Paulina Hersey, of Waterville, graduated on May 15, during Emmanuel College’s 95th commencement exercises on its campus in Boston, Massachusetts. Hersey earned a bachelor of arts in English literature during the ceremony.
The following students participated in the University of New Hampshire Commencement Ceremony held Saturday, May 20, in Durham, New Hampshire.
Kelly McCormac, of South China, graduated summa cum laude with a BS degree in social work.
Myrilla Hartkopf, of Albion, graduated with a BS degree in environmental conservation and sustainability.
Kevie Rodrigue, of Augusta, graduated with a BS degree in nutrition and wellness.
Pictured, front row, from left to right, C. Lamoreau, K. Douin, S. Flannery, M. Marshall, J. Lemelin. Back row, Coach R. Flannery, Coach D. Hayes, D. Hayes, B. Kieltyka, C. Maclean, K. Stred, K. Douin, Coach J. Douin.
The St. Michael boys middle school baseball team, in Augusta, posted an undefeated, 11-0, season. They won the championship game against China, 12-0, on June 8, and are now the Sheepscot Valley Athlletic Conference champions.
Ross Poulin
Ross Poulin, of Winslow, was recently promoted to Cadet Sergeant at West Point Military Academy, in New York. Sensei Ross also received a special award for having the highest average of both semesters in calculus II out of all who took the class at West Point. His leadership role will now be as a Platoon Sergeant starting on July 8.
ERIC’S TECH TALKThe land line rang at 5:29 p.m. Suspicious. I picked up the hand-set. “Hello?”
“Hello! Do you have a few minutes to talk this evening?”
It was a vivacious young lady. But something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it. “What is this about?” I asked rudely. Vivacious or not, I was a repeat victim of dinner-time telemarketers.
“We’ve just started a new fund-raising campaign for breast cancer research and, um —”
It was the ‘um’ that did it. It didn’t sound natural. It sounded like someone had written ‘um’ into their script in order to trick me into thinking I was speaking to a real person.
“Are you a recording?” I said abruptly, in the middle of her spiel.
The lady’s voice broke off in mid-word. “Yes.” The answer came back immediately.
I hung up the phone with a little chill that traveled up my spine and prickled the hairs on the back of my neck. There is something slightly disturbing about thinking you are speaking to a living, breathing human being only to find out it was a computer instead.
And it got me thinking. Is there any law on the books requiring an Artificial Intelligence to tell you it is an artificial intelligence? After a bit of research, I found an article Time magazine published in 2013 detailing their encounter with a “robot telemarketer” named Samantha West that had refused to admit she wasn’t real.
That was in 2013. There have been major advances since then. Apple just had its World Wide Developers Conference where they announced a new voice technology for their computer assistant Siri. It leverages new advances in machine learning to create a computer-generated voice that is indistinguishable from the real thing. This isn’t a computer awkwardly parsing together pre-recorded words of a real human being. This is a voice generated on the fly by a computer that sounds as natural as yours or mine.
In fact, several companies, including Google, are using machine learning and advanced algorithmic programming to develop technologies that allow them to simulate real voices using as little as 60 seconds of data. In other words, feed in 60 seconds of dialog from George Clooney’s latest movie, and you’ll be able to make ole Georgie say anything else you like.
This means that soon you won’t be buying an audiobook read by the actress Meryl Streep. Instead Ms. Streep will simply license her voice and you’ll be listening to a simulation of Meryl Streep reading the book. And you won’t have famous actors doing voice-overs for the latest animated Pixar flick, rather you’ll be watching a movie with characters voiced by a computer simulating famous actors.
But don’t worry, you probably won’t even know the difference! That’s how good the technology has become. The upside is that actors will be able to lend their voices long after they are dead and buried. The downside is not knowing if that is creepy or cool?
But combine this new voice synthesis technology with recent developments in artificial intelligence and you start to have a combination that sounds ripe for abuse.
Think telemarketers are bad now? What happens when companies no longer need to hire real humans to make the calls?
In fact, it’s likely that you have already had a conversation with an artificial intelligence and not even known it. If you’ve ever gone online to “chat” with technical support, there is a good chance you were speaking with a chatbot and not a real person.
Chatbots are artificial intelligence-driven conversation generators that simulate real human interaction. There are online chatbots designed to be your girlfriend (Julie), your psychiatrist (ELIZA), your doctor (Dr. A.I.), technical support assistants and many other things. Since 1991, there is even an annual award, the Loebner Prize, given out to the best chatbot.
Siri and Google Assistant are both based on research into chatbots. The technology to create an artificial intelligence that can carry on human-like conversations has long been in development, but it’s only recently started to be used in mainstream electronics like Amazon’s Echo or Apple’s just announced Homepod.
Personally, the idea of speaking to a computer doesn’t bother me. But a computer that uses “um” in an effort to make me think it’s human? That’s disconcerting.
Eric W. Austin is a real, live human being. Or is he? To find out, email him at ericwaustin@gmail.com or leave a comment on this article at townline.org.
UNITY––Cynthia (Cindy) Mardet Boivin, 57, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 25, 2017. She was born on September 9, 1959, in Brockton, Massachusetts, the daughter of Richard M. Farrar and Edna A. (Gingras) Farrar. She was originally from Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and had lived in Unity since 1970.
Cindy was a 1977 graduate of Mt. View High School, in Thorndike, where she was part of the gymnastic team.
For 30 years she worked at Irving Tanning Company, in Hartland, after which she graduated third in her class at Kennebec Valley Community College in 2009 at 50 years old.
In 2010, Cindy started working at Adam Speech Therapy as a speech pathologist. She lived her entire life to serve the wants and needs of others and helping the children soothed her soul.
Cindy cherished the times surrounded by family.
Cindy is survived by Richard and Edna Farrar (her mom and dad), of Unity; brother Richard (Butch) Farrar, of Unity; sisters, Alice (Farrar) Margolies, of Red Bank, New Jersey, Hope (Farrar) Hitchcock, of Unity; daughter, Torrie Boivin and family, Crystal Medina, Colton Medina and Zachary Boivin, of Unity; son, Michael Boivin and family Crystal Lamkin, Mike Lamkin, Michelle Boivin, Mitchell Boivin, of Unity; daughter Ashley Boivin and family, Lillian Boivin, of Unity; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A service will be held at 1 p.m. on June 25, 2017, at the Bible Baptist church, 32 School St., Unity, with a celebration of her life to follow from 2–4 p.m. at the Unity Performing Arts Center, 42 Depot St., Unity.
WHITEFIELD––Edward James Larrabee Jr., 68, of Whitefield, passed away, at the home of his sister Lillian, on May 28, 2017, following a long illness.
Edward was predeceased by his father, Edward Larrabee Sr.; mother, Marguerite (Russell) Larrabee; and brother, Leslie Larrabee.
Edward is survived by his longtime love, Theresa Russell; children, Eva Russell, Judy (Peaslee) Solomon and Jacob Hertzig; nine grandchildren; brothers, Clarence and wife Betty, and Russell Larrabee; sisters, Lillian and husband Paul, and Betty and husband Timothy; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be sent to Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.
VASSALBORO––Sandra Jones Mathieu, 65, of Vassalboro, passed away at home on Monday, May 29, 2017. She was born March 19, 1952, in Gardiner, to Roland and Geraldine Jones.
Her interests included snowmobiling, NASCAR races, and sightseeing. When she had children, she was actively involved in school events and life changes. She enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter Aria and watching her grow. Later, her hobbies included traveling, with the occasional trip to Hollywood slots.
Sandra’s professional career was very accomplished. After high school, she worked at Pine State Trading Company as a receptionist. She then held the director of shared services position at Maine HealthCare for 25 years. She continued to further her career and worked as the executive director at Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Maine for 13 years. Her retirement was cut short, although she was able to enjoy time with her family.
All who knew Sandra, even for a short time, were inspired by her contagious, positive spirit and vibrancy. Her humor and kindness were endless and she always lit up the room wherever she went.
She was predeceased by her father Roland Jones, brother Steven Jones, sister Diana Jones, and nephew Joshua Jones.
She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Carl Mathieu, of Vassalboro; two daughters, Ashley Mathieu and Michelle Mathieu; son-in-law Joshua Scott; granddaughter Aria Scott; her mother, Geraldine Jones, 88, of Jefferson; and many brothers and sisters.
PALERMO––Lester B. Davis, 89, of Palermo, died on Monday, May 29, 2017, at Maine Veterans Home in Augusta. He was born in Washington, D.C. on April 6, 1928, the son of Lester and Neva Davis.
Lester served in the U.S. Army. He married Dorothy Eleanor Deyoe on June 5, 1949.
Lester’s work history included: treasurer for the City of College Park, Maryland; Metropolitan Life Insurance, in Wilton and Augusta; and Lester B. Davis Tax and Business Services, in Palermo.
Lester served as a volunteer with the Boys Club in College Park and as a Boy Scout leader for Troop 222, in Palermo. He was the announcer for the wrestling and basketball teams at Erskine Academy for 30 years. He was recently honored for this accomplishment. Lester had a particular fondness for the staff and students at Erskine Academy. He was also interested in researching family genealogy.
In October, 2016, he traveled to Washington, D.C. with the Honor Flight for veterans. It was a very memorable experience for him.
He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor.
He is survived by his six children, Bonnie Davis, Cheryl Jones and husband David, Glen Davis and partner, Pat Belanger, Kathy Cheeseman and husband David, Sandra Randall and fiancé Sam Grenier, and James Davis and wife, Karen. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Online condolences may be sent through www.ripostafh.com.
PALERMO––Arthur Bruce Hall, 74, passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. He was born on June 13, 1942, to Arthur Paul Hall and Margaret T. Jenesco.
Arthur was called “Bruce” by everyone who knew him. He graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, and went on to work for Kenway Boats. He was a mechanic at Elis Auto, and then he worked for the Maine DOT, where he serviced the road striping equipment. Bruce was also the president of F & H Pavement Marking Co. for several years before resigning and forming Hall’s Striping Inc., with his wife Shirley. He built all the striping machines himself. Bruce also served in the Maine National Guard.
In February 1984, he married Shirley Patterson Houston, in Palermo. They had 33 wonderful years together. They traveled to the Hawaiian Islands, California, South Carolina, and Virginia for golfing, as well as playing many courses in Maine.
On September 16, 1997, Bruce got a “hole-in-one” on hole #9 at Country View Golf Club, in Brooks. Bruce was a member at Natanis Golf Course, in Vassalboro, for several years.
Bruce loved to fish and he enjoyed hunting as well, in his early years. He like to grow fruits and vegetables like raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, plums, peaches, cherries, and rhubarb. Bruce also grew orchids and was a member of the American Orchid Society. Along with his planting, Bruce enjoyed and liked the challenge of fixing things that no longer worked, such as household appliances and cars.
Bruce would sing along with the music of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.
Bruce was predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Shirley;p three sons, Rodney and wife Angel, of Palermo; Bradley and wife Shelly, of Windsor; and Benjamin and wife Alissa, of Douglas, Massachusetts; and grandchildren, Emily, Kaitlyn, Nathan, and Riley.
An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.
OAKLAND, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina––Jeffrey Paul Fenlason, 53, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 1, 2017, in his sleep at home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Jeffrey was born on June 5, 1963, in Waterville, the son of Ronald and Louise Fenlason.
He lived most of his life in Oakland, graduating from Messalonskee High School in 1981. He graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 1989. Jeffrey earned his bachelor’s degree from Columbia Southern University in 2011 in criminal justice adminstration. He gave 28 years to serving as a police officer and police chief, until moving to South Carolina in 2014, where he worked a program manager at Grand Strand Hospital’s security department.
Jeffrey was the kindest, most gentle, and generous man; and everyone he touched loved him. As an officer, he took special concern in helping the children in the situation he was call to, and he always carried teddy bears in his cruiser for them. He would do anything for anyone and was always honest, humble, loyal, and loving.
He loved riding his Harley, kayaking, and especially the beach.
Jeffrey is survived by wife Michelle Fenlason; parents Ronald and Louise Fenlason, of Oakland; daughter Amy Fenlason, of Manchester, New Hampshire; brothers, Steve Fenlason and wife Lori, of Gardiner, and David Fenlason, of San Diego, California; granddaughters, Ayeesha and Tiana Gale, of Manchester, New Hampshire; Michelle’s sons, Josh and Jake LePage, of Winslow; his in-laws, Roger and Lorraine Buker, of Winslow; nephews, Ben Fenlason, Christopher Storer, and Mark Greenlaw; and many brothers and sister in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.
Memorial donations of a teddy bear may be made to the Oakland Police Department.
UNITY––Rebekah E. Hubbard, 82, passed away Friday, June 2, 2017, at her home following a long illness. Becky was born in Gardiner on July 6, 1934, to Merle and Catherine (Knox) Trask.
She helped support her family with many jobs over the years. She enjoyed many hobbies, including playing cards, cooking, and taking care of her rose bushes.
Becky was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Melvin Hubbard Sr.; son, Melvin Jr.; daughter, Virgina; and granddaughter, Crystal Moreno.
She is survived by her companion of the last 14 years, William Bird, of Unity; her children, Terry and Pedro Moreno, of Corpus Christi, Texas; Linda and Victor Vigue, of Thorndike; Rose Hubbard and Rick Durant, of Knox; Carlene and Galen Neal, of Unity; Ray and Renee Hubbard, of Unity; Florence Porter and Dennis Neal, of Unity’ and Robert Hubbard, of Unity; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.
ALBION––Vivian Marie (Gee) Clark passed away on Saturday, June 3, 3017. Vivian was born in Summerfield, New Brunswick, Canada, on October 5, 1920, the middle child of Merrill and Amy (Green) Gee.
On December 28, 1940, Vivian married Glenn Clark and they moved to Albion with Glenn’s family.
In 1949, Glenn and Vivian moved to the house on East Benton Road, in Albion, and remained there until Glenn’s passing in 2009.
She was a member of the Albion Extension ladies group. She sewed and preserved and always had something wonderful to eat for whoever stopped by.
Vivian was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Glenn L. Clark; son Leland; and great-grandson Alexander L. Hathaway; and was also predeceased by Phyllis, Dorothy, Manson, and Kathleen, as she is the last member of her siblings to pass away.
Vivian is survived by her son, Graydon Clark (Kayan), and their children, Sarah (Jeremy), Deanna (Rick), and Matthew (Crystal); daughter Pamela Gilbert (Ray) and their children, Amy (Brian), Jennifer (Andre), Holly (Jeff), Brian (Amanda, and Chris (Aimee); daughter-in-law Tami and children, Violet (Tim), John (Michelle), Joy (Chris), Tonya, and Chauncey; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at: www.lawrybrothers.com.
Memorial donations may be made to the LN Clark Inspiration Network in memory of Leland Nelson Clark, P.O. Box 392, Fairfield ME 04937; or to the NICCU at Eastern Maine Healthcare Charities, in memory of great-grandson Alexander L. Hathaway, P.O.Box 931, Bangor ME 04401-0931.
VASSALBORO––Frederick Maynard Steeves, 79, passed away Sunday, June 4, 2017, at the Maine Veterans Hospice Center, in Augusta. He was born May 30, 1938, in Rockland, the son of Charles Steven Steeves and Edna (Lathrop) Steeves.
He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the US Air Force until his honorable discharge. He also trained with the Marine Corps.
On March 14, 1986, he married Nancy Hastings, in Seward, Alaska. In his younger days, he worked for a fire truck production company and in the chicken industry. He also was a fisherman in New Bedford. After moving to Seward, Alaska, in 1965, he owned his own marine welding business. He was also a fisherman, trapper, bear guide, and bus driver.
Fred was a member of the Centerpoint Community Church, lions International, the American Legion, and Pioneers of Alaska. He enjoyed hunting, photography, flower gardening and gold panning.
He was predeceased by his parents; a grandchild; several sisters, brothers, nephews, and nieces.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Nancy (Hastings) Steeves, of Vassalboro; children, “Alan Steeves, Bobby Raynes, Mark Steeves and wife Jeanmarie, Trilby Post, Noreen Skillman and husband Dan, Jay Sturm, and Joe Sturm; three sisters, Ruth Kyte, Priscilla Lundevahl, and Alaide Hopper and husband James; two brothers, Wayne Steeves and wife Carla, and Leslie Steeves, 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan ME 04976.
Memorial donations may be made to: Temple Academy, 60 West River Rd., Waterville ME 04901.
UNITY––Dorothy (Dot) Gardiner, 85, of Unity, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Dorothy was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, to Clifton Doughty and Mildred Janvrin, on November 26, 1931.
On May 13, 1948, Dot married Maurice Gardiner. They were married for 57 years prior to his passing in 2005. They were Connecticut residents for 30 years and moved back to Maine in 1988. Dorothy enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, reading, quilting, finding a bargain at tag sales, and cheering for the Boston Red Sox.
She was predeceased by her sister Mildred (Raven) Brown.
Dorothy is survived by her four children, Laura Preli, Mark Gardiner and wife Patricia, of Connecticut, John Gardiner, of Maine, Matthew Gardiner and husband Hal Beattie, of Florida; grandchildren, Christopher and wife Tammy McCue, Eric and wife Dallas McCue, both of Maine, Karin McCue and partner Jodie Dube, Cherise Ball, Luke, Daniel, Ben and wife Megan, Timothy, and Krista Gardiner, all of Connecticut, Julia and Zachary Gardiner, of Florida. She also leaves 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great- grandchildren; four brothers, Clifton, Linwood, Ralph and Emerson Doughty; two sisters Nancy (Kitty) Doughty and Linda Rollerson; and many nieces and nephews.
Memories and condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.
ALICE M. MANN, 70, of Augusta, passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Locally, she is survived by children Dan Moore, of Whitefield, Dwayne Moore, of Windsor, Tina Moore, of Augusta, and Colleen Blanchette, of Windsor; a sister, Shirley Buck, of Jefferson.
STEPHEN G. WEYMOUTH, 60, of Auburn, passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, following a battle with lung cancer. Locally, he is survived by a sister, Jennifer Richards and husband Lee, of Whitefield.
ALEXANDER W. MOULTON, 80, of Pittston, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2017, at his home. Locally, he is survived by a daughter, Sherry Boudreau, of Windsor, and grandson Joshua Boudreau, of Pittston.
DAVID A. CUNNINGHAM, 62, of Gray, passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at the Veterans Administration Hospital, in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, following an extended illness. Locally, he is survived by a brother, Robert W. Cunningham Jr., of Windsor.
SYLVIA M. MARSTON, 77, of Randolph, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Maine General Medical Center, in Portland. Locally, she is survived by a grandson, Jeremy Kalloch and wife Lisa, of Whitefield.
CHARLES W. OLIVER, 98, of Canaan, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2017. Locally, he is survived by children Donna Cookson, of Benton, and Debra Jean and Peter Re Jr., of Oakland.
SHIRLEY A. DAMREN, 91, of Belgrade, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at Lakewood Continuing Care Center, in Waterville. Locally, she is survived by son Peter Damren and wife Karen, of Belgrade, and daughters Mary Hammond and husband Donald, of Belgrade, and Patricia Brown and husband Roger, of Oakland.
DOLLIS C. JONES, 74, of Waldoboro, passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. Locally, she is survived by a son Mark Jones, of Vassalboro; and sister Darlene Cropley, of Windsor.
RICHARD L. MAIN, of Lebanon, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at the VA Hospital, in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Locally, he is survived by brothers Bertram Sylvester Main and wife Doris, sister Joan Bucknam, all of Oakland, and brother Daniel McCaslin and wife Betty, of Winslow.
JAMIE R. LOVETT, 29, passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, in Bangor, following a long battle with depression and bipolar illness. Locally, she is survived by her parents, Deanna Works and husband Dwayne, of Oakland, and a sister, Sadie Works, of Oakland.
GERARD E. LOUBIER, 89, of Suffield, Connecticut, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at River’s Watch, in Suffield, three days after the passing of his wife, Therese. He was born in Beauceville, Québec, Canada, on January 13, 1928, but was raised in Waterville, moving to Enfield, Connecticut, in 1955. Locally, he is survived by a brother, Lucien Loubier and wife Anita, of Winslow, and sisters-in-law, Betty Loubier, of Winslow, and Jackie Vigue, of Waterville.
WALDO H. COVELL, 84, of Orono, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Orono. Wally served as the successsor to John Winkin as head baseball coach at Colby College, in Waterville, from 1974 – 1984, and was an assistant coach on the 2006 Class A state championship Lawrence High School football team, in Fairfield. Locally, he is survived by a daughter, Schari Roy and husband Michael, of Waterville.
What is the largest “China town” in the U.S.? If you answered New York, you would be technically incorrect.
Because by China town, I don’t mean neighborhoods in major cities with large Chinese populations.
Three small towns in the U.S. — in Maine, Michigan and Texas — are actually named China. These towns came across their names not by any exotic history with Chinese settlers or some ancient silk trade, but rather by chance.
Maine, China, in Kennebec County on the Sheepscot River, northeast of the state capital of Augusta, has a population of 4,500, making it the largest of U.S. Chinas. The town’s website calls it “the friendliest town in Maine”.
In 1818, parts of Harlem, Albion and Winslow were broken off to become the current town of China. They had decided to call the town Bloomville.
Maine was then a part of Massachusetts, and in those days, Boston, the legislative seat, was a week’s trip by horse and wagon. The area’s legislative representative, Japheth C. Washburn, was discouraged from using the name Bloomville due to objections from nearby Bloomfield, which was concerned about mail-delivery confusion.
So Washburn, 200 miles away with no telephone or telegraph, needed an alternative.
The hymn China, written by Timothy Swan, of Northfield, Massachusetts, in 1790, was a favorite of his, and the rest is history.
“Over the years, I have had many, many Chinese tourists stop at our town office and come in and ask us questions about the name of our town,” Becky Hapgood, the town clerk for the past 23 years, told China Daily. “Often they are either seen out front posing by our town office sign or we kindly oblige and help them with a group photo.
“We all enjoy the visitors from away as they relish the town’s name that is the same as their country,” she said. “Many ask how we got our name and if there is anything with ‘Town of China’ on it that they may have as a souvenir. We normally offer them a town report. We have even had some stop by one year and return a couple of years later with others to show them the name of our town.
“We’d love to have a sister city/town (in China) …” she said. “Maybe you would be a good contact to spread the word!”
Next up is China, Michigan, in St. Clair County, in the southeastern part of the state near Lake Huron: population 3,551.
Michigan’s China got its moniker in 1834, after an early explorer, Captain John Clark, landed there.
As China Township Clerk Dan Turke tells the story, Clark’s wife inspired the town’s name because it reminded her of their old hometown — none other than China, Maine.
China, Texas, in Jefferson County, near Beaumont in southeast Texas, is the smallest of U.S. Chinas, with 1,160 residents. The town is supported by agriculture, especially rice, and by nearby oil and natural gas fields. Coincidentally, China recently agreed to expand imports of U.S. natural gas.
China, Texas, was first known as China Grove, for a water stop on the Texas and New Orleans Railroad that sat amid a chinaberry tree grove. In the 1860s, a small community grew around the water stop. as did another a few miles away called Nashland.
A post office with the name China was established in Nashland in 1893. When fire destroyed the China Grove depot in 1906, the railroad rebuilt in Nashland, but kept the name China for the depot.
The Nashland post office changed its name to China shortly afterward. It wasn’t until 1971 that the since merged communities incorporated as the city of China, Texas.
(For the record, there is an East China, Michigan, and a China Grove, Texas, near San Antonio.) Contact the writer at williamhennelly@chinadailyusa.com.
Submitted by Neil Farrington, of China, ME.
At a special meeting June 8, China selectmen listened to suggestions from three representatives of the town’s four emergency services, made two minor revisions to a draft memorandum of understanding between the town and the services and unanimously approved the memorandum.
The point of the memorandum is to express agreement on a reimbursement plan for fire and rescue personnel, as authorized at the March town meeting. Or, as the lawyer-written memorandum describes its purpose: “to identify how the town would contribute financially to the collective effort of the emergency services departments in China to increase membership numbers and also to incent participation of membership in response to incidents, participation in ‘in house’ training offerings, engaging in after incident reloading and refueling and other duties assigned.”
The memorandum goes on to the make it clear that the town does not run the emergency services. “Each department is independent; each of the departments will be controlling how the volunteers for the respective departments do their work.”
The reimbursement program is on a one-year trial basis, beginning July 1, with a six-months’ review by selectmen in consultation with emergency services chiefs. The $40,000 voters appropriated in March sets a ceiling for the town’s 2017-18 contribution. If the next fiscal year does not see more recruits or higher participation at fires and rescue calls, China Village Fire Chief Timothy Theriault has said he will not support another year of stipends.
The accompanying reimbursement plan sets hourly pay at $10 per hour, with additional stipends for the four chiefs and their assistants, deputies and other officers. (ep)
Disbursements will be twice a year, in response to reports on hours worked from each service. Recipients will be responsible for paying income taxes.
South China Fire Chief Richard Morse, backed by Theriault, said references to officers’ discretion allows paying a flat fee for some of the work firefighters do as part of their duties, like snowblowing station entrances. The two chiefs also want to be able to use stipends for occasional out-of-town training sessions; selectmen added that provision.
Morse and Theriault strongly supported extra pay for deputy and assistant chiefs, a clause in the reimbursement plan but not in the memorandum. They pointed out that if the chief were absent from a fire or accident scene, the next officer in line would have the responsibility to make what could be life-or-death decisions.
Selectman approved another amendment allowing annual stipends for officers other than the four chiefs, as defined by the services.
Morse had serious reservations about the whole memorandum with “all these whereases and bureaucracy.” Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux replied there are two reasons to supplement the reimbursement plan with a formal agreement, which, he pointed out, says pretty much the same thing as the plan:
Vassalboro Planning Board members agreed unanimously that the planned reconstruction of the China Lake boat landing in East Vassalboro can be considered maintenance for which no permit is needed, rather than expansion.
At a short June 6 meeting, five board members and Codes Officer Richard Dolby reviewed A. E. Hodsdon Engineers’ application for half an hour, squinting at 8-1/2-inch by 11-inch diagrams and wishing the engineering firm had sent a representatives with full-scale plans. They concluded the reconstruction will involve a new concrete abutment, additional gravel and crushed stone and new, stronger cement bars that should create a longer-lasting ramp.
Board members expect the work will be done after the fall drawdown of China Lake. Their vote to define the project as maintenance included the condition that the engineers notify residents before the ramp is closed for the work, so boats can be hauled out for the winter.
At their June 5 town meeting, Vassalboro voters approved using $28,700 in previously-appropriated funds as matching money to go with state contributions to the reconstruction. The second application on the June 6 planning board agenda, involving a minor change to a subdivision on Trisha Lane, was not ready for submission, Dolby told board members. Since the first Tuesday in July is Independence Day, the July planning board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, July 11.
China voters approved every question on every ballot at the polls June 13.
Their votes were decisive only on three town questions, one new ordinance and two expenditures. According to Town Clerk Rebecca Hapgood, those results were as follows:
The ordinance was the most controversial question, with Selectman Joann Austin and others arguing that the town should not ban possible new businesses. The state allows commercial marijuana growing and testing and marijuana social clubs. State law gives municipalities the option of limiting or prohibiting such operations.
Ordinance supporters countered that most large-scale marijuana operations would be owned by out-of-state corporations and would export profits. They reminded opponents that a majority of China voters voted against the November referendum question.
China’s ordinance does not prohibit individual use as allowed by state law, nor does it affect medical marijuana.
On the rest of the ballots, China voters approved a state-wide bond issue question and two Regional School Unit 18 expenditures, the 2017-18 school budget and borrowing for repairs to China Middle School, China Primary School and Belgrade Central School.
The RSU 18 questions were also on ballots in Belgrade, Oakland, Rome and Sidney.