ISSUE  19—              IN THIS ISSUE:

UPDATES—    

Photos of the DNC convention

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Gov. John E. Baldacci—  discusses the economy and how green energy technologies, innovative projects, and building electrical transmission lines will create jobs.

 Congressman Tom Allen— speaks out about the issues

Anna Goodale—  Olympian on her love for Maine, and her win

Congressman Mike Michaud— talks about his three major projects where he has made a big difference for ME

  MAINE ECONOMIC NEWS—

Governor's conference: Regional leaders meet for economic development 

RGGI- takes the lead and holds its first cap and trade auction

Governor Baldacci- on ME’s economic future and more

MAINE'S INNOVATIVE ECONOMY—

State Award—  $30 Million from bond initiative awarded to innovative projects

Proposed energy project—                   2 Billion Wiscasset tidal power

MAINE INITIATIVES—

Keeping citizens safe and secure this winter— Ways to save energy

Maine’s Wood to Energy Initiative Report— says forests sustainable and wood pellets available

MAINE COMMUNITY NEWS—

Democrats Work— Community service organization

MAINE VOICES—

Economy — Green color innovative jobs are the future with Obama

Health — Loosing DirigoChoice’s funding could put 18,000 people’s lives at risk

Katie  Ouilette  From Republican county chair to running for ME’s state house- as a Democrat

ELETION NEWS— 

ME at the DNC convention

Obama’s speech inspires

Students, make a huge difference in this historic election

Please comment on any article, refer to which article in your email, and it will be posted on that article's page.    email: duhoux2@tds.net

Statistical information in this publication is obtained from state agencies and government offices.

All photographs, articles, and layout are by Ramona du Houx unless otherwise indicated.

Not authorized by any candidate, candidate’s committee, or the Maine Democratic Party

Organizing community service projects across the country—

Michelle Obama talks with Alex Cornell du Houx, a Marine who is also a Maine College Democrat, while packaging care boxes for our troops in Denver

Article and Photos by Ramona du Houx

"Unions started from the principles of community. They are based upon the fact that if we all work together, we are stronger. Community service makes our nation stronger," said presidential nominee Barack Obama, during a forum on community service held in New York City.

It’s those community service principles that helped to start an organization called Democrats Work (DW) in Colorado in 2006. DW connects grassroots Democrats with service projects in their communities, from cleaning up neighborhoods and parks, planting trees, working at food banks, honoring veterans, and supporting schools. During the Democratic National Convention DW worked in conjunction with Michelle Obama, Colorado First Lady Jeanne Ritter, VoteVets, the Democratic National Convention Committee, Metro Volunteers, and Volunteers of America to make community service an integral part of the convention, by creating the first-ever Delegate Service Day.

On that third day of the DNC convention, delegates and volunteers fanned out across the Denver area to help in various community events.

"Packing care boxes for our troops, with Michelle Obama, was the best part of the convention," said Eamon Hart from Bowdoin College. "Being able to help out in the community makes the words from the speeches have more meaning. Everyone can be involved in making change happen."

While filling the packages, service people interacted with college volunteers, Michelle Obama, congressmen and delegates.

"Community service events like this bring diverse people together for good causes; that’s what Democrats do," said Caitlin Callahan of Bowdoin College, "Writing a letter to someone overseas, serving and packing a box of needed supplies for him, really makes me feel I’ve accomplished something tangible, something that I hope will make a difference."

Alec, copresident of the College Democrats of America works for Democrats Work in a community organic garden in CC. during the DNC convention

Throughout Delegate Community Wednesday, over 30 community service events took place.

"We relied on local volunteers to help escort delegates from their hotels to their projects, either on foot, on the light rail, or by school bus. There were probably over 1,000 volunteers out working that Wednesday morning, doing everything from planting trees, painting out graffiti, packing care boxes for troops, reading to students, serving lunch to Denver’s homeless, sorting food, to playing bingo with senior citizens," said Erin S. Egan, Colorado director of Democrats Work.

When the College Democrats of America arrived in Denver for their convention, which corresponded with the DNC convention, they went to work at an organic farm for DW. The experience helped bond the students, who came from all across America. As they hoed and pulled up weeds, they conversed about the political scene in their respective states, sports, and Comedy Central.

"Working in an organic garden that helps feed people in need really has helped me connect with Colorado. It’s not just a wonderful place to visit; it’s a state with communities that have strengths and needs — like those at home," said Callahan. "Denver has been a wonderful host, and I’m glad we could give something back to a community that opened its doors with such great hospitality for us."

Democrats Work has mobilized more than 3,000 volunteers at over 130 service events since they started operations in 2006.

"We want to show our neighbors that Democrats get things done, making improvements that people can point to and say, ‘The Democrats did that for this community,’" said Egan. "So the next time they need something done, Democrats will be the first ones they will think of to help them."

And when there is down time, when elections aren’t happening, life goes on, and community service needs are never ending. That’s when DW intends to be there, ready to serve. "We want to engage the grassroots during non-election time, to keep folks active and involved. Instead of asking people to get involved every two or four years, we tap into that energy year round," said Egan, who also made the point that community service isn’t necessarily partisan. DW welcomes anyone who wants to be involved in their community. "We reach out to people who might not otherwise get involved in purely political activities but share our values. Not everyone wants to hand out campaign literature or phone bank or even wants to work for a particular candidate, but they are willing to paint a school, plant trees, or clean up a park with their friends," she added.

Having Denver filled to capacity with Democrats willing and eager to participate in community service has helped get the word out about DW. Eagan feels that there is always more to do.

"The convention absolutely provided a great platform for us to get our name out and to show people nationwide what we do. We tried to harness all of the energy leading up to the convention by inviting volunteers to participate in our "Ready, Set, CO!" program, which was a series of events in the Denver metro area designed to both beautify the city before the convention came to town, but also to highlight some needs in our community, like hunger and homelessness — issues that might otherwise go overlooked in the context of a convention," said Eagan. "On September 6, the weekend after the convention, we called on delegates all over the country to participate in one of about 30 service events as part of a National Day of Service, and we will continue to show our neighbors that Democrats are getting things done between now and the election."

In their mission statement DW states that: "In the short term, DW seeks to foster the civic participation of Democrats in their communities. In the long term, DW aims to transform our nation’s politics: instead of money, we offer work; instead of message, we offer action. In the end, DW envisions a new type of politics: a politics of service."

Through a combination of paid and volunteer staff, DW operates consistently in 6 states: CA, NV, WA, GA, AL, and CO. Other states have had projects as well. "We are happy to help anyone, anywhere, get a group of Democrats together to work on a community service project!" expressed Egan. "We have no Maine chapter of Democrats Work, yet, but would be happy to work with anyone in Maine who is interested in organizing service projects for Democrats. We can offer event ideas and support, post the events on our website, and, in some cases, send t-shirts or buttons for the volunteers to wear."

To plan a Democrats Work event in your community, please go to: www.democratswork

Photos of the DNC convention