Last Night at Bigelow Labs

We received a great tour of Bigelow Laboratories in East Boothbay last night! A bus brought legislators from Augusta. We met the scientists and learned about what they're up to. Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice reception. 

Local Teens Visit State House for Taylor's Law

Local teens from Boothbay Region Elementary School and Boothbay Region High School visited the State House Tuesday and watched the legislative process for Taylor's Law (LD 737). It was great to see them taking interest and getting involved in Maine's law making process. Taylor's Law creates new restrictions on new and inexperienced teen drivers, which would prohibit non-family member passengers until the driver is 18 years old unless accompanied by a driver over 20 years old who has held a drivers license for over two years. The law would mandate that "Taylor Tags" (decals pictured above) be placed on new driver's vehicles to indicate to police officers and others that they are new drivers and should not have passengers in the vehicle and for overall general awareness. Taylor's Law was created after the Bucksport teen Taylor Darveau, 15, who was killed as a passenger in a car being driven by a 16 year old friend on October 3, 2013. Her parents Corey and Christina Darveau came up with this idea to help prevent other similar tragedies from happening in the future. They created the T.A.Y.L.O.R (acronym for thinking about your life on the road) Foundation promoting the awareness of teen driving safety and to educate the community on the issue. For more information and resources see the links below.

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0267&item=1&snum=127

Taylor Foundation

Participate in the Public Hearing Process!

Check out the bills currently being considered at the State House: Committees | Maine Legislature

In opposition or support of specific legislation? Here are some helpful details about testifying: Testifying at a Legislative Hearing
Your opinion and input does matter. 

Also, here's a quick refresher on the legislative process: Maine Legislature: Path of Legislation

Lyme Disease Testimonies and the Need for Diagnostic & Treatment Changes in Maine

On Tuesday we heard many sad testimonies on Lyme disease, the tick born illness, from Mainers affected by the disease. Changes need to be made to allow for prevention, proper diagnosis and adequate treatment options in Maine and beyond. I met Paula, an inspirational advocate who is providing education and support to our community, who shared her story fighting Lyme disease. She is a 5-year Chronic Neurological Lyme Disease survivor. She is the co-founder of Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education (MLDSE) which provides much needed support and education to people affected in midcoast Maine and advocates treatment and diagnostic changes at all governmental levels. I fully support this bill, which will help the well-being of Mainers suffering from this awful disease. 

Angele Rice & Paula Jackson Jones, local Lyme disease advocates, educators, supporters and very inspirational women. Great work ladies! 

Photo credit: http://www.midcoastlymediseasesupport.blogspot.com/

For more information on their mission and Lyme disease in Maine see the links below: 
Midcoast Lyme Disease Support and Education
Lyme Disease - Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program - MeCDC; DHHS Maine

Nancie Atwell Wins Big!

In case you haven't heard yet over the weekend Nancie Atwell, founder of The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) in Edgecomb, won the Varkey Foundation's Global Teaching Prize of $1 million, which she will be putting back into the non-profit school. She's the first 
teacher in Maine to win this incredible prize.  

Nancie Atwell Of Maine Wins $1 Million Global Teaching Prize : NPR Ed : NPR
Maine teacher giving $1M prize to school
Million-dollar win: Edgecomb educator Nancie Atwell earns major prize | Boothbay Register
Home | Center for Teaching & Learning

My First Guest at the State House

Sarah Folger was in Augusta today to say the prayer! She was also my first guest. 

Sarah and I.

Sarah during the prayer.

South Bristol Named One of the 2015 "Best Places to Live in Maine"

Down East Magazine named South Bristol one of Maine's "best places to live" in this months issue. We happen to agree.

Best Places: South Bristol - Down East
Down East Names South Bristol One of the 'Best Places to Live in Maine' - Lincoln County News - Newcastle, ME
March 2015 - Down East

photo credit: SoBristol_t1

Governor LePage's Proposed Biennial Budget for 2016-2017

Here it is.  Maine Bureau of the Budget

AFA Biennial Budget Public Hearings March 2-6th, 2015

Interested in hearing the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs' (AFA) public hearing on the Governor's biennial budget proposal happening this week? Here's the schedule and link to live audio portions from the Appropriations Committee room at the State House. 
Schedule: News | Maine State Legislature
Aduio Portions: Audio Page - Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee

Claim Your Unclaimed Property!

Maine may be holding your unclaimed property, which includes checking accounts, certificates of deposit, over payments, gift certificates, paid-up life insurance policies, unpaid wages, commissions, uncashed checks, death benefits, dividends, insurance payments, money orders, refunds, savings accounts, stocks and contents of safe deposit boxes. It's quick and easy to search with no fees cahrged to process your claim and I have seen many local names on the list. Make sure you don't have any unclaimed property by using this link: 
Maine Treasurer: Unclaimed Property: Search & Claim Unclaimed Property Online