Legislators are not supposed to write laws that will directly benefit themselves, but, as someone else pointed out, this law seems self-serving. Who's minding the ethics store in the Maine Legislature these days?
All of us have to show proof of citizenship status when being hired--that's fine--it's a level playing field. The demand for someone to show their "papers" on the other hand, is arbitrary because it is left up to the person requesting the papers. What criteria are they using to decide who gets asked and who doesn't? That's where the racial profiling comes into play.
I don't know how you twisted my comments to end up that way. Whichever way people think about abortion has nothing to do with my comment. I was pointing out that he made himself available to a group of people with a particular interest = "special interest."
I would agree with you if he was still a private citizen. He is an elected official and the "pedestal" is the expectation that he will put his best foot forward in representing all of Maine's citizens. Yes, there are those who nit-pick everything he says and does but I'm not talking about them. There are fringe elements on both ends of the spectrum. LePage doesn't think before he speaks, and for someone whose main goal is to bring business to Maine, he's going to stick his foot so far down his throat if he doesn't cool it that businesses aren't going to want to be associated with Maine. I'm not saying that will happen with this current situation, but if his people don't talk to him soon, his "off the cuff" comments are only going to get worse and none of us will be any better off than we are now, economically.
My issue is how he says what he says. He is no longer a private citizen; he represents over 1 million people. What he said was a slap in the face to me, a Black citizen of Maine. I am not a "special interest," I am a Black Mainer, and have always been proud to be one. My governor just insulted my racial heritage. My governor. Just because he has a Black son, that does not give him a "pass" to insult an entire segment of society. He owes me an apology.
I watched the meeting on the internet and I had similar thoughts as Farrell's; however, there's one big difference: He is an elected official, I am not. I was glad to see my City Councilor was present.
PUBLIC Law, Chapter 446, Section 1. 29-A MRSA §2117 :
"Operation of a motor vehicle while distracted" means the operation of a motor vehicle by a person who, while operating the vehicle, is engaged in an activity:
(1) That is not necessary to the operation of the vehicle; and
(2) That actually impairs, or would reasonably be expected to impair, the ability of the person to safely operate the vehicle."
I hope she is okay. I dread approaching the construction zones on the turnpike. When I reduce my speed from 65mph to 50mph, almost always at least one car behind me speeds up to pass me as we approach the one-lane section of the zone. I've had some close calls. Slow down, people--the construction zones are very short and the few seconds you gain by passing me aren't worth the consequences of a high-speed crash.
I think the SJ is trying to show the irony of this situation: Arsenault was a witness for the defense in an alcohol-related trial and now the witness is being charged with OUI.
The young man has an unfair competitive advantage because he is not paying insurance, but I don't hear Hannaford's squawking about kids who sell lemonade on their street corners without a vendor's license. The only concern I have for that young man is what would happen if somebody got injured falling out of the cart during a sharp turn. That "victim" would find a lawyer and things would get very complicated very quickly.
Maine is increasing the beach monitoring programs. If fewer beaches were monitored in 2008, or, if the same beaches monitored in 2009 were monitored less frequently in 2008, I can see how the 47% jump could occur.
My sympathies to the families and friends of those two men but I am surprised that we're flying the flags at half staff for one of the victims. We don't do it when our other distinguished retired veterans pass away.
I didn't say a word about helmets. Loud noise does cause harm so it is my business, and I don't want to hear it at 2 o'clock in the morning as I often do this time of year. I don't believe everybody who revs their engines at stop signs and stop lights have 25-year-old carborated motorcycles although I'm the first to admit I don't know what one looks like.
Why do they rev their engines at stop signs and red lights? I don't think it's so people can see them, and the "loud pipes save lives" campaign is a bit of a stretch. It's a good political maneuver, though (turn this into a safety issue so people won't oppose it). People cut me off and turn in front of me, and I'm driving a car. So maybe I should retrofit my muffler so that I have loud pipes, too--or maybe add a siren? Maybe we should all retrofit our mufflers so people will know we're there. Hey, maybe the problem is that no matter what you're driving (I've seen people who didn't notice cop cars with sirens and lights on), other drivers aren't paying attention. Upping the ante with loud mufflers isn't going to change that.
The DEP would go broke paying for new septic systems for people whose septic systems were failing before they bought the property. They have to draw the line somewhere.
Wildbill2500--I agree with you. How was this property sold without a plumbing inspection? Was the water tested as it is supposed to be before property is sold? Were corners cut? I don't know if this article was written to elicit sympathy, but unlike others here who, for some reason, always have to use Somalis as scapegoats in every SJ article, it seems to me that readers are only being given part of the story.
Instead of going around embarassing people who didn't get the memo, their time could have been better spent volunteering at the Togus VA Medical Center. THAT's the sort of thing that is "credit-worthy."
I am tired of people designating themselves as the "Patriot Police." Flying a flag isn't the "be-all-end-all" way of showing respect of our veterans and active duty personnel, and, just because someone didn't "get the memo" it doesn't mean they don't care. It seems like every other week there is a fundraiser or toy drive or some other event to help our veterans, active duty personnel and their families. And, there are PLENTY of people (I have worked with many in my capacity as a volunteer) who are doing things to help our veterans and their families behind the scenes; it's just that those people aren't the type who go around beating their chests and getting their faces in the newspaper. They do it quietly and with their whole hearts. People need to think about that before boycotting or publicly shaming someone for what they consider "unpatriotic."
I agree. Both of those organizations are in need of volunteers. They'd be so busy they wouldn't have time to be the Flag Police, trying to embarass people who made a mistake.
You have to increase the size of the top photo (if you dare) in order to see that she's wearing shoes. Make sure you've finished your lunch, first, or you'll lose your appetite like I did.
Lewiston City Charter reads, in part, "Sec. 2.03. Mayor. The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the council and shall be entitled to vote only to break a tie. The mayor shall be recognized as the head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes. He shall solely make appointments to committees and boards created under this Charter, to statutory boards and commissions as are required by the Statutes of the State of Maine to be made by the municipal officers and shall solely appoint citizens to ad hoc advisory committees." The Mayor is correct and Peters, et.al., are wasting their time trying to "find a way around the Charter." The Charter is The Charter--get over it, people. If the City Council doesn't like the fact that the Mayor is exercising his authority to appoint people to the Advisory Committee, then let's not have an Advisory Committee to appoint them to.
According to several victims, the motel owner asked them to leave the common dining area because of their odor, lingering from the fire, which would have been disturbing to his customers who would be dining there.
I was disappointed to read how the owner of the Travelodge treated the fire victims. I guess they should be grateful he allowed them to use one restroom. People don't need shelters when they are all cleaned up and looking pretty; most often they need shelters when they are at their lowest point.
My understanding is the building code requires hardwired smoke detectors WITH batteries in case of power failure. That's what I had to have installed when I added two bedrooms to my house.
I thought municipal officials attended the MMA training anyway. For Mayor, I want to see someone who can conduct himself or herself in a professional manner, someone who isn't afraid to bang a gavel in order to keep the City Councilors on-task and on-subject, and someone who can get the City Council to make the decisions that need to be made in order to conduct the business of the City of Lewiston. I don't know if being in charge of the Liberty Festival fits the bill--maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. It IS a little odd that Knowlton endorsed one person and is now planning on running against him. I can understand he most likely made up his mind after the endorsement, but it's a little unusual.
I was disappointed at how unfriendly the Auburn police officers were at that event. There was one friendly officer who actually smiled and said, "hello" as he walked around, and the Chief was very nice, but the others seemed bored and uninterested in being there. I was standing near Corporal Bouchard when some teenaged girls walked up to him and Beny, and one of the girls, who looked a little afraid, asked the Corporal if Beny bites. He said, "Not unless I tell him to" and he walked away with the dog. I guess that was the right answer but it sounded smart-alecky and unfriendly and it could have been explained in a more educational way, such as, "Beny is specially trained so that if the situation comes up, then yes, he will be instructed to bite on my command." I thought the idea behind this event was for law enforcement to be friendly and accessible to the public--not just to small children, but to everyone in the community.
Will the Peters Brothers vote against anything and everything having to do with the City Administrator's position from now on? Okay, you gentlemen have made your point. It's now time to move on and take care of the City's business as I elected one of you--who lives in my ward--to do.
Recent Comments
And in 5 days...
What is adding 5 days going to do?
Self-serving?
Legislators are not supposed to write laws that will directly benefit themselves, but, as someone else pointed out, this law seems self-serving. Who's minding the ethics store in the Maine Legislature these days?
If I Knew
If I knew which restaurants opted to claim the tips--assuming the law passed--I wouldn't go there. I expect my tips to go to the waitstaff.
Papers
All of us have to show proof of citizenship status when being hired--that's fine--it's a level playing field. The demand for someone to show their "papers" on the other hand, is arbitrary because it is left up to the person requesting the papers. What criteria are they using to decide who gets asked and who doesn't? That's where the racial profiling comes into play.
Composting kids
Great job, kids and teachers! Keep up the good work!
Oh well
Oh well, like most things, what we say is always open to interpretation.
Re-read
I don't know how you twisted my comments to end up that way. Whichever way people think about abortion has nothing to do with my comment. I was pointing out that he made himself available to a group of people with a particular interest = "special interest."
Definition?
According to the Portland Press Herald, Gov. LePage attended an abortion rights rally today. I guess he needs to explain his definition of "special interest."
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Abortion-opponents-buoyed-by-Maine-govs-...
If
I would agree with you if he was still a private citizen. He is an elected official and the "pedestal" is the expectation that he will put his best foot forward in representing all of Maine's citizens. Yes, there are those who nit-pick everything he says and does but I'm not talking about them. There are fringe elements on both ends of the spectrum. LePage doesn't think before he speaks, and for someone whose main goal is to bring business to Maine, he's going to stick his foot so far down his throat if he doesn't cool it that businesses aren't going to want to be associated with Maine. I'm not saying that will happen with this current situation, but if his people don't talk to him soon, his "off the cuff" comments are only going to get worse and none of us will be any better off than we are now, economically.
Opinion
My issue is how he says what he says. He is no longer a private citizen; he represents over 1 million people. What he said was a slap in the face to me, a Black citizen of Maine. I am not a "special interest," I am a Black Mainer, and have always been proud to be one. My governor just insulted my racial heritage. My governor. Just because he has a Black son, that does not give him a "pass" to insult an entire segment of society. He owes me an apology.
Goodbye.
We'll miss you, Russ.
Waste of Time?
I watched the meeting on the internet and I had similar thoughts as Farrell's; however, there's one big difference: He is an elected official, I am not. I was glad to see my City Councilor was present.
Human Interest
It's a human interest story. Front pages don't have to just be about death, destruction and mayhem.
How Far is "Far Enough?"
Why isn't the Distracted Driver Law sufficient?
PUBLIC Law, Chapter 446, Section 1. 29-A MRSA §2117 :
"Operation of a motor vehicle while distracted" means the operation of a motor vehicle by a person who, while operating the vehicle, is engaged in an activity:
(1) That is not necessary to the operation of the vehicle; and
(2) That actually impairs, or would reasonably be expected to impair, the ability of the person to safely operate the vehicle."
A "texting" law would be redundant.
Waiting
They're laying in wait for the next SJ article on Lewiston's immigrant population...
Diversity
What's wrong with diversifying the community?
Construction Zones
I hope she is okay. I dread approaching the construction zones on the turnpike. When I reduce my speed from 65mph to 50mph, almost always at least one car behind me speeds up to pass me as we approach the one-lane section of the zone. I've had some close calls. Slow down, people--the construction zones are very short and the few seconds you gain by passing me aren't worth the consequences of a high-speed crash.
Letter
He's just stating his opinion by submitting a letter to the editor. Good grief, folks, he's not asking for people to agree with him.
Irony
I think the SJ is trying to show the irony of this situation: Arsenault was a witness for the defense in an alcohol-related trial and now the witness is being charged with OUI.
Taking away business?
The young man has an unfair competitive advantage because he is not paying insurance, but I don't hear Hannaford's squawking about kids who sell lemonade on their street corners without a vendor's license. The only concern I have for that young man is what would happen if somebody got injured falling out of the cart during a sharp turn. That "victim" would find a lawyer and things would get very complicated very quickly.
Statistics
Maine is increasing the beach monitoring programs. If fewer beaches were monitored in 2008, or, if the same beaches monitored in 2009 were monitored less frequently in 2008, I can see how the 47% jump could occur.
Rescue
Great job, Dan and to all of those involved. It's nice to see a story with a happy ending.
To Go
I thought maybe they took the, "To Go" takeout order a little too literally...
Half Staff
My sympathies to the families and friends of those two men but I am surprised that we're flying the flags at half staff for one of the victims. We don't do it when our other distinguished retired veterans pass away.
AMEN on the negativity! This
AMEN on the negativity! This is a great project!
Business
I didn't say a word about helmets. Loud noise does cause harm so it is my business, and I don't want to hear it at 2 o'clock in the morning as I often do this time of year. I don't believe everybody who revs their engines at stop signs and stop lights have 25-year-old carborated motorcycles although I'm the first to admit I don't know what one looks like.
Go to Court?
Are you going to pay those folks' court costs?
Loud pipes save lives?
Why do they rev their engines at stop signs and red lights? I don't think it's so people can see them, and the "loud pipes save lives" campaign is a bit of a stretch. It's a good political maneuver, though (turn this into a safety issue so people won't oppose it). People cut me off and turn in front of me, and I'm driving a car. So maybe I should retrofit my muffler so that I have loud pipes, too--or maybe add a siren? Maybe we should all retrofit our mufflers so people will know we're there. Hey, maybe the problem is that no matter what you're driving (I've seen people who didn't notice cop cars with sirens and lights on), other drivers aren't paying attention. Upping the ante with loud mufflers isn't going to change that.
Congrats!
Congratulations, Krysta, Karianne and to all of you who are earning your GEDs!
What if God said...
Well said, John. Well said.
Helpful people
It's nice to know there are still people willing to help. Those two young men did a great job! Thanks for getting involved!
Help?
The DEP would go broke paying for new septic systems for people whose septic systems were failing before they bought the property. They have to draw the line somewhere.
Buyer beware-I agree
Wildbill2500--I agree with you. How was this property sold without a plumbing inspection? Was the water tested as it is supposed to be before property is sold? Were corners cut? I don't know if this article was written to elicit sympathy, but unlike others here who, for some reason, always have to use Somalis as scapegoats in every SJ article, it seems to me that readers are only being given part of the story.
ARC Administrative Expenses
I am a Red Cross volunteer. You have your facts wrong. Please see the report from the Better Business Bureau:
http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/human-services/american-red-cross-in-washington-dc-679
It states that the ARC spends six percent on administrative expenses and meets the 20 standards for charity accountability.
Donate any way you choose, but please don't discourage others who believe and trust the American Red Cross.
You're absolutely right.
You're absolutely right. It's all about portion control.
I agree. Let him cool his
I agree. Let him cool his heels in Juvie.
Instead of going around
Instead of going around embarassing people who didn't get the memo, their time could have been better spent volunteering at the Togus VA Medical Center. THAT's the sort of thing that is "credit-worthy."
I am tired of people
I am tired of people designating themselves as the "Patriot Police." Flying a flag isn't the "be-all-end-all" way of showing respect of our veterans and active duty personnel, and, just because someone didn't "get the memo" it doesn't mean they don't care. It seems like every other week there is a fundraiser or toy drive or some other event to help our veterans, active duty personnel and their families. And, there are PLENTY of people (I have worked with many in my capacity as a volunteer) who are doing things to help our veterans and their families behind the scenes; it's just that those people aren't the type who go around beating their chests and getting their faces in the newspaper. They do it quietly and with their whole hearts. People need to think about that before boycotting or publicly shaming someone for what they consider "unpatriotic."
I agree. Both of those
I agree. Both of those organizations are in need of volunteers. They'd be so busy they wouldn't have time to be the Flag Police, trying to embarass people who made a mistake.
You have to increase the
You have to increase the size of the top photo (if you dare) in order to see that she's wearing shoes. Make sure you've finished your lunch, first, or you'll lose your appetite like I did.
Lewiston City Charter reads,
Lewiston City Charter reads, in part, "Sec. 2.03. Mayor. The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the council and shall be entitled to vote only to break a tie. The mayor shall be recognized as the head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes. He shall solely make appointments to committees and boards created under this Charter, to statutory boards and commissions as are required by the Statutes of the State of Maine to be made by the municipal officers and shall solely appoint citizens to ad hoc advisory committees." The Mayor is correct and Peters, et.al., are wasting their time trying to "find a way around the Charter." The Charter is The Charter--get over it, people. If the City Council doesn't like the fact that the Mayor is exercising his authority to appoint people to the Advisory Committee, then let's not have an Advisory Committee to appoint them to.
According to several
According to several victims, the motel owner asked them to leave the common dining area because of their odor, lingering from the fire, which would have been disturbing to his customers who would be dining there.
Not everybody had dogs. He
Not everybody had dogs. He has a hotel, he agreed to serve as a Red Cross shelter, and he didn't do it.
He has an agreement to
He has an agreement to shelter. Letting someone use a bathroom is not "generous."
It would be great if the Red
It would be great if the Red Cross could get some additional financial assistance from the City.
I was disappointed to read
I was disappointed to read how the owner of the Travelodge treated the fire victims. I guess they should be grateful he allowed them to use one restroom. People don't need shelters when they are all cleaned up and looking pretty; most often they need shelters when they are at their lowest point.
My understanding is the
My understanding is the building code requires hardwired smoke detectors WITH batteries in case of power failure. That's what I had to have installed when I added two bedrooms to my house.
I thought municipal
I thought municipal officials attended the MMA training anyway. For Mayor, I want to see someone who can conduct himself or herself in a professional manner, someone who isn't afraid to bang a gavel in order to keep the City Councilors on-task and on-subject, and someone who can get the City Council to make the decisions that need to be made in order to conduct the business of the City of Lewiston. I don't know if being in charge of the Liberty Festival fits the bill--maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. It IS a little odd that Knowlton endorsed one person and is now planning on running against him. I can understand he most likely made up his mind after the endorsement, but it's a little unusual.
Chippy, I think the reason
Chippy, I think the reason they keep bringing up the "honor roll" description is because people tend to think honor roll students can do no wrong.
I was disappointed at how
I was disappointed at how unfriendly the Auburn police officers were at that event. There was one friendly officer who actually smiled and said, "hello" as he walked around, and the Chief was very nice, but the others seemed bored and uninterested in being there. I was standing near Corporal Bouchard when some teenaged girls walked up to him and Beny, and one of the girls, who looked a little afraid, asked the Corporal if Beny bites. He said, "Not unless I tell him to" and he walked away with the dog. I guess that was the right answer but it sounded smart-alecky and unfriendly and it could have been explained in a more educational way, such as, "Beny is specially trained so that if the situation comes up, then yes, he will be instructed to bite on my command." I thought the idea behind this event was for law enforcement to be friendly and accessible to the public--not just to small children, but to everyone in the community.
I would enjoy looking at
I would enjoy looking at those post cards. Maybe she could post some of the more interesting ones online?
I'm a little surprised he
I'm a little surprised he showed up in court in shorts and flip-flops. I thought judges would consider that sort of attire disrespectful.
Will the Peters Brothers
Will the Peters Brothers vote against anything and everything having to do with the City Administrator's position from now on? Okay, you gentlemen have made your point. It's now time to move on and take care of the City's business as I elected one of you--who lives in my ward--to do.