Category Family

Jun 2 2012

Where Are The Ethics?

The writer of this recent opinion piece in the Bangor Daily News fails to acknowledge the detriments of poor ethics and incompetence.

Attack first, review later

I run a construction business.  Within my bid price are labor expenses and material expenses.  Although it can appear on my ledger as legitimate material expenses to over spend exorbitant materials when the job called for economy grade materials, it is still excessive and poor use of monies budgeted for that job.  Likewise if I pay Master Carpenter wages to a man who has entry-level laborer knowledge of the trade, they are still labor expenses but they are poorly managed labor expenses.  The difference is my business is private and my poor management means the demise of my business and nothing more.  Maine Housing is a public tax-funded authority that must be spartan in its approach to the disbursement of funds that do not belong to them.  It is the State Treasurer’s job to insure that those public funds are utilized that economize every penny and sees that it is used to its utmost potential.  This is why those in the media, such as the Bangor Daily News, hate this State Treasurer so much.  He does not subscribe to the prevailing notion amongst the media and bureaucracy  that public funds are a ticket to posh and pleasure; but much the rather, he believes that these funds must targeted and economized to greatest furtherance of impact.  Beyond the transcription of correctly compartmented entries on a ledger line, Poliquin firmly believes that these entries must show to the public funders of these agencies that their monies are being used with a frugal and concise understanding of what was the funds intended use.  This boils down to an understanding of ethics and job performance.  In this limited review of Maine Housing,  what was abundantly clear is that Dale McCormick believed public service was a license for poor and squanderous management and a continued adherence to the old adage, “Its good enough for government work”.  Bruce Poliquin believes that government works on a frugal targeted budget and believes all public servants should run a tight ship. The two divergent work ethics obviously cannot coexist.

May 29 2012

The Governor Mourns the Loss of one of Maine’s Finest

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Contact: Adrienne Bennett (207) 287-2531

 

Governor LePage and First Lady Mourn the Death of Maine Soldier

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage issued the following statement today regarding the death of U.S. Army Captain John “Jay” R. Brainard III, of Newport, who was killed in Afghanistan on May 28, 2012:

“It brings me great sadness to learn that Maine has lost Captain Brainard who dedicated himself to defending our State and Nation, and we are forever indebted to his display of courage and selfless sacrifice. It is with a heavy heart that I express my sincere condolences to his family and friends. This news never comes easy and is especially difficult knowing this young man made the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day.

As Memorial Day approached, the First Lady and I paused to honor those who have fallen in service to their country and decorated their graves with American flags. As my wife and I gazed across the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery we honored, thanked and remembered those who gave their all – not for any recognition, but for the freedoms we all value today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Captain Brainard, and I join with all Mainers to forever remember him as a true son of the State of Maine.”

Captain Brainard, 26, was an active duty helicopter pilot assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. He is a 2004 graduate of Foxcroft Academy and a 2008 graduate of the University of Maine.

May 29 2012

Governor Vetoes LD 1781

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Contact: Adrienne Bennett (207) 287-2531

 

 

 

 

Governor’s Veto Message Urges Union to Support Teachers’ Professional Development Not Politics

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul LePage vetoed a bill today to reaffirm the need for the Maine Education Association (MEA) to provide professional development and support to its teachers. The union represents more than 24,000 active and retired educators. Governor LePage vetoed LD 1781, An Act To Restructure the National Board Certification Program for Teachers citing he believes a more coordinated state-wide solution is required.

The LePage Administration is committed to increasing support and development training to Maine teachers, and the Governor acknowledges the importance of National Board Certification. In his veto message Governor LePage offers to eliminate teacher certification fees and increase teachers’ salaries. However, the Governor does not feel that teachers and taxpayers should be the only contributors to funding the certification process. “LD 1781 requires teachers to partially fund the program, while simultaneously paying union dues,” Governor LePage wrote in the veto message, “which are squandered on a host of activities not even remotely related to professional development.”

Governor LePage reiterated his challenge last week urging the MEA to provide teacher training to its members. In a letter to MEA President, Chris Galgay, Governor LePage encouraged the MEA to partner with the State to improve professional development opportunities. “Specifically, I pledge to budget state funds to match – dollar for dollar – any increase in professional development funds offered to teachers by the MEA,” wrote Governor LePage.

Last year, Governor LePage offered this same challenge to the union, which has yet to offer a response. “We must work together to move education ahead in Maine,” the Governor said Tuesday, “right now the union is not stepping up to the plate. Teachers should be concerned when education is being put on the back burner as a result of decision-making from union bosses.”

Just last week, Rob Walker, executive director of the Maine Education Association said “making sure we have a highly skilled work force is the job of the employer” not the union. Meanwhile, the MEA announced its endorsement recently of the same-sex marriage proposal on the November ballot. This announcement is an example of what the union is choosing to focus on rather than expanding and enhancing opportunities for teacher development.

The Governor has consistently said that in order to improve education, we must first ensure that every student has an effective teacher. Research shows that investments in effective teaching are a critical component of educational success among students. According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, research indicates that the single most influential school-based factor affecting student achievement is teacher quality. Therefore, the most important thing that schools and policymakers can do to improve student outcomes is to ensure that every student has a highly accomplished teacher.