Legislative record house appendix

Jenny Bragg, of Winslow, who has received the secondary Gold Medal in the category of Preschool Teaching Assistant at the 40th annual SkillsUSA Championship. We send our congratulations and best wishes to Ms. Bragg on this occasion; (HLS 1791)

Anthony C. Hazelton, of Harrison, upon his retirement as a Rural Route Carrier with the United States Postal Service. Mr. Hazelton's 36 years of service is highlighted by his having worked 21 consecutive years without a sick day. In 2004, he received a United States Postal Service Safe Driving Award in recognition of driving one million miles without an accident. He also served as an acting Postmaster in Harrison. Mr. Hazelton is a veteran of the United States Army and is very active in the local VFW and the local American Legion. As his town's fire chief, he participates in the Memorial Day parade color guard and contributes his talents and abilities to the Masonic and the Shriner organizations. Mr. Hazelton's devotion to his community has earned him this much-deserved respite from his vocation. We send him our appreciation for his many contributions to his community and extend our congratulations and best wishes for a peaceful retirement; (HLS 1792)

Joseph Rizza, of Winterport, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 234, who has attained the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout. We commend Joseph for his leadership in planning and supervising the restoration of the grave sites of the Stubbs family, who were among Winterport's earliest settlers. We extend our congratulations to Joseph on this accomplishment; (HLS 1793)

Elizabeth J. Crouse, of Palermo, on the occasion of her retirement after 25 years of dedicated service to the State and its citizens. Mrs. Crouse served 15 of those years in the Clerk's Office of the House of Representatives. Her accuracy and attention to detail, her patience and unfailing good humor, her concern and respect for everyone who came through the Clerk's Office and her ever-growing collection of pictures and stories of her grandchildren made her a valued and loved member of the staff and the legislative family. We send Betty our appreciation for her commitment and dedication to the Legislature and extend our congratulations and best wishes to her and her family on her retirement; (HLS 1794)

Katharine A. Woodward, of Winterport, upon receiving the Boston Post Cane by the Town of Winterport, as the town's oldest citizen. Mrs. Woodward was born March 4, 1907. We extend our best wishes to Mrs. Woodward on this honor; (HLS 1795)

Arthur and Alcyone Cross, of Waldo, on their 50th Wedding Anniversary, July 14, 2004. Arthur, originally from Morrill, and Alcyone, a lifelong resident of Waldo, settled in Waldo to raise their 4 sons. Alcyone served as Town Clerk of Waldo for 20 years and currently enjoys her membership in the Waldo County Extension Association. Arthur worked for Matthews Brothers in Belfast for 35 years and is now retired. We extend our congratulations to Arthur and Alcyone Cross on their Golden Wedding Anniversary; (HLS 1796)

David Heidrich, of Oxford, for his activism and service to his community, on the occasion of his being named as cochair of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council. He was sponsored by Senator Olympia Snowe to page in the United States Senate and was chosen Senate Minority Leader at the American Legion's Boys State. We send him our congratulations and best wishes; (HLS 1797)

Gregory Mark Lake, of Wilton, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 518, who has attained the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout. We extend our congratulations to Gregory on this accomplishment; (HLS 1798)

the Franklin Towers Tenants Council, of Portland, on the honored occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the dedication of their home, one of the first senior citizen complexes built in the State. Franklin Towers was designed as one of the earliest and largest residences in Maine devoted to senior citizen housing. Currently still the tallest residential building in the State, Franklin Towers serves a diverse community of people in the bayside neighborhood of Portland, one of the fastest growing and most diverse square miles of the Pine Tree State. We salute the council for more than 3 decades of service to our State's senior citizens and the cause of community and independent living in Portland, Longfellow's beloved city "that is seated by the sea"; (HLS 1799)

the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston on the celebration of the ninety-third anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China on October 10, 2004. We send our congratulations and best wishes on this occasion; (HLS 1800)

Fire Chief Gary W. Howard, of the Brunswick Fire Department, on the occasion of his retirement after over 34 years of dedicated service. Chief Howard joined the Brunswick Fire Department on April 9, 1970, following several years of service as a civilian firefighter for the United States Navy at Brunswick Naval Air Station and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He was promoted to Captain in 1975 and to Chief in 1979. He became one of the first Emergency Medical Technicians in the State. We acknowledge and thank him for his many years of service to his profession and to his community; (HLS 1801)

Todd Michaud, of Fort Kent, who has attained the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout, and in extending our congratulations and best wishes to him on this accomplishment; (HLS 1802)

the Sandy River Railroad as it celebrates its 125th birthday. The railroad was brought to life in 1879 to connect northern Franklin County with the Maine Central Railroad, which terminated in Farmington. The original 18-mile Sandy River Railroad ran between Farmington and Phillips via Strong. Between 1883 and 1904 several smaller railroads were connected to the Sandy River Railroad and in 1908 were merged into one railroad, the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad or SR&RL. The SR&RL was the longest two-foot gauge railroad in America and was instrumental in Franklin County's development of tourism and logging interests. The railroad stopped operating in 1935-1936. Since 1970, an effort has been made to rebuild this railroad and continues today under the name of the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad. The railroad today hauls passengers through the woods and along the edge of the fields giving a view of the Sandy River. We join the citizens of Franklin County in commemorating the founding of the Sandy River Railroad and extend our appreciation to the volunteers that are working to preserve and restore the memory of this fine piece of Maine's rail heritage; (HLS 1803)

Colin T. Staab, of Gorham, who has attained the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout, and in extending our congratulations and best wishes to him on this accomplishment; (HLS 1804)

James W. Roberts, of Portland, on his retirement from the position of Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern Maine after 37 years of teaching. A graduate of San Diego State College, California, he received his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina in 1973. Since joining the University of Southern Maine faculty in 1967, Dr. Roberts has served the university community as chair of the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Search Committee and as an officer and president of the Associated Faculties of the University of Southern Maine from 1985 to 1988. As a concerned citizen, he served on the Portland City Manager's Advisory Committee on Housing and Community Development and has served since 1982 as President of the Deering Highlands Neighborhood Association. He was chair of the successful petition drive and citizens' campaign to restore district elections for the Portland City Council and the Portland School Committee. We salute his dedication to the causes of higher education and good government in Portland, Longfellow's beloved city "that is seated by the sea"; (HLS 1805)

Frederick W. Wardwell, of Westbrook, beloved husband, father and friend and proud veteran of World War II. A native of Portland, he attended Portland schools and was employed at Portland Copper for many years. A veteran of the United States Army, he served in France during World War II. Mr. Wardwell was a longtime member of the Harold T. Andrews Post of the American Legion, Portland, which he served as post commander, a lifetime member of the Portland VFW and an officer and lifetime member of the "Forty and Eight" Club, which honors the sacrifices made in World War I. He devoted many hours as a volunteer in veterans' affairs at the veterans' homes in Togus and Scarborough and helped coordinate the Portland Memorial Day Parade for many years. Mr. Wardwell will be sadly missed by his family and many friends and the fellow veterans he served so long and so well; (IN MEMORIAM) (HLS 1806)

the Honorable Maurice Anderson, of Oxbow, on the occasion of his 90th Birthday, October 8, 2004. Mr. Anderson served in the Maine House of Representatives during the 90th, 91st, 92nd, 96th, 97th and 100th Legislatures. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to him on his birthday; (HLS 1807)

Helen Gelinas, of Stonington, on the occasion of her 100th Birthday, September 18, 2004. Known as "Nana" to her family, Mrs. Gelinas was born in Stonington and has been an active community member, still attending church and grange meetings, as well as events with the Red Hat Society. A birthday party was recently held for her and more than 150 people attended, and cards and birthday greetings were sent to her from around the world. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to Mrs. Gelinas on this centennial celebration; (HLS 1808)

the Friends of Casco Bay on the occasion of its 15th anniversary. Founded in 1989 to improve, protect and educate about the environmental health of Casco Bay, the Friends of Casco Bay is dedicated to the sustainable development and quality stewardship of the Casco Bay area, which is home to 12 Maine towns and almost one-fifth of Maine's population. The Friends of Casco Bay created the position of Maine's first official BayKeeper in 1991. In 1995, the Friends received the World Wildlife Fund Innovation Award and, in 2000, received the Governor's Stewardship Award for Environmental Excellence. In 2002, the Friends were honored by the EPA Clean Water Act Award and, in 2003, were recognized by the Maine Community Foundation as one of the "Twenty Great Giants" that made a significant contribution to Maine communities. In 1996, the Friends' decisive leadership after the Julien oil spill, the largest such in Casco Bay history, assisted in recovery of 78% of the spilled fuel and in long-term recovery of the bay ecosystem. We salute the continuing efforts of the Friends of Casco Bay in a new century of advocacy, education, research and hands-on pollution prevention upon the precious coast of Maine, the "Pine Tree State"; (HLS 1809)

the Portland chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its founding. Organized in May 1964 and chartered that same year, the Portland Branch of the NAACP was founded to fight for fair housing, quality employment and equal education in Maine's largest city. Its record of challenge and achievement include marching for civil rights both in Washington, D.C. and on Congress Street, Portland; building common cause with Maine's Passamaquoddy and Penobscot peoples; and speaking up for Maine's growing immigrant and refugee population. Its pioneering efforts helped create the Maine Human Rights Commission in 1971 and the Civil Rights Compliance Review of public schools in 1998 and mark the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday with the largest events in northern New England. We salute the Portland NAACP's multiracial, multifaith membership for its 4 decades of high ideals and hard work and its dedicated belief that all peoples must enjoy the rights and opportunities possible in a changing Maine, the "Pine Tree State"; (HLS 1810)

Kyle Alexander, of Brewer, who has been named Brewer's Citizen of the Year. Kyle, who is 9 years old, is the youngest person to receive this award. He is the son of Alan Alexander and Lorna Hart and is a 4th grader at Washington Street School. He collected bottles and cans to help raise money for people who lost their jobs due to the closing of the local Eastern Fine Paper Company. We send our congratulations to Kyle on his receiving this award and extend our appreciation to him for his concern for the people in his community; (HLS 1811)

Alton and Crystal Welch, of Wilton, on their 75th anniversary of becoming members of the Franklin County Grange #50. We extend our appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Welch for their commitment to their community and to the grange; (HLS 1812)

Bryce Morrison, of Millinocket, who has attained the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout. We send our congratulations and best wishes on this achievement; (HLS 1813)

David Socoby, of Houlton, on the occasion of his retirement from the Maine State Police. Trooper Socoby served from February 15, 1982 to August 31, 2004. We acknowledge his dedicated service to the citizens of the State of Maine and we extend our congratulations and best wishes to him on his retirement; (HLS 1814)

Charles K. Leadbetter, of Waldoboro, on the special occasion of his retirement as State Solicitor after over 31 years of dedicated service to the Office of the Attorney General and to the people of the State of Maine. Charlie Leadbetter graduated in 1972 from the University of Maine School of Law and was selected to be one of the first clerks to be employed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. In 1973, he was invited to join the Office of the Attorney General to oversee the appellate work of the Criminal Division in the office. He has been on the Criminal Law Advisory Commission since 1976 and has worked with the Maine State Legislature's Criminal Justice Committee answering questions and assisting with bill drafting issues. He was also named as the Attorney General's designee on the Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on Rules of Criminal Procedure in 1978 and was appointed Chairperson in 1994. He is also a member of the Maine Prosecutors Association and the Maine State Bar Association. Charlie has taught at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and at programs for the Maine State Bar Association and the Maine Prosecutors Association. Charlie Leadbetter has served through the terms of 7 different Attorneys General and we acknowledge the large role he has played in the criminal justice system in the State of Maine. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to him on the occasion of his well-deserved retirement; (HLS 1815)

Donna Smith, of Bath, a first-grade teacher at the Fisher-Mitchell School in Bath, who is the recipient of the Internet Innovator Award from National Semiconductor for her outstanding use of the Internet in the classroom. Ms. Smith developed a project entitled "Eye on the World: Learning and Sharing through Video Conferencing" in which her first-grade class joined with a first-grade class in France to share information about their cultures. With Ms. Smith's help, her students researched and created reports using the Internet and technology in the classroom. The award includes a personal check in the amount of $10,000. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to Ms. Smith on receiving this award; (HLS 1816)

George and Ann Johnson, of Scarborough, on the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were married October 9, 1954. Mr. Johnson served as an officer and pilot in the United States Marine Corps. After completing his tour of duty, he became the first helicopter pilot for the Maine Forest Service. They raised 2 children, Stephen and Karen, and are the proud grandparents of 3 and great-grandparents of one. This is truly a wonderful milestone in their lives and we wish them continued happiness in the years to come; (HLS 1817)

Mr. and Mrs. Rene Brochu, of Jay, on the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary, October 9, 2004. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to them on this very special occasion; (HLS 1818)

Walter Stanley, Jr., of Harrington, who is the grand prize winner in his age group of the Go For the Gold essay contest sponsored by Scholastic and the J.M. Smucker Company. Walter wrote a one-page essay about how he would feel if he won a gold medal in the Olympics. The essay was judged for its originality, focus on the topic and general construction. We extend our congratulations to Walter on his winning this contest; (HLS 1819)

Nicholas Daggett, of Litchfield, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 698, who has attained the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout. To become an Eagle Scout, Nicholas earned 21 merit badges and served his troop in a variety of leadership roles. He has also completed a major community project, placing several different informational signs along the Smithfield Plantation walking path. We extend our congratulations to Nicholas on this accomplishment; (HLS 1820)

Stephen McCausland, of Brunswick, who is retiring after 20 years as a member of the Brunswick Town Council. Mr. McCausland served as chair of the council for 6 years. He cochaired the committee that planned the construction of the Coastal Connector. He has been an asset to the town council and will be missed by his fellow councilors as well as the citizens. We extend our appreciation to Mr. McCausland for his many years of dedicated service to the citizens of Brunswick; (HLS 1821)

Hubert Clark, of East Millinocket, the beloved husband of Barbara Clark, a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army who earned the Bronze Star during his tour of duty in the Pacific. Mr. Clark was a member of the VFW and Masonic Lodge No. 96. Mr. Clark worked in the grocery business for more than 50 years and was well-known and liked by everyone in his community. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends; (IN MEMORIAM) (HLS 1822)

Peter J. Misiura, Sr., of Medway, beloved husband of the late Annette M. Misiura and a longtime employee of the Great Northern Paper Company, retiring in 1982. Mr. Misiura was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and was a member of the Feeney-Groves Post No.13, American Legion in East Millinocket. He was a communicant of St. Peter's Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and mushroom picking. Mr. Misiura will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends; (IN MEMORIAM) (HLS 1823)

Charles E. Montgomery, a lifelong resident of Millinocket, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Mr. Montgomery was well known by many in his community and will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends; (IN MEMORIAM) (HLS 1824)

Richard D. Goodridge, of Millinocket, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served with a combat infantry division and a longtime employee of the Great Northern Paper Company. Mr. Goodridge retired as Superintendent of Pulp at the East Millinocket Mill in 1982. He was a member and trustee chairman of the First Congregational Church of Millinocket, a member and past master of Nollesemic Lodge No. 205 AF & AM, a member of VFW Post No. 4154 and a scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop No. 68. He served on the board of directors and the supervisory committee of the Katahdin Federal Credit Union and was a director and president of Northern Penobscot Credit Union Chapter. He also served on the Board of Directors of Good Will-Hinckley and as president of the Good Will-Hinckley alumni association. He was also active with the Turkey Tail Road Association, serving on its board of directors, as Association President and as Road Commissioner. Mr. Goodridge was an avid snowmobiler and a member of the Maine Snowmobile Association. He will be greatly missed by his family, his many friends and his community; (IN MEMORIAM) (HLS 1825)

Lieutenant Marc R. Arnold, of Brunswick, on his retirement from the Brunswick Police Department. Lieutenant Arnold started with the department as a cadet while a student at Brunswick High School. He also served as police communications officer before officially being hired as a patrol officer in 1984. He was promoted to sergeant in 1995 and to lieutenant in 2000. Lieutenant Arnold was instrumental in creating a lesson plan for an interactive instructor course that is currently used by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. He is a firearms instructor for the State and an instructor for Brunswick's special survival team and has served on the Honor Guard since its inception. We extend our appreciation to Lieutenant Arnold for his many years of dedicated service to the citizens of Brunswick and the State and wish him the best in his future endeavors; (HLS 1826)

Jennifer DeChant, of Bath, a longtime activist who has encouraged voter participation in the Town of Bath and Sagadahoc County. Ms. DeChant is known for offering great advice and assisting candidates at the local, state and national levels, including literature drops, mailings and voter communication. She is skilled in recruiting potential candidates to elective office, especially in encouraging candidates to serve in the State Legislature and in helping with support throughout the candidate's campaign. Ms. DeChant is currently the Sagadahoc Democratic County Chair and Treasurer for the Maine Democratic Party. She formerly served as the Bath Democratic Town Chair. We send our appreciation to Ms. DeChant for her civic-mindedness and leadership, and extend to her our best wishes on this occasion; (HLS 1827)

Joseph M. Flaherty, of Gorham, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 817, who has attained the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout. We extend our congratulations to Joseph on this accomplishment; (HLS 1828)

Margaret Bean, of Biddeford, on her election as President of the Maine School Board Association for 2004-2005. Peggy Bean is the board delegate for Biddeford and is a member of the Design Team. She is a former Rotarian who was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, served as secretary for 2 years and served on the scholarship committee and on the committee to plan the annual Christmas Party for needy grade-schoolers in Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach. She also consulted with the Salvation Army each year to provide Christmas presents and Christmas dinner to needy families in the 3 towns. She is a member of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce. We acknowledge Peggy Bean's dedicated service to her community, extend our congratulations to her on her election as president and send her our best wishes for the coming year; (HLS 1829)

Pat Young, of South Paris, for her dedication and work on behalf of veterans and the greater Oxford Hills area community. We send our appreciation to Ms. Young for her service to the citizens of the State and extend our best wishes to her on this occasion; (HLS 1830)

Joe Coony, of Norway, for his dedication and work on behalf of veterans and the greater Oxford Hills area community. Mr. Coony has been chairman of the Western Maine Coordinating Committee for the past 8 years and has contributed his time and energy to making the lives of our State's veterans better. We send our appreciation to Mr. Coony for his service to the citizens of the State and extend our best wishes to him on this occasion; (HLS 1831)

Chad Dickerson, of Wells, a member of Boy Scout Troop #356, who has attained the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout. We send our congratulations and best wishes to Chad on this achievement; (HLS 1832)

Andrew B. L. Pratt, of Vassalboro, who has attained the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout. Andrew, a student at the University of Maine at Orono, is a member of Boy Scout Troop #410. We commend him for his many dedicated hours of service to his community, and we extend our congratulations to him on his achievement; (HLS 1833)

the following members of the Bonny Eagle High School Girls Softball Team, who won the State Class B Championship: Courtney Wallace, Madeline Kluna, Kristen Willard, Sarah Wyman, Megan Stanley, Stephanie Bradford, Elaine Frazier, Dani Johnson, Kelly Johnson, Anna Mendes, Jenna Stockwell, Dave Johnson, Michelle Presby, Jessica Bettney, Meagan Johnson, Steve Wallace and Brittany Delaney. They were undefeated against the best teams in the New England Regional Tournament. As the Bonny Eagle Summer Softball Team, Madness, they went to the ASA 16-U National Championship Tournament in Alexander City, Alabama. The team played to the final winner's bracket and lost to the Alexander City Titans in 10 innings. We extend our congratulations to the team on its many victories; (HLS 1834)