Legislative record house appendix

Robert Brian Mealey, of Skowhegan, a retired teacher and active member of his community. Mr. Mealey was a graduate of the University of Maine at Fort Kent. He taught at Lawrence Junior High School and Lawrence High School in Fairfield for 37 years until his retirement. Mr. Mealey was a school board director for Maine School Administrative District #54, served 2 terms as a selectman for the Town of Mercer, and was president of the School Administrative District #49 Teachers Association for 10 years. Mr. Mealey was an adult education teacher for 23 years and taught in the dropout prevention program for 10 years. He was a member of the Maine Education Association Statewide Bargaining Committee and the Maine Education Association Budget Committee. Mr. Mealey was chair for the Fairfield Juvenile Justice Program and cochaired a Department of Labor's program concerning juveniles. He played a strong role in helping to end the Maine railroad strike in the 1980s and also successfully lobbied the Governor and the Maine Legislature for increased funding for education in the early 1990s. He was a member of Maine People's Alliance, the Eagles club, Somerset County Retired Teachers, the Somerset County Democratic Committee and the Skowhegan Democratic Committee. We acknowledge Mr. Mealey's strong commitment to education, to his community and to the State. He will be greatly missed and long remembered by his loving family and his many friends; (IN MEMORIAM) (HLS 526)

Jack Forbush III, of Hampden, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 41, who has attained the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout. This is the highest award in Boy Scouting and is given for excellence in skills development, leadership, personal growth and community service. We extend our congratulations to Jack on this achievement; (HLS 527)

the following members of the Edward Little High School Girls Track Team, on their winning the 2009 Class A State Track and Field Championship: Khatra Arte, Tianna Audet, Hayley Barton, Rebecca Barton, Joardin Basinger, Audrey Bennett, Lauren Bennett, Christie Bernier, Marie Bernier, Christine Bilodeau, Felicia Binette, Emily Blackwood, Kelsey Blanchette, Anna Brooks, Lauren Brown, Ashley Butler, Hannah Carrier, Dawna Daigle, Kayla Davison, Danielle Demers, Emily Dodge, Abigail Downs, Marie Dufresne-Dixon, Abigail Dunn, Stephanie Elwell, Kasandra Gile, Miranda Gile, Ashley Greene, Michelle Grivois, Ashten Hackett, Katherine Harmon, Abigail Hart, Hannah Hart, Emily Hartnett, Annie Helmkamp, Hali Henri, Chyla Hiott, Diana Kruszewski, Jocelyn Lahey, Francesca Lally, Samantha Lamson, Rebeccah Leavitt, Kelsey Letourneau, Chelsey Libby, Jaclyn Masters, MaryKate Masters, Eileen McKinney, Hanna Mogensen, Chelsy Montminy, Deanna Morency, Emily Nunn, Jessica Nyholm, Tabitha Olsen, Danielle Paul, Kelly Philbrook, Rebecca Poirier, Kirsten Prue, Emily Ranucci, Jennifer Riethmann, Brianna Robbins, Alicia Rose, Muriel Schwinn, Jaime Sevit, Abigail Sherwood, Kathryn St. Hilaire, Elizabeth Stauffer, Zoe Theriault, Sarah Vye and Morgan Wilkins. The team, coached by Rebecca Hefty and assistant coaches Mike Smith and Tara Eretzian and volunteer Kim Visbaras, also won the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championship this year. We send all the members of the team our congratulations on their accomplishments; (HLS 528)

Susan Hartford, of Dresden, on being named the 2009 winner of the Maine Education Association's Award for Teaching Excellence. Ms. Hartford grew up in Cherryfield and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in education. After graduation, she took the job that she's had for 36 years, teaching physical education to Bath school children. In February, Ms. Hartford will travel to Washington, D.C., where she and winners from the other 49 states will attend the National Education Association Foundation's 15th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala. We extend our congratulations to Susan Hartford on this outstanding accomplishment, and offer her our best wishes for continued success; (HLS 529)

William (Bill) E. Reed, of Woolwich, a prominent member of his community. Mr. Reed was born in Bath and graduated from Morse High School in 1960, from Maine Central Institute in 1961 and from Husson College with a bachelor of science in business administration in 1965. After graduating from college, he was an Esso sales representative in New Hampshire before he returned to Maine to join the family business, Bert's Esso Servicenter and Oil Service. Eventually he became the sole proprietor of the business and expanded the business into Bath Bus Service, Bert's Oil Service Inc., and Bert's Exxon (currently Irving) Servicenter. Mr. Reed was a member of the First Federal Savings and Loan board of directors. He previously served as president of the Bath Lions Club, was a member of the board of deacons of the Bath United Church of Christ and the Bath Area Family YMCA board of directors. He was a lifetime member of the Bath Elks Club and previously served on the advisory board of the Salvation Army in Bath. Mr. Reed was a member of the Maine Maritime Museum, the Chocolate Church Arts Center, the Bath Area Senior Center, the West Bath Historical Society, the Georgetown Historical Society, the Woolwich Historical Society and the Rusty Nuts Car Club. The Bath Rotary Club named him a Paul Harris Fellow. Among his many awards were the Morse High School Mainsail Award and the Civilian Recognition Award from the Maine Chiefs of Police Association. He will be greatly missed and long remembered by his loving family, his friends and the community that he served so faithfully; (IN MEMORIAM) (HLS 530)

Edward A. Charbonneau IV, of Yarmouth, who is leaving the Maine State Legislature's Office of the Revisor of Statutes after more than 15 years of dedicated service, including more than 16 regular legislative sessions and several special sessions, from the 116th to the 124th Legislatures. Mr. Charbonneau started on February 14, 1994 as a legislative attorney, bringing with him both federal and state legal experience, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his new job providing impartial, nonpartisan and expert assistance to the Legislature in drafting legislative instruments and maintaining the statutes. In 1999, he became Senior Attorney in the office, expanding his duties to include managing the publication of the Laws of Maine and serving as the Revisor's webmaster and computer expert. In an office that has by its nature unpredictable, long and grueling work schedules, requiring many hours away from home, Mr. Charbonneau always kept his sense of humor and maintained an exemplary work ethic. He earned the respect and affection of all who worked with him. Mr. Charbonneau contributed time and effort beyond the call of duty and willingly took on extra

responsibilities in the office, while contributing to his community by serving on the Town of Yarmouth Zoning Board of Appeals and coaching youth sports. We take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Mr. Charbonneau for his more than 15 years of selfless commitment and loyal service to the Legislature as he leaves the Office of the Revisor of Statutes to continue to work for the people of the State of Maine in another branch of government, and we send him our best wishes for his future endeavors; (HLS 531)

The Lewiston High School Girls Tennis Team, on its winning the 2009 Class A State Championship. This is the Blue Devils' fourth consecutive Class A girls state tennis championship. We

extend our congratulations and best wishes to all the members of the winning team on their remarkable achievement; (HLS 532)

The Lewiston High School Boys Tennis Team, on its winning the 2009 Class A State Championship. This is the Blue Devils' seventh consecutive Class A boys state tennis championship. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to all the members of the winning team on their remarkable achievement; (HLS 533)

the following members of the Mt. Blue Lacrosse Team, which won the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B Championship: Travis Robinson, Lance Dwight, Derek Rowe, Kyle Tracy, Ben Altmaier, Zac Conlogue, Brandon Melville, Justin Brooks, Joe LeClair, Amanda Hall, Nick Watson, Tash Doughty, Dillian Burnham, Phillip Wells, Adam Lewia, Ethan Kyes, Colton Miranda, Brandon Redlevske, Griffin Conlogue and Anthony Larrabee and head coach James Black and assistant coach Chad Brackett. We extend our congratulations to the members of the team on their win; (HLS 534)

Sig Knudsen, of Brunswick, on the occasion of his retirement after a 45-year career in social work, including 12 years as director of People Plus, the position from which he is retiring. Mr. Knudsen, a Bowdoin College graduate, took the helm of the 55 Plus Center, as it was then known, in 1997. As director, Mr. Knudsen helped transform the organization from its limited mission as a social club for senior citizens into a multi-age center that hosts everything from monthly contradances to yoga classes, writing workshops and quilting circles. When the Town of Brunswick was looking to open a teen center, he offered People Plus Center as its home. He also initiated an outreach program for older people to participate in the organization. Mr. Knudsen listens and learns from others and is grateful for meeting and working with so many wonderful people during his time leading People Plus. He plans to continue to volunteer during his retirement. We extend our appreciation to Mr. Knudsen for his dedication to the citizens of the State and wish him well in his future endeavors; (HLS 535)

Edward K. Browne, of Dennysville, on the celebration of his 90th birthday, June 26, 2009. Mr. Browne was born in New Jersey and has been a resident of Maine for more than 20 years. Mr. Browne served as a Waist Gunner on a B-17 Bomber during World War II. His plane was shot down, and he bailed out over Reichelsheim, Germany and was taken prisoner. After the war, he worked in Alaska as a forester. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys annual fishing trips to Nahmakanta Lake. Mr. Browne is active in his church, is involved in the local Grange and Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Fourth of July celebrations and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Browne on this special occasion; (HLS 536)

Martha Wasgatt, of Farmington, who is the recipient of the Boston Post Cane, as the oldest citizen in the town. Ms. Wasgatt turned 100 years of age on December 24, 2008 and received the gold-capped cane in a ceremony at the Pierce House. She is the daughter of Rowland Wasgatt, MD and Josephine Nickerson Wasgatt and was raised in Rockland. She graduated in 1931 from the University of Maine with a degree in home economics, went on to earn a master's degree at Columbia University and taught home economics for 16 years in Pennsylvania. She came back to Maine to teach, taking a position at the University of Maine at Farmington, the former Farmington State Teachers College, and taught home economics from 1953 until she retired in 1972 as professor emerita. She now resides next door to the university at the Pierce House. We send her our congratulations on her receiving the Boston Post Cane and our best wishes; (HLS 537)

Franklin Memorial Hospital, in Farmington, on its recently receiving 2 separate awards for excellence. Franklin Memorial Hospital received the Exceeding Patient Expectations Award from Avatar International, an industry leader in health care quality improvement services. It also was designated as a 2009 Professional Research Consultants recipient of five- and four-star national excellence in health care awards in laboratory services, nursing care and emergency services. We extend our congratulations to all the staff at Franklin Memorial Hospital on their being recognized for its excellence; (HLS 538)

Kepware Technologies, in Portland, on its being awarded the Governor's Award for Technology Company of the Year by the Technology Association of Maine. This award is presented to an outstanding company that offers a specific innovation or achievement and contributes significantly to Maine's reputation as a cutting-edge technology state. Kepware Technologies is the world leader in communication software for automation. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to all the members of the company on their receiving this well-deserved award; (HLS 539)

Frank Donald, of Wilton, for his years of dedicated service to the youth of the Wilton area. Mr. Donald has been Wilton's recreation director for 20 years. Before being hired as the recreation director, Mr. Donald was a volunteer coach and umpire at Kineowatha Park. Over the years, Mr. Donald has expanded the town's recreation program, improved its facilities and increased the number of children served. Despite his many duties, Mr. Donald still does most of the officiating. We extend our appreciation to Mr. Donald for his commitment to the youth of the community; (HLS 540)

the Town of Whitefield, on the 200th Anniversary of its incorporation, June 19, 2009. The town was named in honor of a minister that touched the lives of many settlers in the area. Because of the Sheepscot River, the area's economy thrived with lumber, grist, and carding mills as well as brickmaking from river clay and granite mining and, later, gravel mining. Many men from Whitefield served valiantly in the War of 1812 and the Civil War as well as in all the major wars of the 20th century. After the Civil War, civic organizations and benevolent societies sprang up in town, many of which exist today and continue to enrich the lives of town residents. The opening up of rich farmland in the West and the industrialization of New England cities caused a long, slow decline in Whitefield's population. A small rebound in farming occurred after World War II, followed by the back-to-the-land movement in the 1970s, when many of Whitefield's historic houses were restored. Today, Whitefield thrives as a civically active rural community, where farmers labor alongside artists, professionals, merchants and government workers. We send our congratulations and best wishes for future success to the good citizens of Whitefield on their Bicentennial Celebration; (HLS 541)

Allison Doble, of Hampden, a student at Reeds Brook Middle School, who is the recipient of the Secretary of State's Eighth Grade Citizenship Award. This award is given to honor outstanding eighth-grade students chosen for their civic awareness, scholastic achievement and community service. Allison received this award on the recommendation of staff at her school, she has faithful school attendance, as well as consistently being on the honor roll. Allison is very involved in her school activities, serving on the Civil Rights Team, participating in chorus and playing on the softball team. She is also a member of the student council. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to Allison on her receiving this honor; (HLS 542)

Stephan Bunker, of Farmington, who is the recipient of the Trainer of the Year Award presented by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, a 16,000-member professional trade association for public safety communications personnel. This award is presented annually to public safety communications personnel who have demonstrated the highest levels of personal and professional conduct and performance in the line of duty. Mr. Bunker is the State's 911 operations manager and has 30 years of experience in public safety. He trains and certifies all of Maine's public safety communications personnel. He also serves as Chair of the Farmington Board of Selectmen and is a member of the Farmington Fire Rescue Department. We send Mr. Bunker our appreciation for his many years of commitment to his profession and to his community, and we congratulate him on his receiving this honor; (HLS 543)

Sandra Carleton, of Brunswick, who is retiring from her position as the Deputy Chief of Operations for the Brunswick Fire Department after a distinguished career of providing emergency medical services, fighting fires and breaking down barriers for women in the field of professional firefighting in Maine. She is the only woman to receive the designation of Certified Maine Chief Fire Officer, and one of the few female chief fire officers in Maine. With training and certification both as a paramedic and as a firefighter, Ms. Carleton has devoted many hours to working with citizens and students in area schools promoting fire safety as well as mentoring young women aspiring to nontraditional careers. We acknowledge her commitment to her profession, to her community and to the State of Maine, and we congratulate her on her retirement; (HLS 544)

Maine Wildlife Park, in Gray, upon its being named a 2009 Editors' Choice in the Best Place to Meet the Natives category by Yankee magazine in its annual Travel Guide to New England. The Editors' Choice recommendation designates Yankee editors' and writers' favorite restaurants, lodgings, attractions and bargains across New England. Maine Wildlife Park is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and is a refuge and education facility housing wildlife that are being rehabilitated or are unable to return to the wild. We congratulate Maine Wildlife Park on its receiving this honor from Yankee magazine; (HLS 545)

Mr. Alex Ernst and his third-grade class at the W. G. Mallett School in Farmington, on their being presented with a plaque by the Sandy River Recycling Association for their work in composting. Mr. Ernst and the students earned the Maine Composters of the Year award for sharing their message of "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" with others. We congratulate Mr. Ernst and his students for their exemplary efforts; (HLS 546)

the memory of the late Robert J. Beal, of Phillips, on the occasion of the town report dedication in his honor for his longtime commitment to the community. Mr. Beal was born at his family's farm in Avon. He was a lifelong resident of Phillips and a 1947 graduate of Phillips High School. He attended Bowdoin College, where he graduated with honors in 1951. He served in Germany during the Korean War and then returned to New England to study law at Boston College. After graduation he practiced law as a partner and owner of Noyes and Beal in Rangeley for more than 50 years. Mr. Beal was an active and exemplary citizen of Phillips, serving as a volunteer in many area organizations and providing countless hours of service to the community. He was a member of the Phillips Historical Society and provided valuable research assistance and the loan of historic artifacts and equipment. He also served the Phillips Library Association, the Mile Square Cemetery Association, the Sandy River Railroad and the Phillips Area Micro Loan Committee. We acknowledge his many years of dedication to the Town of Phillips; (HLS 547)

the families of Ward McLaughlin and Trent Lundeen, of West Ridge Farms in Mars Hill, who have been named the 2009 Farm Family of the Year by the Maine Potato Board. Twenty-five years ago, Mr. McLaughlin joined the Lundeen family business. Now he and his brother-in-law, Trent Lundeen, oversee 900 acres of potatoes and 900 acres of small grains, and have become masters of modern day agriculture. Both Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Lundeen enjoy having their families working together for a common purpose and look forward to passing this legacy on to their offspring. West Ridge Farms has contracts with Frito-Lay, McCain Foods and Naturally Potato. Both men serve on the Agricultural Bargaining Council. Mr. McLaughlin serves on the Mars Hill town council and was a member of the Maine Potato Board and the Potato Marketing Improvement Fund Board. We extend our congratulations and best wishes them on their earning this noteworthy honor; (HLS 548)

Ryan Small, of Auburn, who won an artificial intelligence competition at the 2009 World Congress of Evolutionary Computation in Trondheim, Norway. Ryan, a student at the University of Southern Maine, introduced a program called "Unreal Tournament" at the competition. Ryan created, unlike a regular computer game, a character with a form of intelligence that can adapt, learn and evolve. Ryan's professor, Clare Bates Congdon, notes that the design of these artificial intelligence programs has practical applications, as these systems are seeing increasing use in various fields ranging from military applications to Mars explorers and entertainment. We congratulate Ryan on this tremendous achievement and send him our best wishes for continued success; (HLS 549)

Armand D. Cyr, of Madawaska. Mr. Cyr was born on September 24, 1915, in Madawaska, the son of Dan and Agnus (Bellefleur) Cyr. Mr. Cyr started blacksmithing with his father at a very young age. After many years, he turned his shop into a welding shop. Mr. Cyr also shoed horses, another trade learned from his father. He was a member of St. David choir for many years, as well as a lifetime member of fourth degree Knights of Columbus, Council No. 2638, Madawaska. Mr. Cyr loved people, music and singing, and he especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He will be fondly remembered for his laughter and greatly missed by his family and friends; (IN MEMORIAM) (HLS 550)

the annual Rockland North Atlantic Blues Festival, as it celebrates the popular American music form on July 11th and July 12th, 2009 in scenic Harbor Park. We commend Paul Benjamin and Jamie Isaacson, of Rockland, for their successful annual two-day summer festival, which brings some of the biggest and best names in blues music to Maine. We join with blues fans not only from Maine but from across the nation in extending our appreciation to Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Isaacson,

and we send them our best wishes for continued future success; (HLS 551)

the Reverend Anna Beach, of Caribou, on her retirement from Gray Memorial United Methodist Church on June 28, 2009. Reverend Beach attended Boston University School of Theology and has been an ordained minister for 17 years. She has also served churches in Waterville and in New Hampshire. We send her our appreciation for her years of dedicated service to her community and we send her our best wishes for a happy retirement; (HLS 552)

Martha Mary "Mattie" McCormack, of Limestone, on the celebration of her 90th birthday, June 27, 2009. Mrs. McCormack graduated from Limestone High School. Throughout

her life, Mrs. McCormack has been involved in her community, including Girl Scouts and Little League as a child and 20 years of helping the Limestone Meals on Wheels Program as an adult. She is the recipient of the American Cancer Society Award for 32 years of service, the First Lady of the Year award for service to the community from the Beta Sigma Society and Limestone's Outstanding Citizen Award in 1976. She is a member and former officer of the Limestone/Caswell Historical Society and has helped to organize and raise funds for parish suppers for her church. Mrs. McCormack taught religious education for 20 years and was a charter member and officer of the Daughters of Isabella in St. Louis Parish. We join Mrs. McCormack's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in extending our congratulations and best wishes to her on this very special occasion; (HLS 553)

NorthStar EMS, of Farmington, which has been redesignated as a HeartSafe Community EMS Service at the gold level. NorthStar EMS requalified for this award for the 3rd straight year with one of the highest scores in the State. The HeartSafe Communities program is a partnership between the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Maine Cardiovascular Health Program and the Maine Emergency Medical Services bureau. NorthStar EMS is the regional ambulance service of Franklin Memorial Hospital. NorthStar EMS is unique in the State as it provides ambulance service to 26 towns and 46 unorganized territories. NorthStar EMS has developed partnerships with first responder services and facilitated AED placements in schools and places where people congregate. We extend our appreciation to NorthStar EMS for its efforts in making emergency services available to the people of the State and congratulate it on its receiving this honor; (HLS 554)