| |
|
CELEBRATING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, Eastport Elementary School students parade through downtown Eastport on April 14. They made dragons and face masks for the occasion, which was part of the school's Spring Fling Week. (Edward French photo) |
Scallop law moves limited entry date |
|
New port of entry construction launched with groundbreaking |
|
| by Edward French |
|
by Chessie Johnson |
|
Legislation to amend Maine's scallop laws was enacted after the limited entry part of the bill was changed so that fishermen who have not had a scallop license for the past three years will be able to obtain one in the future if they get one before May 1. The new law also includes a sunset provision on the limited entry measure.
To obtain a license in 2009, the bill originally had required that one would need to have held a license between 2005 and April 15, 2007. The control date then was moved to March 3, 2008, and then amended again to May 1. Will Hopkins, director of the Cobscook Bay Resource Center in Eastport, credits Senator Kevin Raye of Perry with being concerned that no one who is currently fishing should be shut out of the scallop fishery, and Senator Dennis Damon of Trenton proposed the compromise with the later date.
|
|
|
Politicians and officials with local, state and federal governments joined with about 120 invited guests to break ground for the new U.S. Land Port of Entry to be built in Calais. Governor John Baldacci, Senator Susan Collins and a representative of Senator Olympia Snowe, U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, the administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA), the agency actually tasked with overseeing the construction, and the director of operations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), all appeared and spoke at the site, above the St. Croix River in the city's industrial park.
Governor Baldacci was the first of the speakers to point out that this was the first new border crossing to be constructed in the past 20 years. He praised the cooperation of all those involved in the process of building a new bridge across the St. Croix, citing representatives of every level of government, from both
|
|
|
|
Legislative outcome disappoints tribal officials |
by Edward French |
Both tribal and state members of a work group that had recommended legislation to make changes in the Maine Implementing Act, the companion legislation to the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, are disappointed with the outcome. The bill that was passed into law removed most of the changes being proposed, leaving only recognition of the Houlton Band of Maliseets and greater authority for the band over its tribal courts and in its jurisdiction, and a new classification in state law for the four federally recognized tribes, making it clear that they are not municipalities. |
However, much of the original bill was eliminated, including proposals to exempt the tribes for the state's Freedom of Access laws; to institute mandatory mediation by the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission (MITSC) for tribal-state disputes; and to require mandatory consultation with the tribes prior to any legislative or regulatory change by the state that may have an impact on the tribes.
However, much of the original bill was eliminated, including proposals to exempt the tribes for the state's Freedom of Access laws; to institute mandatory mediation by the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission (MITSC) |
| read
the complete story... |
|
|
School reform law viewed as
changing little
|
by
Edward French |
| Legislation to amend the school consolidation law was enacted on the last day of the legislative session, April 18, and immediately signed into law by Governor John Baldacci. The House approved the bill by a vote of 92-41, and the Senate voted 22-12 in favor of the legislation.
"The final product was the closest thing to the status quo that the governor could ram through the legislature," says Senator Kevin Raye of Perry, who voted against the measure. Although the legislature had previously passed a bill that would allow for the formation of "super unions," that measure had been vetoed by the governor, and the Senate failed to override the veto. Raye says the result of the legislation that was enacted is that school unions will not survive. Although the bill will allow for alternative organizational structures for regional school units, Raye notes that the commissioner of education will have the authority not to approve any such proposals.
The bill, LD 2323, allows local communities to create their own cost-sharing agreements; removes the 2 mill minimum requirement; allows minimum special education subsidy receivers to remain eligible for minimum subsidy if they join a new regional school unit; and includes other technical corrections and clarifications.
|
| read
the complete story... |
Grand Manan fires appear not to be racially motivated |
by
Sharon Greenlaw |
Two Grand Manan boats, the P'tit Walton owned by the Tobique band, and the Sea Watcher owned by Peter McLaughlin, burned on April 13 and 14. "The first boat, the P'tit Walton, appears suspicious and is under investigation," says Corporal Andy Cook of the Grand Manan RCMP. The Grand Manan Fire Department was able to contain the fire, which was reported at around 6:30 a.m., and the boat only suffered fire damage to a bunk area and smoke and heat damage to the wheelhouse. The fire originated in the bunk area, and there was no visible cause noted when the scene was examined.
The second boat, not a Native fisheries boat, burnt in the Ingalls Head boat compound just one night later at around 3:30 a.m. "It is believed to have started from an electrical problem," says Corporal Cook. The fire appears to be accidental, but RCMP investigations of both fires are continuing.
|
| read
the complete story... |
|
|
