This week’s edition!
News
Governor’s Address: The Numbers Tell the Real Story on Education Funding
It’s the political season and a lot of misinformation is flying around. I want to make sure you have the facts. In Maine, teachers are underpaid and over-worked, while school administrators are under-worked and overpaid.
I’ve worked for eight years to put Maine’s fiscal house in order, and we’ve been successful, for the most part. The State’s finances are in the best shape they’ve been in decades.
Getting here, however, required discipline and living within our means. But despite good management, referendum questions, coupled with the Legislature’s love of spending and failure to address needed reforms, will leave the next governor with a big hole to fill, although I wish it were otherwise.
Woman Rescued from Fire After Smoking on Oxygen
By Cassandra Allen
A Lewiston resident has been rescued from a fire after smoking while using oxygen treatment. This follows electrical fires which caused $50,000 worth of damage and displaced 25 people. Local government and fire services, including new fire chief Brian Stockdale, are increasing efforts to educate residents about fire safety in order to prevent accidents in future.
“No Information Released”
The victim has been identified as Rosalie Coulombe, a 74-year-old resident of 61 Shawmut Street. Firefighters arrived at her first floor apartment at around 8 p.m. on September 20. They found Coulombe unresponsive in the bathroom. A spokesman for the State Fire Marshal’s office confirmed that the fire originated on the sofa, where Coulombe is reported to have been smoking.
Beyond these facts, the family of the victim have requested that no information on Coulombe’s current condition be released. However, it has been revealed that the woman was alone and being treated with oxygen at the time. This has led to an outcry from activists encouraging those on oxygen not to smoke.
Advice from Doctors and Firefighters
Oxygen is not a flammable substance, so it isn’t immediately obvious not to smoke while oxygen is in use. However, it creates an environment in which a fire can quickly ignite and rapidly spread through the home. It is important to note that most fires in the home are safe. Fireplaces create pleasant interiors and have improved the homes of many Lewiston residents. As long as the flame is not naked, but protected behind a fireguard, then oxygen can be used at a safe distance.
Smoking, conversely, creates a naked spark which can quickly ignite if oxygen is in use. The same is true for open flame cookers. Doctors will generally advise their patients not to smoke while using oxygen, but this advice is sadly often ignored. This seems to be the situation in the case of Ms. Coulombe, but could affect anyone.
If you have been placed on oxygen therapy, then don’t cause a potentially dangerous situation by lighting up a cigarette. The use of fireplaces as we move into winter are generally fine, but stay away from exposed flames. Smoking less will keep your Lewiston property safe from damage, not to mention the improvement you will experience in lung health. While we value our local fire department, don’t give them extra work by ignoring the instructions of your doctor.
CMCC hosts State Police Troop B inspection
Colonel John Cote (l.), chief of the Maine State Police, speaks to troopers during the inspection.
Students and instructors from the Criminal Justice program at Central Maine Community College were afforded a unique opportunity recently as the campus served as the site of the official troop inspection for Troop B of the Maine State Police.
Shaker Village hosts annual Harvest Festival
Free activities at the event include tours, wagon rides, craft demonstrations, a nature walk, and gourd decorating.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village will host its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 6, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring your family and friends for a day of free barn tours by Brother Arnold Hadd, free wagon rides, and other special activities.
Andro. Historical Society assumes stewardship of West Auburn School
The one-room schoolhouse was built in 1843. (Photo by Richard Plourde)
An open house was held recently at the West Auburn School, Auburn’s last remaining one-room schoolhouse, which closed in 1950. The event celebrated the official transfer of the schoolhouse to the Androscoggin Historical Society. Virtually all residents of West Auburn received invitations to the event.
“Early Evening Show” at Celebration Barn Theater
Mike Miclon as Moto Hoonchbach (Photo by Michael Menes)
For the final time during its 2018 season, Celebration Barn Theater will present an episode of Mike Miclon’s “The Early Evening Show” on Saturday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. Featuring a wide array of guest performers, as well as audience favorites Fritz Grobe and the Early Evening Orchestra, this long-running late-night talk show spoof features sketches, soulful music, and wild improvisations. Tickets are $16, $14, and $10 for adults, seniors (ages 60-plus), and kids (ages 17 and under), respectively. Celebration Barn Theater is located just off Route 117 at 190 Stock Farm Road in South Paris. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 743-8452 or seewww.CelebrationBarn.com.
Governor’s Address: The Legislature Fails To Make Our Elderly a Priority
Nothing is more important than keeping our elderly in their homes. I am disappointed that the legislature significantly watered down my bill to help them.
Legislative leaders caved to the Maine Municipal Association and watered down my bill. While the new law adds protections for the elderly, municipalities can still sell their homes and keep the equity.
Sadly, it appeared our elderly were not a priority for Democrat or Senate Republican leaders. And we know they are not a priority for the Maine Municipal Association.
United Way of Andro. County welcomes Loaned Executives
This year’s Loaned Executives are (l. to r.) Aaron Eicher of TD Bank, Carolyn Biegel of L.L.Bean, Jenn Kimborowicz of Hannaford Supermarkets, and Bob Rowe, who is sponsored by Tambrands Inc. and Central Maine Medical Center.
The United Way of Androscoggin County is pleased to welcome this year’s Loaned executives for the 2018 Campaign. They are Aaron Eicher of TD Bank, Carolyn Biegel of L.L.Bean, Jenn Kimborowicz of Hannaford Supermarkets, and Bob Rowe, who is sponsored by Tambrands Inc. and Central Maine Medical Center. Loaned Executives function as extensions of United Way’s fundraising staff in coordinating employee campaigns and soliciting employee pledges throughout Androscoggin County. To learn more about United Way or to conduct a workplace campaign, contact Director of Development & Marketing Brittany Myrick at 795-4000 or bmyrick@unitedwayandro.org.
YWCA of Central Maine appoints new Executive Director
Melanie LaMore Gagnon
The YWCA of Central Maine has selected Melanie LaMore Gagnon to be its new Executive Director. LaMore Gagnon brings more than a decade of experience serving the Central Maine area, most recently as the Director of Shelter and Housing Services at Safe Voices. She replaces Jane Morrison, who has served as Interim Executive Director since April. LaMore Gagnon will join the organization on October 15.
Lisbon Krazy Kwilters support Safe Voices
Safe Voices has received more than 25 handmade quilts, along with pajamas, hats, and mittens, from the Lisbon Krazy Kwilters. The quilts will be distributed to residents in Safe Voices’ domestic violence shelter programs. Pictured here are group members showing their handiwork to Safe Voices staffer Victoria Stanton at the MTM Community Center in Lisbon.
