Holiday Pet Safety Tips -- Holiday Safety Tips from Maine's State Veterinarian and Animal Welfare Services Director.

12/23/2015 02:28 PM EST

 AUGUSTA - The holiday season is an exciting, active time for Maine families. The same is true for household pets. To avoid spending stressful time with your veterinarian, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's State Veterinarian and Director of Animal Welfare are urging Mainers to consider some helpful pet safety tips.

"Healthy pets make happy owners. We want all Mainers and their pets to have a positive experience this holiday season," said Maine State Veterinarian, Dr. Michele Walsh. "A little bit of forethought can go a long way toward avoiding stressful, expensive, possibly fatal trips to a veterinarian. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and other organizations offer tips on how to help ensure that your pets make it through the holidays safely."

 

 In addition to current pets, families often consider obtaining a new pet during the holiday season. Animal Welfare Director Liam Hughes recommends doing some basic research ahead of time, considering that pets require a long-term commitment.

 

 "Pets owners need to be ready for a long-term emotional and financial commitment," said Hughes. "Before adopting or purchasing a new pet, people should consider a number of things, including: does my/our lifestyle allow time for a pet; what type of pet; and what are the costs associated with a pet? If you are looking for a pet in Maine, only look for animal shelters, pet stores, or breeders that are licensed by the state. Don't buy animals on the side of the road, or in a parking lot and beware of online sales because you might not get what was advertised."

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) website (https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/holidays.aspx) offers the following Holiday Pet Safety tips:

**Food**

 

 Keep people food away from pets. If you want to share holiday treats with your pets, make or buy treats formulated just for them. The following people foods are especially hazardous for pets:

- Chocolate is an essential part of the holidays for many people, but it is toxic to dogs and cats. Although the toxicity can vary based on the type of chocolate, the size of your pet, and the amount they ate, it's safer to consider all chocolate off limits for pets. - Other sweets and baked goods also should be kept out of reach. Not only are they often too rich for pets; an artificial sweetener often found in baked goods, candy and chewing gum, xylitol, has been linked to liver failure and death in dogs. - Turkey and turkey skin - sometimes even in small amounts - can cause a life-threatening condition in pets known as pancreatitis. - Table scraps - including gravy and meat fat -also should be kept away from pets. Many foods that are healthy for people are poisonous to pets, including onions, raisins and grapes. During the holidays, when our own diets tend toward extra-rich foods, table scraps can be especially fattening and hard for animals to digest and can cause pancreatitis. - Yeast dough can cause problems for pets, including painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating.

Quick action can save lives. If you believe your pet has been poisoned or eaten something it shouldn't have, call your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency clinic immediately. You may also want to call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: 1-888-426-4435. Signs of pet distress include: sudden changes in behavior, depression, pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.

**Decorating**

 

 

Greenery, lights and Christmas trees can make the holidays festive, but they also pose risky temptations for our pets.

 

 -Christmas trees can tip over if pets climb on them or try to play with the lights and ornaments. Consider tying your tree to the ceiling or a doorframe using fishing line to secure it. - Ornaments can cause hazards for pets. Broken ornaments can cause injuries, and ingested ornaments can cause intestinal blockage or even toxicity. Keep any homemade ornaments, particularly those made from salt-dough or other food-based materials, out of reach of pets. -Tinsel and other holiday decorations also can be tempting for pets to eat. Consuming them can cause intestinal blockages, sometimes requiring surgery. Breakable ornaments or decorations can cause injuries. -Flowers and festive plants can result in an emergency veterinary visit if your pet gets hold of them. Amaryllis, mistletoe, balsam, pine, cedar, and holly are among the common holiday plants that can be dangerous and even poisonous to pets who decide to eat them. Poinsettias can be troublesome as well. The ASPCA offers lists of plants that are toxic to dogs and cats. -Candles are attractive to pets as well as people. Never leave a pet alone in an area with a lit candle; it could result in a fire. -Potpourris should be kept out of reach of inquisitive pets. Liquid potpourris pose risks because they contain essential oils and cationic detergents that can severely damage your pet's mouth, eyes and skin. Solid potpourris could cause problems if eaten.

 **Hosting Parties and Visitors**

 Visitors can upset pets, as can the noise and excitement of holiday parties. Even pets that aren't normally shy may become nervous in the hubbub that can accompany a holiday gathering. The following tips will reduce emotional stress on your pet and protect your guests from possible injury.

-All pets should have access to a comfortable, quiet place inside if they want to retreat. Make sure your pet has a room or crate somewhere away from the commotion, where your guests won't follow, that it can go to anytime it wants to get away. - Inform your guests ahead of time that you have pets or if other guests may be bringing pets to your house. Guests with allergies or compromised immune systems (due to pregnancy, disease, or medications/ treatments that suppress the immune system) need to be aware of the pets (especially exotic pets) in your home so they can take any needed precautions to protect themselves. - Guests with pets? If guests ask to bring their own pets and you don't know how the pets will get along, you should either politely decline their request or plan to spend some time acclimating the pets to each other, supervising their interactions, monitoring for signs of a problem, and taking action to avoid injuries to pets or people. - Pets that are nervous around visitors should be put it in another room or a crate with a favorite toy. If your pet is particularly upset by houseguests, talk to your veterinarian about possible solutions to this common problem. - Exotic pets make some people uncomfortable and may themselves be more easily stressed by gatherings. Keep exotic pets safely away from the hubbub of the holidays. - Watch the exits. Even if your pets are comfortable around guests, make sure you watch them closely, especially when people are entering or leaving your home. While you're welcoming hungry guests and collecting coats, a four-legged family member may make a break for it out the door and become lost. - Identification tags and microchips reunite families. Make sure your pet has proper identification with your current contact information - particularly a microchip with up-to-date, registered information. That way, if they do sneak out, they're more likely to be returned to you. If your pet isn't already microchipped, talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of this simple procedure. - Clear the food from your table, counters and serving areas when you are done using them - and make sure the trash gets put where your pet can't reach it. A turkey or chicken carcass or other large quantities of meat sitting out on the carving table, or left in a trash container that is easily opened, could be deadly to your family pet. Dispose of carcasses and bones - and anything used to wrap or tie the meat, such as strings, bags and packaging - in a covered, tightly secured trash bag placed in a closed trash container outdoors (or behind a closed, locked door). - Trash also should be cleared away where pets can't reach it - especially sparkly ribbon and other packaging or decorative items that could be tempting for your pet to play with or consume.

**When You Leave the House**

- Unplug decorations while you're not around. Cats, dogs and other pets are often tempted to chew electrical cords. - Take out the trash to make sure your pets can't get to it, especially if it contains any food or food scraps.

**Ways that you can support the

Maine Animal Welfare Program can be found at:**
http://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_welfare/index.shtml

 

 

 

For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, go to: http://www.maine.gov/dacf

 

 

Maine Governor Nominates Cabinet-Level Positions, Commissioner of Maine Department of Education and Commissioner of Department of Environmental Protection.

12/22/2015 02:35 PM EST

Earlier today, Governor LePage notified the chair of the Maine State Board of Education, Martha Harris, of his decision to nominate Dr. William Beardsley to be Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education (DOE), pending that 10-member board's evaluation of the candidate. Dr. Beardsley serves currently as Acting Commissioner and has previously served as Commissioner for the Maine Department of Conservation.

While most gubernatorial commissioner appointments go directly to the legislative committee of jurisdiction, Maine statute requires the State Board of Education, which Dr. Beardsley served on until October 2015, have an opportunity to meet and interview the Governor's nomination for Education Commissioner.

 Beardsley served as President and CEO of Husson University for 22 years and also served on and has chaired numerous boards, including the Maine Development Foundation, Finance Authority of Maine, Maine Higher Education Council, Maine Independent College Association and Maine Development Foundation. Most recently, he served on the Maine State Board of Education and on the Maine Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Council.

Beardsley earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Earlham College in Indiana and his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. He completed the Harvard Institute for Educational Management Program.

Governor LePage also nominated Paul Mercer as the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Mercer has worked at Maine Maritime Academy since 2006 and has held positions as Associate Professor and Department Chair within the Engineering Department. At the Academy, he has also served as a member of the senior leadership team as the Assistant to the President for Sustainability, where he led the recent Strategic Planning process, among other efforts. Mercer has used this role to promote innovation and environmental initiatives at the Academy.

 Mercer has an extensive background in environmental issues. He has worked with renewable energy development, solid fuels and biomass energy systems throughout the United States and Canada. This included acting as the lead developer of an energy project resulting in a 50 percent reduction of emissions at the Bucksport paper mill.

Additionally, Mercer was president of Northeast Engineering in Bucksport from 1983 until 2008. The company provided a full range of consulting services to the power generation field, as well as project development of waste wood, biofuels, de-inking and wood products facilities. He also served as president of Bay Engineering from 1978 until 1982.

Mercer earned a bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering from Maine Maritime Academy.

Maine President of International Securities Organization Announces Annual List of Top Investment Threats and Scams--Investors Urged to Approach Unsolicited Offers with Caution

12/23/2015 02:42 PM EST

Maine's Securities Administrator Judith Shaw, who serves as President of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), today released an annual list of top investor threats and urged investors to use caution when approached with unsolicited investments, especially those involving promissory notes, oil and gas deals, and real estate investment opportunities, including non-traded real estate investment trusts.

"Education and information are an investor's best defense against investment fraud," Administrator Shaw said. "These top threats to investors were determined by surveying members of NASAA to identify the five most problematic products, practices or schemes."

 

Maine Securities Administrator Judith Shaw

 Shaw cited the most often noted concerns identified by securities officials:

1. Unregistered Products and Unlicensed Salespersons: The offer of securities by an individual without a valid securities license should be a red alert for investors. Criminals also try to bypass stringent state registration requirements to pitch unregistered investments with a promise of "limited or no risk" and high returns.

2. Promissory Notes: In an environment of low interest rates, the promise of high-interest-bearing promissory notes may be tempting to investors, especially seniors and others living on a fixed income. Promissory notes generally are used by companies to raise capital. Legitimate promissory notes are marketed almost exclusively to sophisticated or corporate investors with the resources to research thoroughly the companies issuing the notes and to determine whether the issuers have the capacity to pay the promised interest and principal. Most promissory notes must be registered as securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the states in which they are sold. Average investors should be cautious about offers of promissory notes with a duration of nine months or less, which in some circumstances do not require registration. Short-term notes that appear to be exempt from securities registration have been the source of most - but not all - of the fraudulent activity involving promissory notes identified by regulators.

3. Oil and Gas Investments: Many oil and gas investment opportunities, while involving varying degrees of risks to the investor, are legitimate in their marketing and responsible in their operations. However, as in many other investment opportunities, it is not unusual for unscrupulous promoters to attempt to take advantage of investors by engaging in fraudulent practices. Fraudulent oil and gas deals frequently are structured with the limited partnership (or other legal entity) in one state, the operation and physical presence of the field in a second state, and the offerings made to prospective investors in states other than the initial two states. As a result, there is less chance of an investor visiting a well site or nonexistent company headquarters. Such a structure also makes it difficult for authorities to identify and expose the fraud.

4. Real estate-related Investments: Troublesome real estate-related investments identified by securities officials include non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), timeshare re-sales, and brokered mortgage notes. These types of products often carry higher risk. For example, non-traded REITs are sold directly to investors and are not traded on exchanges (as are conventional REITs). Non-traded REITs can be risky and have limited liquidity, which may make them unsuitable for certain investors.

5. Ponzi Schemes: The premise is simple: pay early investors with money raised from later investors. The only people certain to make money are the promoters who set the Ponzi in motion.

"Investors should always be wary of unsolicited financial advice or investment opportunities," Shaw said. "Before making significant investment decisions, ask questions, make sure you understand the risks, and contact Maine's Office of Securities for detailed background information about those who sell securities or give investment advice, as well as about the products being offered." Consumers are encouraged to contact the Office of Securities to check an adviser, salesperson or investment, or for other information related to investing, by calling 1-877-624-8551 (TTY: Please Call Maine Relay 711), by visiting the Office's website (www.investors.maine.gov), or by writing to Maine Office of Securities, 121 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0121.

The Office of Securities is part of Maine's Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, which encourages sound business practices through the oversight of insurers, financial institutions, creditors, investment providers, and numerous professions More information is available at www.maine.gov/pfr.

Nominee for Maine Adjutant General, Brig. General Bolduc Withdraws his Name from Consideration

 

Brig. General Bolduc

December 23, 2015

AUGUSTA – Brig. General Gerard F. Bolduc informed Governor Paul R. LePage today that he has withdrawn his name from consideration as Maine’s next Adjutant General.
“Thank you very much for your nomination as the Adjutant General of the Maine Army National Guard and the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management,” stated Brig. Gen. Bolduc. “Upon further reflection, however, I withdraw my name from consideration. I am grateful for your support for the Maine National Guard and of my leadership over the past several months.”
General Bolduc is the Commander of the Maine Air National Guard and the Assistant Adjutant General, Air at the Joint Force Headquarters, Maine Air National Guard, Camp Keyes, Augusta, Maine. General Bolduc serves as the principal advisor to the Governor and The Adjutant General on a broad range of matters concerning the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard. He is the primary advisor to The Adjutant General for all ANG units in Maine and ensures the combat readiness and mission capability of an Air Refueling Wing and two Geographically Separated Units. He is responsible for the command, control and operations of plans and programs affecting more than 1,100 Maine Air National Guard personnel.
General Bolduc joined the Air Force and was commissioned in March 1982 through the Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, Tennessee. After completion of navigator training, he was assigned to Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine. He served in numerous operations and maintenance assignments and held squadron, group, and vice wing command positions.
“I’d like to thank General Bolduc for his willingness to consider the nomination and for serving as acting Adjutant General for the past nine months,” said Governor LePage. “A subsequent nominee for Adjutant General will be named in the coming months.”
The Adjutant General is the supreme military officer of the state and concurrently serves as Commissioner of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management (DVEM).

Governor LePage to Consider Tax Conformity Options

12/23/2015 04:18 PM EST

 AUGUSTA - Today Governor Paul R. LePage announced his plans to review recently passed federal legislation that makes a number of changes to federal tax law. The governor's review is necessary following changes made by the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016.

President Obama signed the legislation, known more commonly as the omnibus spending bill, into law on December 18, 2015. In addition to funding the federal government through September 30, 2016, the Act retroactively extended a number of federal tax relief provisions through the end of 2015 after they initially expired on December 31, 2014.

"Congress waited until the waning weeks 2015 to approve some tax breaks that will only be good for this year," said Governor LePage. "To their credit, Congress has made a number of so-called tax extenders permanent. However, delaying such important decisions unnecessarily burdens our small businesses as they plan their investments and estimate their tax obligations."

Governor LePage has instructed the Office of Tax Policy to review the recently enacted federal legislation and prepare options for consideration by him and the Legislature. In the coming days, the Governor and the Commissioner of DAFS will reach out to Legislative leaders and ask whether they are willing to conform to benefit Maine taxpayers.

Southern Maine Community College to Offer Courses in Wild Game Cooking!!!

 

Southern Maine Community College (SMCC), in partnership with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW), bring 3 exciting and delicious courses to the table.  Each will offer a cooking demonstration and tasting with SMCC culinary faculty Geoffrey Boardman and information and educational discussion with IFW experts in the field.

 

Saturdays, 9 am – 12 pm $40 per course

 

Duck, Duck, Goose!  January 23, 2016

Small Game February 27, 2016

Freshwater Catch March 12, 2016

 

To register SMCC Continuing Studies Online Registration or call 207-741-5758.

York County CareerCenter offers Workshops to Boost Employment

January Programs for Job Seekers at the York County CareerCenter

12/23/2015 10:42 AM EST

SPRINGVALE - The York County CareerCenter in Springvale continues its workshop programs for job seekers and those considering training to upgrade their skills and increase their employability.

"I urge Mainers looking for work to connect with their local Maine CareerCenter," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Resources like workshops and computer labs will help you improve your job prospects. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for training that leads to a new career at no cost to you."

CareerCenters can assist businesses by offering workshops on location, at local businesses or other organizations at no cost. The following workshops and programs will be held at the CareerCenter in Springvale unless otherwise noted.

Resume Writing - Tuesday, January 5, 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Explore the basics of resume writing and learn how to promote the qualifications you have that directly match what the employer needs. Registration required.

Essentials of College Planning Workshop - Monday, January 11, 10 a.m. to Noon

Randi Paine from the Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) will offer a free workshop for adults 19 and older covering topics on College Awareness and Planning along with the Federal Financial Aid process. The instructor will assist participants in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Space is limited please call Karen Hadley Keim at 1-800-281-3703 or 581-3736 to register or visit MEOC's website, meoc.maine.edu.

Monthly Job Fair at the CareerCenter - Thursday, January 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Explore your next employment opportunity. Representatives from the following companies will be here interviewing prospective employees: Tom's of Maine, Spurwink, Bonney Staffing, and Living Innovations. For a complete list of employers please check our website as it will be updated as new employers sign on. No appointment required.

GATEways to Employment - Friday, January 8 and 22, 9 a.m. to noon

Join us for the beginning installment of our "workshop trilogy." Learn how assessments can identify abilities, interests, and skills and discover the unadvertised job market. Other topics include Job Search Strategies, Resumes, Cover Letter Tips and Interviewing. Registration required.

Introduction to Making Career Choices - Friday, January 15, 10 a.m. to noon

Ready for a career change but don't know where to start? This workshop will help point you in the right direction. We will cover what to consider when making a career choice, the steps involved in creating a career plan, and the resources available to help you succeed. This workshop will be presented by Laurie McDonnell of New Ventures Maine. Registration is required call 324-5460 or 1-800-343-0151.

Interview Skills - Tuesday, January 19, 9 a.m. to noon

Learn how to emphasize your skills, overcome objections and motivate the interviewer to hire you. Registration required.

Trash to Cash: The Lucrative World of eBay - Monday, January 25, 9 to 11 a.m.

Are you interested in starting a store on eBay? Selling on eBay can be a little tricky to start, Christina Bruyere will share some of her 12 years of experience studying and selling on eBay! Join us if you'd like to learn more about how to turn your own trash into cash. Seating will be limited so registration is required. Please call 324-5460 or 1-800-343-0151 to reserve a seat.

Let Your Age be an Asset, Not a Barrier - Friday, January 29, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Are you interested in starting a store on eBay? Selling on eBay can be a little tricky to start, Christina Bruyere will share some of her 12 years of experience studying and selling on eBay! Join us if you'd like to learn more about how to turn your own trash into cash. Seating will be limited so registration is required. Please call 324-5460 or 1-800-343-0151 to reserve a seat.

Employer Recruitments for January - Weekly Job Fair: Adecco Staffing, CoWorx, and MASIS will be recruiting at the York County CareerCenter from 1 to 4 p.m. on the following Mondays: January 4, 11 and 25. Current openings in Sanford, Biddeford, Saco and Portland areas. No appointment is required. Please bring two valid forms of ID. Please check our website for updates and additions. Schedule is subject to change.

Competitive Skills Scholarship Program

The Competitive Skills Scholarship helps workers learn new skills and succeed in a changing economy. The program is open to all qualified Maine residents and pays for education and training for high-wage jobs in demand in Maine. York County is currently accepting applications for the program. For more information or to download an application please follow this link: http://www.mainecareercenter.com/services-programs/training/cssp/index.shtml

The York County CareerCenter will also feature several sessions led by these partner organizations in January:

Women Unlimited - Consultations with a Non-Traditional Occupations Specialist for those interested in exploring non-traditional occupations (NTO) for women, and who are considering a potentially better-paying job. Contact Sue LeClair, NTO specialist at (207) 215-6992.

Workforce Solutions administers federally funded employment and training programs through the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). Certain eligibility requirements apply. If you think you might qualify or could benefit from this program, please call the Workforce Solutions Center in Biddeford at 207-571-3301 to schedule a date for a training orientation.

New Ventures Maine - Helping Maine people succeed in their jobs, businesses, and communities. We help individuals recognize strengths, overcome barriers, find resources, develop a plan, and take action towards their goals: start a business, find a career, return to school, build assets, and be active in the community. Looking for something different? Register for no-cost trainings at locations across Maine. Check on line to see what we have scheduled or call 1-800-442-2092.

Follow and keep track of our latest events on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. To find us on LinkedIn, go to LinkedIn.com and search for "York County Maine CareerCenter." To find us on Facebook, go to Facebook.com and search "York County Maine CareerCenter." To follow us on Twitter, go to Twitter.com and search for "York CareerCenter."

CareerCenters, part of the Maine Department of Labor, offer a variety of services to help people find employment or upgrade skills. Each center provides several public-access computer workstations with Microsoft Office software, resume writing and cover letter software, Internet access and O'Net software for skills assessment. All CareerCenter services are free of charge.

The York County CareerCenter, located at 9 Bodwell Court in Springvale, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and can be reached at 207-324-5460 or 1-800-343-0151 (TTY users should dial Maine Relay 711). You can also find more information at the CareerCenter website, http://www.mainecareercenter.com . Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.