Otis Federal Credit Union, was just named to the 2014 edition of the Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in America that DepositAccounts releases annually.

 FCHN Employees Honored at Annual Reception

Ninety-seven employees commended for their contributions

FARMINGTON¾

The University of Maine at Farmington’s North Dining Hall was the festive setting for the Oct 30 annual employee recognition banquet for Franklin Community Health Network (FCHN). Employees with five or more years of service and at five-year milestones were invited to attend, along with their managers.

Rebecca Arsenault, FCHN president/CEO, welcomed the group and thanked everyone for the quality of their work. “You demonstrate our values of pride, innovation, caring, and excellence every day toward our vision of being the best we can be. Employees are the most important resource in any organization,” she said. “The 97 individuals invited here today are therefore acknowledged and commended for their contributions toward the success of this health care system. All combined you have given 1,260 years of service.”

Employees and their guests attended the banquet that included a buffet meal, entertainment by the popular comedian Bob Marley, booklets with anecdotes from a supervisor about each employee, and door prizes.

Employees recognized received congratulations from Arsenault, as well as certificates, pins, scarves, and a cash gift based upon years of service.

Mary O’Donal was acknowledged for her longevity with 54 years of service. O’Donal started her career at the original facility on the Fairbanks Road. When the hospital opened at its present location in 1975, O’Donal held several positions before finally settling into the medical records department where she has been for more than 20 years.

The longer-term employees included: 50 years: Carol James, laundry; 40 years: Cheryl Bunker, accounting; and Michelle Lucey, nursing; 35 years: Marsha James, Farmington Family Practice; Dianne Parker, laboratory; and Lesa Thompson, laboratory; 30 years: Carolyn Hastings, radiology; Lori Ireland, coding; and Marie Wade, physical rehabilitation and sports medicine; 25 years: Joel Chandler, radiology; Celeste Farrington, Farmington Family Practice; Patricia Richards, nursing; Nancy Simpson, nursing; and Nancy Thomas, nursing.

Franklin Community Health Network is a member of the MaineHealth system. FCHN includes Franklin Memorial Hospital, Franklin Health medical practices, Evergreen Behavioral Services, NorthStar EMS, and the Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County.

Governor LePage Declares Limited Emergency to Help Restore Power

AUGUSTA – After an early winter storm knocked out power to tens of thousands of Mainers and made travel conditions treacherous across the state, Governor Paul R. LePage today issued an emergency proclamation that will allow utility crews to drive additional hours to repair lines and restore power. 

“The storm will leave the State overnight, but getting power restored is expected to take several days,” said Governor LePage. “Our first concern is to get power back on for Mainers. Please stay safe and keep off the roads to allow utility crews to do their work.”

As of 4 p.m. today, CMP reported outages for about 79,000 customers; Emera reported outages about 39,000 customers; and Eastern ME Electric Co-Op reported outages for about 2,000 customers.

 “DOT is keeping up with roads,” said Governor LePage. “The storm will wind down this evening, allowing DOT to continue their work. Our main concern for tomorrow will be getting all the power back on. Make sure you have what you need to weather the storm, and then check on neighbors who may need some extra help.”

The Governor’s “Emergency Proclamation for US-DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Hours of Service Waiver” is in effect from November 2 to 9. (Text of the proclamation is at the end of this release.)

Power outages:

• Never run a generator indoors. The Maine CDC recommends that people should always use generators outside and make sure that it is placed at least 15 feet from windows or doors. It’s a good idea to check on your connections now, before the power goes out.
• If you see a downed power line, leave it alone – always treat power lines as if they are live. A live wire can kill you.
• If clearing trees or limbs make CERTAIN they are not in contact with a power line. Trees and branches can conduct electricity and electrocute you on contact.
• Report outages to your power company.

Travel

• Check a weather report before heading out.
• Visit http://511maine.gov if you have Internet access, or dial 5-1-1 toll free to check on road conditions
• Drive at appropriate speeds for conditions.
• Make sure your car is in good working condition with weather appropriate tires and plenty of gas.
• Throw a blanket, flashlight, cell phone, sand (or anything that can help you get traction if you get stuck), jumper cables and other items in the car you may need in an emergency.

Safe Heating

• Have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
• Never use an “improvised” heat source, like grill or oven, as they can be fire or carbon monoxide hazards.
• Make sure all heating vents are clear and properly discharging out of the house.
• Make sure snow and ice is not impeding the venting of carbon monoxide and clear it away if it is.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from any heat source.

Information sources:

• Life or safety-threatening emergency: Call 9-1-1
• Power outage or downed power line: Call your electric utility
• Maine Prepares: http://www.maineprepares.com 
• Maine Emergency Management Agency: http://www.maine.gov/mema 
• National Weather Service Gray: http://www.weather.gov/gray
• National Weather Service Caribou: http://www.weather.gov/caribou
• Maine DOT Travel Information: http://511maine.gov or dial 5-1-1
• MEMA on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MaineEMA
• MEMA on Twitter: @MaineEMA (http://twitter.com/MaineEMA)

Governor’s Emergency Proclamation for US-DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Hours of Service Waiver

WHEREAS, the State of Maine is experiencing the effects of heavy wet snow and high winds have impacted transportation routes and put thousands of Maine homes and businesses out of power; and

WHEREAS, work crews will have to work many hours to clear roads and restore power; and

WHEREAS, power restoration crews may be requested from other service areas and states and potentially Canadian provinces to assist in power restoration; and

WHEREAS, federal rules determine the number of hours the driver of an electrical line repair vehicle may operate; and

WHEREAS, drivers of such vehicles must cease operations when they reach the federal limit on hours of operation, and therefore would have to cease power restoration; and

WHEREAS, these conditions threaten public health and safety and endanger the property of Maine homes and businesses; and

WHEREAS, these conditions are expected to extend until November 9, 2014; and

WHEREAS, the declaration of a State of Emergency will facilitate the granting of a waiver from the US the U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration pursuant to 49 CFR part 390.23 to allow relief from 49 CFR parts 390 through 399, specifically 49 CFR part 395 Hours of Service of Drivers, and subject to the limitations described below, and therefore allow drivers of electrical line repair vehicles to operate additional hours, and

WHEREAS, motor carriers that have an Out-Of-Service Order in effect may not take advantage of the relief from regulation that such a declaration provides under 49 CFR 390.23,

NOW THEREFORE, I, Paul R. LePage, Governor of the State of Maine, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of Maine, find that these conditions constitute a civil emergency under 37-B M.R.S.A. section 742, and for the purpose pursuant to 49 CFR part 390.23 of facilitating a waiver to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, specifically 49 CFR part 395 Hours of Service of Drivers, do hereby declare that a State of Emergency within Maine for heating fuel and bulk petroleum delivery drivers as of November 2, 2014 through November 9, 2014.

Pursuant to this declaration, I hereby order the following:

1. No motor carrier operating under the terms of this emergency declaration shall require or allow an ill or fatigued driver to operate a motor vehicle. A driver who notifies a motor carrier that he or she needs immediate rest shall be given a least ten (10) consecutive hours off-duty before the driver is required to return to service.

2. Drivers operating under this proclamation shall carry a copy of the proclamation with them as evidence of their direct support to the State of Maine during this emergency period.

New school year brings big changes to physical education in some Franklin County schools

The new school year has begun and with the recently awarded grant to Healthy Community Coalition and area schools there are more physical activity opportunities for students.

Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County was awarded a $1.8 million Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant in April titled “Franklin County Youth Bringing Home the Gold”. This grant is for three years and includes Mt. Blue RSD, MSAD #58, and Flagstaff RSU.

The goals of the PEP grant are to:

a)      increase daily physical activity for all students

b)      increase the number of students who consume the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables

c)      improve physical education and nutrition education curriculum

The PEP grant offers the schools a number of opportunities to improve the daily physical activity and nutrition education for students. Before and after school activities, equipment for physical education and classroom learning, and professional development for staff to teach best practices and lead upcoming activities are part of the grant.

Laurie Soucy, PEP grant director and Angela Norton, program coordinator, look forward to implementing the activities of the “Franklin County Youth Bringing Home the Gold” PEP grant and collaborating with schools and community organizations, as they work together to enhance the health and wellness of all children in Franklin County. If you have any questions regarding the grant, or any of the required data collection, please contact Laurie Soucy at lsoucy@fchn.org or (207)779-2924.

About Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County

Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County, founded in 1989, is one of the oldest health coalitions in the country. Its mission is to measurably improve the wellbeing of all people in Greater Franklin County and neighboring towns using a coordinated public health approach of education, promotion, and outreach. With its qualified staff of public health professionals, Healthy Community Coalition offers health screenings, health information, programs and events to support healthy lifestyles that prevent disease and improve quality of life.  Its community outreach efforts appear in every town and corner of the region. For more information, please visit www.fchn.org/hcc.

Governor Urges Caution During Nor’easter

October 22, 2014

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage is urging all Mainers to stay safe and be aware of changing weather conditions as Maine experiences a slow-moving nor’easter through Friday.

“Maine is in for some wild weather over the next couple of days, but it’s nothing we can’t handle,” said Governor LePage. “We are urging everyone to stay aware of weather conditions and respect any road or beach closures.”

The Governor also reminded everyone of the importance of using generators safely during possible power outages.

Heavy rain will fall from this evening into Thursday. Rainfall totals from this event will range from 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts possible. A Flood Watch is in place for much of Maine throughout this period. This heavy rainfall will lead to some significant rises on local rivers and streams.

Water in some smaller streams and brooks could reach near the tops of their banks. Beach erosion and splash-over is possible around high tide due to wave action. A Gale Warning is in effect for coastal areas with forecasted wind gusts of 45 mph along the coast.

“Think safety,” Governor LePage said. “Pay attention to the weather.” Stay tuned to all weather warnings and advisories for your area. All National Weather Service watches and warnings are available at MEMA’s website: http://www.maine.gov/mema/weather/watch_warn.htm.

“Drive safely,” Governor LePage said. “Travel conditions will be hazardous in many areas throughout the next few days.”

Strong winds can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Fallen leaves and rain may lead to slippery conditions.

Leaves blocking drains and culverts may also aggravate street flooding. High winds may bring down limbs, debris and power lines across roadways. Heavy rain may cause unexpected ponding or flooding on roadways.

• Slow down and stay alert.
• Respect all barricades marking flooded or blocked roadways.
• Report any road blockages, downed lines or flooding to local authorities.
• Check for road closures and ferry cancellations before you set out. Check DOT's 511 service by dialing 5-1-1 or 1-866-282-7578 or visiting http://www.511maine.gov for all ferry and road closure information.
• Stay safe if the power goes out.
• Report your outage and downed lines to your electric utility.
• Stay well away from any downed power lines.
• Run your generator outside only. Carbon monoxide kills. Even running in a garage can be lethal. Outside only.
• Use alternate heat sources safely, vented according to instructions.
• Use outdoor cooking devices such as grills outside only. These produce deadly carbon monoxide.
• As always, check on neighbors and friends who may need assistance.

For more information on storm safety, visit the Maine Prepares website: http://maine.gov/mema/prepare/

The National Weather Service expects the system to move out of our area late Friday, with conditions gradually improving.

Making the Successful Transition from Welfare to Work

In the past few weeks, several businesses opened or expanded creating hundreds of new jobs. While government isn’t creating those jobs, the state has helped create a more business-friendly environment. 

Hello, this is Governor Paul LePage.

As a businessman, I understand economics and what it takes to run a successful business. In the past four years, I have brought that experience to State government and today we are seeing changes for the better.

More Mainers are working as we have seen a steady decline in the unemployment rate.

More than 8,500 jobs are listed on Maine’s Job Bank now and other websites offer even more.

Those without work have turned to welfare to help and our administration is committed to transitioning a welfare recipient to a career. And that commitment takes dedicated resources, time and effort of both the person receiving benefits and those providing support.  

We have been working hard for four years to make much-needed reforms to Maine’s welfare system. These reforms are necessary to insure that Maine’s limited taxpayer dollars are being used properly, not abused or wasted.

We must make sure that our welfare resources provide services to Maine’s truly needy. A safety net is essential to protect our most vulnerable Mainersundefinedthe elderly, disabled and mentally ill.

We must also make sure that welfare provides a hand up for Mainers who have fallen on hard times. It can happen to any of us. But we must not provide a hand out to those who are able to work and earn a living without the taxpayers’ assistance.

That’s why we have worked to implement common-sense welfare reforms. Many of these reforms have been adopted in other states, including states like Massachusetts and New York.

We have put photos on EBT cards to discourage unauthorized use of the cards, and we have blocked the use of EBT cards at strip clubs, liquor stores and casinos. We now require able-bodied welfare recipients to work, and we have improved Maine’s welfare fraud unit.

In addition to those reforms, we are waiting on decisions on two of my top priorities for welfare reform. We want to require drug testing of welfare recipients who have been convicted of drug crimes in the past. Taxpayer money should go to those who are truly needy, not to feed drug addictions.

We are also working to enforce a federal law that prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving handouts. Again, our welfare dollars must be spent on truly needy Mainers, not those who are here illegally.

Our administration will not tolerate anyone who takes advantage of the system. For those of you who need a temporary hand up, we are happy to help you learn how to come off the system, get out of poverty and become a positive contributor to society. 

Of course, the best solution to welfare is a good job. We know there are jobs waiting out there. There are 8,500 job postings on the Maine Job Bank, and there are “Help Wanted” signs all around the state.

We must continue to match up Mainers with those jobs on the job bank and our CareerCenters throughout the State are working on it.

We are reforming welfare by focusing  on what people can do, not what they can’t.

We also find out what they want to do. Our welfare to work program, administered by the Departments of Education, Health and Human services and Labor, has helped more than 1,200 Mainers on welfare find full-time careers by assessing their skills and matching them with jobs that work for them.

Their collaboration is paying off for Maine’s people. This year, the state’s vocational rehabilitation program helped more than one-thousand people train for a new career, get a job and successfully remain employed.  The program had their highest rehabilitation ever and met federal standards for the first time in at least 20 years. 

If you or someone you know is on welfare, struggling finding a job, or has a physical or intellectual disability and wants to work, the Departments of Labor and DHHS can help.

Our administration is improving the lives of Mainers and we are going to continue on with that good work.

Thank you for listening.

Basketball Tournament to Help Victims of Domestic Violence

Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage is encouraging Mainers to lace up their basketball shoes this November to support children affected by domestic violence. November 2 marks the 6th Annual Taylor Tip-Off Tournament, which is an event to raise money for youth who have lost parents by acts of domestic violence.

Today, Governor LePage joined the Maine Athletic Club and members of Maine Swish basketball at the Kennebec Valley YMCA in Augusta as he proclaimed November 2 as Taylor Tip-Off Awareness Day in the State of Maine, which encourages Mainers to participate in this year’s tournament.

Held each fall since 2009, the Taylor Tip-Off basketball tournament has raised more than $90,000. One hundred percent of the proceeds have been donated families impacted by domestic violence in Westbrook, New Gloucester, Winslow, Old Town and Dennysville, Maine. This year, tragically, there are more children event organizers would like to support.

“The terrible tragedies these children have endured are unthinkable,” said Governor LePage, “but we cannot let these tragedies ruin innocent lives that have been caught in the middle of a family’s worst nightmare.

“It is awe-inspiring to see families, friends, and communities support the Taylor Tip-Off tournament year after year. I wish there was no need for a fund such as this, but it gives us reason to work harder to eliminate domestic violence as a society.”

The Taylor Tip-Off was started in 2009 by Mark Leclerc of the Maine Athletic Club (MAC) and the Maine Swish basketball team. Kenny Taylor was the assistant coach of Maine Swish and his then 14 year-old daughter, Kaylee Taylor, played on the team. In April of 2009, Kenny took his own life after murdering his wife, Belinda Taylor in their Westbrook home. The murder-suicide happened in the morning – six hours later, Kaylee and her then 12 year-old sister, Kiana, returned home from school and discovered their parents. There was no life insurance and no savings account.

"Governor LePage's support for the Taylor Tip Off last year resulted in our best event ever raising nearly $30,000. It goes to show how working together for a common cause can be so effective. His presence again today, even with his very busy schedule, proves his commitment to end domestic violence."

For the first two years, money raised through the tournament provided financial support to the Taylor sisters. In 2011, the Taylor Memorial Fund was established, which supports other children across Maine who have lost their parents to domestic violence.

Thomas Warren CEO of the Kennebec Valley YMCA emphasized the importance of community through teaming up with others to make a positive difference. "Our mission at the Kennebec Valley YMCA is to strengthen our community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Collaborations with organizations such as the Taylor Memorial Fund allow us to connect with our community and serve as a resource for families in need of a safe and nurturing environment. We're happy to continue supporting their event and to work together to fulfill this need within the state of Maine," said Warren.

For more information about this year’s tournament visit: http://taylortipoff.org/TaylorTipOff.org/SCHEDULE.html .

Unemployment Rate is 5.8%; Indicators Point to Economic Improvement
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage released a statement today about the 5.8 percent unemployment rate for September, which is down from 6.6 percent a year ago.

The employment-to-population ratio, which is the percentage of adults who are employed and is a better indicator of economic recovery, is 60.9 percent undefined remaining above the national average of 59.0 percent.

“We are continuing to see signs of economic improvement," said Governor LePage. “Unemployment claims are running 20 percent lower than those filed last year, and October’s continuing claims to date have been the lowest since 2007. The Maine Job Bank has hit an all-time high with more than 8,500 job openings right now; it had a total of more than 10,000 open positions posted in September and more than 10,000 so far in October.”

“My administration knows that we still have more to do to get all Mainers back into the workforce in a good-paying career,” said the Governor. “We are working to connect the long-term unemployed with new opportunities. Our CareerCenters are the first step for those who want a job or want to change paths. Don’t hesitate to ask them for the help that can change your future for the better.”

Since Governor LePage took office, about 22,000 private-sector jobs have been created. Payroll jobs are up 9,400 just since last September. Government employment accounted for 16.3 percent of nonfarm jobs in September. The number of unemployed people in Maine is down 6,000 over the year.

“My focus remains on making the changes the state needs to increase our competitiveness and improve our economy,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “By lowering taxes, decreasing the cost of energy, and increasing the skills of our workforce, Maine is increasing its global competitiveness. I have attended a dozen ribbon cuttings and job announcements in the past month and we all can see the help wanted signs popping up all over. Things are improving but I will not stop taking the right steps to grow our economy so that every family benefits.”

• Maine Job Bank open positions (see Maine Statistics): http://www.maine.gov/labor/

• Unemployment Claims data: http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/ui.html

• Nonfarm Payroll Jobs data: http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/ces.htm

Free Household Lead Tests For Families with Young Children

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 19-25.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 19-25. To mark the week, Healthy Community Coalition (HCC) is partnering with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (MeCDC) to offer parents of young children who live in older homes a free home lead dust test kit.

Offers for free tests come with an educational brochure. Families with children born in 2013 will receive the offer and brochure through the mail. In addition, HCC will be distributing the offers and brochures to families in Franklin County through educational seminars, mobile health unit visits, and at HCC events.

“The goal of offering these options to obtain a free lead test kit is to help our local families determine if their home has a lead dust problem,” Christine Bruen of HCC stated, “and help them figure out what to do to keep their children safe from lead.”

Exposure to dust that comes from lead paint in homes built before 1950 is the most common way children are poisoned by lead in Maine. Lead paint is often found in homes built before 1950 and sometimes in homes built before 1978. Lead poisoning can cause behavior problems, learning disabilities, speech and language delays, and lower intelligence.

“The Western District alone has approximately 37,160 homes built before 1950, which is 38 percent of the population in the area. We are hoping that the families with young childrenundefinedespecially children under age 3undefinedwho live in these older homes will take advantage of the opportunity to test their home for lead,” said Bruen.

Made possible by the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund, the free lead dust tests are part of Maine’s effort to eliminate childhood lead poisoning.

If you have questions about the dangers of lead in your home or the offers available to help prevent lead poisoning, please contact Christine Bruen at 207-779-2927 or cbruen@fchn.org.