UPDATES—    

Property tax refunds avalible

Free Fare Fridays -for ridding the bus available in Maine

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Governor J.  Baldacci— The Governor talks candidly about Maine's energy independent future with reserach that puts the state on the cutting edge, natural resources that can be used sustainabley, and businesses working with the state to make it happen. 

Pat McGowan speaks about Maine’s Wood to Energy Initiative.  

Commissioner Laura Fortman -  explains the states’ new Job-Search –Job Match program

MAINE INITIATIVES—

Emergency Energy Task Force Report: —Ways to save energy and what the state is doing to help.

Wood to Energy Initative— How to convert to wood pellets.

MAINE COMMUNITY NEWS—

MITF Community Grants – Maine awards communities across the state with funds to improve downtowns

Portland Freedom Trail adds new historic markers.

Holocaust Museaum opens—   The Michael Klahr Museum was officially opened in Augusta

A.G. Rowe — Gets alcoholic producers of energy drinks to stop

 HEALTHCARE NEWS—

State’s Progress in HealthCare initiatives

MAINE AS 'ONE COMMUNITY' NEWS—

Land for Maine's Future grants announced.  More than 36,000 acres will be preserved .

Working Waterfront preservation grants announced  

MAINE'S INNOVATIVE ECONOMY—

Salmon Aquaculture —New Facility is the only research center in North America

New Wind Power Projects—The State gives TIFF tax breaks to wind power project in Western Mts. Off shore wind mills could meet all our energy needs, including heating needs.

Composite Technology Advances Business

Broadband News—Fairpoint Communications is adding jobs and Connect ME is deciding on the next round of grant recipients

MAINE ECONOMIC NEWS—

Taxes—Maine’s tax rating lowered because the old standard was misleading

Hodgon's Yacht expands—The new facility brings high wage jobs to Richmond.

Atkin's Printing— Maine’s oldest union printer is expanding while giving workers a share in profits

Locally Known Organic Farms— the largest in the Northeast plans to supply the entire region with organic greens

MAINE VOICES—

Energy Crisis— Green color jobs are the silver lining

Dem Corps— The organization is saving participants hundreds of dollars in it’s oil program

NEWS FROM CONGRESS—

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen— Bill to reduce heating expenses and winterization loans

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud— Economic help for small ME businesses

GLOBAL NEWS— 

 Al Gore— His global challenge to curb Global Warming

ELETION NEWS— 

Barack Obama— His speech in Berlin

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

— LMF grants to support conservation of Maine’s natural, recreational, & farm resources

The LMF Grants will help support conservation of more than 36,000 acres of Maine’s best natural, recreational, and farm resources

Using funds approved by voters last fall, the Land for Maine’s Future board approved 46 land conservation projects across the entire state, including eight farms. In all, the projects, which range from the Middle Intervale Farm in Bethel to a key parcel inside the Colonial Pemaquid Historic Site in Bristol, will protect recreational opportunities, conserve wildlife habitat, and secure productive farmlands on over 36,000 acres. Twenty of these projects include coastal and shorefront properties. Several protect essential elements of important snowmobile routes and most include extensive hiking opportunities. In total, the board allocated $17 million, including $15 million for conservation and recreation projects and $2 million for farmland protection projects. With this action the LMF board has committed virtually all of its available funds for conservation and farmland protection.

"Land for Maine’s Future continues to serve a valuable role in the state by preserving some of our most treasured natural resources," said Governor Baldacci. "The latest list of projects selected for conservation shows the importance of investing in and enhancing Maine’s competitive economic advantage, which is characterized by our Quality of Place. Land for Maine’s Future is part of our overall strategy to maintain our outstanding assets and qualities that will grow Maine’s economy now and into the future."

"The real story here is the creativity and problem-solving skills of Maine citizens all over the state, who are working for a better future in their communities," said LMF board Chairman George Lapointe. "The projects represent partnerships with local sporting groups, community endowments, towns, land trusts, and many others. They all understand and value the special relationship Mainers have with the wonderful working and wild lands of this state. I’m proud that this administration was able to advocate for a new LMF bond which Maine voters approved so decisively last fall."

"Funding for new rail-trail projects in Belfast and Piscataquis County builds on the remarkable success of rail trails across the state," said Martha Freeman, board member and State Planning Office director. "The Land for Maine’s Future program is a great tool to build trails that get people outside and keep Maine people healthy and fit, while providing fresh, new destinations for tourists. The Governor’s Quality of Place Council recently called for more trail development statewide. We’re making that real."

An addition to the state’s holdings in the Grafton Notch area will protect a key portion of the new Grafton Loop Trail, which draws visitors to the Western Mountains. The board supports the efforts of the Four Seasons Trail Association in Madawaska, which has been developing a cross-country ski, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and running center in northern Maine. Wildlife habitat will also get a boost with planned expansions of eight state-owned wildlife management areas and significant additions to ongoing efforts in the Kennebec River/Merrymeeting Bay estuary.

"These projects represent strategic investments in Maine’s future," said public board member Leon Gorman. "In addition to conserving important aspects of the state’s natural heritage, many of these projects will also contribute to Maine’s economic health. With tourism such a big and growing part of Maine’s businesses, these conserved lands are a part of the state’s economic infrastructure, right along with its roads, bridges, and power grid." As an example, the Wabassus Lake project will protect miles of shoreline in the heart of the internationally famous Grand Lake Stream community of hunting and fishing guides, craftsmen, and sporting camp owners.

More that three quarters of the new projects are located in southern and coastal Maine towns, many of which are struggling with mounting development pressures and sprawl.

Patrick McGowan, commissioner, Maine Department of Conservation and board member, said, "LMF funding to expand the Kennebec Highlands between the Belgrade Lakes and Farmington adds momentum to the Bureau of Parks & Lands efforts to provide landscape-scale conservation of Maine’s most special places. Future generations will thank us for protecting these gems."

Further north, LMF funding for the Millinocket Forest project provides financial momentum for the recent groundbreaking agreement between the state, snowmobile groups, local sportsmen, and private landowners northeast of Millinocket. This project conserves large blocks of economically important timberland, which will remain open for hunting, while also permanently protecting key north-south snowmobile trails.

Eight farmland protection projects will help to conserve 1,300 acres of excellent farmland, enabling these farmers to continue as important parts of their communities’ economy and cultural heritage.

Responding to total requests that exceeded available funds by 60 percent, the LMF board was challenged to meet the conservation needs of the state. "The board understands that it is taking a calculated risk," said Tim Glidden, LMF director. "It is possible that some of these projects may struggle, due to reduced funding, but we hope that the strong partnerships supporting these projects will prevail."

The Land for Maine’s Future program was created in 1987 in response to concerns over the loss of critical natural areas and wildlife habitat along with traditional access to undeveloped lands for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. To date, the Land for Maine’s Future program has protected over 490,000 acres of Maine’s best recreational and natural areas.