The Rumford Reporter

Soldiers Call to Rumford Police Department for Assistance with Soldier in Need Turned Worst Nightmare for Both by Officers

2011-10-06T22:27:00.000-04:00

Insider Report: Obama Administration Intends to Unionize U.S. Military with Executive Order :

2011-09-13T11:23:00.000-04:00

Insider Report: Obama Administration Intends to Unionize U.S. Military with Executive Order :

Town of Rumford Puts Lien on Property for Taxes Due in April 2011 without Notifying Owner

2011-09-08T16:28:00.001-04:00

Do you have unpaid taxes as of April 2011? If so, you might as well skip the tax collector and go straight to the town clerk's office because your property now has a lien placed on it. I don't care if they don't have to legally notify the owner that they are going to put a lien on the property or not, it is unethical and not very good customer service to place a lien on the property without first notifying the property owner. Considering we live in a town that has hundreds and hundreds of people who have unpaid taxes, it makes one curious why the Town of Rumford would choose to handle the unpaid property taxes in this way. Is it because they are hard up for cash due to the current situation with the mill? Is it because they have the mentality that if they are going down so is everybody else? Is it because they don't care about customer service and the community in general? Is it because they want to trap people by wrecking their credit scores and ability to buy property elsewhere? Or is it because they are just plain evil?

Something to think about: If you own property here in Rumford and you don't have a mortgage on that piece of property, make sure that you keep up with your taxes. If you don't, the Town of Rumford will put a lien on the property and at any point can decide that they will no longer accept payment from you and take your property. If you have a mortgage on your home, you are in a better position ironically. The Town of Rumford will have to duke it out with your big bad mortgage company who has the financial resources to stomp them deep into the ground if messed with. So, who is the Town going to go after? Little ole you who either forgot to pay them or can't afford to pay them OR the big bad multi-billion dollar mortgage company who will kick Jennifer Kreckle, Town Attorney's ass all over the courtroom?

Everyone thought or thinks that Carlo Puiia, (Town Manager) is a nice guy. Not so. He is just as sneaky and conniving as the rest of them have been. But, he is worse because he portrays himself as some nice guy who understands when in fact he is working behind the scenes to take care of himself, his bloated budgets, and his flock of underworked personnel. He doesn't give a damn about the taxpayer just like the rest of the fools we have had sitting in his office since Bob Welch. He is the one who okayed this new protocol of putting a lien on your house if you have not paid your taxes from this past APRIL 2011. Carlo Puiia is not a true Mainer or a true neighbor because he is showing his true colors by putting the screws to his neighbors and community prematurely in any way that he can. I'm sure that a lot of us can attest to the fact that they have been late before or simply forgot to pay their taxes and their home did not get a lien placed on it that soon. This is a new protocol now in place because of Carlo Puiia and the same goons some of you elected to the Board of Selectman again.

By the way, thanks for putting the same completely unprofessional, totally ignorant, small minded fools back on the Board and back in the Town Attorney's position again. I'm sure the rest of us will appreciate what you have done for years to come. NOT. Maybe Steve Eldridge will move to Rumford and be the Town Manager again. He can pick up where he left off. Who votes these people in? Are they rigging the votes too? Everybody complains about how things are done around here yet nobody ever admits to voting the fools in or wants to do anything about it. On behalf of those that did not vote for them, thanks a lot. The new 'old' board will throw you under the bus without even thinking twice. And, they have Carlo Puiia to carry out their dirty work with a smile on his face.

The Lisbon Reporter: Another Resident Sickened With Current Council Actions

2011-09-08T14:48:00.001-04:00

The Lisbon Reporter: Another Resident Sickened With Current Council Act...: Actions speak louder than words! Lisbon Town Council showed their true colors last night and it wasn’t pretty. I had ...

The Lisbon Reporter: Councilor Collusion Continues, A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS

2011-09-08T14:15:00.001-04:00

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A MORTGAGE ON YOUR HOUSE, YOU ESPECIALLY NEED TO KEEP CURRENT WITH YOUR TAXES. THE TOWN OF RUMFORD HAS BUDDIES THAT TAKE PROPERTIES FOR UNPAID TAXES IF THERE IS NO MORTGAGE. IT IS THE PERFECT SCAM TO HELP THEM DIG THEMSELVES OUT OF THE MESS THAT WILL OCCUR WHEN THE MILL DOESN'T PAY THEIR TAXES. PROTECT YOURSELF!!!

The Lisbon Reporter: Councilor Collusion Continues, A SAD STATE OF AFF...: To Call Last Night's Town Council Meeting Anything Else Would Be An Insult To All In Attendance. Lisbon Voters You Need To Wake Up and ...

NewPage Corporation Launches Process to Restructure Debt and Position Overall Business for Long-Term Success - MarketWatch

2011-09-08T13:40:00.000-04:00

NewPage Corporation Launches Process to Restructure Debt and Position Overall Business for Long-Term Success - MarketWatch

NewPage to reorganize with $600M DIP loan - The Deal Pipeline

2011-09-08T13:39:00.003-04:00

NewPage to reorganize with $600M DIP loan - The Deal Pipeline

Bankruptcy battle could leave Newpage overlevered says CreditSights

2011-09-08T13:39:00.001-04:00

Bankruptcy battle could leave Newpage overlevered says CreditSights

Cerberus-Owned Paper Maker Files For Bankruptcy, Saves Some Money On Taxes « Dealbreaker: Wall Street Insider

2011-09-08T13:37:00.000-04:00

Cerberus-Owned Paper Maker Files For Bankruptcy, Saves Some Money On Taxes « Dealbreaker: Wall Street Insider – Financial News, Headlines, Commentary and Analysis – Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Banks

WGME 13 Top Stories - Rumford paper mill's owners file for bankruptcy

2011-09-08T13:35:00.000-04:00

The Bankruptcy Files: Paper Cuts, a Saab Story, a Solar Power Outage, and Not-So-Sunny Hawaii

2011-09-08T13:34:00.000-04:00

The Bankruptcy Files: Paper Cuts, a Saab Story, a Solar Power Outage, and Not-So-Sunny Hawaii

WGME 13 Top Stories - UPDATE: Rumford paper mill's owners file for bankruptcy

2011-09-08T13:27:00.000-04:00

Owner of Rumford paper mill files for Chapter 11 | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

2011-09-08T13:26:00.000-04:00

Owner of Rumford paper mill files for Chapter 11 | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

NewPage Needs Loan Tomorrow to Keep Operating, Lawyer Says - Businessweek

2011-09-08T13:24:00.000-04:00

NewPage Needs Loan Tomorrow to Keep Operating, Lawyer Says - Businessweek

Troubled NewPage falls into bankruptcy reorganization - Business First

2011-09-08T13:23:00.000-04:00

Troubled NewPage falls into bankruptcy reorganization - Business First

NewPage's Bankruptcy Touches Off A Tussle Among Bondholders - WSJ.com

2011-09-08T13:22:00.000-04:00

NewPage's Bankruptcy Touches Off A Tussle Among Bondholders - WSJ.com

S&P cuts NewPage ratings after bankruptcy filing - Business Week

2011-09-08T13:20:00.000-04:00

S&P cuts NewPage ratings after bankruptcy filing - BusinessWeek

NewPage bankruptcy outlined with cold clarity - Editorials - The Chronicle Herald

2011-09-08T13:19:00.000-04:00

NewPage bankruptcy outlined with cold clarity - Editorials - TheChronicleHerald.ca

Madoff, NewPage, Raser, Doral, Garlock, Sbarro: Bankruptcy - Businessweek

2011-09-08T13:18:00.000-04:00

Madoff, NewPage, Raser, Doral, Garlock, Sbarro: Bankruptcy - Businessweek

NewPage's bankruptcy court filing unsettles an industry the state relies on - JSOnline

2011-09-08T13:17:00.000-04:00

NewPage's bankruptcy court filing unsettles an industry the state relies on - JSOnline

NewPage files for bankruptcy | Mainebiz

2011-09-08T13:15:00.000-04:00

NewPage files for bankruptcy | Mainebiz

NewPage files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy - Appleton Post Crescent

2011-09-08T13:12:00.000-04:00

NewPage files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy | Appleton Post Crescent | postcrescent.com

NewPage Employees Spared for Now; Town of Rumford Not So Much

2011-09-08T13:08:00.001-04:00

Largest paper manufacturer in North America filing for bankruptcy - NECN

2011-09-08T13:01:00.000-04:00

Largest paper manufacturer in North America filing for bankruptcy

NewPage Announces Bankruptcy Filing - Bangor Daily News

2011-09-08T13:00:00.000-04:00

NewPage announces bankruptcy filing - Maine news, sports, obituaries, weather - Bangor Daily News

Death of a Massachusetts National Guardsman veteran-and the Massachusetts National Guard SAPR is STILL THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY « Feminist in Combat Boots

2011-07-30T16:15:00.000-04:00

Death of a Massachusetts National Guardsman veteran-and the Massachusetts National Guard SAPR is STILL THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY « Feminist in Combat Boots

Complaints against a SARC makes a SARC unjustly awarded the Best SARC of the year award-the story of Lt. Lori A. Alix « Feminist in Combat Boots

2011-07-30T16:14:00.000-04:00

Complaints against a SARC makes a SARC unjustly awarded the Best SARC of the year award-the story of Lt. Lori A. Alix « Feminist in Combat Boots

Tell AG Holder: Respect State Medical Marijuana Laws

2011-07-11T19:39:00.000-04:00

Share a link on Twitter

WGME 13 Top Stories - Senate OKs bill to legalize fireworks in Maine

2011-06-30T12:01:00.000-04:00

National Parks of America

2011-06-27T15:26:00.000-04:00

The Lisbon Reporter: The "OFFICIAL" 2011 Moxie T-Shirts on sale now at Kennebec's Moxie Store

2011-06-25T21:09:00.000-04:00

The Lisbon Reporter: The "OFFICIAL" 2011 Moxie T-Shirts on sale now at Kennebec's Moxie Store

Medical marijuana doctor expands to Falmouth | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

2011-06-25T16:41:00.000-04:00

Medical marijuana doctor expands to Falmouth | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

LePage says new $6.1 billion state budget is just the beginning — Maine Politics — Bangor Daily News

2011-06-25T16:33:00.000-04:00

LePage says new $6.1 billion state budget is just the beginning — Maine Politics — Bangor Daily News

What are the White House and Federal Reserve up to?

2011-06-25T11:34:00.001-04:00

What are the White House and Federal Reserve up to?

Service Women's Action Network (SWAN)

2011-06-24T17:38:00.000-04:00

Service Women's Action Network (SWAN)

Where's the Oversight? Service Women's Action Network

2011-06-24T17:37:00.000-04:00

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Where-s-the-oversight-.html?soid=1105531002691&aid=eT5K38PhV08

Mollidgewock State Park, Errol, New Hampshire

2011-06-24T17:16:00.003-04:00

Governor LePage signs bill ending same-day voter registration

2011-06-24T16:35:00.002-04:00

Governor LePage signs concealed weapons bills into law

2011-06-24T16:34:00.000-04:00

Maine Environmentalists vow to continue fighting wind power

2011-06-24T16:33:00.001-04:00

Count me in...

WGME 13 Top Stories - Environmentalists vow to continue fighting wind power

Governor LePage signs off on medical marijuana law

2011-06-24T16:32:00.000-04:00

Welcome to WaterBead Creations, a Northern Maine based company

2011-06-24T16:31:00.002-04:00

WaterBead Creations is a company based out of Northern Maine.

Bristol Palin Throws Thesaurus At Keith Olbermann

2011-06-24T15:05:00.001-04:00

Check out the comments section? Are these the same people who bitch blog in Rumford? Wow, eerily similar. And, isn't it the ELITISTS who hate her? I guess you can include the UNIONS now, too. I can't imagine an Elitist would talk that way... It's beneath them, like Sarah Palin.

Bristol Palin Throws Thesaurus At Keith Olbermann

Ron Paul, Barney Frank to jointly introduce bill to end federal war on marijuana

2011-06-23T00:45:00.000-04:00

Politics, national, California, Washington, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Republican, Democrat, president, election - Top of the Ticket - latimes.com

Nation News in Brief, June 22 | United States | Epoch Times

2011-06-22T23:57:00.000-04:00

Nation News in Brief, June 22 | United States | Epoch Times

North Dakotans Flee Epic Flood | United States | Epoch Times

2011-06-22T23:55:00.000-04:00

North Dakotans Flee Epic Flood | United States | Epoch Times

Thousands Turn Out For Empire State Building's Annual No-Hassle Suicide Day | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

2011-06-22T23:46:00.000-04:00

Thousands Turn Out For Empire State Building's Annual No-Hassle Suicide Day | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

AP Exclusive: Medicaid for the middle class? - Yahoo! News

2011-06-22T23:12:00.000-04:00

AP Exclusive: Medicaid for the middle class? - Yahoo! News

Stay at Biltmore - Inn on Biltmore Estate - Rates and Reservations

2011-06-22T22:49:00.000-04:00

Stay at Biltmore - Inn on Biltmore Estate - Rates and Reservations

Union bill faces intense debate | Mainebiz

2011-06-22T16:26:00.000-04:00

Union bill faces intense debate | Mainebiz

Millsfield ATV Trails in Errol, New Hampshire

2011-06-21T16:53:00.002-04:00

Lisbon, Maine Has TWO Unrelated Websites Reporting on Local Corruption

2011-06-21T16:42:00.001-04:00

Maybe there is some hope...

Lisbon Maine

Errol, New Hampshire

2011-06-21T00:41:00.000-04:00

Roxbury ATV Club rides for Hope | Sun Journal

2011-06-17T15:18:00.000-04:00

Roxbury ATV Club rides for Hope | Sun Journal

Former Town of Rumford Auditor Harold Blake Fined $7,500 License Immediately Revoked - River Valley Sun

2011-06-17T15:16:00.000-04:00

River Valley Sun

The union-owned Democrats - The Washington Post

2011-06-17T15:08:00.001-04:00

The union-owned Democrats - The Washington Post

Councilor follows firetruck, posts video of the trip | Sun Journal

2011-06-17T15:08:00.000-04:00

Councilor follows firetruck, posts video of the trip | Sun Journal

Auburn Councilor Mike Farrell's Fire Truck Video (rotated compliments of the SJ)

2011-06-17T15:07:00.000-04:00

Center Hill at Mt Blue State Park (Weld, Maine)

2011-06-17T02:18:00.000-04:00

Webb Beach at Mt Blue State Park (Weld, Maine)

2011-06-16T15:25:00.000-04:00

Justice Wins Out in Wisconsin on New Labor Law | The Foundry

2011-06-15T12:27:00.000-04:00

Justice Wins Out in Wisconsin on New Labor Law | The Foundry

Pot bill snuffed in Maine House | Sun Journal

2011-06-15T12:25:00.000-04:00

Pot bill snuffed in Maine House | Sun Journal

Maine Vocals Presents Freedom Fest in Harmony, Maine (June 17-19)

2011-06-14T14:42:00.000-04:00

Michele Bachmann: I'm Running for President

2011-06-14T14:30:00.000-04:00

Romney's Message: Believe in America because WE are NOT a "Bump in the Road"

2011-06-14T14:24:00.000-04:00

Blocking Police Brutality with CopBlock.org

2011-06-14T13:31:00.001-04:00

Get the Truth and Embrace It Generation X

2011-06-14T12:02:00.000-04:00

Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park (Maine)

2011-06-13T23:03:00.001-04:00

Bourbon Street in New Orleans

2011-06-13T21:49:00.000-04:00

COPWATCHERS YouTube Site

2011-06-13T19:28:00.000-04:00

Bustin' a Move at the Jericho ATV Tract, Berlin, NH

2011-06-13T19:13:00.002-04:00

More Fun at the Jericho ATV Tract (Berlin, NH)

2011-06-13T19:12:00.001-04:00

Jericho Mountain State Park, Berlin, NH

2011-06-12T22:23:00.007-04:00

Jericho Mountain ATV Tract

Parasailing in the Turks & Caicos

2011-06-06T10:50:00.000-04:00

I Love You Dad

2011-06-06T10:37:00.000-04:00

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

2011-05-17T23:40:00.002-04:00

Topless coffee shop gets ready to close | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

2011-05-07T10:34:00.000-04:00

Vassalboro is now suspect in my eyes. Sounds gestapo like to me.

Topless coffee shop gets ready to close | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

License of Hallowell auditor who managed Rumford's books questioned | Sun Journal

2011-05-05T21:27:00.000-04:00

License of Hallowell auditor who managed Rumford's books questioned | Sun Journal

Prescription drug collection totals 72.7 pounds in Rumford | Sun Journal

2011-05-05T21:26:00.000-04:00

Prescription drug collection totals 72.7 pounds in Rumford | Sun Journal

What does that tell us?

Not that the problem lies with the people in Rumford but that the Doctors in town are whacking everyone out on medications. Just sayin...

Cycle - For example, the Docs prescribe narcotics (& other stuff), people become dependent, people become desperate for the drug and are more apt to steal or do something they normally wouldn't do, the RPD takes advantage of the sufferers and uses their plight for statistics for budgetary reasons, lawyers get hired, fines get paid, time gets served, and the cycle continues. That one doctor helped to push all that money-making generating and kept people gainfully employed at the same time.

DEA believes Maine took in most drugs per capita during take-back day | Sun Journal

2011-05-05T21:06:00.000-04:00

DEA believes Maine took in most drugs per capita during take-back day | Sun Journal

M&W Farm & Greenhouses in Greenwood, Maine

2011-05-05T20:59:00.002-04:00

Rumford's Accounting/Audit Situation Being Investigated

2011-04-30T12:06:00.000-04:00

River Valley Sun

The Shenandoah National Park & Blue Ridge Skyline Drive

2011-04-27T23:53:00.002-04:00

Rumford's Town Audits Invalid for the Past 5 Years, Auditor NOT Licensed!

2011-04-27T19:48:00.001-04:00

River Valley Sun

Learn how to Navigate Under the Statehouse Dome - State Capitol

2011-04-27T15:17:00.002-04:00

While the elections are over, there is still much work to be done. We must continue to keep the pressure on our elected officials and ensure they promote policies that defend freedom and economic liberty.

Last summer and fall, Americans for Prosperity-Maine (AFP) and MHPC partnered to train more than 600 grassroots activists across the state, teaching skills to execute grassroots campaigns and other tactics to build support for our shared principles. These workshops proved to be wildly successful, and we are excited to team up with AFP once again.

During our next workshop, "Navigating Under the Dome," we will focus on the tools available to help maximize our success in public policy debates. Participants will learn how to successfully influence and testify at a legislative hearing, where to obtain research and historical records relating to public policy, and how to maximize your time when engaging your elected officials.

First Look: Julianne Moore as Governor Sarah Palin, Actress Cast as Bristol

2011-04-27T14:39:00.000-04:00

First Look: Julianne Moore as Governor Sarah Palin, Actress Cast as Bristol

Maine AG letter says DEP chief may be "unqualified" | Sun Journal

2011-04-27T14:22:00.000-04:00

Fair and Balanced in Maine; It's Been Years...

Maine AG letter says DEP chief may be "unqualified" | Sun Journal

Washington DC (District of Columbia)

2011-04-21T23:03:00.007-04:00

SarahPAC - Sarah Palin's Official PAC

2011-04-19T18:57:00.000-04:00

SarahPAC - Sarah Palin's Official PAC

Trump: I'm Running as a Republican, Period

2011-04-19T13:18:00.000-04:00

Trump: I'm Running as a Republican, Period

2010 census numbers reveal Maine's demographic changes | State

2011-03-24T20:25:00.000-04:00

2010 census numbers reveal Maine's demographic changes | State

Tongue Piercing 101

2011-03-18T15:00:00.000-04:00

Mystical Emporium, Auburn, Maine

Tongue Piercing at Mystical Emporium

2011-03-18T14:56:00.000-04:00

Fix Maine Welfare

2011-03-12T15:51:00.000-05:00

Fix Maine Welfare

Search State of Maine Welfare Charts

2011-03-12T15:49:00.001-05:00

MOG | Search State of Maine Welfare Charts

Make sure and check on the amount of money that gets poured into Rumford to assist the low income individuals and families.

We know they are not getting ahead. We have the most people on fixed incomes in Oxford County. This includes welfare, Social Security (SSI), and SSDI.

If we are getting so much money to assist the needy in Rumford (@ 18,000,000 million), why then do we have an increase in the amount of people on some form of government assistance?

The State and the Maine Policy Heritage Center are crunching those numbers as we speak and finding that government assistance as it is set up now is in fact keeping people caught up in a dependency cycle. They don't necessarily want to be on the assistance but have no choice. For example, if a single mom works and puts a couple kids in daycare, it is almost not worth the cost of the daycare when you can stay home and take care of the children yourself and get health insurance benefits. If the rent and food are paid for then those same folks are are even more inclined to stay at home and make sure their children turn out right, are safe, and have a parent that is available. I don't think too many people would choose to be poor because it won't get you rich but when you stop to think about survival and the love of family, you can understand why the welfare programs are labeled as a dependency.

As far as the folks on SSI and SSDI, if you have a legitimate issue then these programs are excellent ways to help you pay your bills because you can't work or would have a difficult time working in a employment setting. SSI is for those folks who haven't made enough to qualify for SSDI. SSDI, Social Security Disability Income, is taken from your paycheck. And , you should get yearly statements telling you how much you would qualify for if you became disabled or retired. You paid into this program and the amount given is dependent upon how much you have worked. Hold onto those.

Bill briefs: A quick rundown of bill highlights from the tri-county delegation | State

2011-03-12T10:39:00.000-05:00

Bill briefs: A quick rundown of bill highlights from the tri-county delegation | State

Video: Former Gov. Angus King Endorses Sun Journal Verification Policy

2011-03-12T10:25:00.000-05:00

Video: Former Gov. Angus King endorses Sun Journal verification policy | Our View

The New Verified Status Commenting Policy at the Sun Journal is Impressive

2011-03-11T22:19:00.002-05:00

Verified Status | Sun Journal

I am very impressed with the Sun Journal's efforts to find out how the readers felt about anonymous posters. The majority felt that people should use their real names. And, I am even more impressed that they implemented the Verified Status program. I would love the names of the cowards who used to write pure lies about me and people I care about in the comment sections of the Sun Journal. Those anonymous, gutless posters would never dare say the things they did if we knew who they really were. I stopped reading the Sun Journal because I thought that the commenting policy was reckless at best and the anonymous commenters were dragging down the integrity of the paper. The web department was definitely not given enough resources to keep up with the minions. Thank you Sun Journal. I applaud you.

Most Rumford Department Heads Seek Wage Hikes When Pitching Budgets

2011-03-11T22:05:00.002-05:00

Most Rumford dept heads seek wage hikes when pitching budgets | River Valley

Are they looking to empty the coffers until they run dry at the taxpayer's expense?

Most Americans have either lost their job or are working below their skill levels. American companies are restructuring and laying off folks and the federal unemployment rate continues to climb. But not "Under the Dome" in Rumford, Maine. No Sir. They are living high off the hog and taking care of themselves while the rest of us suffer through the economic recession. Do you really want to pay for this? All those town employees make pretty good money and have Cadillac health care benefits and Maine State Retirement benefits. The fact that a Department Head would come forward with a budget that was equal to or more then last year's budget is deplorable. The fact that they would ask for raises is incomprehensible.

We already know that the collective bargaining process will bring increases in the budget initiated by the Unions (RPD, RFD, & PWD) as this was stated in the newspaper. Is this a way for the Department Heads to feel like they are getting a fair shake because the Unions got an increase? Remember our Town Manager referred to the Town Hall Employees as a "family". Well if daddy sees the Unions getting a raise than it is only fair that the Department Heads get one too.

Are we going to continue to increase the budget and raise property taxes every year? The Town Manager mentioned that the budget has been cut by 12% over the last three years. That is because you had some dedicated and determined Board members and Finance Committee members that fought for the lower numbers. The first year we were successful at eliminating two police officer positions because there were two openings. It was the perfect opportunity to reduce the force of 14 to 12 without hurting anyone. We have had those chances time and time again but they are "family". The Fire Department took a blow as well but that department isn't as significant now that most of us understand that having UNION firefighters in Rumford, Maine is ludicrous. And they identify completely with their Union, as evidenced by their website, because they know that it is all they have left.

Since my first year on the Finance Committee, the Town of Rumford has separated department budgets from capital expenditures so when you look at one number it looks lower than the budget they really have. They have changed the course of initiated articles whereby you can now declare an emergency and get your money if you are not happy with the outcome of the vote. And, they have changed the Secret Ballot. Now, instead of having the Board's recommendation, the Finance Committee's recommendation, and ZERO, we have YES OR NO and how much. Three significant factors to change the outcomes of the votes in favor of the Town Hall and their supporters, i.e. Black Mountain Ski Area. And lastly, the health insurance and the Maine State Retirement are in a line item of the budget.

So, when making a decision about a particular department when voting on the secret ballot remember to add the Department's Budget + the Department's Capital Budget + Health Insurance/Retirement. I'm sure when you add all that up, you will find that it is taking precious resources from our town that could otherwise be used for economic development, community planning, beautification, demolition of unsafe buildings, and the Town's overall ability to invest in infrastructure for the good of the entire populace. If you haven't noticed, the ordinances that are passed are not for us, they are to make things easier for the Town Hall employees when dealing with us.

Stay tuned for the last three years of Budget Materials for the Town of Rumford. Look closely. If you are not sure what something means, ask. It is meant to confuse you. Just as the change on the Secret Ballot will do when you vote this year. NO and ZERO (0) are options.

Three Middle Schoolers Charged with Drug Felonies

2011-03-11T21:13:00.001-05:00

WLBZ2.com | Bangor, ME | 3 middle schoolers charged with drug felonies