News Briefs

Methamphetamine Legislation presented at State House
From the Maine Senate, Office of the President

Augusta - A bill to stem the increase of methamphetamine manufacturing in Maine was discussed at a press conference Monday on the front steps of the State House in Augusta. The Legislation, proposed by Attorney General Steven Rowe, will prohibit the over-the counter sale of solid pills of cold medicines commonly containing the ingredients from which meth is made. The pills would remain available through pharmacists.
Senate President Beth Edmonds is the Sponsor of this Legislation. Senator Edmonds cited statistics that illustrated the recent increase of meth in Maine. From fiscal years 2003 to 2004, the most recent year-to-year comparisons are exponential. Illicit manufacturing arrests are up from 4 to 12. Treatment admissions increased from 100 to 160, she said.

Speaker Richardson said that there was spoke of the solid support behind the bill with well over legislators.

Kimberly Johnson, Director of the Office of Substance Abuse described additional problems caused by meth, saying that Methamphetamine is unlike other drugs of abuse in that it can be made at home with a process easily found on the Internet and materials that can be purchased at any store. The home manufacture of methamphetamine creates a toxic waste dump in the home and creates a fire and explosion hazard.
For details about this Legislation, please go to:
<http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280017506&LD=1601&Type=1&SessionID=6>

Mainers among 50 Most Influential Gardeners

North Yarmouth, Maine ‹ To the masses, they're rosarians, florists, scientist and gardeners who toil in relative obscurity for the love of their craft. In the world of horticulture, however, they're all leaders who are about to be recognized for their impact.
In a recent poll, the gardening magazine from Maine has named the 50 Most Influential Gardeners in the Northeast. To commemorate its Special Collector's 10th anniversary 50th edition , People, Places & Plants published the first-ever list of its kind to honor regional gardeners. Including people from the six New England states and New York, the poll is broken into five categories: Hobby, Professional, Non-Profit, Business and Education. According to the magazine, which was launched in Maine in 1995, the nomination process took more than a year and considered thousands of individuals.

The state of Maine was represented by nine of the 50 honorees, including: hobby gardener Charles Richards of Great Wass Island; orchid specialist John Mattor of Bar Mills, 'Plant a Row for the Hungry' activist Norman Steele of Cumberland; garden preservationist Lee Dassler of South Paris; radio host Paul Parent of Kennebunk; herbalist Deb Soule of Rockport; organic farmer and author Eliot Coleman of Harborside; seedsman Rob Johnston Jr. of Albion; and compost marketer Carlos Quijano of Portland.
The current edition also includes the annual directory of Garden Tours, with 185 listed from Maine to New York. The Garden Center directory lists 540 independently owned businesses, with descriptions and contact information.
For more information about this edition, go to www.ppplants.com or call 800-251-1784.

USPS National Association Of Letter Carriers Food Drive To Be Held On Saturday, May 14, 2005
The National Association of Letter Carriers will be collecting non-perishable food for the needy on Saturday, May 14, 2005, from Postal Service customers statewide. Postal customers can simply place their food donations near their mail receptacles on the morning of May 14th. All donated food that letter carriers collect in Maine will be used to replenish local food pantries throughout the state. Food donors are asked not to leave out anything in glass containers or any perishable food for Letter Carriers to collect. Maine Governor John Baldacci has issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, May 14, 2005, to be Letter Carriers Food Drive Day throughout the state.