This week’s edition!
Enough is Enough It’s business as usual for Democrats in Augusta
By Robert E. Macdonald
Mayor of Lewiston
“Democrats said such a rigid standard could cause hardship to people who are willing to repay the money but need emergency assistance before doing so.”
Thus wrote reporter Kevin Miller in his article, “Bipartisan effort targets welfare loopholes” (Portland Press Herald, April 30, 2015).
Ingersoll Arena Ground Breaking April 24
L-R Chip Morrison, Howard Kroll, Mary Lafontaine, David Gonyea, Leroy Walker, Norris Ingersoll, Ravi Sharma, Tizz Crowley
Ribbon Cutting held on April 28 for Rancourt & Co.
(L-R) Lewiston Mayor Bob Macdonald, Kyle, Mike and Debbie Rancourt of Rancourt & Co., Chamber past chair Patti Gagne and Chamber President Chip Morrison. (TCT Photo by Jen Pike)
Paradis Park dedication planned for May 6
Former City Councilor Mark W. Paradis’ legacy will be highlighted at a May 6 dedication of a park named in his memory. The current non-smoking Mark W. Paradis Park—formerly Pierce Street Park—has been revitalized through tireless efforts of the Downtown Neighborhood Action Committee, supported by the Lewiston City Council, the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council and other community partners such as The Root Cellar.
Androscoggin Bank sponsors Independence Association’s Run for Independence
Androscoggin Bank has announced that it is the platinum sponsor of the Independence Association’s third annual Run for Independence, Maine’s only run focused on people with disabilities. The run will be held May 17 at Brunswick Junior High School in Brunswick and is the first 10K in Maine to include a para-athletes wheeled division. Androscoggin Bank has committed to a three-year sponsorship of the annual event.
Mechanics Savings Bank donates to Make-A-Wish
Mechanics Savings Bank donates $1,000 to Make-A-Wish Maine. Pictured: Donald (Donny) Hinkley, commercial loan officer at Mechanics Savings Bank, presents a check to Rebecca Learning, development manager at Make-A-Wish Maine. In addition to the monetary gift, Hinkley will be participating in Walk for Wishes in Auburn on May 21.
Lisbon Students Support ‘Bowl For Kids Sake’
Students in Lisbon participated in annual “Bowl for Kids Sake” with lots of energy and pledges benefiting the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. Philip W. Sugg students pictured (back l.-r.) Charlee Cox, Levi Levesque, Dylan Durisko and Jordyn Maloy; front: Maria Leveque. (Photo by Monica Millhime) See story and more photos on page 2.
St. Joseph’s Church gets reprieve Text and photo by Rachel Morin
St. Joseph’s Church and rectory on Main Street in Lewiston in 2011. The Church on the National Register of Historic Places has a reprieve from demolition; the
rectory does not. (Photo by Rachel Morin)
St. Joseph’s Church will stay; the rectory will not, as announced last week
by Chuck Gill, spokesman for Central Maine Healthcare, the parent group for
Central Maine Medical Center. Most likely, the rectory lot will follow the
original plan for hospital parking.
L/A Arts Artwalk paints the town for 2015 season
The warmth is back, and so is the Artwalk season in Lewiston-Auburn. Artwalk is celebrating its fifth year in L-A, where during the final Friday evening of the month (May – September), downtown Lewiston is turned into a vibrant arts district.
This year, over 20 greater Lisbon Street organizations and storefronts will be opening their doors and offering visual art galleries, live performances and special exhibits to patrons. L/A Arts is proud to be curating over 10 such galleries, including transforming multiple empty storefronts into arts venues. Artwalk also offers a full website which highlights each evening’s events and features an artist catalog of work (and the venues in which they will be displayed) for the public to browse, enjoy and purchase before and after the event.
LA CA$H Touts Over $3.7 Million in Claimed Refunds for Area Residents
Coalition Co-chair Chris Adler and site coordinator KC Geiger congratulate IRS-
certified volunteer tax preparer Wayne Penley.
The Lewiston-Auburn CA$H Coalition celebrated another tax season success on April 8. Its IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers facilitated $3,728,000 in federal and state refund claims for area residents during the 2015 tax season, bring its 12-season tally to $26,289,674.
Once again, LA CA$H is the lead coalition of 10 throughout the state of Maine, providing free tax preparation and asset-building opportunities to low-to-moderate income individuals/families. Taxes were prepared during the season at the Lewiston Memorial Armory and Auburn City Hall. Lewiston Mayor Robert Macdonald and Auburn City Councilor Belinda Gerry participated in the April 8 celebration.
