The group Young People of the Lewiston-Auburn Area, a division of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, held a meet and greet at the Martindale Country Club in Auburn with local legislative candidates on Wednesday night.

More than 20 candidates attended, but the turnout among young professionals was much less. The idea was to create an opportunity for voters to interact directly with the candidates and discuss issues that were important to them, said Jonathon LaBonte, a YPLAA chair.

Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert, Chamber President Chip Morrison, Lewiston Democratic Committee Chairman Walter Hill and Androscoggin County Democratic Committee Chairman Will Fessenden were also in attendance.

YPLAA also distributed an information packet, based on voluntary responses to questionnaires sent to candidates.

Maine Obama campaign seeks funds for heating

Obama’s Campaign for Change in Maine is seeking donations for a statewide home heating assistance program on Saturday. The group has organized fundraising breakfasts at 10 a.m. in campaign offices around the state. The breakfasts are free and open to the public.

Democratic state Reps. Margaret Craven of Lewiston and Deb Simpson of Auburn will be attending the Auburn’s breakfast at the Obama campaign office located at 1 Great Falls Plaza.

In Rumford, state Rep. John Patrick will be hosting the breakfast in the campaign’s office at 432 Hancock Street. There will also be a breakfast at the Obama campaign office in Farmington, located at 231 Broadway Street.

The Keep ME Warm Fund provides home heating assistance and weatherization kits to Maine Families.

“It’s a good opportunity since we are well-organized all over the state,” said Jessica Santillo, spokeswoman for the Obama campaign in Maine. “We just thought that having collection bins from now until the election where people can make donations to Keep ME Warm would be beneficial.”

The Obama campaign also announced that former Gov. Angus King will be holding a town hall style meeting in South Paris at Western Maine Community College in the Community Room on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. to discuss the Obama energy plan with interested residents.

Collins campaign rolls into Franklin County

Republican Sen. Susan Collins made campaign stops in Wilton and Farmington on Friday, continuing her statewide tour. Collins visited the Academy Hill School and toured the new Barclays and ITC call centers in Wilton and the NotifyMD offices in Farmington.

With about one month remaining before Election Day, Collins has visited more than two dozen communities, according to her campaign.

– Rebekah Metzler