News Briefs

No regular mail delivery or retail service on Friday, June 11, as mark of respect for former President Ronald W. Reagan
Portland, MAINE - There will be no regular mail delivery or retail service at postal facilities nationwide, including all Maine Post Offices, on Friday, June 11, as the Postal Service honors the memory of former President Ronald Reagan by observing a National Day of Mourning.

Express Mail will be delivered.

All postal units, including Headquarters, Area and District administrative offices will observe this day of mourning.

Regular delivery and retail operations will resume Saturday, June 12.
Business mailers who had planned to deposit large mail volumes at Postal Service Bulk Mail Acceptance Units on Friday should contact their mail acceptance facilities, to determine if there are any changes to acceptance dates and times.


Mainers Invited To Sign Sympathy Album In Honor Of President Ronald Reagan

Album open to public at Senator Susan Collins' office in Biddeford
Biddeford - Senator Susan Collins has set up in her Biddeford State Office a simple display to honor the memory of President Ronald Reagan, who passed away over the weekend. She is also inviting the public to come into the office to sign a Sympathy Album that will be forwarded to the Reagan family.

The Sympathy Book will be available for written comments from 8:30am to 5:30pm, Monday through Friday, at Senator Collins office at 160 Main Street in Biddeford. The book will remain open during the 30-day period of national mourning for President Reagan. After this time, the album will be presented to President Reagan's family.

REALIZE!(tm) Maine Initiative Research Published
Augusta - As part of the Governor's REALIZE!Maine initiative, two research papers and a survey have been conducted in order to understand more completely the changes in the state's population - particularly changes in the population of young adults age 20-34.

Specifically, Maine's Changing Population: A Summary of Structural Changes, Mobility & Regional Variations examines demographic trends. Maine Youth Migration Profiles 1995-2000 uses the 2000 US Census Data to look at the characteristics of individuals aged 20-34 who moved from, to or within Maine during the period of 1995-2000. And Pan Atlantic Consultants/Strategic Marketing Services conducted a survey to gain insights into the reasons why Maine youth decide to stay or leave the state.

The Governor raised his concerns about the changes in Maine's demographics in his inaugural address, and pledged his commitment to pull together Maine's young adults to learn more about the conditions leading to migration of this population. REALIZE!Maine is a result of his pledge.

Much has been made over the last several years about the loss of Maine's young adult population. Census data showed that between 1990-2000 Maine lost a significant percent of its population age 20-34. While Maine is not the only state dealing with the issues of youth migration, it ranks near the national average (29th) for the period of 1995-2000, Maine's population is older and growing slower than the national average.

The research reveals that while young Mainers age 20-34 have indeed declined as a percent of state population, this is largely due to a net increase in older residents and a low birthrate. Other contributors include the fact that young adults are the most mobile segment of a very mobile population - and in particular, the exodus of many of Maine's high school graduates who pursue degrees outside the state - and special circumstances like the closing of Loring Air Force Base.

Research also indicates regional disparities in youth population and youth patterns. Most of those young people who moved within Maine stay within their general north or south region. The trend is much movement of young adults in a local area and towards a more urban setting. Survey results may provide additional insight into these regional trends. Particularly those results that indicate the primary reason individuals decide to remain in Maine is to remain close to their family. And that parents and family members tend to strongly influence those deciding to stay in Maine, but the survey indicates they play a lesser role with those leaving.
To learn how to become more involved, visit www.realizemaine.org

Haitian boy to receive care
Brunswick - Martin's Point Health Care, along with Nordx Laboratories, Midcoast Hospital and the Maine Eye Center, are donating medical services to care for a 6-year-old orphan boy from Haiti who has come to Maine for eye surgery and treatment for a variety of other medical problems.
Dr. Deborah Patten, M.D., a physician with Martin's Point Health Care in Brunswick who volunteered in Haiti early in her medical career, is leading the team providing general care for the child.

This is the first year of a program to bring children of Haiti to Maine for donated medical services. The program, called Children's Medical Missions, is under the auspices of Knightsbridge International. Tracy Peck-Moad, the boy's American host mother, approached Dr. Patten to provide the care.
To date, the boy, whose name is Romil Cireus, has received a range of health care services including general exams and testing, immunizations and treatment of specific infections. He continues to be evaluated for other possible medical issues.

In 1981, Dr. Patten was the first non-Haitian permitted to work in the general hospital in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

UMaine Chancellor To Hold Public Hearing At L-A College On System Merger
Augusta-As a result of a request from Senator Peggy Rotundo
(D-Androscoggin County) of Lewiston, and Senator Neria Douglass (D-Androscoggin County) of Auburn, University of Maine Chancellor Joseph Westphal, has agreed to hold a public hearing in the Lewiston-Auburn area regarding the proposed merger of the University System.

Elsa Nunez, the University of Maine System's Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, will be representing the University System, as will University of Maine at Augusta President Charles Lyons, and University of Southern Maine President Richard Pattenaude. The meeting will be held at the Lewiston-Auburn College from 5:30-7:30 pm on Thursday, June 10th.