Voters weigh in on reorganization plans
Voters considered 18 school reorganization plans Nov. 4 and approved at least 12, according to preliminary election results. One was rejected by some towns in the system, while five were defeated. The plans approved by voters were:
SAD 34 (Belfast)/SAD 56 (Searsport)
Mount Desert Island, surrounding communities
SAD 21 (Dixfield) / SAD 43 (Rumford) /SAD 39 (Buckfield)/ Hanover
SAD 5 (Rockland) / SAD 50 (Thomaston)
Windham/Raymond
SAD 47 (Oakland) /China
Freeport/Pownal/Durham
Wiscasset area
Saco/OOB/Dayton
Poland/Minot/Mechanic Falls
SAD 71 (Kennebunk)/Arundel
SAD 38 (Etna) /SAD 48 (Newport)
Plans rejected by the voters were:
SAD 9 (Farmington)/SAD 58 (Kingfield) /Coplin Plt./Highland Plt. (split – Highland Plt. voted yes; others voted no)
Falmouth/ SAD 51 (Cumberland) (split vote – SAD 51 voted yes; Falmouth voted no)
SAD 1 (Presque Isle), surrounding communities
St. John Valley, surrounding communities
Houlton area
One plan was partially approved pending further elections:
SAD 37 (Harrington), surrounding area (MSAD 37, Deblois voted yes; Beddington voted no; Jonesport and Beals vote on Nov. 18 on the plan)
Recounts Requested
The Secretary of State’s office has received seven requests for recounts. Three of these requests were for State Senate results:
In Senate District 2, Democratic challenger Richard Burns of Berwick was losing to incumbent Senator Richard Nass of Acton by 385 votes in preliminary returns. This recount was completed, increasing Sen. Nass’s margin to 434 votes;
In Senate District 15, incumbent Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello of Poland was losing to Democratic challenger Deborah Simpson of Auburn by 102 votes in preliminary returns;
In Senate District 19, incumbent Sen. Paula Benoit of Phippsburg was losing to Democratic challenger Seth Goodall by 117 votes in preliminary returns.
In House District 21, Ruth-Marie Spellman, a Democrat from Brewer, was losing to Republican Michael Celli of Brewer by 69 votes in preliminary returns;
In House District 105, incumbent State Representative Michael Vaughan was losing to Democrat David Van Wie of New Gloucester by 85 votes.
Charleen Chase, the Democratic candidate for County Commissioner in Oxford County’s first district, has requested a recount in her contest with Steven Merrill. Preliminary returns had Merrill ahead by 25 votes.
Also in Oxford County, incumbent Register of Probate Tom J. Winsor, a Republican, has requested a recount in his race with Democratic challenger Bruce A. Rood. Preliminary returns had Winsor losing by 352 votes.
Resident Campground Reservations Increase
More Mainers made reservations at the state’s campgrounds during the 2008 season than the previous year, according to figures released recently by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
More than 2.2 million people a year visit Maine’s state parks and historic sites, generating about $100 million annually for the state’s economy. In 2008, campground reservations generated a net income of approximately $824,000, which goes directly into the General Fund. Last year the net income was approximately $834,000. While more Mainers made campground reservations, overall reservations were down.
As always, I encourage you to send me your thoughts, ideas, questions and opinions. You can contact me for more information on this or any other issue at 563-5427 or by email at Jon@JonMcKane.com.
(State Representative Jonathan McKane represents Edgecomb, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol and Monhegan Plantation.)
