This Thursday, Portland Rotary will host a
special Veterans' Appreciation Lunch
at the Italian Heritage Center.
Join us in honoring the men and women
who have served our country.
Please arrive around 11:30 a.m. to be properly signed in....ceremonies will begin at 12:00 p.m.
Our keynote speaker is U.S. Senator Susan Collins.
All veterans are our guests and their meals are complimentary.
The cost for all other attendees is $20....please pay at the door...cash and checks only.
Maine’s Governor Paul LePage was our guest presenter on Friday and shared his opinions on the 2016 Referendum Citizen Initiatives, which were being put to a vote on November 8th. The Governor’s quick and easy recommendation: Vote No for all the Referendums.
Some of his thoughts on the ballot:
The governor generally thinks the marijuana initiative (Referendum No. 1) may not reduce crime or benefit the tax rolls. If it passes he thinks Maine’s roads could be less safe. Currently, in Maine, and with the exception of large quantities, Governor LePage says that arrests for marijuana possession are generally similar in punishment to receiving a summons for a speeding ticket. He indicated that he spoke with the Governor of Colorado who said that traffic accidents are up in their state due to legalized marijuana use, and that the expected tax base was not observed citing that marijuana can be grown in your backyard (therefore it is difficult to tax). Governor LePage indicated that his larger concerns are for kids and pets which may come across marijuana edibles. He indicated that marijuana could be toxic to some pets.
The Governor indicated that the crackdown on stronger drugs and opiates is the major focus for Maine enforcement right now. With the new rule changes, opiate prescriptions have dropped 50%, and doctors have maintained their ability to prescribe them for pain as necessary.
The Governor discussed the proposed tax increases on couples or individuals that earn more than $200,000/year per Citizen Initiative No. 2. He indicates that Maine is already one of the most heavily taxed states in the US, and studies show that if this tax increase is put into effect, we may lose many people and businesses further hurting our ability to attract business. Governor LePage used the company Airbus as an example of a company who chose to build a half-billion dollar factory in Alabama over Maine, due to the heavy tax burden here. If the referendum is passed, Maine could move up to the second most heavily taxed state in the country behind California. He said that this referendum provides a disincentive for a person to work hard and get ahead in life.
For the firearm background check Referendum No. 3, Governor LePage said that while background checks may be constitutional at the federal level, at the state level, the Maine Constitution says that a Maine citizen has the right to bear arms, and that right shall not be questioned. A background check seems to question that right.
He also said the hourly wage increase Initiative No. 4 is especially hard on Maine’s senior citizens. He said that the 325,000 people who depend on Social Security in Maine are going to be pushed deeper into poverty if voters endorse the increase in the minimum wage proposal on the ballot. That number is compared with the estimated 14,500 people working for minimum wage, of which 8,500 are servers. He indicated that studies show that the increase of $7.5/hr to $9/hr (or more after a few years) is a labor force inflationary factor that has not been seen for 20 years. Some predictions show a 10% unemployment rate could be realized as soon as next year if this referendum passes. Many of the elderly living on social security, or other assistance programs, are living at the poverty level with their benefits, and since about 20% of the Maine’s residents are at or below the poverty level, any upward pressure that increases the costs of goods and services could hurt these large majority of citizens in many unintended ways.
Governor LePage also believes the Rank Choice initiative No. 5 will be challenged in court if it passes because this decides the winning of an election by a majority (i.e., greater than 50% of the vote), whereas the State Constitution decides an election using plurality (i.e., the person with the most votes wins).
(Photo: David Clough, Governor Paul LePage and President Laura Young.)
President Laura brought David Small to the podium to kick things off with a series of witty reflections on upcoming election day, along with our invocation. Tom Talbott led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kathy Grammer led us (marvelous voice as ever) in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.
A well-attended meeting, reflected the presence of our Maine Governor, included 64 members, 18 guests, and 1 visiting Rotarian all the way from Serbia, Belgrade.
We did a good job singing the "Star Spangled Banner," nailed "Happy Birthday," but with our busy agenda, any additional singing was deferred.
Raffle man Bill Blount called upon Governor LePage to draw our raffle name....which turned out to be Lionel Nima. (Photo at right) Alas, he was unable to conjure up the magic touch required, leaving the elusive Queen of Hearts in the shuffle for another week.
President Laura took a moment to touch on what makes Rotary, and particularly our club, a special place. We are a “fiercely non-partisan” club. Our members represent “red, blue, green, rainbow.” So while we may vote differently and feel differently about certain issues, our litmus test as an organization is "Service Above Self," and the "Four-Way Test." Laura shared her thoughts upon receiving a request from Governor LePage to speak at our club on short notice, which would require the cancellation of our planned speaker. She took note that when we have a political speaker representing one party, that we balance it at another time with the alternative viewpoint. In this case, the Governor had reached out to Portland Rotary, specifically because we are comprised of business and community leaders, and the focus of his talk would be solely on Maine’s five referendum items. Laura was less concerned about providing equal time given that referendum issues are not purely partisan issues. She encouraged attendees to consult multiple sources to research the issues. While there were members opposed to the visit and Laura wanted to assure these members that their concerns were heard, she, the program chairs and the board, ultimately concluded that when the sitting Governor of the State reaches out to our club to speak, we honor that request.
November Birthdays! 13 parties planned for the month (posted in last week's WJ). In lieu of gifts, we sang.
Shout-out of thanks from President Laura to the day’s Meeting crew!
If you ever had any doubt about how a new member can inject energy and enthusiasm into a club, then you missed hearing Max Chikuta’s Rotary Moment. Noting that English is like his 9th language, he lobbied for extra speaking time right out of the box. His story was so fascinating, we never looked at our watches. Growing up in the Civil War-torn Congo, he recalls looking up in the sky and seeing planes dropping supplies for survivors. He lost his father and lived in the streets for over a year. He was taken in and remembers people of different skin colors helping. It inspired Max, and eventually he would find his way to Portland, Maine. Speaking no English, and without money, shelter and food were provided at the Oxford Street facility. Determined, Max took Adult Education classes to learn English, and earned enrollment at SMCC. First an Associate Degree HVAC, then a B.S, Industrial Technology Management from USM. In 2011, he earned a Masters Degree from USM in Public Policy and Management & Public Finance. So, why join Rotary? Inspired as he was seeing parachutes of supplies, he emphasized his commitment to give back to his community. Recalling a Kennedy-ian phrase, “ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community.” Overcoming huge hurdles, Max’s “integrity of the heart” defined how being one who lives by the creed of "Service Above Self" is the richest one of all.
Paul Tully, leading the way to the Veterans' Appreciation Lunch next Thursday, November 10th announced that 241 registrations have been taken! (At the end of the day Friday, Nov. 4th, registration would be closed.) Help is needed, so please reach out to Paul right away. Volunteers need to arrive at 10:45 a.m.and all other attendees at 11:30 a.m. Proceedings will start at 12 noon!
This is going to be a great event!
PLEASE NOTE: The Veterans' Lunch on Thursday IS our meeting for the week! There is NO meeting on Friday!
One of the many trips the International Service Committee's 3-H (Hearing, Hands and H2O) Project Team will be making to the Dominican Republic (DR) will be in early 2017.
The Batays in the Dominican Republic are located some 15-20 miles outside of the city, where night darkness is intense. Access to electricity is very limited and without light, the safety of the inhabitants is an issue. The 3-H team would like to take 70-100 collapsible portable lights with them on their upcoming trip and are looking for volunteer donations of $15 per light to help fund this important project.
(Photo: Dick Giles demonstrating a portable solar light.)
For further information or if you would like to help, please contact Elise Hodgkin atportlandrotary@maine.rr.comor 899-6342. You may bring your cash/check to a meeting or mail your check to: Portland Rotary, P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104. Please make your check payable to Portland Rotary Charitable Account. Make a memo note on the check: for DR solar lights.
If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are at the following locations through
the end of this calendar year:
2016: Nov 10 - Italian Heritage Center Special Veterans' Appreciation Lunch Nov 18 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Nov 25 - No Meeting - Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 2 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 9 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Dec 16 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 23 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 30 - No Meeting - Happy New Year!
BlueBOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.
Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
Thanks to all of you who have recently hosted either your new 'Mentoring Duo' partner or a non-member guest at a recent luncheon meeting. This really shows that sharing the "gift" of Rotary with others - and ensuring new membership and member engagement - is on the minds of Portland Rotarians.
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS (Sponsor)
Stephanie Joyce Baker Newman Noyes (Kris Rosado)
Ben Millick Clark Insurance Justin Lamontagne)
Michel Kanyambo Catholic Charities (Danielle Conway) of Maine
The following is a list of projects happening within our club that you have an opportunity to volunteer and help with. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com
When
Project Who to Contact
Crutches4Africa Nov. 19th
Packing Container Time - tbd
for Uganda Jan Chapman
Soup kitchen 4th Wednesday ea month
Preble Street (4-6:30 p.m.) Oct 26th
Erik Greven
St Vincent - Serve Nov. 23rd
Thanksgiving Erik Greven
Dinner
Bell Ringing Dec. 5 - 22
Salvation Army weekdays at noon
Erik Greven
Game Night Last Tuesday ea month
Cedar Unit Mike Fortunato
President Laura brought David Small to the podium to kick things off with a series of witty reflections on upcoming election day, along with our invocation. Tom Talbott led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kathy Grammer led us (marvelous voice as ever) in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner..JPG)
Raffle man Bill Blount called upon Governor LePage to draw our raffle name....which turned out to be Lionel Nima. 
Paul Tully, leading the way to the Veterans' Appreciation Lunch next Thursday, November 10
.JPG)