Yesterday, while in Bangor, I had the opportunity to read Question #1 on the November ballot. This is the Question regarding the proposed casino in western Maine. As with all things, there are good aspects and bad (notwithstanding the gambling issue with which I have no problem).
I will admit that, prior to reading the entire proposition, I was inclined to vote for the casino. I have changed my mind.
The following are the reasons Why:
1. For all of the television ads about the immediate construction jobs the project would bring, once the casino is built, those jobs are gone. So those jobs are not a selling point.
2. Yes, the casino would provide several permanent jobs - but only for that immediate area. Not for any other areas in the state.
3. That casino would have table games (roulette, black jack, craps, etc.) which I think is great. I'm no fan of slots. Personally, having a "relationship" with a machine that is, in fact, programmed to pay off even on a random basis is no relationship. It just makes for a dead butt. I like sitting or standing around with other people and playing, whether it's cards or watching the spin of a roulette ball - not that I play often or expect to win, but I have on occasion. But the relationship, though temporary, with the people can be fun and enjoyable.
4. And there is a fair amount of pay back to the state defined in the proposal.
There is a set formula for net proceeds from the slot machines as well as a separate formula from the table games (lower percentage from the table games than the percentage from the slot machines - about 16% and 46% respectively).
From the slot machines, about 23 percent of the proceeds goes to SUPPLEMENT (not supplant which is important) K-12 public education. Less goes to the UofM system. Less goes to the Community College system. Even 4 percent goes to the Penobscot and Passamaquody tribes. Harness Racing gets into the act, too, with proceeds from the slot machine.
Sounds good so far, doesn't it?
But there is always a hook. The hook is that passage of Question #1 also locks in a provision that table games will not ever be allowed at any other location in the state. That means no table games ever at Hollywood Slots. No table games at any other casino that might ever be approved anywhere else in the state.
AND, there are requirements and restrictions regarding any other casino that might ever be built that it is easy to see, the intent is to make sure none will ever be allowed anywhere in the state that might be in competition with the one being proposed for western Maine. NOT GOOD for any Indian Nation that wants to have a casino built on their lands. NOT GOOD for any group that might want one in northern or coastal Maine that might attract the tourist ships coming into port.
One more time this is a case of "I'm getting mine but I'm making sure no one else will ever get theirs."How can this casino, even a four season resort casino, located in one county in western Maine be good for the entire state when it locks up all other future opportunities for the rest of the state?
I don't have a problem with quality resorts that provide casinos. I do have a problem with greedy people.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
TODAY'S MAIL BAG
From today's Email bag:
Maine Heritage Policy center Announced:
At a Brewer press conference today, MHPC announced new data on MaineOpenGov.org that details Maine's nearly $15.4 billion government retiree pension burden.
The 25,727 individuals currently enrolled in the Maine Public Employees Retirement System will receive a combined $15,383,315,649-an amount equivalent to $11,834 for every man, woman and child in Maine. Of that nearly $15.4 billion total, retirees have paid in $882,274,785-less than six percent of the total pension cost.
The MaineOpenGov.org updates include the names, years of service (work), final employer, and age of retirement for the nearly 26,000 current government retirees.
The new data also provides the amount each government employee contributed to the retirement compared to the projected amount they are expected to receive in taxpayer-funded pension benefits over their lifetime.
CEO Tarren Bragdon demonstrated the disparity between what some employees contributed, and what they can expect to receive in pension benefits.
Other information presented at today's press conference:
· More than 2,000 government retirees will receive a lifetime pension worth $1 million or more.
· The average annual Maine Public Employees Retirement System retiree pension has increased by 129% since 1991.
· 50% of retirees retired with 25 or fewer years of service (work)
· Total pension payments have increased 213% since 1991 (from $165 million to $516 million).
All this information, and more, is now available on MaineOpenGov.org.
Visit today.
And on the phone: A call from Maine Senator Olympia Snowe urging a vote for Paul LePage. Could it just be the national RNC is behind this? At the moment my vote is leaning toward Eliot Cutler (still). But I'm still firm on Anyone BUT Mitchell.
New MainePolicy.org Web site is finally here!
Last week, The Maine Heritage Policy Center unveiled its brand new MainePolicy.org Web site.
See new features, search functions and more
Maine Heritage Policy center Announced:
At a Brewer press conference today, MHPC announced new data on MaineOpenGov.org that details Maine's nearly $15.4 billion government retiree pension burden.
The 25,727 individuals currently enrolled in the Maine Public Employees Retirement System will receive a combined $15,383,315,649-an amount equivalent to $11,834 for every man, woman and child in Maine. Of that nearly $15.4 billion total, retirees have paid in $882,274,785-less than six percent of the total pension cost.
The MaineOpenGov.org updates include the names, years of service (work), final employer, and age of retirement for the nearly 26,000 current government retirees.
The new data also provides the amount each government employee contributed to the retirement compared to the projected amount they are expected to receive in taxpayer-funded pension benefits over their lifetime.
CEO Tarren Bragdon demonstrated the disparity between what some employees contributed, and what they can expect to receive in pension benefits.
Other information presented at today's press conference:
· More than 2,000 government retirees will receive a lifetime pension worth $1 million or more.
· The average annual Maine Public Employees Retirement System retiree pension has increased by 129% since 1991.
· 50% of retirees retired with 25 or fewer years of service (work)
· Total pension payments have increased 213% since 1991 (from $165 million to $516 million).
All this information, and more, is now available on MaineOpenGov.org.
Visit today.
And on the phone: A call from Maine Senator Olympia Snowe urging a vote for Paul LePage. Could it just be the national RNC is behind this? At the moment my vote is leaning toward Eliot Cutler (still). But I'm still firm on Anyone BUT Mitchell.
New MainePolicy.org Web site is finally here!
Last week, The Maine Heritage Policy Center unveiled its brand new MainePolicy.org Web site.
See new features, search functions and more
Saturday, October 23, 2010
CAN'T TELL THE SEASONS BY THE BIRDS
For the last two weeks I have had flocks of robins on the lawn. How they can find any worms through the blanket of leaves is beyond me. And Robins? I associate robins with Springtime. Consider my amazement - confusion is more like it this past Friday as I was driving west on Route 9 to the Post Office and then to the Town Office and there were at least ten (10) turkeys having a go on one of my neighbors front lawns fairly close to the road. Turkeys in the Fall I expect. But robins AND turkeys at the same time just boggles the mind.
And the chipmunks not only have the squirrels helping themselves to the black oil sunflower seeds, now the chickadees and thrushes are packing in for "Feed Time", too. At least the loons are still here. For the moment.
Did you see the full moon last night? Silvery white and beautiful over the water.
LOST DOG:
Last Sunday a little Pomeranian named Foxy got loose at the top of Merrill Road. Just 1 year old and 8 pounds, she was running back and forth, dodging cars, even came down my driveway to stand and bark. But she wouldn't come. People tried to catch her including her owners.
A flyer is posted at the Eddington Town Office. If you spot her - better yet if you have her or know someone who has her, call 843-0415. They miss her. She was the light in the household.
And the chipmunks not only have the squirrels helping themselves to the black oil sunflower seeds, now the chickadees and thrushes are packing in for "Feed Time", too. At least the loons are still here. For the moment.
Did you see the full moon last night? Silvery white and beautiful over the water.
LOST DOG:
Last Sunday a little Pomeranian named Foxy got loose at the top of Merrill Road. Just 1 year old and 8 pounds, she was running back and forth, dodging cars, even came down my driveway to stand and bark. But she wouldn't come. People tried to catch her including her owners.
A flyer is posted at the Eddington Town Office. If you spot her - better yet if you have her or know someone who has her, call 843-0415. They miss her. She was the light in the household.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
HOW MAINE LEGISLATORS DID ON VET ISSUES THIS PAST YEAR
From my incoming emails TODAY:
"IAVA (Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America) Action Fund just released its 2010 Congressional Report Card – and we want you to be the first to check it out. This critical tool shows who in Congress took action for new veterans and who was full of hot air.
The grades are not good. The Report Card shows just how little Congress accomplished for Iraq and Afghanistan vets this year. Out of 535 legislators, only 20 legislators earned an A+, and more than a third of Congress earned Ds and Fs.
Check here to see if your Senators and Representative made the D List or the Dean’s List. (I did. Checked out both of our Senators and Representatives. See results below.)
Congress showed promise for vets in the first half of this session, but by the second half, everything went downhill.
They failed to achieve real reform in our three most critical areas: improving the outdated VA disability claims process, upgrading the Post-9/11 GI Bill and helping vets find jobs in a tough economy.
As we head into the midterm elections, Americans must hold Congress accountable for their voting record. Vets can’t wait for the gridlock to clear in Washington. IAVA Action Fund is keeping our nation's lawmakers honest, and ensuring that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans remain a priority on Capitol Hill. This is what the Report Card is all about.
Check out the Report Card now to find out if your elected officials flunked this session.
This Report Card brings veterans’ issues back into the national dialogue before the midterm elections and shows Americans who really has our backs.
Paul
Paul Rieckhoff
Executive Director and Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Action Fund (IAVA)
Both Maine Senators Collins and Snowe earned "B" grades. Mike Michaud also earned a "B" grade. Chellie Pingree earned a "C" grade.
If America signs a contract with our men and women promising certain benefits if they will put their lives on the line to defend our country and freedoms, is not our country responsible for fulfilling that country when they come home? Even if they come home more wounded than the "experts" projected or than we expected the enemy to be able to achieve? If our elected government's word isn't worth the paper the "contracts" are printed on, what does that say about our government? Our country?
At least Maine's representatives aren't in the "D" and "F" range. Wonder where John Boehner and Mitch McConnell ranked?
"IAVA (Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America) Action Fund just released its 2010 Congressional Report Card – and we want you to be the first to check it out. This critical tool shows who in Congress took action for new veterans and who was full of hot air.
The grades are not good. The Report Card shows just how little Congress accomplished for Iraq and Afghanistan vets this year. Out of 535 legislators, only 20 legislators earned an A+, and more than a third of Congress earned Ds and Fs.
Check here to see if your Senators and Representative made the D List or the Dean’s List. (I did. Checked out both of our Senators and Representatives. See results below.)
Congress showed promise for vets in the first half of this session, but by the second half, everything went downhill.
They failed to achieve real reform in our three most critical areas: improving the outdated VA disability claims process, upgrading the Post-9/11 GI Bill and helping vets find jobs in a tough economy.
As we head into the midterm elections, Americans must hold Congress accountable for their voting record. Vets can’t wait for the gridlock to clear in Washington. IAVA Action Fund is keeping our nation's lawmakers honest, and ensuring that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans remain a priority on Capitol Hill. This is what the Report Card is all about.
Check out the Report Card now to find out if your elected officials flunked this session.
This Report Card brings veterans’ issues back into the national dialogue before the midterm elections and shows Americans who really has our backs.
Paul
Paul Rieckhoff
Executive Director and Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Action Fund (IAVA)
Both Maine Senators Collins and Snowe earned "B" grades. Mike Michaud also earned a "B" grade. Chellie Pingree earned a "C" grade.
If America signs a contract with our men and women promising certain benefits if they will put their lives on the line to defend our country and freedoms, is not our country responsible for fulfilling that country when they come home? Even if they come home more wounded than the "experts" projected or than we expected the enemy to be able to achieve? If our elected government's word isn't worth the paper the "contracts" are printed on, what does that say about our government? Our country?
At least Maine's representatives aren't in the "D" and "F" range. Wonder where John Boehner and Mitch McConnell ranked?
FROM THIS MORNING'S INTERNET NEWS
FARMINGTON, Maine — A former student at the Farmington State Teacher's College in Maine now has a postcard that was sent to her in the fall of 1946. The postcard, a thank you note, was sent to Ruth Webber at Purington Hall by "Gert and Charlie." It was mailed from Winthrop.
"POSTCARD FROM MAINE ARRIVES AFTER 64 YEARS"
Farmington, Maine. The postcard showed up recently in the mailroom at the University of Maine at Farmington. Mailroom employee Andrea Butterfield says the postcard was in mint condition and the ink wasn't faded. It had a 1 cent stamp on it.
The Sun Journal of Lewiston said there's no explanation about where the card has been.
On Monday 83-year-old Ruth Webber McGary, received the card. She said she worked with the Charlie who sent the card, but doesn't remember why it was sent.
___
Information from: Sun-Journal, http://www.sunjournal.com
Just just more proof that things move a little slowly around parts of this state.
"POSTCARD FROM MAINE ARRIVES AFTER 64 YEARS"
Farmington, Maine. The postcard showed up recently in the mailroom at the University of Maine at Farmington. Mailroom employee Andrea Butterfield says the postcard was in mint condition and the ink wasn't faded. It had a 1 cent stamp on it.
The Sun Journal of Lewiston said there's no explanation about where the card has been.
On Monday 83-year-old Ruth Webber McGary, received the card. She said she worked with the Charlie who sent the card, but doesn't remember why it was sent.
___
Information from: Sun-Journal, http://www.sunjournal.com
Just just more proof that things move a little slowly around parts of this state.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
SOMETIMES PLACES JUST WON'T LET YOU GO
Yesterday was one of confusion. And then amazement at the sheer stupidity of government. I'm not even talking about places here in Maine. I know. You need to sit down and fan yourself. Get another cup of tea, dear. Or something stronger.
It all started Saturday when I picked up the mail. There it was. This postcard with the ominous title "Failure to Appear." Makes your skin crawl, doesn't it. Shoot! (or words a bit stronger). What did I do (or not do)? Things like that make you have to read the thing two or three times just to see what it is saying.
Seems I missed some kind of jury call. Was supposed to be in a jury pool on 10/4/10. OK. That would have been a Monday. I know because it was the Monday following that three-day writers' retreat - where the Friday drive was in that downpour. I posted about that - with the drivers who don't turn on their headlights. If you didn't read it, you can scroll down. It was a pip. Anyway, I know I was here for the 4th. I also know I never received any Jury Summons to be downtown on the 4th.
This Failure to Appear notification states I was to call the Jury Commissioner's office immediately or else I could be held in Contempt of Court and be fined. Shoot! (or that other word). So all day Sunday I am fit to be tied. Monday - yesterday morning, first thing, I start calling the number at 8:05AM (figure I should let whoever is at the phone in the Jury Commissioner's office have enough time to sit down with her cuppa and get her coat off. It was cold yesterday morning. The line was busy. I called again three minutes later. Line still busy.
I come up here to the office. There's a phone on the desk and I can call while I'm working. (I've been working on a novel and trying to get it polished and ready for the writers group and then to a published writer for a review/edit/critique before it's time for the tulips to come up or me to be planted - whichever comes first). I keep calling THAT NUMBER. It keeps ringing busy. Golly. Must have been a LOT of people who missed that date with the jury pool. I counted my calls. 47 and ewach time it was BUSY!
About 2PM, I call 411, just to be sure there's nothing wrong with the line - or the number. Number's fine, but the operator offers another number and for an extra charge, they will connect me directly. Heck, I'll take the extra juice. Do NOT want to be in Contempt of Court. Well, I get connected - to an automated answering system. It tells me I am now at the number for the Grand Jury. If I want the Jury Commissioner - or If I received a Failure to Appear, yep - I have to call that other number. Shoot (or that other word). Back to square #1. And it is still busy. Except that's when a dim light bulb goes on.
When the operator gave me the second number - the one I paid extra to be connected to - it had a 916 area code. That's Sacramento CALIFORNIA. Excuse me?! Only being a little slow on the draw, I look more closely at this postcard. Very faintly behind the print I can see a seal. Dang it if it's not the Great Seal of California!
Wait a minute. Now I turn the card around and Really look at the return address. True it does say Superior Court. Sacramento Superior Count! I never saw the Sacramento part in all the times I read the thing - never saw the Great Seal of California. Well, it is pretty faint. All that debt ($19 Billion - that's with a B) maybe they're cutting back a bit with the ink.
So I call that 916 area code, which is NOT part of the number printed on the post card, BTW... Got right through don't you know.
Seems the court system there pulls their names for jury duty from lists they obtain from the state Dept. of Motor Vehicle which still has me on their lists! (Does this constitue dual-citizenship by any chance?) And the original Summons went to the house I sold in Sacramento waaaay back at the beginning of 2007. Of course the Summons was never forwarded here. But when I "failed to show" on 10/4/07, the court then went the extra mile and somehow found my current address in MAINE and mailed the Failure to Appear anyway.
I asked the young lady in the Jury Commissioner's office if they were that hard up for jurors that they really needed someone from Maine to show up, not that I think a non-California resident would be allowed.... No, she didn't think I would be required to appear or that a judge would hold me in Contempt.
But you sent the notification anyway, I stated. Yes, she said. And it might happen again unless I notify California DMV that I've moved, she said. Did she have their address, I asked. I don't have any California telephone books any more, you see.
No, she said sitting in her Sacramento, California office. "But, you can probably find it on the Internet."
I am still shaking my head in wonderment over this. "They keep pulling me back." Wasn't that a line from The Godfather? I am beginning the business they were in.
It all started Saturday when I picked up the mail. There it was. This postcard with the ominous title "Failure to Appear." Makes your skin crawl, doesn't it. Shoot! (or words a bit stronger). What did I do (or not do)? Things like that make you have to read the thing two or three times just to see what it is saying.
Seems I missed some kind of jury call. Was supposed to be in a jury pool on 10/4/10. OK. That would have been a Monday. I know because it was the Monday following that three-day writers' retreat - where the Friday drive was in that downpour. I posted about that - with the drivers who don't turn on their headlights. If you didn't read it, you can scroll down. It was a pip. Anyway, I know I was here for the 4th. I also know I never received any Jury Summons to be downtown on the 4th.
This Failure to Appear notification states I was to call the Jury Commissioner's office immediately or else I could be held in Contempt of Court and be fined. Shoot! (or that other word). So all day Sunday I am fit to be tied. Monday - yesterday morning, first thing, I start calling the number at 8:05AM (figure I should let whoever is at the phone in the Jury Commissioner's office have enough time to sit down with her cuppa and get her coat off. It was cold yesterday morning. The line was busy. I called again three minutes later. Line still busy.
I come up here to the office. There's a phone on the desk and I can call while I'm working. (I've been working on a novel and trying to get it polished and ready for the writers group and then to a published writer for a review/edit/critique before it's time for the tulips to come up or me to be planted - whichever comes first). I keep calling THAT NUMBER. It keeps ringing busy. Golly. Must have been a LOT of people who missed that date with the jury pool. I counted my calls. 47 and ewach time it was BUSY!
About 2PM, I call 411, just to be sure there's nothing wrong with the line - or the number. Number's fine, but the operator offers another number and for an extra charge, they will connect me directly. Heck, I'll take the extra juice. Do NOT want to be in Contempt of Court. Well, I get connected - to an automated answering system. It tells me I am now at the number for the Grand Jury. If I want the Jury Commissioner - or If I received a Failure to Appear, yep - I have to call that other number. Shoot (or that other word). Back to square #1. And it is still busy. Except that's when a dim light bulb goes on.
When the operator gave me the second number - the one I paid extra to be connected to - it had a 916 area code. That's Sacramento CALIFORNIA. Excuse me?! Only being a little slow on the draw, I look more closely at this postcard. Very faintly behind the print I can see a seal. Dang it if it's not the Great Seal of California!
Wait a minute. Now I turn the card around and Really look at the return address. True it does say Superior Court. Sacramento Superior Count! I never saw the Sacramento part in all the times I read the thing - never saw the Great Seal of California. Well, it is pretty faint. All that debt ($19 Billion - that's with a B) maybe they're cutting back a bit with the ink.
So I call that 916 area code, which is NOT part of the number printed on the post card, BTW... Got right through don't you know.
Seems the court system there pulls their names for jury duty from lists they obtain from the state Dept. of Motor Vehicle which still has me on their lists! (Does this constitue dual-citizenship by any chance?) And the original Summons went to the house I sold in Sacramento waaaay back at the beginning of 2007. Of course the Summons was never forwarded here. But when I "failed to show" on 10/4/07, the court then went the extra mile and somehow found my current address in MAINE and mailed the Failure to Appear anyway.
I asked the young lady in the Jury Commissioner's office if they were that hard up for jurors that they really needed someone from Maine to show up, not that I think a non-California resident would be allowed.... No, she didn't think I would be required to appear or that a judge would hold me in Contempt.
But you sent the notification anyway, I stated. Yes, she said. And it might happen again unless I notify California DMV that I've moved, she said. Did she have their address, I asked. I don't have any California telephone books any more, you see.
No, she said sitting in her Sacramento, California office. "But, you can probably find it on the Internet."
I am still shaking my head in wonderment over this. "They keep pulling me back." Wasn't that a line from The Godfather? I am beginning the business they were in.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
NEIGHBOR AT THE DOOR
An unexpected surprise occurred this afternoon when a friend quickly dropped by to leave some information at my door. I know this person from Clifton. He was a delegate to the Regional Planning Committee for the school district and a regular citizen attendee at the Clifton Selectmen's meetings. He's regularly at SAD 63 school board meetings. And he was at the "Meet and Greet" Republican candidate Dave Johnson held at Comins Hall before the primaries earlier this year. But I've never had the pleasure of opening my door to see this individual at my door before today.
Fred was out and about, in not the best of weather (certainly not nearly as bad as Friday's) with another supporter of Dave Johnson distributing information for and about Dave. They were driving and going door-to-door in Eddington. Aside from the fact that the incumbent, Ben Pratt, lives right here in Eddington, I have never received any information from Ben other than a party-produced postcard in my mailbox - certainly no one coming to my door.
Aside from seeing Ben at the annual Town Meeting or back when there used to be the summer town picnic, I have never seen or heard anything from Ben about his positions regarding anything in August. Certainly no responses to any emails sent to him or phone messages left.
But the information left today was certainly enlightening about Ben's voting record and Dave's positions. The following was very interesting:
LD 1495: Enactment of 102 new taxes including tax on labor, movies, and increased meals & lodging tax. Ben Pratt voted YES on LD 1088, the predecessor of LD 1495 and was ABSENT for the vote on LD 1495 (Roll Call #199) but is reported to have Supported the Bill. Dave Johnson Opposed the Bill.
LD 290: Legislation to allow Maine citizens to buy health insurance across state lines. (Roll Call #71). Ben Pratt Voted NO. Dave Johnson Favors the proposal.
LD 254: Welfare Reform - This Bill enacts a 5-point welfare reform package, including requiring a 90-day residency for welfare recipients. Ben Pratt Voted NO (Roll Call #177). Dave Johnson Favors the reform package.
LD 333: Legislation raising the gasoline tax by 10 cents (included in the highway budget). Ben Pratt Voted YES (Roll Call #219). Dave Johnson is Opposed.
If you want to ask Dave questions or contact him, he puts his contact information on all of his fliers:
Tel.# (207) 843-6929; email:djhouse@gmail.com; FacebookDJHOUSE20
For those voters in Maine District 20 (Bradley,Clifton,Dedham,Eddington,Holden and part of Brewer), this writer asks you to consider when the last time was you actually experienced any direct interest shown in your interests and concerns by our current representative in the Maine House of Representatives, Ben Pratt. Ben is a nice person but has he shown any genuine interest or knowledge in what his constituents want done in Augusta? Isn't that his job?
Maybe you should think seriously about supporting Dave Johnson in the voting booth on November 2 and send him as your representative to Augusta this time around.
Maine needs to be more business-friendly if it's to get out of the fiscal mess it's in.
It's time to send a business person to Augusta to work on the problem.
The person for District 20 is Dave Johnson.
Fred was out and about, in not the best of weather (certainly not nearly as bad as Friday's) with another supporter of Dave Johnson distributing information for and about Dave. They were driving and going door-to-door in Eddington. Aside from the fact that the incumbent, Ben Pratt, lives right here in Eddington, I have never received any information from Ben other than a party-produced postcard in my mailbox - certainly no one coming to my door.
Aside from seeing Ben at the annual Town Meeting or back when there used to be the summer town picnic, I have never seen or heard anything from Ben about his positions regarding anything in August. Certainly no responses to any emails sent to him or phone messages left.
But the information left today was certainly enlightening about Ben's voting record and Dave's positions. The following was very interesting:
LD 1495: Enactment of 102 new taxes including tax on labor, movies, and increased meals & lodging tax. Ben Pratt voted YES on LD 1088, the predecessor of LD 1495 and was ABSENT for the vote on LD 1495 (Roll Call #199) but is reported to have Supported the Bill. Dave Johnson Opposed the Bill.
LD 290: Legislation to allow Maine citizens to buy health insurance across state lines. (Roll Call #71). Ben Pratt Voted NO. Dave Johnson Favors the proposal.
LD 254: Welfare Reform - This Bill enacts a 5-point welfare reform package, including requiring a 90-day residency for welfare recipients. Ben Pratt Voted NO (Roll Call #177). Dave Johnson Favors the reform package.
LD 333: Legislation raising the gasoline tax by 10 cents (included in the highway budget). Ben Pratt Voted YES (Roll Call #219). Dave Johnson is Opposed.
If you want to ask Dave questions or contact him, he puts his contact information on all of his fliers:
Tel.# (207) 843-6929; email:djhouse@gmail.com; FacebookDJHOUSE20
For those voters in Maine District 20 (Bradley,Clifton,Dedham,Eddington,Holden and part of Brewer), this writer asks you to consider when the last time was you actually experienced any direct interest shown in your interests and concerns by our current representative in the Maine House of Representatives, Ben Pratt. Ben is a nice person but has he shown any genuine interest or knowledge in what his constituents want done in Augusta? Isn't that his job?
Maybe you should think seriously about supporting Dave Johnson in the voting booth on November 2 and send him as your representative to Augusta this time around.
Maine needs to be more business-friendly if it's to get out of the fiscal mess it's in.
It's time to send a business person to Augusta to work on the problem.
The person for District 20 is Dave Johnson.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
ONE LIGHTBULB AT A TIME
From one of my email friends today.
***
A physics teacher in high school once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very much, a billion of them would. With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by a good American.
Good idea .. . one light bulb at a time . .
Check this out. I can verify this because I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China. The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA. Start looking.
In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track. Let's get behind her!
My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more.
My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico. Now I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything.
This past week I went to Acme. I needed 60W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats. They were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand, but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA, in a company in Cleveland, Ohio.
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets. Yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada. The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA ! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA. The job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!
We should have awakened a decade ago.
Let's get with the program to help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A.
***
People are losing their homes because of jobs being shipped overseas. Homes and jobs lost here are reducing the tax base which is dragging down our economy and placing a terrible burden on all of us. Seems a little thing we can do that will help all of us. At this point I don't care about those on Wall Street any more. With the news yesterday about the same ones who got our money to bail them out now filling their personal pockets with even more profit dollars - and small businesses still receiving no help at all - I say it's time for us to bail out our own boats with our own tin cans made right here in the USA.
***
A physics teacher in high school once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very much, a billion of them would. With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by a good American.
Good idea .. . one light bulb at a time . .
Check this out. I can verify this because I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China. The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA. Start looking.
In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track. Let's get behind her!
My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more.
My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico. Now I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything.
This past week I went to Acme. I needed 60W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats. They were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand, but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA, in a company in Cleveland, Ohio.
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets. Yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada. The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA ! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA. The job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!
We should have awakened a decade ago.
Let's get with the program to help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A.
***
People are losing their homes because of jobs being shipped overseas. Homes and jobs lost here are reducing the tax base which is dragging down our economy and placing a terrible burden on all of us. Seems a little thing we can do that will help all of us. At this point I don't care about those on Wall Street any more. With the news yesterday about the same ones who got our money to bail them out now filling their personal pockets with even more profit dollars - and small businesses still receiving no help at all - I say it's time for us to bail out our own boats with our own tin cans made right here in the USA.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
TYPICAL EXHAUSTING TUESDAY
Tuesday's are my Writers' group meeting day. Great group. Productive time and really good writers from whom to learn and with whom to share. But by the time the group is done and then on to physical therapy and what ever other errands need to be done in Bangor, HOME is a place to crash on the couch and do nothing. Adsolutely nothing.
And that is every Tuesday. So those Tuesdays that include Selectmen meetings, or next week's Public Hearing at Holbrook regarding the proposed AOS vote Nov. 2 make for a long day. Which is why tonight's posting is short.
Just want to add a Big AMEN to the sign outside the Town Office. You don't know what it says? Take a drive. And then say your, "Amen." The drive will be a joy, too. Don't know when Route 9/Main Road got striped but it looks purdy. Bright and shiney.
And a Big Thank You to great neighbors. Sometimes the job of getting summer furniture in and stored in the basement is too much for a lower back that is developing an "attitude." I have been blessed with new and good neighbors - who have a sweatheart of a dog.
And that is every Tuesday. So those Tuesdays that include Selectmen meetings, or next week's Public Hearing at Holbrook regarding the proposed AOS vote Nov. 2 make for a long day. Which is why tonight's posting is short.
Just want to add a Big AMEN to the sign outside the Town Office. You don't know what it says? Take a drive. And then say your, "Amen." The drive will be a joy, too. Don't know when Route 9/Main Road got striped but it looks purdy. Bright and shiney.
And a Big Thank You to great neighbors. Sometimes the job of getting summer furniture in and stored in the basement is too much for a lower back that is developing an "attitude." I have been blessed with new and good neighbors - who have a sweatheart of a dog.
Friday, October 8, 2010
IN YOUR MAIL - AND POST OFFICE PARKING WOES
In your mail today (or maybe yesterday), residents of Eddington, Clifton and Holden should have received the previously referenced brochure from the SAD 63 School Board describing the proposed Alternative Structure Organization (AOS) that will be on the November 2, 2010 ballot. Residents of Amherst, Aurora, Great Pond and Osborn (members of Airline CSD 8) should also have received a similar brochure from their School Board.
If this measure passes, and this writer hopes it does, the new AOS would go into effect July 1, 2011.
The following includes information contained in the brochure. To view the plan in its entirety, please visit: http://www.sad63.net/
The brochure describes how this AOS structure would work. There will be a Public Hearing on October 19, 2010 at 7PM at the Holbrook School on Highway 46 to cover the information. There will be a Public Hearing October 14, 2010 at 7PM at the Airline Community School.
This AOS plan will have no adverse impact on the instructional program of any school in either of the Member School Units.
Students of all Member municipalities may attend the high school of their choice, as allowed by state law.
The bottom line effects of this AOS structure are as follows:
A. The two school districts will continue to maintain their own School Boards. Those School Boards will continue to have the same composition, powers and duties over their same schools as they do now.
B. The two school districts will share the same Central Office, something which the two school districts have been doing since 1977. (NOTE: This blog may have stated in an earlier posting the districts have been sharing the Central Office services since 1987. That date was incorrect.) The shared Central Office under the AOS will be comprised of (1) the Superintendent, (2) one administrative assistant, (3) a business manager, (4) an operations/transportation director, (5) a special education director, (6) a special education secretary and (7) an accounts payable specialist.
C. There will be an AOS Board of Directors with a weighted means of voting authority (power) allocated on the basis of the individual towns participating in the AOS. While each town will have 1 member on the AOS Board of Directors, the member votes will be weights as follows:
Amherst: 3.5
Aurora: 1.7
Clifton: 12.1
Eddington: 34.5
Great Pond: .8
Holden: 46.4
Osborn: 1.0
TOTAL: 100.0
D. Real and Personal Property:
All real and personal property interests, including land, buildings and improvements, and all fixtures and equipment shall remain the property of each Member School Unit except for central office equipment that will be transferred to the AOS.
E. Debt:
The existing indebtedness and lease-purchase obligations of the Member School Units will remain with the respective unit.
F. Cost Savings:
Since 1977 the proposed Member School Units of Airline CSD #8 and MSAD #63 have operated as Joint Districts, sharing the costs and services of a central office. During this time we have consistently achieved operational efficiencies resulting in reduced costs. We will continue to search for opportunities to provide future savings in the proposed AOS.
G. Projected Cost Estimates:
In 2011-2012 it is estimated that $10,000 will be required for the legal costs associated with the formation of the AOS. Those projected costs will be allocated as follows:
Airline CSD #8: $699.
MSAD #6: $9,301.
H. Penalties:
If voters do not approve the formation of a regional school unit on November 2, 2010, the Member Units of the proposed AOS are estimated to lose State of Maine subsidy(state funding) for Fiscal Year (FY) as follows:
Airline CSD#8: $16,252 (tax penalty)
MSAD #6: $178,577 (tax penalty)
According to existing state law, A penalty will be assessed annually to each Member School Unit until a successful school consolidation is achieved.
This means EVERY TOWN MUST APPROVE THE FORMATION OF THE AOS in order for this measure to pass. Any resident who is confused or resistant to this measure is urged to attend one of the Public Hearings scheduled and listed above. Ask your questions there. How much more can local property owners afford to cover for the failure of Maine state government to pay its share of public education in our districts?
****
News from the Post Office
Seems the bids received to repave the Eddington Post Office parking lot were considered too high by the owner of the land. The land is leased to the U.S. Postal Services, and repair of the lot with potholes to China are subject to the landowner's willingness to reduce carnage to USPS customers. So he has decided to fill and patch - again. Which generates another question. If he plans to do it before the snow flies (which will in the course of time cause water and ice holes), he's got less than three weeks. As of November 1, according to one source, asphalt will no longer be available because of the cold temperatures.
Wonder if it's possible for USPS customers to sue the landowner for damage being incurred to their cars. Undercarriage impact, wheel alignments, tire balancing, etc. Seems to me I've seen fewer weaves and curves on a soccer field than what goes on in that parking lot when people are trying to get in and out with their mail without taking a header through one of those potholes. Someone's going to get hurt and it will be that landowner's direct fault and therefore his responsibility. It's not as though those potholes just suddenly appeared.
If this measure passes, and this writer hopes it does, the new AOS would go into effect July 1, 2011.
The following includes information contained in the brochure. To view the plan in its entirety, please visit: http://www.sad63.net/
The brochure describes how this AOS structure would work. There will be a Public Hearing on October 19, 2010 at 7PM at the Holbrook School on Highway 46 to cover the information. There will be a Public Hearing October 14, 2010 at 7PM at the Airline Community School.
This AOS plan will have no adverse impact on the instructional program of any school in either of the Member School Units.
Students of all Member municipalities may attend the high school of their choice, as allowed by state law.
The bottom line effects of this AOS structure are as follows:
A. The two school districts will continue to maintain their own School Boards. Those School Boards will continue to have the same composition, powers and duties over their same schools as they do now.
B. The two school districts will share the same Central Office, something which the two school districts have been doing since 1977. (NOTE: This blog may have stated in an earlier posting the districts have been sharing the Central Office services since 1987. That date was incorrect.) The shared Central Office under the AOS will be comprised of (1) the Superintendent, (2) one administrative assistant, (3) a business manager, (4) an operations/transportation director, (5) a special education director, (6) a special education secretary and (7) an accounts payable specialist.
C. There will be an AOS Board of Directors with a weighted means of voting authority (power) allocated on the basis of the individual towns participating in the AOS. While each town will have 1 member on the AOS Board of Directors, the member votes will be weights as follows:
Amherst: 3.5
Aurora: 1.7
Clifton: 12.1
Eddington: 34.5
Great Pond: .8
Holden: 46.4
Osborn: 1.0
TOTAL: 100.0
D. Real and Personal Property:
All real and personal property interests, including land, buildings and improvements, and all fixtures and equipment shall remain the property of each Member School Unit except for central office equipment that will be transferred to the AOS.
E. Debt:
The existing indebtedness and lease-purchase obligations of the Member School Units will remain with the respective unit.
F. Cost Savings:
Since 1977 the proposed Member School Units of Airline CSD #8 and MSAD #63 have operated as Joint Districts, sharing the costs and services of a central office. During this time we have consistently achieved operational efficiencies resulting in reduced costs. We will continue to search for opportunities to provide future savings in the proposed AOS.
G. Projected Cost Estimates:
In 2011-2012 it is estimated that $10,000 will be required for the legal costs associated with the formation of the AOS. Those projected costs will be allocated as follows:
Airline CSD #8: $699.
MSAD #6: $9,301.
H. Penalties:
If voters do not approve the formation of a regional school unit on November 2, 2010, the Member Units of the proposed AOS are estimated to lose State of Maine subsidy(state funding) for Fiscal Year (FY) as follows:
Airline CSD#8: $16,252 (tax penalty)
MSAD #6: $178,577 (tax penalty)
According to existing state law, A penalty will be assessed annually to each Member School Unit until a successful school consolidation is achieved.
This means EVERY TOWN MUST APPROVE THE FORMATION OF THE AOS in order for this measure to pass. Any resident who is confused or resistant to this measure is urged to attend one of the Public Hearings scheduled and listed above. Ask your questions there. How much more can local property owners afford to cover for the failure of Maine state government to pay its share of public education in our districts?
****
News from the Post Office
Seems the bids received to repave the Eddington Post Office parking lot were considered too high by the owner of the land. The land is leased to the U.S. Postal Services, and repair of the lot with potholes to China are subject to the landowner's willingness to reduce carnage to USPS customers. So he has decided to fill and patch - again. Which generates another question. If he plans to do it before the snow flies (which will in the course of time cause water and ice holes), he's got less than three weeks. As of November 1, according to one source, asphalt will no longer be available because of the cold temperatures.
Wonder if it's possible for USPS customers to sue the landowner for damage being incurred to their cars. Undercarriage impact, wheel alignments, tire balancing, etc. Seems to me I've seen fewer weaves and curves on a soccer field than what goes on in that parking lot when people are trying to get in and out with their mail without taking a header through one of those potholes. Someone's going to get hurt and it will be that landowner's direct fault and therefore his responsibility. It's not as though those potholes just suddenly appeared.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A MAN OF HIS WORD - AND OTHER NEWS
Don Spencer, Principal of Eddington Elementary School, has sent me the the Fall 2009- Beginning of Grade 3 and Grade 4 NECAP Reading and Math Results. As readers may recall from the posting following the September 27 School Board meeting, Mr. Spencer promised to provide these results. He stated there had been improvement over the 2008-2009 data provided in www.EducationNation.com which this writer had previously posted.
According to the note from Mr. Spencer attached to the data sheets, the test results show Eddington students scored at or above the state average. While I am not disputing Mr. Spencer's statement, I must admit I do not know how to interpret much of the data presented. To address this, I plan to call Mr. Spencer with the objective of scheduling an appointment during which I shall be the student with the objective of learning more about what the numbers and symbols mean. This will be particularly beneficial since the 3rd and 4th grade students are about to venture forth and take the Fall 2010 NECAP Reading and Math exams.
Once I know and can explain what I am seeing, the data will be presented here. Perhaps the other two principals will also be willing to share the data from their schools as well.
****
ELECTRONIC RECYCLING NEWS:
Although Eddington uses the Brewer recycling site for most, if not all, electronic, computer and appliance equipment residents wish to dispose of and/or recycle, there is another convenient site: Best Buy in Bangor.
To learn more, check out: www.BestBuy.com/recycling. Once at that site, there is a place to select the state (Maine) to learn what items are accepted, how many, and what (if any) fees are involved. It is a great option and many electronic items can be turned in, up to three a day, free of charge.
Something to be aware of: Did you know copiers have a "brain" that retains the information contained on documents copied. Information such as social security number, name, date of birth, etc. How many times have you used your personal copier to copy 1099 documents or Income tax forms or a Driver's License? Think about it. And then the copier broke and you decided to simply replace it instead of repair it. So you sent it to the recycling center.
Did you know that many recycling centers do repair copiers and then re-sell them...to foreign countries or to used appliance centers With Your Personal Information Still on the "brain" Hard Drive!
This is particularly disturbing when you think of the number of government, business centers, banks, and even school districts that lease and then turn back copiers - or own and then "recycle" or trade in copiers with the Hard Drives in tact. Imagine the opportunities for theft of personal IDs. Scary isn't it.
According to the note from Mr. Spencer attached to the data sheets, the test results show Eddington students scored at or above the state average. While I am not disputing Mr. Spencer's statement, I must admit I do not know how to interpret much of the data presented. To address this, I plan to call Mr. Spencer with the objective of scheduling an appointment during which I shall be the student with the objective of learning more about what the numbers and symbols mean. This will be particularly beneficial since the 3rd and 4th grade students are about to venture forth and take the Fall 2010 NECAP Reading and Math exams.
Once I know and can explain what I am seeing, the data will be presented here. Perhaps the other two principals will also be willing to share the data from their schools as well.
****
ELECTRONIC RECYCLING NEWS:
Although Eddington uses the Brewer recycling site for most, if not all, electronic, computer and appliance equipment residents wish to dispose of and/or recycle, there is another convenient site: Best Buy in Bangor.
To learn more, check out: www.BestBuy.com/recycling. Once at that site, there is a place to select the state (Maine) to learn what items are accepted, how many, and what (if any) fees are involved. It is a great option and many electronic items can be turned in, up to three a day, free of charge.
Something to be aware of: Did you know copiers have a "brain" that retains the information contained on documents copied. Information such as social security number, name, date of birth, etc. How many times have you used your personal copier to copy 1099 documents or Income tax forms or a Driver's License? Think about it. And then the copier broke and you decided to simply replace it instead of repair it. So you sent it to the recycling center.
Did you know that many recycling centers do repair copiers and then re-sell them...to foreign countries or to used appliance centers With Your Personal Information Still on the "brain" Hard Drive!
This is particularly disturbing when you think of the number of government, business centers, banks, and even school districts that lease and then turn back copiers - or own and then "recycle" or trade in copiers with the Hard Drives in tact. Imagine the opportunities for theft of personal IDs. Scary isn't it.
Monday, October 4, 2010
FRIDAY ON HIGHWAY 95
WOW! This past weekend was great. Getting there was beyond scary.
Back in September I received notification the one and only scholarship to the Fall Writers Retreat, sponsored by the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, had been won by Yours Truly. It was only the second writing competition I had ever entered (the first being early this Spring where the reward was for a much smaller amount - but still prized, I assure you). The retreat was to be conducted October 1-3 at the Liniken Resort in Boothbay Harbor. A beautiful setting. But driving there this past Friday, southbound on the 95 in the driving rain, was more than a challenge.
I don't ride those death-defying monsters at the carnivals. Don't like roller-coasters. Never, ever get on the Ferris wheels. And my granddaughters still talk about when they got me on the "Tower of Death" at Disneyland. (That thing is appropriately named, BTW. Those screams you hear while buying your tickets outside are the people riding that thing inside, screaming God's name in one solid breath all the way down to the ground level. And those girls wanted to "do it again" - probably just to see all color drain from their Nana's face one more time. I have moments of being naive, but I am not THAT gullible.)
And so we get to last Friday's drive for what should have been a three-hour trip. Took five hours in that rain. Didn't start out raining when I left Eddington. Rather pretty actually. The colors of the foliage traveling toward Newport were lovely. Lots of red and orange and rusted gold amidst the deep green. And then it began to sprinkle. Just enough to turn the windshield wipers on intermittently. And then more often. Not so much as to throw up any great amount of water from the rear tires of those vehicles passing in the left lane. But still, I turned on the headlights. After all, that's what one is supposed to do. Turn on your headlights whenever using your windshield wipers. There were even large signs along the roadside stating as much.
The rain started coming down more heavily - and the sky got darker in spots along the route. Of course, never having been to Boothbay Harbor before, I had printed out the directions via Mapquest. (NOTE: One cannot take exit 51 at Gardner to get to 27 regardless of what Mapquest says unless you have an EZ pass. I didn't. One has to continue south on 95, get off at the next off ramp and double back. Then you can get off at exit 51. Believe me, I speak from experience.)
No, I do not have a GPS device. I need to watch the road when I'm driving - of course I can still get lost, but at least I am watching where I am going. Doesn't make a lot of difference some of the time, but I can explain to whoever what I did and where I did it so that they can understand while they're shaking their head and saying, "You can't get there from H'yah.".
Same reason, BTW I don't use my cell phone and NEVER text. Don't even put on makeup. I really have to seriously consider taking a drink container out of the cup holder, even though I use a straw to make it easier. When driving, even in good weather, I keep my eyes on the road. I've seen too often the consequences of those who haven't.
So back to Friady - somewhere this side of Augusta the rain was really coming down. I mean it was bad. And every vehicle that was on the road was throwing up huge amounts of water from their rear tires. Not just the big-rigs, which were pounding along at 70-80 mph regardless. But the SUVs and the pickups and the normal sized cars. Everything was throwing so much water there was a white-out for any vehicle behind them - even if you were five or six car-lengths behind. In spots the water on the pavements was causing planing. Highway DOT lights came on announcing reduced speeds to 45mph. Even that felt fast.
In a few places I moved over into the left lane just to avoid the throw-back water from some large vehicle in front of me in the right lane because I couldn't see anything. I know, Maine seems to have this thing about everyone staying in the right lane except to pass - and then jump back into that right lane. I don't understand it. A driver can not practice defensive driving when s/he can not see what is up ahead - can't see the moose or deer the signs warn about for the next 15-17 miles, can't see the accident just ahead, can't see that others are braking ahead but the vehicle right in front of you isn't for whatever reason. Whatever, there are a lot of things in Maine I don't understand and this column isn't long enough to list them.
BUT, when I saw this HUGE big-rig baring down on me in my rear mirror, I wanted to move back over into the right lane - except I couldn't see where that vehicle was that had been there just moments before - the one that was throwing up so much water and causing the white-out I wanted to avoid. Where was it? Was it safe to move back over into the right lane? Would I drive right into the car/SUV/whatever it was if I pulled into the right lane?
Why was I having this much trouble? - in broad daylight even if it was cloudy? Because at least one-quarter of the vehicles driving with their windshield wipers going pell-mell fast did not have their headlights on. No, those drivers probably didn't need their headlights to see where they were going. But us drivers behind them needed their tail lights on to see where they were.
And it wasn't just me. By the time I arrived at my destination there were others talking about the same stressed experience. For all of the "independence" Mainers like to brag about, sometimes the rules aren't for the one doing the driving or the ATV exploring or the one on the motorcycle or the hunter. The rules are sometimes for the others who are in the areas right behind you.
Back in September I received notification the one and only scholarship to the Fall Writers Retreat, sponsored by the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, had been won by Yours Truly. It was only the second writing competition I had ever entered (the first being early this Spring where the reward was for a much smaller amount - but still prized, I assure you). The retreat was to be conducted October 1-3 at the Liniken Resort in Boothbay Harbor. A beautiful setting. But driving there this past Friday, southbound on the 95 in the driving rain, was more than a challenge.
I don't ride those death-defying monsters at the carnivals. Don't like roller-coasters. Never, ever get on the Ferris wheels. And my granddaughters still talk about when they got me on the "Tower of Death" at Disneyland. (That thing is appropriately named, BTW. Those screams you hear while buying your tickets outside are the people riding that thing inside, screaming God's name in one solid breath all the way down to the ground level. And those girls wanted to "do it again" - probably just to see all color drain from their Nana's face one more time. I have moments of being naive, but I am not THAT gullible.)
And so we get to last Friday's drive for what should have been a three-hour trip. Took five hours in that rain. Didn't start out raining when I left Eddington. Rather pretty actually. The colors of the foliage traveling toward Newport were lovely. Lots of red and orange and rusted gold amidst the deep green. And then it began to sprinkle. Just enough to turn the windshield wipers on intermittently. And then more often. Not so much as to throw up any great amount of water from the rear tires of those vehicles passing in the left lane. But still, I turned on the headlights. After all, that's what one is supposed to do. Turn on your headlights whenever using your windshield wipers. There were even large signs along the roadside stating as much.
The rain started coming down more heavily - and the sky got darker in spots along the route. Of course, never having been to Boothbay Harbor before, I had printed out the directions via Mapquest. (NOTE: One cannot take exit 51 at Gardner to get to 27 regardless of what Mapquest says unless you have an EZ pass. I didn't. One has to continue south on 95, get off at the next off ramp and double back. Then you can get off at exit 51. Believe me, I speak from experience.)
No, I do not have a GPS device. I need to watch the road when I'm driving - of course I can still get lost, but at least I am watching where I am going. Doesn't make a lot of difference some of the time, but I can explain to whoever what I did and where I did it so that they can understand while they're shaking their head and saying, "You can't get there from H'yah.".
Same reason, BTW I don't use my cell phone and NEVER text. Don't even put on makeup. I really have to seriously consider taking a drink container out of the cup holder, even though I use a straw to make it easier. When driving, even in good weather, I keep my eyes on the road. I've seen too often the consequences of those who haven't.
So back to Friady - somewhere this side of Augusta the rain was really coming down. I mean it was bad. And every vehicle that was on the road was throwing up huge amounts of water from their rear tires. Not just the big-rigs, which were pounding along at 70-80 mph regardless. But the SUVs and the pickups and the normal sized cars. Everything was throwing so much water there was a white-out for any vehicle behind them - even if you were five or six car-lengths behind. In spots the water on the pavements was causing planing. Highway DOT lights came on announcing reduced speeds to 45mph. Even that felt fast.
In a few places I moved over into the left lane just to avoid the throw-back water from some large vehicle in front of me in the right lane because I couldn't see anything. I know, Maine seems to have this thing about everyone staying in the right lane except to pass - and then jump back into that right lane. I don't understand it. A driver can not practice defensive driving when s/he can not see what is up ahead - can't see the moose or deer the signs warn about for the next 15-17 miles, can't see the accident just ahead, can't see that others are braking ahead but the vehicle right in front of you isn't for whatever reason. Whatever, there are a lot of things in Maine I don't understand and this column isn't long enough to list them.
BUT, when I saw this HUGE big-rig baring down on me in my rear mirror, I wanted to move back over into the right lane - except I couldn't see where that vehicle was that had been there just moments before - the one that was throwing up so much water and causing the white-out I wanted to avoid. Where was it? Was it safe to move back over into the right lane? Would I drive right into the car/SUV/whatever it was if I pulled into the right lane?
Why was I having this much trouble? - in broad daylight even if it was cloudy? Because at least one-quarter of the vehicles driving with their windshield wipers going pell-mell fast did not have their headlights on. No, those drivers probably didn't need their headlights to see where they were going. But us drivers behind them needed their tail lights on to see where they were.
And it wasn't just me. By the time I arrived at my destination there were others talking about the same stressed experience. For all of the "independence" Mainers like to brag about, sometimes the rules aren't for the one doing the driving or the ATV exploring or the one on the motorcycle or the hunter. The rules are sometimes for the others who are in the areas right behind you.
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