Governor LePage Announces 2016 Maine Judicial Nominees

12/24/2015 12:23 PM EST

AUGUSTA - Governor Paul R. LePage announced today judicial nominations of three lawyers to serve in Maine District Court. Selected are Charles F. Budd Jr, Cynthia Montgomery and Thomas Nale Sr.

Charles F. Budd Jr. is a partner at Rudman Winchell who focuses his practice on criminal law, divorce and child custody, family law and personal injury law. Prior to law school, Budd worked for a member of Congress in Washington, D.C. and later for Massachusetts Governor William Weld. Prior to joining Rudman Winchell, he worked for the Boston law firm of Hill & Barlow.

 

 Budd was born in Toronto, Ontario. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Boston College, he graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as an editor of The Tax Lawyer, an ABA publication. He now resides in Bangor. Cynthia Montgomery has served as Chief Counsel since February 2015 in the Office of the Governor.

A native of Texas, Cynthia Montgomery is a graduate of Georgia State University, where she also received her law degree in 1994. She served as a union representative and in-house counsel for the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 623 from 1989 to 1995. In her private practice, she successfully litigated discrimination actions against several urban governments and multiple national and international companies.

 

 Recognizing public service as her true calling, Montgomery worked as a trial attorney for the EEOC, representing the federal government in discrimination actions in Georgia federal courts. After relocating to Maine in 2002, she worked as EEO/ADA Coordinator for Maine DHHS. In 2003, she accepted a position in the Bureau of Employee Relations as a Labor Relations Specialist, then Counsel in 2006 and was promoted to the position of Chief Counsel in 2011.

Montgomery lives in Palermo with her former opposing counsel, who is now her life partner.

Attorney Thomas Nale Sr., of Nale & Nale Law Offices, has been practicing law since he was admitted to the Maine Bar in 1979. He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire School of Law and Thomas College. Nale specializes in divorce, family matters and litigation. With over 35 years of litigation experience, he has tried cases before the Maine District Court, Maine Superior Court, Maine Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the District of Maine.

 

 He is a member of the Maine State Bar Association and the Waterville Bar Association, where he serves as vice president. Nale served as the Mayor of Waterville from 1986-1987. He is a former President and Treasurer of the Waterville Bar Association and is a life-long resident of the Waterville area.

Department of Labor Offering Workplace Safety Classes in January

12/24/2015 12:44 PM EST

 

 

AUGUSTA-The Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Standards is hosting its no-charge safety courses for employers and employees throughout January.

 

Visit the class registration page or call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) to register for any class.

"Federal OSHA fines are increasing next summer, some by up to 80 percent ," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Investing in safety helps everyone. I encourage businesses to connect with SafetyWorks! for one of our no-cost trainings or to schedule an on-site consultation. Keeping up-to-date on workplace safety helps employers provide a safe place for Mainers to work and be prepared in the case of a federal OSHA review."

Courses are held at no charge to employers and their employees in the SafetyWorks! Training Institute at the Maine Department of Labor, 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta.

Mine Safety and Health Administration Refresher: Tuesday, January 19, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires all surface mining (ex: stone crushing, gravel pit, etc.) employees to receive eight-hour annual training. This one-day course will cover generic MSHA training. However, site-specific training will also need to be conducted once you return to your respective job sites.

Trenching and Excavating:

Wednesday, January 20, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

You will learn the dangers to employees, soil classifications, OSHA requirements and the types of protective systems to prevent cave-ins. You will also learn what is meant by "competent person".

10-Hour Construction Standards:

Thursday, January 21 to Friday, 22, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This one-and-a-half-day course gives basic information on several of the OSHA standards for construction (29 CFR 1926). Attendees who complete the course will receive an OSHA 10-hour course completion certificate. Class runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on day one and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on day two.

Accident Investigation/Injury Analysis:

Tuesday, January 26, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

When work doesn't go as planned, accidents and near-misses happen. Investigating these incidents can prevent similar or even more serious problems from happening. Learn how to conduct a thorough accident/incident investigation and how to use your results to prevent future accidents.

Interested employers can learn more about the courses and register at http://www.safetyworksmaine.com , click "More Classes" from the homepage. Space is limited so reservations are required.

SafetyWorks! is not OSHA and cannot issue fines or citations to private businesses. While SafetyWorks! helps businesses of any size, priority is given to small businesses. The program trains about 8,000 people and consults at nearly 1,000 worksites in Maine each year. Employers interested in learning more about the consulting and training services offered by SafetyWorks! should call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or visit http://www.safetyworksmaine.com .

The Bureau of Labor Standards is Maine's regulatory agency overseeing labor and employment law and workplace safety; it provides both consultation and enforcement services. The division promotes and achieves compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of Maine's workforce.

The State of Maine is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.

Lebanon Resident, Noble High School Football Member, Receives Nominations to Attend USAF Academy.

Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers congratulates Lebanon Resident Cody Hart, who has received nominations from U.S. Senator Susan Collins, U. S. Senator Angus King, U. S Rep. Bruce Poloquin and U. S. Rep Chellie Pingree to attend the United States Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Cody, is locally known for his activity on the Noble High School Knights Varsity Football team as #24 Running Back, Member of the Noble High School Track and Field Team, and Noble High School Honor Roll Student.
To be eligible to accept an offer of appointment to the Academy, you must be nominated by a legally authorized nominating entity. The process of securing a nomination is competitive and lengthy. Each Member of Congress is only allowed to have a maximum of five cadets attending the Academy at one time. Members of Congress want to nominate outstanding individuals from their states or districts who will have the best chance to qualify for appointment.
The Air Force Academy seeks out individuals who possess exceptional academic prowess and leadership potential. Because we offer one of the most prestigious and respected academic programs available, academic admissions standards are high.
Congratulations to Noble High School Senior, Cody Hart, on receiving nominations from 4 separate nominating entities.

Lebanon Resident Featured in NH Public Radio Article Regarding the Recent DNC Data Breach....

A Lebanon resident was recently featured in a New Hampshire Public Radio piece regarding the DNC Data Breach...........

Marybeth Stocking of Lebanon, Maine spends many weeknights in the no-frills 'Bernie Sanders for President' campaign offices, a phone pressed to her ear. Most of the time it’s probably not clear how her efforts fit into the big machine of the Sanders campaign. But last month, right after a shift of calling voters, she got a sure sign that someone thinks she’s making a difference.

“I actually was just finished phone calling and my phone rang, and it was the organizer from Dover saying, ‘Congratulations, you know you reached more people than any of our volunteers all month!’ ” she recalled. The campaign gave her tickets to a big fundraising dinner with Sanders.

 

Marybeth Stocking of Lebanon ME, (photo from Google)

 

These phone banks – which on the surface sound like a sea of loud, discordant voices – are actually a carefully monitored piece of a campaign recon operation, preparing for a massive push in the last weeks before the primary.

The names and numbers of voters they are contacting all come from a centralized voter information database, maintained and controlled by state parties, and the Democratic National Committee. If you've ever voted in a Democratic primary, you're probably on the list. Campaigns use it to decide who to call, which doors to knock on – in essence to find their supporters.

To read the entire of article...........CLICK HERE

http://nhpr.org/post/data-battle-critical-front-democrats-nh-presidential-primary-race

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.