Governor Paul LePage will be Portland Rotary Club’s speaker this Friday. He requested to speak to our club “to educate business and civic organizations about the impacts the referendum questions could have on the Maine economy.”
Governor LePage has spent most of his life tackling one challenge after another, the kinds of challenges that defeat most people.
The oldest son of eighteen children in an impoverished, dysfunctional family, he left home at the age of eleven to escape domestic violence and lived on the streets of Lewiston for two years, making a meager living shining shoes.
At age thirteen, two families jointly “adopted” Governor LePage. Eddy and Pauline Collins kept him busy washing dishes at the Theriault’s Cafe. Bruce and Joan Myrick kept him busy hauling boxes. Bruce was a Pepsi-Cola truck driver. Later the Governor worked at the Antoine Rubber Company and at a meat packing company.
While attending Husson, he supported himself as a short order cook and bartender, while making time to be the editor of the college newspaper.
Getting into Husson presented a challenge in itself. Governor LePage was brought up speaking French. With the help of U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe’s first husband, Peter, he was able to take an admissions exam in French to demonstrate his strong comprehension abilities and earn admittance.
In college, Governor LePage excelled academically and graduated with a BS in Business Administration in Finance/Accounting. He then went on to earn an advanced college degree – an MBA from the University of Maine.
Governor LePage will be speaking about Maine Question 2, An Act to Establish The Fund to Advance Public Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education and Maine Question 4, An Act to Raise the Minimum Wage.
We need a headcount for the hotel. Please email Elise by 4 PM today/Wednesday, if you wish to attend and the number of guests you will be bringing. Email at:portlandrotary@maine.rr.com
“No one predicted we would run this election like we have,” our speaker began. “I mean, I looked up there on the wall at the Four Way Test… If only!” We laughed, but it didn’t feel jovial.
Dr. L. Sandy Maisel, William Kenan Professor of Government and Director of the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs at Colby College addressed the upcoming elections in his presentation to us on Friday. The key thing for us, he said, is what should we learn from this. Saying “this is an election like no other” means different things to different people. “No one predicted Donald Trump would be the Republican candidate.” We haven’t learned yet whether our methods of prediction are correct.
When you set up a model to predict an election, Maisel instructed that you use the approval ratings of the current President as a base. “President Obama was at 42% approval about a year ago. The models almost always show the incumbent president’s party loses when the incumbent’s approval rating is low. But President Obama’s approval rating is now 53% and it has gone up every month. So, that makes predicting more difficult.”
According to Maisel, both presidential candidates have approval ratings that are below water: more people don’t like them than like them. “We have never had a presidential candidate where so many leaders from the candidate’s party jump ship,” he said. “There was no “Never Johnson” movement, or “Never Kennedy” movement. The tenor of this campaign is different.” The candidates don’t seem to offer much to the electorate. “So, if there is any prediction that can be made it is this: Mr. Trump’s road to winning is very, very narrow.” Consequently, the polls are predicting significant odds in favor of a Hilary Clinton victory. The question remains, is there something out there we don’t understand? The election map looks strange this year. For example, Arizona is voting for HRC. That’s different. But even with all of this, there is still doubt.
The key question in the election is what happens in the Senate. The Democrats need 4 seats to pick up the majority, and it’s clear to Maisel’s research that they will pick up two. He pointed to the one figure most telling in every election since the early ‘60’s: in tossup races, the seats go to the party that wins the Presidential election.
The Republicans currently have their greatest majority in the House since the New Deal. It is unlikely that the Democrats will pick up controlling seats there because of the impact of gerrymandering. Congressional districts are based on the Census, and 29 states have their legislatures draw the lines. HRC needs 60% of the vote to move House to 55%.
Dr. Maisel said that democracy works best when the government process is tempered. “I worry about the future of the Republican Party. If Donald Trump wins, it will be a disaster for the Republican party. If Donald Trump loses, but narrowly—5 to 6 points difference—he will have a strong case that the “Never Trump” movement of his own party cost him the election. If he loses in a landslide, Speaker Ryan has a challenge on his hands.
The worst thing for democracy, he said, is Trump’s claim of a “rigged election,” something that is believed by 30 to 40% of Trump’s supporters. “We’ve never heard this before from a major candidate. John Adams lost a bitterly contested election, but acknowledged Jefferson as President; Stephen Douglas lost the debate to Lincoln, and said ‘Congratulations, Mr. President.’ Richard Nixon lost to JFK, and said ‘We will not contest the election.’ Al Gore conceded after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bush. Reports in papers of Trump supporters going to the streets is a dangerous thing.” We must remember that neither respect or compromise are four-letter words. This is how we have survived as a democracy.”
All of us deserve much better than we have gotten, he concluded, and we must work hard in the years ahead.
(Photo: President Laura, Sandy Maisel and Rusty Atwood.)
President Laura welcomed 55 members, 2 visiting Rotarians and six guests to our meeting at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay.
Alan Nye presented us with a brief, yet timely invocation. Tiel Duncan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and we had a change-up on the song as we sang a beautiful rendition of America the Beautiful.
Kirk Duffy was one of the guest Rotarians, on his last meeting before heading back down south to Savannah, GA. He says he is glad to leave this weather. Rafael Kabata, the second visitor has spent four years looking for a new club and likes what he sees in our club.
President Laura thanked the regular meeting crew for each of their jobs, and then gave a special shout-out to the (8) Rotarians and (2) Interactors who served at the Preble Street soup kitchen this week.
Mike Reed was invited to share his experiences with Rotary. He first joined the Windham Rotary Club after a 1988 Rotary Fellowship. He was very interested in Rotary’s pursuit of doing good. Tom Sukley invited Mike to come to Portland Rotary when Mike moved his office to Portland. At his first meeting, Bill Blount and others made him feel very welcome. Mike enjoys the good table conversations, which are always respectful. Mike has developed good friends in Rotary and invited some Rotarians to his wedding in Quebec City. He enjoys the weekly fellowship and learning from the excellent speakers. He has good memories of freezing on the Christmas train at Winterfest, the 90th, and the 100th Anniversary. He is proud of the good work of Portland Rotary.
Our Youth Service Award recipient is Amy Umutom, from Portland High School. She is originally from Rwanda, and has participated several years in the 'Seeds of Peace Camp' in Maine. She came to Portland in the 9th grade and now has an impressive list of accomplishments, including Paradigm Shifter, 4H, Ronald MacDonald House, Partners for World Health, Opportunity Alliance, Voices for Students, Make It Happen, Tutor, Bright Futures, Youth Court Judge, Portland High Executive Board, while taking two college courses. She said that in her country there were few opportunities, and in the U.S. there are so many, including many opportunities to serve.
Charlie Frair reminded everyone to sign up for the Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, Nov 10th, at the Italian Heritage Center, encouraging everyone to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to be checked in. It will be a full program that will run from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Please register online: http://portlandrotary.org/event/celebration-lunch-for-veterans/ or call Elise at the Rotary office: 899-6342. Sign up deadline is by Friday Nov 4th.
Nine Rotarians were invited to remove their red dots that indicated they were new Rotarians in the club for their initial six months.
Maxwell Chikuta was the lucky at getting his name pulled for the weekly raffle, but unlucky at the card draw. He pulled a red card, but not the Queen of Hearts to win the growing pot. Thanks Max for leaving the money for someone else.
Bruce Moore asked everyone to bring mobility devices, crutches, walkers, canes, wheel chairs etc. On Nov 19th, folks are invited go to Biddeford to help pack the container headed to Uganda. (See separate update article on this event below.) On Nov 18, Dave Talbot will be speaking to Portland Rotary about this program. For more information, contact Bruce at: brucevmoore@gmail.com
Past President Bowen Depke announced the nominating committee again, to ensure compliance with the date specified in our bylaws.
Past President Bill Blount (guitar), Amy Chipman (fiddle) and Ellen Niewoehner (mandolin) led us in the song 'Momma Tried.'
Amy Chipman announced we have (9) new circle of five members. We have renewed four full circles of five and need two members to join another one. Paul Tully and Matt Tassey volunteered. Bill Blount’s employer, Amica does a dollar-for-dollar match, which let Bill get another Paul Harris Fellow. Thanks Bill.
Reminder: District 7780 Centennial Celebration - 100 for 100
Portland Rotary’s 100th Centennial photo is now available (just in time for Christmas!). For only $30 you can have a plaque which you can hang on your wall to let everybody know your proud association with Rotary....or just to gaze up at your Rotarian friends! If you would like one, please contact Elise at: portlandrotary@maine.rr.com or call 899-6342.
(The image below is a small version of the photo on the plaque.)
Rotarians from our District will be packing a container bound for Uganda on Saturday, Nov 19th at 10am.
Packing will take place at the warehouse where the crutches are being stored at 20 Gooch Street in Biddeford.
We’re still accepting crutches, canes, folding walkers and wheelchairs for this or future shipments.
FMI, please contact Jan Chapman at: janchapman1966@gmail.com or Bruce Moore at: brucevmoore@gmail.com.
Member Birthdays 5th - Ben Lowry 7th - Jim Willey 11th - Janelle LoSciuto 19th - Peggy Wescott 23rd - Earle Leavitt
24th - Leisa Collins 27th - Linda Varrell 28th - Janet Butland
Date-Joined-Rotary Anniversaries Nov 1, 2013 - Rusty Atwood - 3 years Nov 1, 1991 - Russ Burleigh - 25 years Nov 1, 1987 - Judy Cavalero - 29 years Nov 1, 1982 - Don Lowry -34 years Nov 1, 1993 - John Perry - 23 years Nov 1, 1990 - Dave Putnam - 26 years
Nov 1, 1990 - Philip Rhinelander - 26 years
Nov 1, 1980 - Bob Traill - 36 years
Nov 1, 2013 - Don Zillman - 3 years
Nov 15, 2002 - Scott Blakeslee - 14 years
Nov 18, 1988 - Meredith Small - 28 years
Nov 20, 2015 - Lili Brown - 1 year Nov 21, 2003 - Cyrus Hagge - 13 years
Nov 21, 2014 - Troy Malbon - 2 years
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.
Invocation: David Small Program Reporter: Jake Bourdeau Bits & Pieces Reporter: Tom Talbott Registration/Greeter: David Clough Sell Meal Tickets: Larry Gross Raffle: Paul Gore Badge Box: None Collect Meal Tickets: Matt Tassey* Song Leader: Andreea Paine Pianist: None Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Bill Ross Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Bruce Moore
If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are at the following locations through
the end of this calendar year:
2016: Nov 4 - Clarion Hotel
Nov 10 - Italian Heritage Center 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
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
Governor Paul LePage will be Portland Rotary Club’s speaker this Friday. He requested to speak to our club “to educate business and civic organizations about the impacts the referendum questions could have on the Maine economy.”.JPG)
Mike Reed
Our Youth Service Award recipient is Amy Umutom, from Portland High School. She is originally from Rwanda, and has participated several years in the '
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Maxwell Chikuta was the lucky at getting his name pulled for the weekly raffle, but unlucky at the card draw. He pulled a red card, but not the Queen of Hearts to win the growing pot. Thanks Max for leaving the money for someone else.
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