News

AUGUSTAundefinedMaine’s Job Bank, at www.mainecareercenter.com, has posted about 6,900 open positions, up around 1,000 positions since the beginning of March. The job bank, a service of the Maine Department of Labor, is an online job board that is free for both employers and jobseekers

“In addition to the openings on Maine’s Job Bank, employers are hiring at job fairs all over the state,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “The Department of Labor is coordinating or participating in 13 job fairs between now and June, and more are in development.  Now is a great time to get a job in Maine.

Three jobs fairs will be held the week of March 24 in Portland, Springvale and Machias. Hundreds of employers will be hiring for both permanent and seasonal positions.

“The Department of Labor’s network of 12 CareerCenters provide free, expert assistance to job seekers who are looking for a job or need advice about their career choices,” said Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette. “They also host free networking events, workshops about financial aid for education and how to start a business. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can help people learn how to use a computer, create a free email address, apply for jobs online and register with Maine’s Job Bank.”

“Maine’s economy is growing, and we can make sure that you are part of that growth,” she stated. “You do not have to look for work on your own, and if your job search has hit a rut, our staff can get you back on track. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh approach and some encouragement.”

People who need to update their resume or practice their interviewing skills should contact a CareerCenter for free help. To find more information about how to prepare for a job fair, update a resume, and other job-search programs and to locate the closest CareerCenter, visit the CareerCenter website, http://www.mainecareercenter.com .

Businesses interested in participating in these events and taking advantage of other free hiring services the department provides, such as the job bank, interviewing space, and referrals, should contact their local CareerCenter.

The following job fairs have been scheduled to date around the state:

• Portland: March 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Maine Sunday Telegram/Monster Spring Career Fair at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland.
• Machias: March 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Lee-Pellon Event Center.
• Springvale: March 28, 4th Annual York County Regional Job Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nasson Community Center, 457 Main Street.
• Lewiston/Auburn: April 4, 11th Annual Androscoggin County Job Fair, Friday, 9 a.m. to noon at Central Maine Community College, 1250 Turner Street, Auburn.
• Presque Isle: April 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northeastland Hotel.
• Calais: April 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Washington County Community College Gymnasium.
• Lincoln: April 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mattanawcook Academy, 33 Reed Drive, Lincoln.
• South Paris: April 24, 9 a.m. to noon at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in the cafeteria.
• Augusta: April 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hiring Maine’s Heroes (general public welcome) at the Augusta Armory, 179 Western Ave. 
• Pittsfield: May 14, Pittsfield Area Regional Job Fair, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Warsaw Middle School Gym and Cafeteria, 167 School Street.
• Farmington: May 22, Western Maine Community Job and Resource Fair, 9 a.m. to noon at the Fitness and Recreation Center at UMF, 152 Quebec St.
• Bangor: May 28, 9 a.m. to noon at the Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Rd.
• Augusta: June 17, First Annual State of Maine Government and Maine Municipal Government Job Fair for Veterans at the Augusta Armory.

CareerCenters offer a variety of workshops and 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.

Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Governor LePage asks Federal Railroad Administration for review of MLF site in Brunswick 

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage has submitted a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration, requesting that FRA review the approval process for the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority’s proposed maintenance and layover facility (MLF) in Brunswick.

 “As Governor, I have made Maine's economy a top priority of my administration,” said Governor LePage. “I am committed to supporting projects that will stimulate economic growth, including the redevelopment of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, which would benefit directly from alternative MLF siting in East Brunswick.”

The Governor said he has heard numerous concerns from local citizens about the MLF project. “In light of these concerns, I believe this process requires a significant and thorough review that ensures a rational, open, objective and transparent process for MLF siting,” he said.

Governor LePage Appoints Acting MDOC Commissioner Dr. Joseph Fitzpatrick  

AUGUSTA undefined Governor Paul R. LePage today appointed Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) Associate Commissioner Dr. Joseph Fitzpatrick as Acting MDOC Commissioner. He is the MDOC Clinical Director and the Associate Commissioner for Juvenile Services.

MDOC Commissioner Joseph Ponte has accepted an appointment to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Correction for New York City’s jail system, starting in April 2014.

 “Dr. Fitzpatrick’s background and experience in the state’s prison system makes him an excellent choice to lead the department,” said Governor LePage. “He has demonstrated strong leadership skills during his tenure at MDOC, and I am confident he will continue his commitment to public service in his new role.”\

 A clinical psychologist, Dr. Fitzpatrick is trained in both pediatric and adult mental health. Before moving to Maine in 1990, he was on staff at Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and he was a member of the adjunct faculty of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Fitzpatrick has worked 20 years for the MDOC in several capacities.

He began as a staff psychologist at the Maine Correctional Center, then was involved in several departmental initiatives and statewide committees that concentrated on forensic mental health issues. As the MDOC Clinical Director for the past several years, Dr. Fitzpatrick has been involved with both the adult and juvenile divisions with a focus on the provision of high-quality assessment and treatment services.

"I appreciate the tremendous opportunity and responsibility Governor LePage has entrusted to me," said Dr. Fitzpatrick. “Commissioner Ponte has made significant reforms in the MDOC statewide system, and I look forward to continuing this progression through a balance of treatment and security advances. The MDOC administrators, supervisors and line staff are a very talented team of professionals and I have no doubt that together we will continue to move the department in a positive direction.”

Most recently, Dr. Fitzpatrick oversaw the development and opening of the Intensive Mental Health Unit (IMHU) at Maine State Prison. The IMHU services the MDOC, the county jails and Maine's Department of Health and Human Services by providing comprehensive mental health assessment and treatment to criminal justice populations.

Dr. Fitzpatrick will oversee the opening of the Young Adult Offender Program at Mountain View Youth Development Center in Charleston, Maine. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife, Patti, and their four children, Shannon, Molly, Joseph and Emma.

AUGUSTAundefinedCommissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette announced that four businesses have earned the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program Award (SHARP), bringing Maine’s total SHARP worksites to 66.

Pleasant River Lumber in West Enfield, Community Living Association (Green Center) in Houlton, Artisan Boatworks in Rockport and Yachting Solutions in Rockland have voluntary undertake a rigorous safety achievement program. Their acceptance into SHARP by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes these businesses as models for worksite safety and health standards.

“Employers earn SHARP recognition by operating their facility under strict safety and health management standards,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “We congratulate these four worksites for earning SHARP certification. They demonstrate to their industry peers that making safety a priority pays off for everyone.”

Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette stated, “SHARP companies know that a safer facility is not only good for Maine workers, but also good for their businesses. Better safety means less lost time due to injury and illness as well as lower workers’ comp costs.”

To qualify for SHARP, companies must undergo a comprehensive audit, correct all hazards identified during an onsite health and safety consultation, demonstrate that effective safety and health programs are in place and maintain injury rates below the industry average for the last year of completed data. After awarding the SHARP designation, OSHA removes the worksite from its general scheduled inspection list for two years. If the company continues to meet all conditions of the program, the SHARP designation may be renewed for another two years.

Fewer than 2,000 worksites in the United States have earned SHARP certification.

Employers interested in learning more about the SHARP designation should contact SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or www.safetyworksmaine.com . SafetyWorks! provides a trained consultant with industry-specific expertise who will review the facility by appointment. The consultation may include such elements as recognizing safety hazards, sampling for air and noise exposures, recommending ways to reduce or to eliminate hazards, developing or improving a safety program, complying with federal OSHA regulations and identifying training needs.

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.

Governor LePage to Sign his Bill Restoring Rainy Day Fund

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage announced today that he will sign LD 1807, the bill he submitted to replenish the state’s rainy day fund and restore fiscal responsibility to state operations.

The Governor will inform the State Treasurer Neria Douglas to move forward, with all due haste to release bonds to fund infrastructure projects, mostly for roads, highways and bridges. The projects will put up to 25,000 Mainers to work.

“It was irresponsible to raid $21 million from the state’s rainy day fund to avoid making tough choices on the budget,” said the Governor. “This short-sighted move would have left the state with only three days of cash flow to operate in an emergency. There was a high risk of a downgrade in our credit rating, which would have cost Maine taxpayers millions in higher interest rates on bonds.”

“I’m grateful to the Senate and House Republican leaders Kenneth Fredette and Michael Thibodeau, as well as the Republican members of the Appropriations Committee for standing firm on passing a bill without additional spending.”

While the Governor is pleased that his bill passed with no strings attached, he said the real winners are the people of Maine. “My plan to replenish the rainy day fund has averted millions of dollars in extra interest fees that hard-working Maine taxpayers would have had to pay, and it will put thousands of Mainers to work,” he said. “This is what it’s all about: doing the right thing for the people of Maine.”

 

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today administered the oath to seven judicial re-appointments. The ceremony was held in the Cabinet Room of the State House and included friends, family and state officials.

Governor LePage re-nominated four District Court Judges, Michael Cantara, Charles Dow, Valerie Stanfill and Rick Lawrence; two Superior Court Justices, Andrew Horton and Nancy Mills; and one Supreme judicial Court Justice, Andrew Mead.

“I am pleased to swear in these honorable judges and justices,” said Governor LePage. “Our reappointed judges and justices will continue to serve with the honor, integrity, and reason they are known for.”

Photo L to R: District Court Judge, Michael Cantara, Supreme judicial Court Justice, Andrew Mead, District Court Judge Valerie Stanfill, Governor Paul R. LePage, Superior Court Justice Andrew Horton, Superior Court Justice Nancy Mills, District

Public Hearing on Franklin Memorial Hospital Membership with MaineHealth Taking Place

Scheduled for April 3, 10 a.m.−3 p.m. at UMF

Farmington¾

 

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Regulatory Services, has scheduled a public hearing on the proposal of Franklin Memorial Hospital to become a member of MaineHealth. The hearing is part of the state’s Certificate of Need application process.

 

The public hearing is taking place Thursday, April 3, 10 a.m.−3 p.m. at the University of Maine Farmington, North Dining Hall (Section C). The purpose of this hearing is to allow Franklin Memorial Hospital and MaineHealth opportunity to present information about the proposed membership and the public to make comments or raise issues and/or concerns to be considered by the Department on this proposal.

 

Franklin Memorial Hospital representatives Rebecca Arsenault, president/CEO, and Dr. Michael Fraley, medical staff president, along with Andrea Patstone, MaineHealth senior vice president, system development, will provide a 30-minute presentation beginning at 10 a.m. The public comment portion of the hearing is scheduled to run until 3 p.m.

 

“Franklin Memorial Hospital has a long history of collaboration with the MaineHealth system,” said Arsenault. “Membership in this health system will assist us in meeting the challenges associated with health care reform and continuing to provide quality, accessible care to the 40,000 residents in the greater Franklin County area.”

 

At the close of the public hearing, additional written comments may be submitted to the DHHS, Licensing and Regulatory Services, Certificate of Need Unit, Station House Station # 11, 41 Anthony Avenue, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011 no later than 5 p.m. May 5.

 

Governor LePage presents Legion of Merit award to Adjutant General of Maine

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage presented the Legion of Merit award today to Brig. Gen. James D. Campbell, the Adjutant General of Maine. The Legion of Merit is a military award that is given to members of the United States Armed Forces for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

"I am proud to present this prestigious award to a man who contributes so much to the protection, safety and well-being of the state," Governor LePage said. "The Maine National Guard is an invaluable resource to the citizens of Maine. General Campbell’s leadership gives me great confidence in our troops at home or abroad, no matter what the mission.”

Campbell earned the award as Maine’s 39^th Adjutant General for transforming readiness and professional military culture to the highest levels in Maine history. His direct influence in lifting the readiness of the Maine National Guard has drawn national attention and set the example for other states to follow. The Maine National Guard is now continuously recognized for implementing cutting-edge programs.

The ceremony was held at Camp Keyes and attended by several senior staff members and representatives from the Maine National Guard.

 

Unemployment Rate Drops Again

15,000 private-sector jobs created since 2011 

AUGUSTA – Under the leadership of Governor Paul R. LePage, Maine’s unemployment rate in January has fallen to its lowest levels in six years. The January rate is 6.2 percent, down from 7.0 percent one year ago. These new state unemployment figures released today continue to show that pro-jobs, pro-growth, low-tax policies work.

“More Mainers are remaining in the labor force seeking work, and they are finding it,” said Governor LePage. “We have been working hard for three years to improve the business climate in Maine so our companies can do what they do best: create jobs. We have reduced taxes, cut red tape, streamlined regulations and made fiscally responsible decisions to right-size government. All of these factors make Maine more competitive in attracting and retaining jobs.”

The January unemployment rate is the lowest since November 2008. Maine has 6,500 more jobs than a year ago, and 14,700 private-sector jobs have been created since January 2011.

Over the last year, job growth was strongest in retail trade, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality and finance and insurance. The number of private-sector jobs has trended higher since 2010, while jobs in federal, state and local government have declined.

While the nation has seen little improvement in the share of employed population in four years, Maine has experienced the opposite. U.S. unemployment rate declines have been almost entirely due to lower labor force participation as millions of jobless people have stopped looking for work. (Jobless people not looking for work are not counted as unemployed – they are not in the labor force.)

A rising employment-to-population ratio has been the leading factor in declining unemployment rates in Maine the last three years. Maine continues to have a lower unemployment rate and higher share of employed population than national and New England averages.

The share of the population that is employed continued to outpace the national average: 61.2 percent for Maine and 58.8 percent for the nation. Maine’s 61.2% employment-to-population ratio is the highest since January 2009, remaining well above the national average.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated 5,600 fewer unemployed over the past year. January was the 76th consecutive month the employment-to-population ratio exceeded the national average.

As the unemployment rate continues to fall and more jobs are created, liberals in the Legislature continue to criticize the good news. They even claim that creating no jobs is better than creating non-union jobs.

When asked, "Wouldn't it be better to have Right to Work jobs than to have no jobs at all?" Senate President Justin Alfond said: “No, it wouldn't."

“Career politicians don’t know how to create jobs,” the Governor added. “I spent my entire career in business, and I understand what companies need to succeed. When businesses succeed, Maine families benefit from the good-paying jobs they provide.”

The Governor highlighted the world-class companies that have created jobs in Maine over the past few months, including Barclaycards, Irving Forest Products, Ameridial, Eimskip, Tempus Jets, Maine Wood Concepts, Molnlycke Health Care and many others.

“These companies recognize the great strides our administration has made to transform Maine state government from an adversary into a partner with a ‘can do’ attitude that moves at the speed of business,” said the Governor. “Our pro-growth, pro-business policies have made it easier for them to create more jobs for Mainers.”

For a comprehensive list of public policies, including those that have encouraged job growth, visit the Office of the Governor website and click on the "Moving Maine Forward" booklet.

Want to quit smoking and take a fresh breath?

New smoking cessation workshop being offered with simple steps to self-empowerment

 

Farmington¾

 

If you are a woman living in Greater Franklin County who smokes and would like to quit, a four-part workshop is being offered at Franklin Memorial Hospital in April that is based on self-empowerment and not on quitting. The instructors will explore with participants the tools they need in order to boost their confidence.

 

The series being taught by Amanda Wiley and Kelsey Arsenault, seniors at the University of Maine Farmington who are completing an internship in community health at Franklin Memorial Hospital, will take place in the hospital’s Chisholm Room on Wednesday nights: April 9, April 16, April 23 (phone call), and April 30 from 6-7:30 p.m.

 

Participants will set goals, support one another, and become more knowledgeable on how to overcome difficulties in their lives. “We’re doing these workshops because we see that there is a critical need in Franklin County for support for smokers. There aren’t a lot of resources for smokers compared to the resources for other addictions. We want to help people realize their full potential and get the support they need,” says Arsenault.

 

This workshop is free of charge and door prizes will be given to participants for each session one attends, as well as bigger prizes raffled off at the conclusion of the series.

 

Registration is requested in advance of the first session. To do so, contacr Amanda Wiley at 779-2064.