Click HERE to Request Your Absentee Ballot!

Dear Maine Resident,

Voting is one of the fundamental rights we have as citizens of this state and country. Everyone should make an effort to cast a ballot at each election.

Maine law makes it easy to cast an absentee ballot. You don’t have to be out-of-town or have any other reason to take advantage of this easy way to vote at a time that is most convenient for you.

If you would like to vote by absentee ballot, I hope you will take a few moments to review the information below. Please contact your local clerk or my office if you have additional questions.

Make sure you have a voice in your future - cast a ballot.

Sincerely,
Matthew Dunlap
Secretary of State

Click HERE to Request Your Absentee Ballot!

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Absentee voting allows you to cast a ballot without going to a voting place on Election Day.
Who may vote absentee?

Any registered voter may cast an absentee ballot instead of voting in person at a voting place on Election Day.

You don’t need to have a specific reason or be unable to vote at the polls on Election Day to receive an absentee ballot.
What are the steps to voting by absentee ballot?

1. Complete an absentee ballot application to get a ballot; then,

2. Fill out and deliver the ballot back to the municipal clerk, or to the Secretary of State, Division of Elections (if you are a Uniformed Service or Overseas voter).
When can I request a ballot?

Absentee ballots may be requested beginning 3 months before Election Day. Make your request early to allow enough time for the ballot to be mailed to you.
How do I apply for and receive an absentee ballot?

Contact the municipal clerk in the town or city where you are registered to vote. Uniformed Service and Overseas voters will request an absentee ballot directly from the Secretary of State, Division of Elections.

You can make a telephone request for your own ballot, which will be mailed to the address you provide to the clerk.

You can request your own ballot electronically using the Secretary of State’s online absentee ballot request service. The approved online form can be found at the following web site:  www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/voter_absenteeform.html

You can make a written request by completing an absentee ballot application. Additionally, you can obtain a ballot for an immediate family member in this same way. A ballot will be mailed to the voter directly or to an immediate family member making the request. Your municipal clerk can tell you who is considered an immediate family member under the law.

NOTE: Ballots obtained by the voter or an immediate family member do not require witnesses, unless the voter receives assistance from another person in reading or marking the ballot.
Applications are available from the municipal clerk or online at: www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/voter_absenteeform.html
How do I locate and contact my municipal clerk?

Call your town office or city hall. You can also contact:

Office of the Secretary of State
Division of Elections
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101
(207) 624-7650
cec.elections@maine.gov
www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/
Can I vote by absentee ballot in person somewhere?

Yes. You may vote absentee at the clerk’s office as soon as absentee ballots are available. Absentee ballots are available 30 to 45 days before the election at the municipal clerk’s office. You don’t need to complete an application if you vote in person at the clerk’s office.
When must my voted ballot be returned to my municipal clerk?

To be counted, voted absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Are there any other ways to receive an absentee ballot?

You may make a written request for a “third person” (someone other than the voter or the voter’s immediate family member) to obtain and hand-deliver an absentee ballot.

You must designate, in a written request or application, the specific third person who will handle and deliver the ballot. Only this designated third person may handle the absentee ballot.

Ballots cast in this way must be witnessed by either a notary public, a municipal clerk, a clerk of courts, or 2 other witnesses.
What if I still have questions?

For more information please contact:

Division of Elections
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101
(207) 624-7650
cec.elections@maine.gov
www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/

Scarborough Fire Department to Save Energy and Money
New Heating System is 96% Efficient

AUGUSTA, ME, Oct 7, 2010 – The Town of Scarborough Fire Department saves

lives, and thanks to a grant from Efficiency Maine’s Commercial Grant Program, the

department will soon be saving energy.

Fire Chief Mike Thurlow was presented with a Recovery Act award from Efficiency

Maine at the Scarborough Town Council Meeting on October 6th to invest in new and

innovative energy efficient gas-fired, modulating-condensing boilers. The new heating

systems, being installed at the Pine Point, Pleasant Hill, & North Scarborough stations

this fall, are expected to save 257 million Btu’s. The energy savings from this award will

help the community to save taxpayer money and provide greater workplace comfort

through improved heating efficiency. Preliminary calculations estimate a $4,500.00

reduction in annual heating costs, and with help from the Efficiency Maine grant, the

estimated payback period for the gas fired condensing heating project is 9 years.

Unlike ordinary boilers that repeatedly cycle on and off, high-efficiency modulating-

condensing boilers output only what is needed to meet demand for heat, and they have

longer run times, thereby reducing less-efficient cycling and temperature swings and

maximizing comfort.

“We decided to make these improvements to lower operating costs,” said Fire Chief

Michael Thurlow. “A reduced fuel cost in our town budget translates into lower property

taxes for the town’s residents, in addition to the benefits of using cleaner burning fuel

which will lower the town’s carbon footprint.“

“Scarborough’s fire department is dedicated to serving the community in many

different ways,” stated Rick Meinking, a business program specialist at Efficiency

Maine. “Efficiency Maine is proud to support an innovative energy project of this nature,

and we believe the town will be very happy with the many project benefits this will

provide including energy and cost savings.”

Efficiency Maine is a statewide program that promotes the more efficient use of energy

and helps Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs to improve Maine’s

economy and environment. For more information about business programs offered

through Efficiency Maine visit http://efficiencymaine.com/at-work.

Green Collar Jobs in Maine Growing at Fast Pace, Study Claims

Cuttino says there are 770,000 jobs across the country in the clean energy economy - 6,000 of them in Maine. “Maine has done a great job of passing state policies that are really going to spur growth in this industry: the financial incentives, the renewable portfolio standard, and you’re part of a regional cap-and-trade program, it’s all good news for the future. I just hope that federal policymakers will take a look at the kind of results that Maine has had with these policies.”

By: Tom Porter, Maine Public Broadcasting Network News:

Listen to the story here

So-called “green collar” jobs in Maine have been growing seven times faster than regular jobs, according to a new report. The study, carried out by the Pew Charitable Trusts, looked at job growth across the nation between 1998 and 2007. It found that in 38 states, job creation in the clean energy sector - which covers positions as diverse as engineers, plumbers, marketing consultants and teachers - outpaced overall job growth.

Maine’s clean energy economy was among the fastest growing during the ten years covered by the report, expanding by nearly 23 percent, which is two-and-a-half times faster than the national average.

“The clean energy economy is poised for explosive growth, and is certainly where the private sector is going in terms of investments,” says Phyllis Cuttino, Director of the Pew Environment Group’s global warming campaign.

Cuttino says that nationally, more than $12.5 billion of venture capital money poured into the sector in the last three years of the study. “We also found that jobs in the clean energy economy really could be not just jobs, but careers, that they ranged from $21 thousand a year to $110,000 a year.”

Cuttino says there are 770,000 jobs across the country in the clean energy economy - 6,000 of them in Maine. “Maine has done a great job of passing state policies that are really going to spur growth in this industry: the financial incentives, the renewable portfolio standard, and you’re part of a regional cap-and-trade program, it’s all good news for the future. I just hope that federal policymakers will take a look at the kind of results that Maine has had with these policies.”

“I think we took a great first step with this past legislative session and the energy bill that was passed led by the Committee for Maine’s Energy Future,” says Rob Brown, Director of Opportunity Maine, a non-profit group working to expand educational opportunity and upgrade the skills of Maine’s workforce.

Brown says passage of the energy bill is the first of many steps that will have to be taken. “It makes good use of the Recovery Act funds that will coming into the state for energy efficiency, and for workforce development. But it’s a two-year program right now, without long-term dedicated funding,” he says. “In order for this to be a good program than can deliver good returns to tax payers and rate payers, it’s going to need to be a long-term program, so there’s certainly still work to be done, but it’s a great first step.”

The Pew report only analyzed data up until 2007. Since then, of course, the global economy has gone into recession, something which has affected all areas of the economy, including green jobs.

One clean energy company noticing the slowdown is ReVision Energy, based in Liberty Maine, which designs and installs renewable energy systems such as solar heating, and high efficiency wood boilers.

Marketing Manager Jennifer Hatch says the company had been helped by state rebates offered to customers who wanted to install those systems - but then in June last year the state money ran out. “And when that happened we did see slower growth and then when the fall and winter hit in ‘09 we definitely slowed down significantly,” Hatch says.

In addition to the state rebate drying up, Hatch says ReVision also took a hit when oil prices came down from their highs of last summer. “Those two factors combined don’t make it as pressing of an issue to people to buy renewable energy at this time. However I think people are well aware of the fact that the price of energy isn’t stable, and so people who are reinvesting in their home are considering renewable energy options. People building new certainly are considering renewable energy options.”

ReVision has had to cut hours for some of its 35 employees, says Hatch, but has so far managed to avoid layoffs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement from Sean Flaherty:

This afternoon, I pleaded guilty to operating under the influence.  The court system is crowded and often slow, I am told, so I had asked my lawyer, Dan Warren, to resolve the case.   After today, I will work hard to put the accident behind me, use it as a humbling and important lesson, and move forward to try to bring something positive out of the situation.  I am so thankful, that my bad decision didn’t hurt anyone else.

As I have stated previously, I made a mistake – a stupid mistake.   I have apologized to my family and friends, who have been incredibly supportive.  I have met with my priest, a counselor, and with many folks in town, and I have asked them for their forgiveness and for their advice. 

I also must apologize to my constituents in Scarborough.  I have been going door to door and talking with people in town.   I am working hard to earn a second chance.  I hope to show folks in Scarborough, as I did during the 2008 election and previously through my involvement in the community, that I am still worthy of their trust.

Over the last two years, people have told me they liked me fighting for Scarborough on such issues as responsible budgeting in Augusta, support for small business, and bold energy policies for Maine’s future.   I think I still have these skills to offer the town.

In closing, I want to thank you for your support and your patience.

When I was growing up in Scarborough, a coach told us once, as we put on our team sweatshirts after a meet, “You are swimming for the name on the front of those shirts, not the names on the back of the shirt.”  That message always stuck with me.

The worst thing about this mistake is that I have been so honored the past two years to represent Scarborough in the Maine Legislature.  I worry that I have let down those who I care most about – the people in my home town.

I hope you will support me in my efforts so that I can continue to fight for Scarborough.

Yours,

Sean Flaherty

Maine’s Teachers Endorse Flaherty for Re-Election
Flaherty says he is honored to receive the endorsement of the MEA for the second time

SCARBOROUGH, MAINE – Maine’s teachers have once again endorsed State Rep. Sean Flaherty for the Maine House of Representatives.   In statewide races for Maine Senate and House of Representatives, Maine Education Association endorsements were given to candidates who demonstrated strong support for public education, for the well-being of Maine’s students, and for the best interests of Maine’s education system.

“I’m thrilled that the MEA, who works tirelessly to support schools and students in our State, appreciates my work supporting and reforming education in Maine,” Flaherty said. “This was an important endorsement for me personally. My grandfather was a long time High School history teacher and Principal in the Portland Area,” Flaherty added.

The MEA works on behalf of its 25,000 members state wide.  They have a mission that includes the advancement of public education for all individuals in the State of Maine.  The MEA also endorsed Sean Flaherty when he successfully ran for the Maine Legislature in 2008.

Flaherty noted that when he considers education issues, he prioritizes how it will affect students.  “The goal should always be to improve education in Maine.  When you work with young people as part your job, you get a unique look into how State education policy affects students directly.”  Flaherty continued, “you take that insight into consideration and ask; is this going to make education better in Maine?  And then you make sure it’s cost-effective for our taxpayers!”

Flaherty, who serves on the Legislature’s Utilities and Energy Committee, noted that he’s supported a complete overhaul to the State’s education funding formula.  The next Legislature is likely to take up the issue of education funding and Flaherty argues that he’s proven how to fight for Scarborough on tough issues.

Sean Flaherty grew up attending Scarborough Schools.  He is serving his first term as State Representative for his home town and works as a swim coach for the youth swim team Coastal Maine Aquatics.  For more information on MEA’s endorsement of State Rep. Sean Flaherty, you can contact him at 450-4188, or visit his website, www.SeanFlaherty.org.

From the Aug 6, 2010 Edition of the Scarborough Leader

Law helps protect consumers

Most people are unaware, but mandatory arbitration clauses are often found in the fine print of many contracts for credit cards, cellular phone and car purchases.

They require consumers to settle disputes outside of court through an arbitrator, which often are harmful to the consumer, who is not knowledgeable of the arbitration process and cost.

Thanks to strong support from both the House and Senate, I was able to help pass a law that provides consumers added protections and more information during the arbitration process.

Starting Jan. 1, those who conduct consumer arbitrations will be required to have a website to provide consumers information such as the cost and fees of arbitration, types of disputes they have been involved in, if the consumer was the prevailing party, if attorneys were involved and the amount of an award given.

This new law will not put any pressure on businesses, small or large.

Instead, it forces the arbitrator to be the one to provide information listed by the attorney general’s office that includes the name of the non-consumer party, if that party is a corporation or other business entity, type of dispute involved, whether the consumer was the prevailing party and amount of their fees for the arbitration and the percentage of the arbitrator’s fees allocated to each party.

Strong consumer protection laws, such as this one, instill confidence in consumers to spend and invest money safely in the economy.

State Rep. Sean Flaherty
District 127

“As a member of the Utilities and Energy Committee, I was tasked with finding workable solutions to the expansion of the broadband communications infrastructure in Maine.  It is an important part of economic development for our State and as the Sponsor of “An Act to Establish a Broadband Policy for Maine” I am proud of the work we did to help connect more Maine residents, businesses, schools, and hospitals.  More work is to be done, more issues must be resolved, and more opportunity must be afforded to our citizens, but we are well on our way and we will keep up the fight.” - Statement from Rep. Sean Flaherty

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Maine’s Broadband Infrastructure Gets Federal Boost

From the August 5th, 2010 Maine Public Broadcasting Network:

Three communities in rural Maine could soon be “wired.” The federal government today announced a $1.2 billion national stimulus initative designed to expand high-speed broadband Internet service to underserved areas. Here in Maine, TDS Telecom of Wisconsin was granted almost $9.5 million to bring broadband to its telephone subsidiaries in the areas of Hartland, Corinna and Kingfield. The company says it plans to create 100 new jobs with the money and connect more than 5,000 people to the Internet.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says the art of communication is about to take a great leap forward in parts of Maine and 37 other rural states as the result of $1.2 billion in federal stimulus funds being awarded across the country.

“When it’s all said and done, we expect these investments will positively impact and expand broadband access to an estimated 1.2 million households, 230,000 businesses and over 7,800 anchor institutions — colleges, universities, hospitals, libraries, armories and so forth,” Vilsack says.

In a teleconference with reporters, Vilsack says states with far-flung rural populations face unique challenges that will be significantly alleviated by high-speed Internet access. He says that in addition to upgraded service for schools and businesses, hospitals will benefit from the DSL connection through advances in telemedicine that can connect doctors all over the world through video conferences.

“In addition, these investments will also help our first responders in rural and remote areas have the tools to keep their communities safe,” he says. “We will certainly work to advance rural health care, as medical specialists will be able to use telemedicine to provide advanced diagnosis for patients and to consult with their colleagues at other hospitals.”

Maine’s $9.4 million share of the grant was awarded to TDS Telecom of Madison, Wisconsin. The company says it plans to expand broadband service throughout three of its franchises: the Hartland and St. Albans Telephone Co., the Somerset Telephone Company and the West Penobscot Telephone and Telegraph Co.

“Certainly we have these customers as regular phone customers today. Some of them may even be on dial-up,” says TDS Telecom’s Deanne Boegli. Boegli says the grants will allow the company to move forward with plans to upgrade the regional hubs that will carry the high-speed Internet traffic to homes in service areas that include Corinna, Kingfield and Hartland — where many customers are continuing to struggle with slow dial-up speeds.

“What this investment will do will be allowing us to bring broadband Internet with speeds up to 20 meg {megabits) out to these customers in very rural areas, who at the present time the technology just isn’t there, the distance is too far from our central office,” she says.

Boegli says that broadband access will also directly enhance future economic growth in the areas. She says the company plans to hire more than 150 subcontractors who will do the actual work of installing the broadband lines.

“Those jobs are definitely going to put people to work who probably have a job but maybe they’re not quite as busy as they could be, or they could be bringing new people onto their teams,” she says. “But we will be using contractors for the majority of the work — local contractors.”

In addition to the Recovery Act grants, Boegli said TDS Telecom will be providing additional funds, bringing the total investment in Internet infrastructure to the three telephone companies to about $12.5 million dollars. According to the USDA, that investment will bring the option of high speed Internet service to more than 5,000 residents, 100 businesses and several dozen schools and community institutions.

From the August 4, 2010 edition of the Bangor Daily News

Maine PUC approves Fairpoint bankruptcy plan

Augusta, Maine — The Maine Public Utilities Commission approved the regulatory settlement which is a component of FairPoint’s bankruptcy reorganization plan. In a two-to-one vote, the commission approved FairPoint’s request to modify the timing and extent of their broadband plan expansion which had been originally adopted as part of the January 2008 merger approval—the commission’s decision which lead to FairPoint’s take-over of the Verizon telecommunications network.

Commission Chair Sharon Reishus and Commissioner Jack Cashman approved the entire package of regulatory changes presented by FairPoint: “FairPoint’s financial restructuring and shedding of $1.7 billion in debt is certainly in the interests of Maine ratepayers—the company will emerge a healthier, more stable company able to service Maine telephone customers,” stated Commission Chair Sharon Reishus. “We have concerns about the proposed reductions in scope and implementation of the promised broadband expansion and pricing. However Maine ratepayers will be best served by FairPoint’s successful emergence from bankruptcy and the protection of the broadband commitments that remain.” Commissioner Cashman added, “In a bankruptcy, everyone gives up something. In this agreement the tools for maintaining service quality and for enforcement remain untouched.”

Commissioner Vafiades voted against approving the changes requested by FairPoint: “FairPoint has made promises to this Commission and to Maine consumers. The Company is using the bankruptcy process to reneg on broadband commitments which were a central aspect of approving the FairPoint takeover of the Verizon phone network. These changes were not required by bankruptcy court and are a disservice to rural customers.”

FairPoint had specifically requested the following changes to the conditions set forth in the 2008 Merger Order: a delay—from April to December 2010–of the completion deadline for the first phase of the Company’s broadband expansion project; authorization to reduce—by 3%–the percentage of lines that will be capable of carrying broadband upon completion of the five-year broadband expansion project; relief from pricing restrictions for unregulated broadband service, and certain prospective restrictions on the overall level of the company’s indebtedness. The Company had also requested a delay of three months in the payment to ratepayers of the rebate for service quality failures in the previous year.

The Commission held expert witness hearings on FairPoint’s petition for a change of ownership under Maine law and the proposed regulatory changes on May 5th and 6th. The Order finalizing the Commission decision will be publicly available shortly.

Background: In January 2008, the Commission granted FairPoint the authority to buy Verizon’s phone network and operations, in part, because Verizon—despite having more financial resources—had demonstrated a general unwillingness to invest in its northern New England network particularly with respect to increasing the geographic areas in which it offered broadband service. FairPoint agreed to invest substantially in infrastructure upgrades and expansion of broadband in Maine and the region. Starting with the service quality problems originating with the February 2009 “cut-over” of phone network from Verizon to FairPoint, the Commission has closely monitored FairPoint’s efforts to reach “business as usual” operations.

In October 2009, FairPoint filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in federal bankruptcy court in New York. The Commission retained special legal counsel to participate in the bankruptcy proceedings in order to ensure that the Commission retains authority over FairPoint rate-making and service quality regulation. FairPoint continues to provide bi-weekly updates on progress toward date-specific milestones for service improvements in customer call response, number of new service orders pending and number of bills with known errors.

A response from State Representative Sean Flaherty:

Last Sunday, conservative activist Tony Payne, came after me once again. After sending 4 negative and misleading attack mailers to families in Scarborough last year, it’s clear Tony Payne and his allies just can’t stand seeing young people in elected office in Maine.

This time, however, he didn’t disagree with a vote or a particular stance on an issue. He didn’t even note anything about my legislative record and service to the State and our community. This time, Mr. Payne went after the voters of Scarborough. He claimed that the voters of Scarborough “sat on the sidelines” when they elected me in 2008.

I knocked on over 2,500 doors, talked with hundreds of voters, and did something that every elected official should do more of; listened to people. I hardly think that the people I spoke with in 2008 were sitting on the sidelines. Moreover, Scarborough voters were well aware of the issues facing our State and offered tremendous insight to me.

“What does a part-time swim coach fresh out of college know about solving a billion dollar hole in the State budget?” Payne writes in his column in the Maine Sunday Telegram. Mr. Payne is not questioning my judgment or my voting record; he’s questioning the wisdom of Scarborough voters who put their faith in me two years ago.

What’s more frustrating, is that Mr. Payne fails to realize that in addition to having earned degrees in both Political Science and History from the George Washington University, I have diverse experiences in a variety of sectors of our economy. In fact, when I was running for office, I was employed by Pond Cove Millwork Inc., a commercial construction and architectural millworking firm located in South Portland, Maine.

And yes, I also coached swimming during the evenings and weekends to help make some extra money. Heaven forbid a young person actually tries to afford his mortgage in this economy by having two or three jobs.

Today, I continue to coach swimming because I love it. I see nothing wrong with trying to give back to the sport which afforded me the opportunity to travel the country, taught me the value of hard work and perseverance, and showed me the spirit of sportsmanship. Swimming also earned me a scholarship to one of our nation’s top Universities where I earned my degrees so that I could come home to Maine to try to make a difference.

Tony Payne’s recent hatchet job is not only mean spirited, but again, misleading. He has never spoken to me, called me, or even e-mailed me. You’d think before he specifically targets someone’s choice of employment, that he’d at least bother to get the facts. However, the facts wouldn’t play well in Mr. Payne’s attack narrative.

Voters in Scarborough can expect more and expect worse attacks as the election approaches. But to get the truth, I hope people will reach out to me directly. I’ll always be straight with you and always listen to your concerns.

And Mr. Payne, in case you read this, we successfully closed a billion dollar hole in the State Budget without raising taxes, and I’m very proud to have been an important part of that process.

From Maine FastFile

Filing your Maine Property Tax and Rent Refund application is easier than ever with Maine FastFile electronic filing.

Use the internet to I-file your Maine Property Tax and Rent Refund application for free beginning August 2, 2010 for Property Tax assessed in 2009 or Rent paid during 2009.

Check it out at www.maine.gov/revenue.