From the Legislature

State issuesThe Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has announced the first annual Maine Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference to be held April 30 and May 1, at the Augusta Civic Center.

The conference is a partnership between the State Emergency Response Commission, MEMA, and the Maine Association of Local Emergency Managers.

The conference will offer a wide range of workshops and information sessions to benefit:

• First responders

• Government officials

• Emergency managers

• Business leaders

• School administrators

• Health and Human Service providers

• Faith-based leaders

• Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) members

More details on the conference, including agenda and registration information, will be available soon on the MEMA website at www.state.me.us/mema/ or by contacting MEMA at 624-4400.“Take It Outside!” event of 2009The first Dept. of Conservation “Take It Outside!” event of 2009, a children’s ice-fishing tournament, will be held on Jan. 18 at Lake St. George State Park in Liberty.

Prizes will be awarded for first fish, greatest length, total weight and more. The event will feature not only fishing, but other winter activities as well.

A warming hut, coffee, and hot chocolate will be available throughout the day. Lunch is provided.

The following sponsors made the event possible: Mt. Valley Sports, Liberty Sports, Hannaford Brothers, and Wicked Joe Coffee.

To pre-register for the event and for more information, please contact Lake St. George State Park at 589-4255.

“Take it Outside!” is an initiative led by Gov. John E. Baldacci to encourage Maine’s children and families to reconnect with nature. Dates for upcoming events include Feb. 7 at Mount Blue State Park, and on Feb. 21 at Aroostook State Park.Maine Forest Service invites Grade 5 classrooms to showcase creativityThe Maine Forest Service invites Grade 5 pupils across the state to showcase their artistic talent – while learning about trees – with its annual Arbor Day National Poster Contest.

Themed “Trees are Terrific … in Cities and Towns,” the contest is cosponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota. Pupils are encouraged to learn about the roles that trees play as active contributors to the health and beauty of all communities and to show off their creative flair by designing a poster to reflect this year’s theme.

Last year, more than 75,000 Grade 5 classrooms received the materials. This year’s Maine state winner will receive a $100 U.S. savings bond and a tree planted in his or her honor at their school. The pupil also will be a finalist in the national competition. National winners are announced on Arbor Day, Fri., April 24.

Grade 5 educators and homeschoolers in Maine can sign up by contacting Loretta Huttman, state contest coordinator, by emailing projectcanopy@roadrunner.com. The deadline for state contest submissions is Mon., Feb. 9.

Local state Rep. Jonathan McKane (R-Newcastle) represents Edgecomb, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol and Monhegan Plantation.

As always, he encourages constituents to send thoughts, ideas, questions and opinions. Contact him for more information on this or any other issue at 563-5427 or by email at Jon@JonMcKane.com