Manager or the Town Council.

 

 I hope, the people, remember these discrepancies in November.

 

Larry Fillmore

 

 

 

 

 

WHY??????????????????

 

When Mrs. Diane Barnes, Town Manager, first came to Lisbon and the people had an opportunity to meet her; I was very impressed with Mrs. Barnes.  I thought she would be a good fit for the town and with her financial background would help taxpayers.  Since that time, I have seen firsthand that this was all a front.

 

Since, she has been our Town Manager; her budget has increased taxes every year.  Mrs. Barnes has made absolutely no attempt to reduce the municipal budget; in fact, she has included a Cost-of-Living-Allowance (COLA) every year she has been here.  The Federal government uses COLA to offset inflation but in Lisbon it is used to grant pay raises to ALL town employees.  How does a person being paid over $90,000.00 a year needs an increase of 2% ($1,800.00) every year disguised as COLA?

 

Now, the Town Manager is trying to replace the Public Works Director previously held by Ryan Leighton.  This is a total waste of our tax dollars.  Mr. Elwood “Button” Beal, who is still working for Public Works, was the director before Ryan Leighton and had an outstanding record.  I remember when “Button” was the director of Public Works and there were nowhere near the problems we are experiencing today.   Given “Button’s” track record, why is the Town Manager advertising for a Public Works Director?  This is a total waste of our tax dollars and members of the Town Council should put a stop to this.

 

I noticed that there is NO advertising for a Superintendent of Sewer which Ryan Leighton was being paid for when he was never qualified for the position.  The Sewer Department has Mr. Stephen Aievoli as the Operations Manager and the State of Maine has accepted his reports as far as the Environmental Protection Agency needs.

 

Mr. Marcel Obie has been operating the Transfer Station since Mr. Wayne Ricker retired.  I believe that most residents of Lisbon would agree that Marcel has been doing an outstanding job and should continue as the Manager.  This is another position Ryan Leighton claimed in his over $80,000.00 dollar salary annually. 

 

The Town Manager needs to stop wasting taxpayers’ dollars and concentrate on reducing the operating cost of the town.  This year’s budget, which is $1.9 MILLION more than the current budget, also included a COLA increase which will put the cost of wages and benefits at 49.6% of the entire municipal budget.  Mrs. Barnes needs to put a stop to wasting tax dollars.

 

Larry Fillmore

L-A Rotary Lunch Club to Welcome Trisha Scribellito May 10

Auburn - On Thursday, May 10, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Trisha Scribellito will be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Scribellito is the Coordinator of BookReach, a non-profit early literacy program supported by the Lewiston and Auburn Public Libraries, serving daycares in Lewiston, Auburn, and Minot. She attended the University of Southern Maine, and worked in the Lewiston Public Library prior to working with BookReach. Trisha is a resident of Lisbon Falls, and is married with a 10 year old son, and is expecting another child in early July. She enjoys volunteering in her child’s classroom when time allows. Reservations are not required at the luncheon.  Visiting Rotarians and community members are welcome to attend.  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/.

LISBON ROADS AND STREETS

 

This year has been extremely hard on our roads and streets.  There are potholes everywhere making it difficult to drive.  I do understand that it is still winter and hard for Public Works to repair our road and streets.  However, nothing is stopping Public Works from marking these potholes to alert drivers of the hazard.

 

However, the question is “Is Public Works under Ryan Leighton doing all that they can for the residents of Lisbon?”  I answer that question with a resounding “NO”.  I remember years ago before Ryan Leighton being Public Works Director; a gentleman name Button Beale was the Public Works Director and we never had any of the problems we have been having lately.

 

Putting Ryan Leighton as the Public Works Director, Superintendent of Sewer, and in charge of the Transfer Station was a temporary fix because the State of Maine finally stepped in and told the town that Ryan Leighton was NOT qualified as a Maine Licensed Engineer.  Ryan Leighton had been getting paid as a fully qualified licensed engineer.  The town of Lisbon had been wasting our tax dollars on unqualified personnel being in positions where they needed to be qualified.  The “condition of employment agreement” was written so that the individuals never had to complete the qualifications for the position.  

 

Now Ryan Leighton is moving on and as far as I am concerned not fast enough; we have qualified individuals’ current in place to perform the various duties and in fact most cases have been doing the work but Ryan Leighton has been taking the credit.  The town has been paying a Ryan Leighton close to $90,000.00 tax dollars when it was not necessary.  I hope the Town Council is smart enough to restore the individuals who are actually doing the work back in supervisory positions and NOT try to replace Ryan Leighton.  How can you replace nothing?

 

Let’s learn to save tax dollars by putting ONLY qualified individuals in the required positions and if they want to do a “condition of employment agreement” makes it very clear the desired outcome and a timeline in order to complete the qualifications.  By the way, they should be hired a lower salary until they become fully qualified.

 

STOP WASTING OUR TAX DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Larry Fillmore

L-A Rotary Lunch Club to Welcome Tahlia Chamberlain May 24

Auburn - On Thursday, May 24, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Tahlia Chamberlain will be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Chamberlain is a lifelong Mainer and over-the-top fan of her three large dogs and her husband, Norm. Since graduating from the University of Southern Maine in 1985, she has worn many hats as social worker, teacher, and program manager, and has had the privilege of working with thousands of people, from tots to teens, disabled adults and college students. In 1996, she became the first paid employee of Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin and quickly developed a passion for empowering adults through education. Twenty- two years later, the courage and tenacity of adult students and their volunteer tutors continue to inspire her.  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/.

EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES

Approximately three weeks ago, I could not find the Town Council agenda for the following Tuesday’s meeting.  I called the Town Manager, Diane Barnes, and asked her for the location.  She informed me that the Town had changed the location on the Town website.  I asked her why the website was only partly changed and she informed me that it was because a contract stopped and that the person who was responsible for the website was on vacation that week.

 

This just highlight the Administration of the Town of Lisbon is in serious trouble.  In my eyes the first rule of operating a website is to make it accessible for its users.  I believe in the KISS theory.  Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS).  A website should always be designed with the Users in mind because it is for their use.  The Town website is not User friendly; in fact, it is totally confusion by having redundant ways to locate certain items.  I was always taught that redundancy is for saving/backing up data which is NOT the responsibility of the User. 

 

Simple ways to locate items eliminate confusion for the Users.  Users should be the primary focus when designing a website.  Right now, on the Town website there are at least two different paths to take to locate the Town Council agendas.  It is much easier to maintain and for the Users when there is one path to locate the Town Council agendas.  Also, if you follow the path of Town Council – Council Agenda & Minutes – Current Tuesday Agenda – Town Council – Agenda it takes you to the current Town Council agenda.  There is absolutely no need for the last two screens because the Town Council agenda should come up when you click on Current Tuesday Agenda.  The User should never have to go beyond that screen.  The current system is a waste of time and money to maintain and confuses Users.

 

Now if you go Minute and Agendas – Town Council – 2018 – Select the Town Council Agenda you are looking for.  This is less friendly to Users.  The Administration staff of the Town has absolutely no concept of what they are doing, in my eyes.  First of all, according to Mrs. Barnes there is only one individual that can make changes to the website.  I do not believe that I have to explain why this is not acceptable.  Because there are unnecessary screens that Users have to go through and the fact there are two different paths is a clear indication that very little planning when into the design of the website.  Clearly there is no oversight of this project.

 

Next, why was the changes implemented without making ALL the necessary changes to the website?  This is another indication of little to no oversight.  The Town Manager works for the Town Council who works for the people; so I ask again where is the oversight.  The Town Council needs to look into the Town website since they are overall responsible.  There needs to cross-training so that the town does not have to rely on just one individuals to maintain the website.

 

The residents of Lisbon deserve better.

 

Larry Fillmore

L/A ROATARY CLUB TO WELCOME CELESTE YAKAWONIS - MAY 3RD

Auburn - On Thursday, May 3, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Celeste Yakawonis will be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Yakawonis has been a  self-employed Real Estate paralegal for over 30 years. She is a lifelong resident of Maine-attended Lewiston High School and the University of Maine at Orono graduating in 1974. In 2003, after joining the then Androscoggin County  Chamber of Commerce, she began to take a greater interest in the community around her. She decided that one business was not enough, and launched Gift Baskets by Celeste. Under various names this business lasted 18 years!  She then established a new business,  Party'n With Plants which hosts Garden Terrarium design classes. Currently she is a member of Central Maine Community College Foundation Board, and Treasurer / Board member of the Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Extension Agency. Recently, she has joined a group at Tri County Mental Health Agency to address the issue of the opioid crisis that is facing our community, State of Maine and country.  Yakawonis was recently sponsored by Christine Wilson to re-activate her membership with the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  She lives in Turner with her always supportive  husband Peter, dog Bruce and six cats. She loves spending time with her grown daughters Katherine and Margaret. She loves growing plants, working out at Planet Fitness( yes really!) and taking time to enjoy life!  Reservations are not required at the luncheon.  Visiting Rotarians and community members are welcome to attend.  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 CLUB TO WELCOME KIM FINNERTY - APRIL 19TH

Auburn - On Thursday, April 19, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Kim Finnerty will be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  with the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Finnerty is the Director of Whiting Farm in Auburn.  She holds a B.A. in Chemistry from West Virginia University, 1996.  Agriculture became an important topic for her while she was a teacher at Edward Little High School. She created the Chemistry through Agriculture program at Edward Little High School as a way of engaging her students in their learning.  She became the director of Whiting Farm in January 2015.  Under Kim’s leadership Whiting Farm has become a working four-season farm dedicated in offering education, nutrition and enrichment for our population of diverse needs.  She is on the board of the Lewiston-Auburn Food Council and is a member of the Auburn Agriculture and Natural Resources Rezoning Committee.  In her tenure as Director of Whiting Farm she has created partnerships with many area nonprofits, truly making Whiting Farm a community farm.  The farm is open year round selling Poinsettia’s, annuals, fresh produce and offering community engagement and education space.  The goal for the farm is to be a working-educational farm that is open to professionals and community members for locally grown produce, education and enjoyment.  Reservations are not required at the luncheon.  Visiting Rotarians and community members are welcome to attend.  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 Jesse Harvey & Eric Skillings

Auburn - On Thursday, May 31, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Jesse Harvey and Eric Skillings will be the featured guest speakers of the L-A Rotary Lunch Club.  Harvey is a person in long-term recovery. He is a Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS) and is the Founder of Journey House Sober Living. He works full time as Peer Support Coordinator for Greater Portland Health, and volunteers as Chapter Lead of Young People in Recovery- Portland. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Health Equity Alliance and serves on numerous other boards and committees.  A decade of drug use, marked in the end by trauma, psychosis, incarceration, and extreme isolation, brought Harvey to a very dark place. After several overdoses and suicide attempts, he was involuntarily committed for a fifth time into a treatment facility in a Massachusetts state prison.  In mid-2015 he was discharged to a Portland Maine recovery house, and, with the support of his peers and with opportunities for growth, he began to rebuild his life. Today Harvey is a passionate recovery advocate who seeks to improve our communities by advocating for and implementing low-cost, low-barrier, and evidence-based public health interventions.

 

Eric Skillings grew up a broken kid who did not know how to deal with his emotions. He turned to alcohol at a young age after the divorce of his parents. In that bottle, Skillings found relief from his childhood for the first time. He was in and out of jails starting at the age of 11, and when he was a young adult he was injured in a work accident and became dependent on prescribed opioids. It wasn't long before he went to prison as a direct result of his Substance Use Disorder (SUD). He was defeated by the disease but luckily found help through a nine month rehab program in prison. Upon release he quickly became extremely involved in the Southern Maine recovery community, and today he has three years of recovery and co-owns and manages Journey House Sober Living's two Sanford recovery houses.  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/.

LOCAL GENDER DISCRIMINATION

Gender discrimination is alive and well at the Portland Trader Joe's.

Gender discrimination is alive and well at the Portland Trader Joe's. 

If you are a man you will not feel welcomed at this Trader Joe's.

Unlike the women's room, the men's restroom is under lock and key and if you need relief you will have to search the store for someone with the special code to unlock the men's bathroom.

I called the store and asked the manager (Kammie) about this blatant gender discrimination and she said it was for the safety of the shoppers as if Men are not shoppers at her store. She implied that men are nasty perpetrators that the real shoppers (women) need to be protected from.

If you are a man, a father or veteran I would not encourage you to put yourself through the discrimination you will find at the Portland Trader Joe's

Sincerely
Joe Hill

L/A ROTARY LUNCH CLUB TO WELCOME JONATHAN CARSLEY MARCH 29

Auburn - On Thursday, March 29, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Jonathan Carsley, will be the featured guest speaker of the L-A Rotary Lunch Club.  Carsley is the music director at Lisbon High School and the director of the grade 4-5 Beginning Band at the Lisbon Community School. Previously he taught general music and chorus at both the Lisbon Community School and the Philip W. Sugg Middle School. He completed his bachelors degree in Music Education with a concentration in Instrumental Music from the University of Southern Maine School of Music. He studied clarinet with Dr. Thomas Parchman, Principal Clarinetist in the Portland Symphony Orchestra and Oboe with Neil Boyer, Principal Oboist in the PSO (retired). While at USM he had the privilege of playing clarinet under the baton of Professor Emeritus Dr. Peter Martin and singing in the University Chorale and Chamber Singers with Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert Russell. During his undergraduate studies he auditioned for and was excepted into the Intercollegiate Band, and participated in two European Tours with the University Chamber Singers. He also worked guest conductors Anthony Maiello, Eugene Corporon, Jack Stamp, Doreen Rao, and Daniel Pinkham.  He attended the prestigious Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut and earned a masters degree in Music Education with a concentration in Pedagogy and Kodály. In conjunction with his degree program Carsley attended the Hartt Summer Kodály Institution where he received his Kodály Level III Certification. He is greatly indebted to his mentors Dr. John Feierabend, Victoria Lebel, Jeffrey Rhone, Dr. Edward Bolkovac, Dr. T. Clark Saunders, Dr. Dee Hanson, Dr. Kenneth Nott, and Michael Schiano.  Carsley lives in Lewiston with his wife, Dorothy, and daughter Ava. In addition to making music with his students Carsley enjoys working in his garden, cooking for friends and family, and photography. 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 CLUB TO WELCOME JOHN NEWLIN & THEDA LYDEN MARCH 22

Auburn - On Thursday, March 22, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, John Newlin and Theda Lyden, will be the featured guest speakers at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Newlin is co-founder and executive director of Growing to Give, For the past few years, Newlin has been focused on diversifying operations and expanding the use of climate-friendly methods at Scatter Good Farm, where he lives with his family. In addition, he is the board chair of Unity College, senior advisor at Re-Fridge, and a climate advocate trainer with Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Previously, Newlin worked 30 years in Maine as a high school teacher, school reform coach, facilitator, and nonprofit director, including a long period with the Great Schools Partnership, and more recently as executive director of MICDL, located at USM's Lewiston-Auburn College.

 

Theda Lyden is co-founder and farm manager of Growing to Give, a non-profit that grows organic vegetables at Scatter Good Farm in Brunswick, and donates the produce to local people facing food insecurity through partner food banks and pantries. As farm manager, Lyden plans and oversees all growing and harvesting activities. A long-time resident of Greene, she is a Master Gardener and ceramic artist. Previously, she operated her own farmers market business, Dig it Farm, selling certified organic herbs, flowers and perennials at the Portland Farmers Market. She also worked many years as the executive chef at the award-winning Harraseeket Inn in Freeport, Maine. As a chef, Lyden was instrumental in building partnerships with local farmers and growers, with an emphasis on organic and all-natural local food.  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 CLUB SUPPORTS ALZHEIMER ASSOCIATION OF MAINE

 

 

Auburn – On behalf of Lewiston-Auburn Lunch Club Rotarians, President Monica Millhime (second from LEFT), along with Belinda Valee, and Rotarians Cheryl McKeone and Tom MacDonald presented a $2,000 check to Peter Baker (pictured center), from the Alzheimer's Association Maine Chapter.   “Thank you for your $2,000 contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, shares Laurie Trenholm, Executive Director.  “Your support will provide immediate assistance to the people in Maine affected by Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers.”  The donation was made possible through the successful sales and support of the Rotary Community Cookbook. Fellow first year Rotarian, Lorraine Bard, championed and complied the cookbook on behalf of our Club.  Unfortunately, she unavailable for the presentation.  “On behalf of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club, we wish to express our gratitude to all of our past and present Rotarians, families and friends who shared their culinary delights,” shared Millhime.  “Our heart and thoughts go out to those afflicted with this debilitating disease and hope a cure will be discovered soon.”  A limited number of cookbooks are still available at two convenient locations in Auburn at Ann's Flower Shop, 36 Millet Drive, Auburn and The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn.  Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline is 800.272.3900.  The L- A Rotary Club meets every Thursday at the Village Inn, Auburn from noon to 1 p.m. 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/.

WHERE IS THE MONEY?????????????

After review Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, I am wondering where the Town Council is going to find $127,884.46 for next year to bailout Lisbon Emergency, Inc.  The Town Council vote 6-0 to supplement the failing Lisbon Emergency, Inc. with taxpayer dollars.

It is truly amazing how easily the Town Council votes to appropriate $127,884.46 of our tax dollars without a bat of the eye.  The Town Council DID NOT look for all the alternatives available before coming to this decision.  A suggestion was made to have the Town contract the hospitals DIRECTly showing them the impact of losing Lisbon Emergency would have on the community.  The Town Council did not even look into this option.

This is a lot like when the Town Council had an opportunity to save the taxpayers roughly $200,000.00 of tax dollars by closing the Lisbon Communication Center.  So every year, taxpayers are paying roughly $200,000.00 tax dollars for keeping the Lisbon Communication Center open instead of letting Androscoggin Country Dispatch perform the same task.  Androscoggin Country Dispatch has the personnel to assign an Emergency Medical Code (EMC) telling Emergency Medical Technicians/Paramedics the situation before they arrive.  This ensures the EMT/Paramedics have everything they need to respond improving the chances of survival.

The members of the Town Council that approved spending our tax dollars when they did not have too were:   Allen Ward, Dale Crafts, Chris Brunelle and Norman Albert.  Dale Craft is no longer on the Town Council but Fern LaRochelle, who lobbied for keeping the Lisbon Communication Center open has taken his place.  However, Mr. LaRochelle should not be able to vote because he is a sub-contractor of the town directly working with the Lisbon Communication Center.  I do realize that in the Town of Lisbon there is no such thing as a “conflict of interest” so the taxpayers will continue to pay roughly $200,000.00 tax dollars when they do not have too.

So when you waste roughly $200,000.00 tax dollars and you add $127,884.46 for next year; how will this impact your taxes?

Larry Fillmore

L-A ROTARY CLUB SUPPORT END TO POLIO

Auburn - Lewiston – Auburn Rotary Lunch Club members Cheryl McKeone and Don Grant, along with members Joanne Bollinger, Giselle St. Amand, Jim and Monica Millhime, and Pete Preble and other members of the Auburn – Lewiston Rotary Breakfast Club held a joint fundraising event at Gritty’s in Auburn benefiting Rotary International’s efforts to End Polio Now. The event raised $478.50 through door prizes, raffle tickets and other donations benefiting the Rotary Plus Foundation  “Rotary, along with support through fundraiser endeavors with local community partners, and weekly contributions from Rotarians, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9% worldwide since Rotary’s first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979,” shares L-A Rotary President, Monica Millhime.   “The goal of Rotarians world-wide is to continue raising awareness and supporting eradicating polio with local, state and global efforts to make a difference by impacting and protecting children against polio.”  L-A Rotary Lunch Club meets every Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. at The Village Inn, Auburn.  A-L Rotary Breakfast Club meets every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. at the Auburn United Methodist Church.  FMI visit https://facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/ and www.auburn-lewistonrotary.org.  Visiting Rotarians and community guests are welcome.  Photo courtesy of Monica Millhime. 

L-A ROTARY CLUB - GIFT OF FOOD

Auburn – Thanks to donations from members of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club, and a community partnership with Hannaford's, 47 Washburn School students and their families received the Gift of Food.  “The program is one the many projects planned by our Club members this year,” shares President Monica Millhime. “Throughout this year our focus has been dedicated to providing assistance to children, community and international projects, supporting the Humane Society, promoting literacy, honoring and assisting seniors and Veterans while building fellowship.”  Delivery of the donations was provided by Rotarians Jim Millhime, Lorraine and Roger Bard, Washburn Principal Andrew Bard, Rhonda and Ray Martel and Phil Vampatella.  L-A Rotary Lunch Club meets every Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. at The Village Inn, Auburn.  FMI visit https://facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.  Visiting Rotarians and community guests are always welcome.  Photo courtesy of Monica Millhime. 

L-A ROTARY CLUB GIFT OF SONG

 

 

Auburn – The Gift of Song provided by Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club Carolers to residents of Schooner Estate during the holidays was a magical.  “The sounds of the season came alive with original radiations of holiday classics with fellowship and fun,” shared Club President, Monica Millhime. “Throughout this year, we want to recognize and appreciate the seniors in our community.”  Rotarians were grateful for the efforts of Jonathan Pollock, music teacher in Lisbon Schools to share his talents on guitar, and Joanne Bollinger with her angelic voice of leading the group throughout the performance.  Pictured (l-r, row 1 kneeling): Isaac and Ave Thorndike, Monique Roy, Peyton Wright, Lily Pollock.  Row 2:  Lorraine Bard, Giselle St. Amand, Sylvia Plourde, Morgan Thorndike, Joanne Bollinger, Jim Millhime, Claire Veilleux.  Row 3:  Monica Millhime, Phil Vampatella, Mike Kirk, Tim Verrill, Tom MacDonald, Bethel Shields, Erin Pollock, Gabriel Pollock, Wendy Russell, Shawn Wright and Jonathan Pollock.  “Thank you so much for having us on your list of places to play,” commented Mark Prevost, Resident Services Director for Schooner Estates.  “I heard so many great comments about the Rotary Club’s show here at Schooner Estates. The Tenants all said what an enjoyable evening it was. They all said your group had lots of fun and spirit in them and it showed.  Please keep us in mind in the future.”  L-A Rotary Lunch Club meets every Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. at The Village Inn, Auburn.  FMI visit https://facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.  Visiting Rotarians and community guests are always welcome. 

L-A ROTARY CLUB -GIFT OF SHARING

 

Lewiston – Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club members partnered with the Lewiston Police Department to support a local family needing assistance through a Gift of Sharing program.  Pictured Officer Joseph Philippon, along with Rotarian, Lorraine Bard, collected the generous contributions provided by Rotary members.  Items included several items for the family including a hand-crafted baby blanket pad.  “Rotarians motto is Service Above Self,” shares Club President, Monica Millhime.  “It never ceases to amaze me when a request for assistance is shared, Rotarians respond.  Our members truly are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, each and every day by creating possible ripples in the lives of others.”  L-A Rotary Lunch Club meets every Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. at The Village Inn, Auburn.  FMI visit https://facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.  Visiting Rotarians and community guests are always welcome.  Photo courtesy of Monica Millhime.

L-A Rotary Club Gift of Life

 

Photo caption please note:  Nancy’s last name is Richard, not Brown.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

 

 

Photo caption:  The Gift of Life project sponsoring a local blood drive by members of the local Rotary Clubs provided a much needed collection of donations for the American Red Cross.  Pictured (back row left to right) Monica Millhime, President of the L-A Rotary Lunch Club; Nancy Brown, A-L Rotary Breakfast Club; (seated left to right) L-A Rotarians Christine Wilson and Mac McPeake.

 

Lewiston – Joint efforts from members of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club and Auburn-Lewiston Rotary Breakfast Club in partnership with the Lewiston CareerCenter to sponsor a Gift of Life blood drive with the Red Cross was a huge success.  Fifteen donors participated breaking the CareerCenter record of eight previously. Christine Wilson, Mac McPeake and Lorraine Bard assisted with the event welcoming donors at the registration desk. “I am pleased to report that even as it came down to the wire, 15 units of blood were collected at your drive,” shared April Caron, Business Development Manager, American Red Cross.  “As some of you may know, each unit of blood collected helps up to three patients in need – that means your donors helped save the lives of 45 people!

Thank you for all that you did to make the drive such an enjoyable experience.  From the wonderful volunteers at registration, to the amazing catered lunch and opportunity to meet your members, it was a great day.”  L-A Rotary Lunch Club meets every Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. at The Village Inn, Auburn.  A-L Rotary Breakfast Club meets every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. at the Auburn United Methodist Church.  FMI visit https://facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/ and www.auburn-lewistonrotary.org.  Visiting Rotarians and community guests are welcome.