News Briefs

Tell Us About Your Name Change
Perhaps your name has changed as a result of a marriage or divorce. If so, you need to inform Social Security. Your first step is to complete an application for a new card and show us proof of your identity -- a driver's license, employer ID card or a passport, for example. To change the name on your card, you also need to provide documents that show your old name and new name. Our web page gives you all the information you need to apply for a card in person or by mail. You can even download the application from our website. If you plan to visit your local office to apply for your card, take a look at our Social Security Card and Number Page first. That way, when you get there, you'll have all the documents you need.http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/

Maine Medicare Education Partnership Seeking Volunteers
Mainers have questions about Medicare… You can help provide the answers! Errors, fraud and abuse cost the Medicare and MaineCare programs millions of dollars. MMEP volunteers educate seniors and their families how to spot and report problems to help protect these important healthcare programs. By becoming a MMEP volunteer, you'll develop the skills and resources to answer these questions. Training session begin soon. Call 1-877-353-3771 to sign up to be a volunteer today.

Homeland Security Money Dispersal
At the August 25 Cumberland County Commissioners' meeting, Chairperson Esther Clenott asked for clarification from County Manager Peter Crichton as to where the Homeland Security money would be going, either to the municipalities or the County. Crichton indicated there is money that is earmarked for certain municipalities as well as regional purposes. The money is being dispensed through the counties similar to when money comes down from FEMA for excessive storms. The County will be creating a review process with non-applicants to review the applications that are received.

County Charter Commission Candidates Forum
Cumberland County Commissioner Richard Feeney reported that the panelists for the Charter Commission Candidates' nights will be represented by Bill Nemitz and John Porter of the Portland Press Herald along with Susan Kimball and Fred Nutter of WCSH-TV. John Porter will be a panelist at the October 8th forum and Bill Nemitz will be a panelist at the October 16th forum. A third forum will take place on Friday, October 17th at 7 pm. The panelists were invited to a Commissioners' Workshop on Monday, September 8th at 5:30 pm and to the regularly scheduled Commissioners meeting at 7 pm.

Stores in Gray and New Gloucester Can Sell Liquor on Sunday Again
Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Cantara announced on Thursday that he received an opinion from the Attorney General's Office indicating that Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages is lawful in all of Maine's agency and state-owned liquor stores, regardless of whether a municipality has held a referendum vote regarding such sales. Commissioner Cantara said "a 1991 amendment to the law authorizes Sunday sales, but the language of the amendment is ambiguous."

That ambiguity in statute led to confusion for state officials. Maine's Department of Public Safety concluded that Sunday sales were illegal in towns that had not voted affirmatively to permit them. Now the liquor licensing unit of Public Safety is mailing letters to all agency liquor stores informing them of the new decision and also will be revising the agency store licenses that were erroneously issued prohibiting Sunday sales.

Spurwink Sets up Home in New Gloucester
Spurwink Institute has opened up Lewiston Hall at 60 Pineland Drive in New Gloucester. The public is invited to an open house on Monday, October 20th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. RSVP at 688-4573 xt 114 or idana@spurwink.org. The Spurwink Institute moved into Pineland Farms this past summer. The Spurwink Institute provides clinical and educational programs designed to assist individuals with a broad range of abilities. Their clients include public and private schools, from pre-kindergarten to colleges; state agencies; private businesses; and other not-for-profit organizations.

Pineland to grow hydroponic vegetables
New Gloucester-Pineland is in the midst of changes and improvements. A permit to install a Hydroponic garden has been lodged with the New Gloucester Code Enforcement officer. The garden will grow vegetables that will be used for menu items at the Commons, as well as sold at the Portland Public Market.

There are negotiations underway to construct a Bread and a Cheese Factory. The items will be available at the Visitor's Center, and visitors will be able to watch the bread and cheese being made. The milk for the cheese will come from the quality cattle that Pineland Farms maintains. More details will be available soon

New Businesses in Gray
Gray-Businesses moving in to the Gray Plaza include Jess and Nic's, currently at the Gray Meadow, a mile south of the Plaza. They will occupy the former Pizza Paddle. A liquor license and a Victualer's license were granted at last week's Council meeting.

An Espresso shop has submitted a site plan review to the Gray Planning Board. X-Press-O Retail Store and Deli owners Richard Watkins and larry Strobel are planning to sell coffee and specialty items to go, sandwiches, desserts, pre-packaged gourmet fods, candies, home coffee making supplies, and a small line of gift items. Some of the suppliers will be Boars Head Provisions, Stonewall Kitchens, New England Coffee, Nantucket Nectars, and Cape Cod Snacks, among others. The building, which until recently was a residence, is at 18 Portland Rd.

Maine Ranks Low in Terms of Personal Income Taxes and Support for Business
WASHINGTON- The Small Business Survival Committee (SBSC), a non-partisan pro-business group, released last week a comparison of U.S. states in terms of personal income taxes. Maine scored 48th in the nation when comparing personal income taxes. "Why does the personal income tax matter? First, income tax rates impact decisions regarding where people live, work, invest and take risks. Second, most businesses - about 89 percent or 90 percent - pay the personal income tax as sole proprietorships, partnerships or S-Corporations - rather than the corporate income tax."

These come after the SBSC also gave Maine poor grades two weeks ago in terms of small business friendliness. Maine ranked near the end of the list at 48th in terms of policies the state follows when working with businesses.
According to SBSC chief economist Raymond J. Keating,author of the study, "The 'Small Business Survival Index 2003' compares how governments in the states treat small businesses and entrepreneurs. Since small business serves as the backbone of the U.S. economy-for example, by providing the bulk of new jobs and being a font of innovation-every state and local lawmaker should be concerned with how their policies impact small business."

Keating continued, "The best policy environment for entrepreneurship consists of low taxes, limited government, restrained regulation, and government protecting life, limb and property. States following such a governing philosophy will reap great rewards from America's entrepreneurs, including faster economic growth and increased job creation."