News Briefs

SAD15 makes last minute budget change

Due to an unexpected last minute drop in state funding, SAD15 has decided to remove all day kindergarten from the budget, and offer it as a separate free-standing article on the Warrant. This will enable voters to make a decision on whether or not to approve starting the new all day kindergarten program separately from whether or not they support the rest of the school budget. A Public Hearing on the budget is scheduled for 6 pm on May 19th at the School Board meeting at the New Gloucester Meeting House.

State Regulator Revokes Loan Broker's License

Augusta, Maine: Maine's chief mortgage regulator today revoked the loan broker license of Lighthouse Mortgage, LLC of Cape Elizabeth, citing consumer complaints, financial irresponsibility and failure to promptly respond to State investigators.

In an order issued Wednesday, Will Lund, director of the Office of Consumer Credit Regulation found that "in dealings with clients, Lighthouse's failure to abide by the general standards of professional conduct resulted in a fundamental unfairness to its customers," and that "as a consequence of noncompliance with the Consumer Credit Code and sound business practices, Lighthouse is unfit to conduct business as a loan broker."

Within a short period during 2003, the Office of Consumer Credit Regulation received complaints against Lighthouse from five different consumers, according to Lund. Allegations ranged from undue mortgage application delays and surprise closing costs, to lost locked-in rates and claims that Paul Lavallee, the principal of Lighthouse, signed consumers' names to a document without the consumers' knowledge or permission. When state regulators contacted Lighthouse to investigate the complaints, the company did not respond promptly, even though the company was already subject to a written disciplinary agreement with the State under which it agreed to be responsive to regulators' concerns.

Evidence produced at the three-day hearing in March demonstrated that Lighthouse's business checking account and its consumer escrow account were both routinely overdrawn. The order also cites evidence that Lighthouse failed to pay for a state audit of its activities, failed to pay an appraiser's bill even after the appraiser obtained a court judgment, and used its consumer escrow account for personal expenses on one or more occasions.

Under the order, Lavallee and his wife, the other principal of the company, cannot apply for a license for at least two years. However, they are not prohibited from seeking employment with another licensed loan broker, so long as their new employer presents a plan to supervise the Lavallees and take responsibility for their activities.

Lighthouse is prohibited from accepting new customers, and must wind up all pending business by July 16, 2004.

Under Maine law, Lighthouse has 30 days to appeal the order.

The order can be found on the Consumer Credit Regulation Office Web site at www.state.me.us/pfr/ccp/Enforcement/Lighthouse.doc.

The Office of Consumer Credit Regulation is part of the Department of Professional & Financial Regulation, whose mission is to protect Maine consumers and encourage sound ethical business practices through high quality, impartial and efficient regulation of insurers, financial institutions and numerous professions and occupations.

Gray Airman graduates
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Trevor J. Leone has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.Leone's parents are Robert and Kerry Leone of Blueberry Lane, Gray, Maine.
The airman graduated from Gray New Gloucester High School, Gray.

"BELIEVE IN ME"… (MAINE)
By Rep. Susan W. Austin

As state representative to Gray and part of New Gloucester, serving on the Business Research and Economic Development committee, I have come to sense that Maine citizens most often hear the woeful news; it is the hopeful happenings in our state that often go untold. Hence, I share with you the following:

*This year's New England Products Trade Show 2nd Place Award in "Specialty Foods" went to Pemberton's Gourmet Foods, Jeff & Sarah Johnson of Main Street, Gray, Maine. Congratulations!

*In March 2004, UMaine received a patent for a reinforced building panel that increases the structural strength of a typical home. The University will have the right to license the technology for commercial development. The panel is expected to be helpful in regions of the country at risk for high wind and seismic events. In January 2003 I witnessed testing of this material in a visit with engineers at the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center at Orono.This is the 6th patent approved from research done at the Center since it opened in 2000.

*Stewardship of Sebago Lake, our Regional Treasure……May 19th at St. Joseph's College, Windham, there will be a symposium for elected and appointed officials from all of the municipalities in the Sebago Watershed and member of the Portland Water District. This will be an opportunity for input toward an action plan that will guide future uses of the lake. This event is sponsored by the Town of Standish, Lake Region Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph's College and the Standish Legislative Delegation.

*UMaine food scientists are putting blueberries into burgers made of beef, chicken and turkey to improve their texture and nutritional value…imagine cancer-fighting antioxidants with vitamins in our burgers!
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*Maine Film Office Director, Lea Girardin, attended the Academy Awards Ceremony Feb. 29, 04. Her invitation came from her work with Shadow Distribution, a Waterville company with screen distribution rights to an Oscar-nominated documentary "The Weather Underground." She also visited DreamWorks, and HBO which filmed "Empire Falls" in Maine in 2003. That project contributed to a $46.1 MILLION economic impact for the Film Office that year.

Austin represents Gray and part of New Gloucester. She lives in Gray and can be reached at 657-4100 or swaustin@maine.rr.com

Legion honorees

The Gray Post, Unit and Squadron No. 86, The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and The Sons of the American Legion hosted the First District Testimonial honoring the District Commander Paul Gerrish of Windham, the District President, Beverly L. Prince of Gray and First District Sons of the American Commander, Eliot L. Emerson also of Gray.

Representative Susan M. Austin presented Beverly with an Official Expression of Sentiment from the Senate and House of Representatives, State of Maine. Pam Wilkinson, Chairman of the Gray Town Council brought greeting and congratulations from the Town of Gray, not only for her work with the American Legion Auxiliary and American Legion but for her selection as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year for the Town of Gray.

She mentioned that citizens and children of the Town of Gray benefit from her endless generosity. Also in attendance were Legionnaires, Auxiliary and Sons of the American from all over the State and family members and friends.Right, Pam Wilkinson, Beverly Prince, Rep. Susan Austin

Today Bev continues her volunteer work with the American Legion Auxiliary, the First Congregational Church, The Maine Wildlife Park and any other task that is asked of her. She belongs to the Fraterenal order of the Eagles in New Gloucester, a life member of the Amvets Post #6, The Dav, The Lafemmes Cabane 1003 where she has held many offices. She is Commissaire Intendent of the Grande Cabane and Cabane 1003 and served as Grande La Presidente, Grande Gabane de Maine.

She is memeber of the 8 & 40, Salone 43 and was presented honorary life membership in the American Legion Auxilary from her unit. In 1978 she became a Vim member. In 1971 she became the SGT at Arms for the department of Maine where she served for twenty years. Bev has been in the American Legion Auxiliary for 55 years. Her mother Virgie and her dad George who were very active in the Gray Post and Unit gave her inspiration to serve the American Legion family.