Portland Rotary Windjammer November 8, 2023 (Nov 07, 2023)

Last Week's Program: William Harwood " The Future of Electric Utilities in Maine |by Bruce Moore

Bill Harwood is Maine's Public Advocate. He has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry and is committed to ensuring Maine consumers have affordable, reliable, and safe energy services.

Bill began by saying that the Office of Public Advocate decided it would not take a position on Question 3, an Act to Create a Public Power Company in Maine even though they were pressured by both sides. He stated there are two issues that are the most important and are getting the most attention. One is the cost of purchasing CMP and Versant. The NO on 3 side says it will cost 13.5 billion dollars. The YES on 3 side says it is 6 billion dollars which is the original cost used to set electrical rates in Maine.

However, laws dictate the value a government must pay when they take a property by eminent domain. They must pay “fair market value”. He said determining that value is where the lawyers and courts get involved. CMP and Versant own many pieces of land all over the state. He estimated the cost will be somewhere between 6 billion and 13.5 billion. Maybe 9 billion.

The second issue is the difference in the cost of borrowing money. Both CMP and Versant borrow money from Wall Street at a high rate since they have to pay investors and give a return to shareholders. Pine Tree Power will be able to borrow at a lower interest rate because their bonds would not be subject to Federal income tax and they have no obligation to shareholders. The result will eventually result in lower rates for customers.

Bill closed by encouraging everyone to get the facts and make an informed decision. Dave Putnam, Bill Harwood, and Erik Jorgenson convene.

Bits and Pieces | by Juliana L'Heureux

President Dick Hall opened the meeting by sharing a video performance by a beautiful girls choir signing the Four Way Test song about helping one another, with the accompaniment of the clever African rhythm. Check video site here. Laura Young led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Bruce Jones led the inspirational moment by reading a quote about “helpers”, by Mister Rogers (Fred Rogers). Although we live in challenging times, the beloved Mister Rogers wrote, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping”. Fellow Rotarians….let’s be the helpers!

SMILE: Happy dollars were donated by several Rotarians including a contribution for pride in “Lewiston Strong” signs seen in the city, remembering the October 25^th tragedy.Peter Goffin contributed a happy dollar donation because he was able to retrieve his nearly lost wallet after he drove off from the Polio Bridge Walk forgetting it was on the roof of his car!

GUESTS: Jerry Angier introduced the list of guests: Ed Kane, Tricia Toms (Falmouth), Chelsea Marshall, Deb Boxer, Sue Young, Bill Milluen, Kirk Duffy (Savannah East), Cort Hepler (Past President of Rotary Club of Downtown Boston), Andre Nzeyimana and Laura Green Rothermel.

CARD LUCK: Paul Gore led the raffle and Amy Chipman was selected to try for the jackpot of $390, but the Queen of Hearts was not drawn.

DONATION BENEFIT: President Dick Hall again reminded club members about the generous opportunity to receive a club reimbursement to any Portland Rotarian who contributes $200 to a charity. This donation will be reimbursed by the Rotary Club.

BRAND APPAREL: Rotary logo branded items like flags and apparel can be purchased at the meeting via Nannette Range-Duncanson, credit cards and Square are accepted. These items have been designed and will be made to order by Paul Gore. You can see samples at the meetings, and it all looks great!

HELP SERVE THANKSGIVING: Nannette Ranger-Duncanson reminded Rotarians to sign up for the annual Thanksgiving Dinner community service at the Saint Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, on Cumberland Ave, on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, beginning at 8 AM with serving beginning at 10 AM, and a cleanup volunteer group afterward until 12 noon. Portland Rotary has supported this annual community service for at least 20 years.

MILLION MATCH: In recognition of November being Rotary Foundation month, Patty Byers announced the “District Share Forever” million-dollar challenge. A generous anonymous donor made a legacy challenge gift to support the Share Forever million-dollar challenge. The beneficiary opportunity to create the match continues through June 2024. Donations amounts will double with the match and the giving will last forever.

WELCOME!: Niki Curtis introduced and welcomed new member Michael Mihailos! He was born in Brooklyn, New York City and is an Associate Broker/Notary at eXp Realty and a properties manager. He also volunteers as the SMART Recovery Regional Coordinator of the State of Maine. Among Michael’s interesting facts are that he holds dual citizenship from the U.S. and Europe and he has applied for a Greek passport because his family immigrated to Brooklyn from Greece.

CLUB PHOTO OP: Bruce Jones, reminded all that Portland Rotary is purchasing 120 pairs of winter boots for PreK - 5th graders who are new Mainers or in need. Our friends from Lamey Wellehan have provided us the boots at their cost and will be delivering the boots to Amanda Rowe School this Thursday between 10:00 and 10:30. We would like to invite you all to come the school when the boots are delivered for a photo op. The school is located at 23 Orono Road in Portland and we can meet in the parking lot. Chris Stanley and an associate will be there from Lamey Wellehan and I'm hoping some school officials will be there as well. We'll be presenting the check for the boots to Chris. Come on out and enjoy a "feel good" moment by helping keep little ones' feet warm with nice, new boots!!

CRIB NOTES: Liz Fagan asks if anyone needs or knows of a family in need of a mint condition baby crib, she has one to donate.

NEW MEMBERS:

First Notice: William Milliken has been sponsored for membership by Nannette Ranger-Duncanson. Bill is the owner of Barridoff Auctions located in South Portland. His name will be published a second time and then his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.

Second Notice: Jacey Chavez of Portsmouth, New Hampshire has been sponsored for membership by Dick Hall. Jacey is going into his 9^th year of service with RYLA, was the President of UNH Rotaract and will be serving as the Co-Director of RYLA District 7780. After this publication, his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.

Second Notice Timothy Moyer of Waltham, MA has been sponsored for membership by Dick Hall. Tim has served as a RYLA Facilitator from 2016-2023 and will be serving as the Co-Director of RYLA District 7780. After this publication, his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.

Speaker Schedule

November 17- Martha Bentley, former ME Economic Development "Helping

Small Businesses Start Operations"

November 24 - No Meeting - Happy Thanksgiving!

December 1- Eben Sumner, CEO Casco Bay Hemp

December 8 - Paul Drinan, Exec. Directior, "Friends of Fort Gorges"

December 15 - Derek Volk, President, Volk Packaging Company

Club Executives
President Dick Hall
President Elect Patty Byers
Vice President John Thompson
Treasurer Dick Hall
Secretary Tom Nickerson
Board of Directors Bruce Jones,

Ben Millick, Quinn Slayton, Zachary Newell,

David Ertz, Maggie McGauley
Sergeant-At-Arms Jake Bourdeau

The Windjammer
is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.

Contributing Editors
Jake Bourdeau, Erik Jorgensen,

Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,

Zach Newell, Bruce Moore,

Tom Nickerson, Dave Patterson,

Tom Talbott, Laura Young

Program Chair Doreen Rockstrom
Managing Editor Tom Talbott