Before
The Knights of Columbus Guardian Angel Council of Somerset, Council #2089, of Madison and Skowhegan, have recently completed a two-year project at the St. Sebastian Cemetery, in Madison. The old iron fencing at the front of the cemetery was removed and replaced with newly-painted posts and chain link fencing. (Contributed photos)
After
Waste to be accepted in Kennebec and Somerset countiesThe Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, based in Fairfield, plans to host Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days in October in Kennebec and Somerset counties.
Skowhegan, Anson, and Madison will collect from 9 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct.ober 5, at the Skowhegan Transfer Station, 29 Transfer Station Drive. This is open to residents of those towns, who must call their own town office to schedule a time slot (Skowhegan, 207-612-2002; Anson, 207-696-3979; Madison, 207-696-3971).
Pittsfield, Canaan, Palmyra will collect from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, October 5, at the Pittsfield Transfer/Recycling Station, at Peltoma Avenue. Residents must call their town office to schedule a slot (Pittsfield, 207-487-3136; Canaan, 207-474-8682; Palmyra, 207-938-4871).
Winslow, Albion, Belgrade, Benton, Clinton, Fairfield, Oakland and Waterville will collect from 8 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, October 19, at Winslow Public Works, 135 Halifax St. Residents must call their municipal office to schedule a slot (Winslow, 207-872-2776; Belgrade, 207-592-0678; Clinton, 207-426-8322; Fairfield, 207- 453-7911; Oakland, 207-465-7357; Waterville, 207-680-4744).
Those who don’t have an appointment slot made with their town will not be able to drop off that day.
Many chemicals commonly used around the home are hazardous, either alone or when combined with other chemicals, and need to be disposed of by professionals trained to handle hazardous materials,
Improper disposal of these materials can disrupt the function of sewage treatment plants or private septic systems, contaminate ground water, and harm animals and residents. Items that are difficult to recycle or dispose of – such as electronic waste, batteries, paint, anti-freeze, chemical cleaners, yard chemicals, old fuels, oils and mercury thermostats – many of which can also become harmful if left unmonitored.
The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments will have local law enforcement officials on hand in Winslow and Skowhegan to collect and properly dispose of any pharmaceuticals that residents want to bring in.
(photo by Eric W. Austin)
COMMUNITY COMMENTARYOn Tuesday November 7, voters in Somerset County will be asked to consider changing the position of Register of Deeds from elected to appointed. One quarter of Maine’s counties have already established the Register of Deeds as an appointed position. In Somerset, this position is currently unfilled.
In accordance with Somerset’s County Charter Section 4, the County Commissioners can ask for the change to be put on the ballot. The question will read as follows: “Shall the position of an elected Register of Deeds be abolished and replaced with a Register of Deeds appointed by the Board of Commissioners?”
The Commissioners unanimously agree the time is right for the Register of Deeds to be appointed for the following reasons:
Expertise and Qualifications: Land record management and legal aspects related to property transactions require specialized knowledge. Appointing the Register of Deeds allows for a more deliberate selection process, which can prioritize individuals with relevant qualifications, experience, and expertise in real estate, land records, and legal matters. This can lead to more effective management of land records while maintaining a high level of customer service.
Consistency and Stability: An appointed Register of Deeds may provide more stability in the office, as they are not subject to the fluctuations of election cycles. This can contribute to consistent management of land records and a smooth operation of the office. Furthermore, this stability will allow for implementation of technology and processes to improve accessibility, accuracy and efficiency in maintaining and accessing land records.
Reduced Political Influence: While the County Charter states that all elected positions are “non-partisan”, the fact remains that elected officials often have to engage in political campaigns and fundraising, which can lead to concerns about the influence of
special interests. Appointed Registers of Deeds are not susceptible to such political pressures, allowing them to focus on the technical and administrative aspects of their
role.
The Commissioners believe appointing a Register of Deeds is the correct path forward to best provide for the needs of our communities. Please join with us in voting “Yes” to change the Register of Deeds from an elected official to an appointed one.
JMG, in partnership with Redington Fairview Hospital, Somerset Career & Technical Center, and Western Maine Area Health Education Center, is thrilled to announce the second annual Somerset Scrub Club, a transformative 4-day camp from Monday, August 7, to Thursday, August 11, aimed at introducing students to careers in healthcare. This career exploration opportunity is open to students entering grades 8 to 12.
Date: Monday, August 7 to Thursday, August 11, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Skowhegan Area High School (media check-in at the main office)
On-Site Contact: Katie Wood, Regional Director (kwood@jmg.org)
Throughout the four days of the Somerset Scrub Club, participating students will engage in hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and insightful seminars led by experienced healthcare professionals in careers that include athletic trainer, certified nursing assistant (CNA), dentist, medical assistant, EMT, phlebotomist, registered nurse, and more. Students will travel to Kennebec Valley Community College and Redington-Fairview General Hospital on Tuesday, August 8, to learn more about the programs and opportunities offered. On Thursday, August 11, students will hear from staff at Lifeflight of Maine, which will land a helicopter, weather permitting.
For more information, contact Katie Wood, Regional Director at JMG, kwood@jmg.org.
photo credit: Palmyra Community Center
Somerset Public Health hosted a forum on Rural Communities Opioid Response on February 5, at the Palmyra Community Center. One of the early questions from their audience of concerned citizens summed up the obstacles to addiction recovery in rural Maine: “By the time somebody realizes they need help, they’ve probably lost their job, their friends, the ability to drive and their insurance – so how do they get help?”
The panel of professionals was on hand to field these questions and gather community input. The panel included Kristen Plummer, an outreach coordinator at KVCAP; Carla Stockdale, LCSW, Clinical Director at Kennebec Behavioral Health; Dr. Ann Dorney, family physician at Redington Fairview General Hospital; Sheriff Dale Lancaster and Chief Deputy Michael Mitchell of the Somerset County Sheriff Office; Matt L’Italien, Director of Somerset Health and William Mathias, a community member in recovery.
The following themes were reinforced by the community discussion with the panel:
The public input from the panel discussion will be used in forming future solutions to ease the local opioid crisis. The forum was made possible with The Rural Communities Opioid Response Planning Grant, which is a one-year federal grant. As part of the grant, a rural communities needs assessment was created that can be found at the Somerset Public Health website at www.somersetpublichealth.org/oud.
Dr. Ann Dorney is part of Gordon Smith’s statewide opioid task force and continues to provide the Somerset Public Health group with feedback from the state level.
First place gross: Great Falls Marketing with players Mike Frautten, Steve Carrara, Mike Wilson and Mike McNaboe. (Photo courtesy of Monica Charette)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s 20th Annual Golf Fore Kids’ Sake, held September 6, at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club, with Invitational Partner Kennebec Savings Bank, raised over $38,000 to benefit school and community-based youth mentoring services for children in Kennebec and Somerset counties. Fifty-five golfers competed in the tournament.
First Place Gross: Mike Frautten, Steve Carrara, Mike Wilson and Mike McNaboe, (Great Falls Marketing).
Second Place Gross: Mike Latendresse, Tom Duffek, Blaise McDonald and Tyler Walsh, (Dead River Company).
First Place Net: Eric Gosline, Geoff Houghton, Jake Coan and Ron Trahan, (Gosline-Murchie Insurance).
Second Place Net: Peter Labbe, Nicole Labbe, Patrick Phair and Adrian Phair, (Cives Steel).
Longest Drive (Men’s): Eric Gosline, (Gosline-Murchie Insurance); Longest Drive (Women’s): Danielle Marquis, (Higgins & Bolduc Agency Inc).
Closest To Pin: Jessica Smart, (Century 21 Surette Real Estate).
Chipping Contest: Jeff Willett.
Golf Fore Kids’ Sake’s Annual Invitational Partner is Kennebec Savings Bank with support from major sponsors G & E Roofing and Gosline-Murchie Insurance and lunch sponsors SAPPI and Kennebec Valley Federal Credit Union.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth in Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset, and Waldo counties.
By partnering with parents, volunteers and organizations, children in the program have higher aspirations, greater confidence, develop better relationships, avoid risky behaviors and achieve educational success.
For more information about Golf Fore Kids’ Sake, enrolling a child or becoming a volunteer or mentor, please call 236-BBBS (2227) email info@bbbsmidmaine.org, or visit www.bbbsmidmaine.org.
First place net, Gosline-Murchie Insurance, with players Eric Gosline, Geoff Houghton, Jake Coan and Ron Trahan. (Photo courtesy of Monica Charette)
These Lawrence High School students, in Fairfield, were helpers during the fundraiser road race, with proceeds going to law enforcement scholarships. (Photos by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)
On August 19, more than 1,000 runners and walkers came together for a half marathon and a 5K in honor of Corporal Eugene Cole. Just four months ago Cpl. Cole was slain in his line of duty as a Somerset County Sheriff’s Deputy. Following a four-day massive manhunt, his alleged killer was located, thanks to the efforts of the entire state and even some out of state law enforcement officers. In a situation that could tax an agency, and even a profession, to its limits, the community came together and said “We will.” There was an energy and cohesiveness in the community that hasn’t been felt by the masses in a long time. The family and the community sent the message that for Cpl. Cole, “we will rise up and show our strength.”
Race organizer Jessica Gleason, left, with Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster.
Just weeks after the corporal was murdered, six community members began organizing this 5K to raise money in Eugene Cole’s name. Over 1,000 people attended for what was regarded as a worthy cause. Jessica Gleason was one of the main organizers of the event, and she reports that enough money was raised to put several recruits through the academy as well as start a scholarship fund that will sustain itself. Those involved attribute the upwards of $45,000 earnings to the fact that this tragedy touched everyone in all economic statuses, all professions and all circumstances.
The runners consisted of law enforcement agencies, local businesses, professionals and community members that were all sending a consistent message once again, which was we will rise up in the face of this tragedy and do what is right and necessary. The community was greeted at the starting line by Cpl. Cole’s wife, Sheryl Cole, and their efforts were duly noted and recognized by her. This community has really set an example for the nation with their efforts to band together in the face of tragedy for Cpl. Cole and the thin blue line to proudly announce “we will.”