News Briefs

Are You Missing a Tax Refund?

Database at www.ntu.org Is the Easiest Choice to Find It
(Alexandria, VA) -- Nearly 90,000 Americans are missing out on $73 million in federal income tax refunds they're legally owed, but an online database from the non-profit National Taxpayers Union (NTU) that is quicker and much easier to use than the IRS's online version can help people find out if there's money waiting for them. The address is www.ntu.org.

Each year, thousands of income tax refund checks are returned to the IRS as undeliverable because the taxpayer has moved, changed his or her name, or simply because the check has an incomplete or improper address. The database, which NTU has provided as a public service since 2001, is designed to provide the maximum flexibility of search options (by full name, partial name, or state), so users can find refunds that may be in limbo because of these problems.

Although the IRS's website also has an interactive refund feature, the agency requires taxpayers to provide a refund amount and other information that makes it difficult to use for citizens who aren't sure whether they have a refund coming, or who can't remember how much it might be. The NTU website also allows taxpayers to easily check for refunds on behalf of friends and relatives. If they have a refund to claim, then the NTU site directs taxpayers to the IRS toll-free number or the IRS website where they can securely claim their refund.

NTU has taken over 50 pages of IRS computer files and compiled them into an easy-to-search database, located at www.ntu.org. The 350,000-member National Taxpayers Union was founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, the elimination of wasteful spending, and accountable government at all levels.

Cumberland County Budget hearing schedule
The Cumberland County Commissioners and the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) have set their schedule for public hearings for their proposed FY 05 Cumberland County budget. There was a hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 23, however, the notice came too late for press time last week. There are two more hearings, Monday, November 29, at 6 p.m. at Naples Town Hall on Lamb's Hill Rd. Also, Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at Cumberland County Courthouse at 142 Federal St in Portland (Please use Newbury Street entrance).

Animal Control Complaints for New Gloucester - October 2004
Compiled by Heather Phinney, ACO

10-3-2004: There was a call to go to Bluff Circle for chickens that were killed by a dog. There was no dog there and the chicken's owner did not see anything.

10-4-2004: I received a call that there were dogs at-large on town farm road. There were no dogs in the area when I arrived.

10-19-2004: There was a call to go to Mayall Road for a stray dog. There was no dog when I got there.

10-27-2004: There were two stray dogs on Tufts Road. I responded and returned them to their owner.

10-28-2004: I received a call from a concerned citizen about a dog on the Outlet Road that was being abused. When I responded, the dog had food, water and shelter.

10-31-2004: There was a complaint that on Brackett Road there were 2 dogs at-large. I spoke with the owner

Maine Progressive Caucus holds Founding Convention in Augusta Gray man elected Vice-President of new party

Augusta--A year ago, they supported different Democratic presidential candidates. But this week a number of Maine political activists - many veterans of the Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich campaigns - came together to form the Maine Progressive Caucus, an organization through which they hope to promote progressive causes and candidates, as well as return the Democratic Party to its populist roots.

The caucus' founding convention was held Sunday at the University of Maine in Augusta, drawing progressives from York to Washington Counties. In a resolution session following the passage of bylaws and election of officers, the group demanded the United States "immediately turn over the security of Iraq to the United Nations; and immediately withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq." It also called on the U.S. government "to defer to the United Nations to effect a just, two-state settlement for Israel and Palestine."

The Caucus urged the Maine Congressional delegation to oppose a Central American Free Trade Agreement, and insisted that all persons in the United States be entitled to equal protection under the law, including family and marriage law, as provided by the fourteenth amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The 14th amendment reads, in part, "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Among the activists gathered were elected public officials, political party office holders and members of state, county and municipal Democratic committees, as well as some Green Party members who had become involved in the Dean and Kucinich campaigns.

Under the bylaws as approved Sunday, membership in the caucus itself is open to any Maine person regardless of party affiliation if they support the values of the Caucus, but officers and board members will be members of the Democratic Party. The sentiment among those in favor of that policy was that since one objective of the caucus was to work within the Democratic party to effect change in party structure and operation, it was important that leadership of the caucus have standing in the party.

Officers elected were: Scott Ruffner, Bangor, president; Christopher Miller, Gray, vice-president; David Bright, Dixmont, secretary; and Seth Berner, Portland, Treasurer.

The members of the new board come from seven counties across the state. They are Shlomit Auciello, Warren; Marina Delune, Belfast; Ed Democracy, Portland; Rita Moran, Winthrop: Pat Pellegrini; Milbridge; Becky Younger, Woolwich; Jean Hay Bright, Dixmont; Roxanne Munksgaard, Bangor; and Carl Pease, Hampden.

Information about the founding convention, chapter activities and events, as well as online membership, can be found at www.mainecaucus.net. The text of the resolutions passed by the Maine Progressive Caucus Nov. 14, 2004, at its founding convention in Augusta, Maine, can be read at http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/news/pda_iraq_statement.php

New Republican Leadership chosen

Augusta-- Republican members of the 122nd Maine House of Representatives held a caucus today at the Augusta Country Club and selected a new leadership team. Rep. David Bowles (Sanford), will replace term-limited Rep. Joe Bruno (Raymond), as House Republican Leader. Filling the vacancy as Assistant House Republican created when Rep. Bowles decided to run for House Republican Leader will be Rep. Josh Tardy (Newport).

The Republican members of the House of Representatives left the caucus united and energized to work towards common sense solutions for tax reform, lowering health insurance costs, creating more government accountability, and balancing the state budget without raising taxes and fees.

Leadership Biographies: Currently serving in his third term, David Bowles is the State Representative for House District 9, part of Sanford. He was born and raised in the Finger Lakes area of Western New York. In 1964, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and spent 1965 and 1966 serving a tour of duty in Vietnam. Rep. Bowles moved to Maine in 1968. Over the following 10 years, he worked in accounting management positions for several Fortune 500 companies. It was in 1978 that he purchased "Sports Stop," a retail sporting goods business in Sanford.

Rep. Bowles served on the Joint Standing Committee on Business & Economic Development in his first term and later served on the Taxation Committee following his re-election to the 120th Maine State Legislature. Rep. Bowles is the Assistant Floor Leader for the House Republican Caucus and, as such, is a member of the Legislative Council and Budget sub-committee.

Josh Tardy is serving his first term in the Maine Legislature representing District 125, which includes Corinth, Charleston, Exeter, Newport and Stetson. He is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation and also served on the Apportionment Commission, the group charged with reconfiguring the House and Senate districts in Maine following the decennial census.