This week’s edition!
Enough is Enough: Americans prosper from hard work, not progressive theories
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
I become incensed when I hear the continual chant of our progressive state legislators, blaming every evil that befalls the country and the world on rich people.
Unless you were lucky enough to be born into a rich family, like Maine’s Senate President Justin Alfond or the Kennedys of “Camelot,” chances are your wealth was obtained through long hours, personal drive, creativity and the knowledge of how to obtain financial stability through labor, not government handouts.
This self-reliance makes you an enemy of those charged with creating a “Nanny State.”
Local chiropractor raises funds for Boston Marathon victims
After fulfilling a life-long dream by completing the Boston Marathon last year, local chiropractor Ryan Metivier plans to run in the event again this year, this time to raise funds to help the Mainers affected by the 2013 Marathon bombing.
Qualifying to run in the Boston Marathon was one of local chiropractor Ryan Metivier’s life-long goals. When he crossed the finish line in 2013, he thought it was the icing on the cake.
“With the grueling winter training regimen, my busy schedule, and those long, cold Sunday morning runs, I never thought I would be motivated to run it again,” he said.
All of that changed with the bombing that marred the 2013 event. In the aftermath of the attack, he felt compelled to be a part of this year’s Marathon as well. He has decided to dedicate this year’s effort to raising funds to benefit the Mainers affected by the tragedy.
“I feel like I’m paying tribute to those who were struck down last year,” he said. “It’s like not running would somehow mean that the ‘bad guys’ won. I want to show people what this race really means.”
While training for the marathon this winter, Metivier has thought about how he could turn the long, tiring training process into a friendly competition. Inspired by the 2013 world champion Boston Red Sox, he is challenging members of the community to join him in growing out their beards Red Sox-style and “using the savings from those razor blades to team up and donate money” to benefit local Marathon victims.
Franco Center Comedy Series continues Feb. 7
Michael Cho
The Franco Center’s stand-up comedy series will resume on Friday, February 7 at 8 p.m. with headliner Michael “The Korean Comedian” Cho and warm-up sets by New Hampshire comics Greg Boggis and Matt Barry. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
The show is the second of five monthly stand-up comedy nights taking place through May at the Franco Center, in addition to an evening with comedian Bob Marley, who returns with two back-to-back shows on the night of April 12.
Enough is Enough: Legislators: the state should pay costs for college students
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Stewardship, common sense, a sense of reality and the ability to recognize misplaced compassion are characteristics vital to insure the success of individuals and businesses. Lacking these characteristics will make one a truly successful legislator.
They will be heralded for their courage and insight, called a champion of the people and a forward thinker. This heaped upon them by party leaders, special interest groups and the media. But the common-sense individuals and businesses that labor daily to just get by will curse those policy makers in Washington and Augusta whose progressive thoughts continually decrease the fruits of the working man’s (and woman’s) labor. They will sacrifice the working person’s well being in order to gain the support of special interest groups.
Enough is Enough: Revenue sharing: cut state programs or punish businesses?
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
I write this week’s column pleading to the governor and the Democratic and Republican Legislative leaderships to find common ground and restore revenue sharing to Maine cities and towns.
For the benefit of our readers, the revenues distributed to the cities and towns are derived from a formula in which a portion of the state’s sales tax receipts are distributed to the cities and towns. Cities and towns then use this money to keep property taxes down.
This is not some form of municipal welfare. Sales tax revenues are the result of cities and towns investing local taxes in infrastructure, municipal services and providing an attractive place to live and do business. The more businesses and people we attract to our area, the greater the sales tax receipts.
Grants available for Andro. County nonprofits
Nonprofit and public organizations seeking funding for projects that draw on the strengths of the community and foster collaboration are encouraged to apply to the Androscoggin County Fund, part of the Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program.
A volunteer committee of Androscoggin County residents and business leaders reviews grants and makes recommendations for funding. The deadline for applying is February 15. The application and guidelines are available at www.mainecf.org.
Auburn Winter Festival Jan. 24-26
The 2014 Auburn Winter Festival will begin on Friday, January 24 and conclude on Sunday, January 26. Festival events and activities will take place at Lost Valley Ski Area, Norway Savings Bank Arena, Auburn Public Library, Walton School, the PAL Center and a number of other locales. Highlights will include a 3-on-3 pond hockey tournament, sledding, snowmobile rides, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, skating, ice sculptures, and a torchlight parade.
For more information and a complete schedule of activities, see the City’s website at www.auburnmaine.gov.
Public Theatre presents “Tigers Be Still”
From left: Cast members Rebecca Hart, Joseph Tisa, Anna O’Donoghue, and Noah Witke, from the Public Theatre’s upcoming production of “Tigers Be Still,” opening Friday, January 24.
If the idea of facing a new day has ever sent you back to bed, start your New Year off with a smile by seeing The Public Theatre’s production of the quirky and uplifting off-Broadway comedy “Tigers Be Still.”
Running January 24 through February 2, the play provides a heartfelt and humorous look at how we survive the tough moments in life and help each other get back in the game. With the success of the play in New York, playwright Kim Rosenstock has since become a writer on HBO’s “Girls.”
Enough is Enough: Changing DHHS rule would provide fiscal relief
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Last Friday, a hearing was held at the Department of Health and Human Services, a meeting whose outcome will have a fiscal and economic impact on City of Lewiston taxpayers.
At issue is making several changes in the rules governing DHHS in order to bring them into compliance with federal and state programs.
Simply put, Maine cities and towns will no longer be forced by DHHS rules to help those who do not qualify for federal or state assistance. This change would allow Lewiston to save a considerable amount of money.
These savings could allow us to temporarily aid long-time Lewiston residents that might need temporary help to get over the bump in the road and back on their feet.
Community Little Theatre receives $5000 grant
Community Little Theatre was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Maine Theater Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to support the sustainability of the Great Falls Performing Arts Center.
The grant will allow CLT to continue making needed improvements to its historic home on Academy Street in Auburn, including repairing/upgrading 35 steam radiators, adding additional monitoring systems, and establishing an ongoing boiler service contract.
These are preliminary steps toward converting the building to a gas-fired boiler system, which will help reduce the cost to maintain reasonable temperatures during the winter months. During the 2012-13 heating season, CLT paid nearly $25,000 in heating oil costs.
