Legislative committee adds local representative

State Rep. Heather Sirocki (R-Scarborough) was appointed to the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee.

“My background in the dental health field as a registered dental hygienist gives me some insight into the health issues facing Maine people,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature and representing the people of Maine on the important issues that will come before us. Overall, the Legislature is expected to see more than 2,000 bills in this first year, so we know the action will be intense. It’s going to be interesting and educational.”

The Health and Human Services Committee oversees the Department of Health and Human Services; MaineCare, Medicaid and Medicare Part D; children’s welfare and mental health services; disease control; prescription drugs; social and rehabilitation services; substance abuse; mental health; disabilities; poverty, homelessness and public assistance.

Citizen’s initiative sought to build Biddeford racino

Biddeford Downs last week filed certified signatures with the Secretary of State on a citizen’s initiative to correct provisions of Maine’s racino law to allow the proposed Biddeford racino to move forward.

Biddeford Downs filed 76,536 certified signatures on Jan. 19. The citizen’s initiative also would allow for a tribal racino in Washington County.

City voters in November approved a plan to move Scarborough Downs to Biddeford as part of a hotel, racino and racetrack complex on Andrews Road. Supporters say the racino would create jobs, generate tax money and support the harness racing industry. 

Biddeford Downs partners Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties Ltd. remain confident the Maine Legislature will take the lead and enact changes to move the project forward, said spokesman Crystal Canney. 

The racino law was created following a statewide racino referendum in 2003. It imposed a Dec. 20, 2003, deadline for local approval. Scarborough voters rejected plans for a racino and Scarborough Downs Owner Sharon Terry began looking to move to a different community. Hollywood Slots racino operates near the racetrack in Bangor. 

The changes also would correct provisions of the Oxford County citizen’s initiative passed in November that requires racinos and casinos must be at least 100 miles apart. 

“The Oxford referendum includes some very unusual and ill-conceived provisions, including a provision that appears to require a statewide referendum on each license application – including another referendum on any proposed Oxford County facility,” said Scarborough Downs Attorney Edward MacColl in a prepared statement. “We are confident the legislation can and will bring order and fairness to the process while protecting the future of Maine harness racing and honoring the will of Maine voters for racinos at both commercial tracks.” 

Amy Volk on to Labor, Commerce Committee

State Rep. Amy Volk (R-Scarborough) has been named to the new Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development, which was created by the merger of the Labor Committee with another panel that focused on business and development issues.

“I’m very pleased to be on a committee that deals with economic development,” Volk said. “We were all concerned when Maine placed 50^th in the Forbes magazine’s list of the best states for business and careers, but I’m very encouraged that we can make significant progress in this session.”

The Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee has one of the broadest jurisdictional charters in the Legislature. It oversees the Department of Labor, the Maine State Housing Authority, the Finance Authority of Maine and the Workers’ Compensation Board.

Council, board thinks ahead for school plans

Students at Wentworth Intermediate could receive a new school if a recent proposal by the Wentworth Building Committee is put to referendum in November.
Last Wednesday the Wentworth Intermediate Building Committee presented its recommendation for a new intermediate school to the Town Council. 

The committee suggested a new school be constructed in the approximate location of the existing playground at the school, said committee chairman Paul Koziell.

School Board Chairman Chris Brownsey said the committee recommended building a new school after it was decided the cost of repairs would be relatively high compared to the cost of a new building. Brownsey said the existing building has insulation, water seepage and other problems.

 “It’s not just one or two things that need to be upgraded. The layout is poor, and all those things make renovation impractical,” said Brownsey. 

Although no price for the project has been determined, Koziell said it would be “financially and fiscally responsible.”

“We are in tough economic times,” Koziell said. “Being irresponsible with town money on a new school is not the way to go through with this project.”

He said the project would be locally funded and will most likely be a bond question on the November ballot.
The School Board on Jan. 13 approved building a new school. 

Koziell said subcommittees within the group will focus on different phases of the project until May when another presentation will be made to the council.

 Brownsey said the committee also will consider how much community space will be needed for activities such as senior care programs and after-school groups.

Koziell said although there is still much work to be done, the project is necessary.

“This is a very worthwhile and important project that can’t wait any longer. As a community we have a lot of work, but it’s something we can get done,” Koziell said.