This week’s edition!
Mechanics Savings Bank breaks ground in Auburn
Terry Bishop; Tim Hebert; Chip Morrison; Dick Roy; Peter Chapman; Debbie Whittle; Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte; Ed Snook; Lewiston Mayor, Robert MacDonald; Jon Oxman; Rick Vail; Stephen Bryant; Judy Johnson; Alan Hahnel; Tom MacDonald
Mechanics Savings Bank has announced they are building a new multi-million dollar campus in Auburn. The plans include a new 4,140 square foot branch on the corner of Minot Avenue and Elm Street. The groundbreaking was held on October 1, 2014 with plans to open the new branch in early summer 2015. The bank will renovate the existing 10,000 square foot office building, with an anticipated completion date of late 2016.
The new campus layout accommodates ample customer parking and green space.
The interior of the new branch will incorporate updates for an improved customer experience.
Mechanics Savings Bank headquarters have been in Auburn, since it’s founding in 1875. “We believe we are making an investment that will meet customer and community needs for the next century”, said Mechanics Savings Bank President, Rick Vail. “We also hope our initiative can serve as a catalyst to begin improving the gateway into the City of Auburn.”
Public Theatre’s Manhattan Short Film Festival is this weekend
Still from RHINO FULL THROTTLE (Germany)
Here’s your chance to be a film critic! For one weekend only, Fri Sept 26 & Sat Sept 27 at 7:30, Sun Sept 28 at 4pm, the MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival comes to The Public Theatre in Lewiston. During a one week period, 10 short films from around the world will be screened in over 300 cities spanning six continents and each audience member will cast a vote for their favorite of the 10 short film finalists. Votes from each participating cinema will be submitted to festival headquarters and the winner will be announced. Past finalists have included nominees and winners of the Oscar in the short film category, so come and discover the next big filmmaker at The Public Theatre at 31 Maple St in Downtown Lewiston. For tickets visit www.thepublictheatre.org or call 782-3200. To view information on the10 short films, visit: www.manhattanshort.com General admission: $8.
Enough is Enough: Maine experiences very little gun violence
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
In mid-July of 1977, the State of Massachusetts had been taken over by young, still wet-behind-the-ears Democrats. Their progressive mindset had been shaped and molded by hardcore socialist professors. They were going to teach the world to sing a socialist tune.
Their extensive indoctrination led them to discard reality and to pursue and create a brave new world. They were definitely not the Democratic party of my parents or grandparents. They set about to create the New Republic of Massachusetts.
Soon a once thriving, orderly and civil society changed. Men set aside their traditional attributes of protectors and breadwinners, transforming themselves into the role of male mothers. These new, progressive Democrats marched down a new road—a road where the unproductive were rewarded for their behavior at the expense of the hard-working taxpayers. Their progressive policies destroyed the strong foundation of many families. Neighborhoods became crime-ridden war zones.
Enough is Enough: Caring for people in need is a two-way street
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
This week I ask the reader’s indulgence. I had hoped to go on to another topic, but suddenly fortune shined on me which, in the words of a current asylum seeker living in Lewiston, certified the position of Governor Paul LePage and myself.
Back on June 18, I wrote a column about illegal aliens (“asylum seekers”) that continue to arrive in Lewiston. The first few paragraphs were filled with sarcasm in an attempt to add a bit of humor to an issue that puts a fiscal strain on Lewiston’s property taxpayers. This brought a response, in the form of a Letter to the Editor, from Djima Aiman of Lewiston.
Before proceeding, I want to make it clear that I do not believe that Lewiston’s refugees, be they legal or illegal, came here to join the welfare rolls. Like those before them, they come to this land to seek a better life, which they hope to gain through hard work.
Enough is Enough: There are now two visions of the American Dream
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
I came to Lewiston 37 years ago. At that time, the major area employers—the mills—were shutting down and moving south. At the same time, the benevolent federal government partnered with developers, dotting Lewiston’s landscape with housing for the least (the elderly and disabled) and the lazy amongst us.
Centrally located with easy access to I-95, Lewiston had the potential of becoming a lucrative hub for the trucking industry. This would have substantially increased our excise revenues. But this never materialized.
Liberty Fest postponed to Sunday, July 6
The Liberty Fest has been postponed to Sunday, July 6, due to weather forecasts.
We hope you will join us on Sunday!
Enough is Enough: Democrats remain silent on Lewiston’s asylum seekers
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Before getting to this week’s column, I have some news that should make Maine’s struggling taxpayers happy. While at the fish counter of a local grocery store, I was informed by the clerk waiting on me that lobster could no longer be purchased using an EBT card. A small victory, but a victory, none the less.
In last week’s column, I wrote about the obstacles and philosophies put forth by Maine’s progressive Democrats and their allies to prevent comprehensive welfare reform. This week, we will write about who in Maine’s Congressional Delegation (Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Michael Michaud and Shellie Pingree) has stepped up to the plate and who has ignored Lewiston’s plea for help.
Enough is Enough: Liberals want Mainers to give money to illegal aliens
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Thank you, Governor Paul LePage, for standing up for the working people, Maine taxpayers and the local property taxpayers in keeping your promise to address the welfare problems facing our state.
Maine taxpayers are compassionate people. They are always ready to help others who find themselves needing a temporary hand up to get over one of life’s bumps. This is called compassion.
Then we have those who expend their energies in not finding a job or getting an education. No, they spend their time insuring that state welfare continues as their preferred lifestyle. For many, it’s generational. Others swarm from place to place, devouring benefits and decimating one fertile place after another.
