This week’s edition!
Columns
The Grey Nuns: They Came-They Served
By Rachel Morin
“Elles Sont Venues-Elles Ont Servi”
This sentiment was proclaimed on the attractive plaque over the Exhibit at the Franco-American Heritage Center honoring and recognizing the work of the Sisters of Charity, The Grey Nuns, of Sainte-Hyacinthe, Quebec.
They came to Lewiston 134 years ago at the invitation and request of the fledging French-Canadian community to teach their young. The immigrant population, many who could not speak English, realized if their children were to be educated, they needed to be taught in their mother tongue and English would come later. By doing so, it would ensure keeping their French language and their Faith alive.
It was an earlier time when Lewiston had no welfare and no social workers. Families took care of their own. The Grey Nuns came and were the backbone of the young community in the heart of “Little Canada.” They were impassioned, and they were the social workers of today.
Enough is Enough: TANF in Vermont; Turnpike hikes; and the Zoom Bus
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Before discussing this week’s topic, I have some great news, both for Lewiston property taxpayers and those whose goal in life is to relieve taxpayers of what little money we have left.
Apparently, the new roar reverberating throughout Lewiston neighborhoods, home to the underclass and societal victims, is: “Vermont, it’s happening there!”
Yes, Vermont, the Green Mountain State, apparently is providing unlimited green (money) in the form of “No time limit TANF.” After hearing this news, several distinguished members of the Lewiston-Auburn community have offered to rent buses in order to shuttle any and all lay-abouts to Vermont, thus fulfilling their community-service expectations for 2012.
So spread the word to our deadbeat population: take their pit bulls, tattoos and body piercings and head West to the verdant pastures of Vermont, spread their table and partake in the limitless benefits of the Green Mountain State.
Collins: Be Prepared for Summer’s Severe Weather
By Senator Susan Collins
(R-Maine)
They say April showers bring May flowers. But a deluge in June doesn’t leave anything behind except a big mess to clean up.
Recent storms dumped more than eight inches of rain across parts of our state. Small streams quickly became rushing rivers, and big rivers like the Androscoggin and the Kennebec roared, spilling their banks in some areas. While crews are still assessing the damage, fortunately, it appears to be relatively minor in most communities.
June 1 marked the official start of the 2012 hurricane season. As the top Republican on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, I have joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help promote National Hurricane Preparedness Week.
Enough is Enough: LHS graduation marred by teens’ rude behavior
By Robert Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Many came. Many left happy, too many left upset.
Pomp and Circumstance, just as promised. This was Lewiston High School’s graduation ceremony held last Friday at the Colisée.
The LHS staff, responsible for organizing and putting on the event, are to be congratulated: their efforts paid off in a ceremony second to none anywhere in this vast state. The many uncompensated hours by staff members shows their devotion to both LHS and Lewiston.
On the stage, members of the Lewiston School Committee and the high school’s administration awaited the honor of passing out diplomas, certifying the success achieved over the past four years through desire, hard work and sacrifice. On each side of the assembled seniors sat teachers beaming, watching the fruits of their labors file into the arena. Proud parents watched as the accomplishments of their sons and daughters reached fruition.
Enough is Enough: Hold officials accountable for TANF cost shift
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
It should have been a “no brainer.” Unfortunately, the vote that was cast by Lewiston’s highly educated and personable County Commissioner, Elaine Makas, went against the will of Lewiston’s City Council and City Administrator Ed Barrett.
They had requested that LA 911 serve as the county’s regional communication center.
Commissioner Makas went against the will of Lewiston officials (and probably its residents) by voting to spend $350,000 in capital upgrades to continue to use the county dispatch center. In a recent Lewiston City Councilor meeting, Councilor Don D’Auteuil pointed out that the implementation of LA 911 would be less costly to Lewiston taxpayers than the other options.
Makas acknowleged this was true, but felt other options were more “fair” to the towns.
Enough is Enough: Remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
As they said their goodbyes and prepared to embark on a journey from which they would never return—what was it like? Did a mother’s grief permeate the air? Did a father stand stoically, fighting back his emotions, as his child began a journey he had taken decades before?
Siblings, too young to realize what was happening, enviously watching the departure, conjuring up visions of a heroic return marked with medals, stories of combat and enemies’ bodies piling up. A spouse beginning the stressful countdown of a return that would never come. Children, too young to understand the happenings around them, catching a last fleeting image of their parent, an image that would dissipate with time.
What went through these patriots’ minds while bidding farewell to family and friends? Did they envision a homecoming complete with medals and accolades, or did they correctly forecast their fate?
Out & About with Rachel Morin: Senior College trip to Robert Frost Farm in Derry, N.H.
By Rachel Morin
On a rain-drenched May morning, I joined the caravan of cars heading to the Robert Frost Farm in Derry, New Hampshire. Led by June Spear, instructor for the Poetry of Robert Frost class at USM’s L/A Senior College, our field trip to the National Historic Landmark was a goal she set for the conclusion of her class. We were in good spirits, however, and were looking forward to learning more about Frost and how he lived.
It was early in the season, and June had made arrangements to have the National Historic Landmark open for us. Currently under the direction and care of the State of New Hampshire, Division of Parks and Recreation, the farm is a New Hampshire Historic Site and listed on the National Registry for historic landmarks of national significance.
Enough is Enough: L-A is not on par with Portland; it’s better
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Rome was not built in a day, yet many living in Lewiston and Auburn expect that we should be flourishing on par with Boston or, at least, Portland.
They complain there is nothing to do. To avoid boredom, Portland or Boston is the place to be. They long for a past Lewiston that was alive and filled with nightlife on the weekends.
Many of the men and women I used to work with vividly remember the nightly activity on Lisbon Street—but not in the nostalgic manner that seems to permeate the memories of older citizens and their grandchildren longing for the return of bygone days.
No, my colleagues weren’t sitting in cars on lower Lisbon Street munching on snacks and drinking sodas. We were providing the entertainment for those in their cars, battling with intoxicated millworkers who needed a place to blow off steam after slaving all week in conditions that are unacceptable today.
Enough is Enough: Problems can’t be solved through rose-colored glasses
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
Entering the hall he was met by a chorus of boos. He looked defiantly at the crowd and asked, “Is that the best you can do?” The boos grew louder.
A second challenge went out, bringing an even louder response. Finally the crowd quieted down and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie replied, “I tell you the truth and you boo me; they [entrenched politicians] lie to you and you cheer them.”
Governor Paul LePage is treated in a similar fashion. Unlike former gubernatorial candidate and the Maine media’s choice Elliot Cutler, LePage does not possess the polished image sought by The Press. No, he speaks and acts not like a politician, but the common man, honestly and right to the point.
Questions are answered quickly and from the heart, as opposed to entrenched politicians, who will give you an answer that is calculated to offend the least amount of voters, but is not necessarily the way they feel.
Enough is Enough: National Day of Prayer
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
On September 6, 1620, the Mayflower put to sea from Plymouth, England heading to what was at that time known as “The New World.” Its crew of 30 shuttled 102 men, women and children to a pristine land where they hoped to create a thriving colony in order to freely practice their religious views and beliefs.
During the first half of the voyage, the winds and waters were calm. The second half of the voyage turned the days and nights into terror. The ship navigated through heavy and sometimes violent storms. Death and sickness were also present.
At one point one of the main beams of the ship bowed and cracked. The passengers and crew continually prayed to Divine Providence to guide them safely to what was to be their new home.
On November 9, 1620, Divine Providence answered their prayers and guided the ship—after a harrowing two-month 2,750-mile Atlantic Ocean voyage—safely into Provincetown Harbor, at the tip end of what is now known as Cape Cod. Thus the hand of Providence had planted a tiny seed that would bloom, through prayer, into the greatest nation in the world.
