The results are in! - By Walter Lunt

THE RESULTS ARE IN!


State Senate District 26

Bill Diamond

Saying he is honored and humbled by the confidence placed in him by voters over opponent Ryan McDonald, Maine Senator Bill Diamond is poised to begin his 21^st year of elective public office. The Eagle spoke with the popular Windham Democrat as he celebrated quietly at his home Tuesday night. Following three terms in the Maine house, several years as secretary of state and seven terms in the senate, the Eagle asked about the likelihood of a run for governor in 2018.

“You know, it all comes down to impact on family. I have eight grandkids and to do that would be a mean a really solid commitment. So right now, I can’t say for sure.” But he did not rule out the possibility.

Diamond said a great many of his constituents “…never got out of the recession and are working multiple jobs.” He promised to work on ways to make the economy stronger.

Diamond serves on the legislature’s transportation and government oversight committees.

Senate District 26 includes the six Cumberland County towns of Windham, Raymond, Casco, Standish, Frye Island and Baldwin.

House District 24

Mark Bryant

Democrat Mark Bryant defeated Republican challenger Benjamin Martin in House District 24 which covers the northern part of Windham. Bryant, who has served five non-consecutive terms in the Maine House, expressed sincere thanks to his constituents Tuesday night and said he looks forward to making a difference in the lives of people in Windham and the State of Maine by working with legislators on both sides of the aisle. He said his constituents have expressed concern over the issue of population growth in Windham, which is taxing resources and impacting land conservation. 

Bryant, who supported a referendum proposal to raise Maine’s minimum wage, said job creation is also at the top of his list this term.

“I’m honored and humbled (by this victory),” said Bryant. “And I want my constituents to know that I don’t take them for granted.”

House District 25

Patrick Corey

First elected in 2014, Patrick Corey has served one term in the Maine House. He ran uncontested in District 25, which covers the southern part of Windham.

Corey said he enjoys working with constituents as bills run their course through the legislature, and strongly urges people to contact him about any issue, any time.

Corey’s work on the legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee included a bill to protect outdoor shooting ranges. He opposed Maine’s ballot initiative to require background checks for privately sold firearms.

He said he hears often from constituents who are concerned about “high taxes, all taxes: Income, sales and property taxes…and the cost of higher education.” Locally, he said people are worried about seemingly uncontrolled growth in Windham and want to preserve the local heritage and rural character. He hears constituents ‘concerns about people working together in Augusta and plans to work in a bipartisan manner to maintain civil discourse.

District 66 which is all of Raymond except southwest corner

Jessica Fay

As small business owner, Fay said she will work for the issues that the voters are passionate about.

“I am honored and excited to be the next representative for Maine House District 66. I had so much support from people with lots of different ideas and that gives me hope for the next two years.”

 

She defeated incumbent Mike McClellan for the seat in the Maine House and plans to work with him to discover some of the things he feels are important to folks in the district, she said. 

“I have had so many important conversations with voters over the last 6 months, and the issues raised are the same ones I talked about during the campaign...good paying jobs, education, rising healthcare costs and property taxes, addiction and access to effective pain management.”  

She thanks her strong supporters. “This campaign was a total team effort. There were lots of people involved and I value the time and energy of each and every one. I am honored to have been elected and I can't wait to get started.”

District 67 (portions of Raymond, Gray, Casco)

Susan M. Wilkinson Austin

Austin defeated challenger Rachel Lyn Rumson for her seat in the state house of representatives. She has served five non-consecutive terms and has been on the business, labor, commerce, research and economic development committee since she first started her political work. It is her hope to continue on that committee. 

“It’s a nice day after,” she said after only having a few hours of sleep. She plans to go back to Augusta with the same can-do attitude. “I’ve always been very collaborative so we can start out on the best foot we can,” she said. “Then we can get good things done for the Maine people.” 

She is waiting to see if she has legislative work to do in Gray with two sections looking to secede from the town. She will also work with Frye Island and its ongoing educational debate with SAD6.

Her goal is to, “Do the very darn best job I can do every day. I’m inclusive, not exclusive.”

Windham Town Council, South District

Donna Chapman

Current chairperson of the Windham Town Council, has served from 2007 to 2010 and then was elected in 2013. Her goal for this term is “to continue the bipartisan working relationships of the council, in order for us to maintain lower taxes and still develop Windham into a Community that respects the opinions of its residents and can work together to make a Windham an even better place to live, work and play.”

She is excited to work with the new council member Jarrod Maxfield. “Jarrod brings a different perspective on how to empower communication to help get information out into the community on agendas and important projects. I am excited to work with Jarrod and his ideas on streetlights and moving forward on some of the 21 Century Downtown Plan.”

The councils’ top priorities moving forward as Chapman sees it are, “We truly need a public works garage, how to keep costs down and yet provide adequate services for the public. To move forward on a sewer that does not cost the taxpayers solely and protects the watersheds in North Windham for future generations.

Windham Town Council, North District

Jarrod Maxfield

Newcomer Jarrod Maxfield ran unopposed for the North District seat on the Windham Town Council, formerly held by Roy Moore who did not seek re-election. It is his first publicly elected position. He owns Necessary Technology in Portland.

Maxfield said the catalyst for his decision to run was when a friend purchased commercial property in Windham.

“It should have been an exciting time for him, but instead he encountered only challenges and obstacles. He wasn’t asking anything from anyone,” Maxfield continued. “Just making an investment in the town. That needs to be encouraged (not discouraged),” he said.

Currently a member of the town’s energy advisory committee, Maxfield supports the 21^st Century Downtown proposal and the town’s new comprehensive plan. Regarding the North Windham shopping district, he said, “we need to do something smart up there: A modern wastewater treatment plan, nicer streets and nicer restaurants. I’d like Windham people to spend money in Windham.”

Windham Town Council, At Large

Bob Muir

Bob Muir was re-elected to his at-large position on the town council. As with all the council candidates, he ran unopposed. Muir has served for four non-consecutive terms on the council. Muir said taxes are a priority,… “especially for the elderly on fixed incomes.” He said it can be “difficult to adjust the town budget to the town’s rising costs.” And he feels he is often the voice of residents who are hesitant to complain or address the town council.

“We’ve got a very good council right now and I’d like to continue our good work for the town.” Muir praised Jarrod Maxfield. “He’s a good addition to the council.

Muir also supports integrating the 21^st Century Downtown proposal into a new comprehensive plan.

“It will improve the looks (of the area), movement of traffic and be pedestrian friendly. Connectivity of neighborhoods in the area could be tricky, he added. “Neighborhoods like to stay self- contained.” But he observed it will be the job of the council to work out these and other problems.

Regional School Unit (RSU)14 Board Director

Eric Colby

Running unopposed, Eric Colby was re-elected to a second term on the RSU14 School Board.

Coming off a “three year learning curve,” Colby said he felt he could contribute more readily to the board during his next term.

Colby, a security sales engineer, said his first years taught him great respect for teachers.

“Anybody who says teachers don’t work hard just don’t know anything about the profession. (Especially considering) everything we throw at them, they are great people and everybody (in RSU14) is doing a great job,” he said.

Regarding the question of capital improvements versus new middle school, Colby said, “Pay me now or pay me later. Considering our growth and the age of our current facilities we’re going to have to accommodate our needs.”

Regional School Unit (RSU)14

Scott McLean

Scott McLean will be the newcomer on the RSU14 School Board. With a 10-year-old in the district, McLean said he hopes to make a positive difference for kids in the district. A production administrator for Lucas Tree, he said he’ll take his new position on the board “day by day.” 

McLean said he is particularly interested in the newly established homework evaluation team. The group will research the efficacy and the amount of homework that should become policy in the district.

Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, District 2

Susan Witonis

Still another uncontested race was for a seat on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. Susan Witonis will serve a second four year term. She said her focus is on public safety and favors as much practical regionalization as possible, citing the regional dispatch service in Windham and contract deputy services through the sheriff’s office as examples of successful models.

An important part of the job, said Witonis, who represents nine towns including Raymond and Windham, is making sure that rural areas are fairly represented in the funding formula for the county budget.

Work continues, she added, in the search for a sports tenant at the Cross Insurance Center, adding that she is hopeful that could happen within the next year.

WEDC annual meeting honors past, builds future - By Lorraine Glowczak

Innovative and collaborative leadership with a focus on honoring the past and building the future was the highlight at last Wednesday’s Windham Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) annual meeting. Held at the Windham Veteran’s Center, the meeting began with a social hour/buffet dinner served by Rustler’s Steak House and included special guest speaker Charles Lawton, chief economist at the Portland-based Planning Decisions.

Thomas Bartell, executive director of WEDC, opened the annual meeting by greeting the board members and welcoming their guests. “This is the first time that we have attempted an annual meeting with a program and invited guests,” Bartell stated. “We look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come.” 

“It is truly amazing how much is happening with economic growth in the Windham and Raymond area,” Bartell declared in his welcoming statements. The various economic initiatives and entrepreneurial developments Bartell identified included, but were not limited to, plans such as the community building efforts of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Institute. The plans for the Institute are being created by a chamber committee, but the certifications will be handled through Windham/Raymond Adult Education. 

Also mentioned were opportunities to diversify Windham’s economy through the future Scale Up entrepreneur classes brought to the Sebago region in part through the efforts of Katherine Damon with Gorham Savings Bank and the same chamber committee working on the leadership institute.

Additionally, the successful entrepreneurial endeavors of local resident, Stephanie Lay were highlighted. Lay and her son, both proprietors of the Maine Tex Grilled Salsa business, will soon be expanding in Windham, creating new jobs in the area with a portion of proceeds going to the non-profit organization, The Special Foundation for Autism.

After the welcoming statements, the business meeting was called to order beginning with a review of the treasurer’s report followed by board of director elections. Two seats out of the fourteen WEDC board member positions needed to be renewed/filled. Steve McFarland, a current board member, was nominated and voted unanimously to renew his three-year term. Charlotte Mace, executive director of Biobased Maine, was nominated to replace former board member, Peter Anania who chose to step down from his position. Mace was also voted in unanimously. 

“I am so pleased to be appointed to a 3-year term on the Windham Economic Development Corporation, and I am eager to participate in existing projects and contribute to future economic development in Windham. I am passionate about economic development in Maine, and I want to help ensure that our community prospers through sustainable economic development that benefits our economy and families,” Mace stated.

The election process continued with the voting of the WEDC executive committee. President Dustin Roma, secretary Steve McFarland and treasurer Jeff Vermette all renewed their positions. Beth Schidzig stepped down from her role as vice president. Larry Eliason was voted in to replace her.

Upon the completion of the elections, president Roma reviewed the projects underway that are enhancing economic development in the greater Windham area. “Anglers Road Project is very close to being completed with one lot already sold,” he said. Also mentioned were the collaborative efforts with the towns of Standish, Gray, Raymond as well as with Saint Joseph’s College that include broadband internet and utility infrastructure progress with the intention to support business growth and strengthen existing business.

Roma also took a moment to recognize the hard work and efforts of executive director Thomas Bartell, thanking him for his progressive and cooperative leadership skills. This was met with a round of applause and standing ovation.

Finally, Charles Lawton was introduced as guest speaker. Lawton began his presentation by first praising the successful collective leadership he witnessed that evening, recognizing the sincere efforts to provide a successful economic environment for the people of the greater lakes region. “After all,” Lawton stated, “Economic development is really about people.”

Issues facing Maine’s economic status, Lawton explained, include the challenges of demographic imbalance, the loss of manufacturing jobs, those hurt by globalization, and efforts to provide the much needed skills for economic success. “Our economic challenges can no longer be solved in the traditional way,” Lawton pointed out. “We can no longer simply place an ad in the paper. Those days are long gone.”

Adaptation to new technology and business cooperation are two ways in which Maine people and communities can reach desired economic success, Lawton explained. He ended his presentation recognizing that the Windham and Raymond communities are heading in the right direction.

Before the annual meeting adjourned, a moment of honor took place to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of a past trailblazing leader. Members of the WEDC did so by recognizing former WEDC board member Thomas “Tommy” Gleason, who passed away in May of this year. His “determination to ‘make things happen’ and his drive to make Windham ‘all that it can be’” is noteworthy. As a result, the WEDC board established the Thomas “Tommy” Gleason Economic Development Champion Award. The award went to Martin Lippman for his outstanding vision and devotion to transform the area, and who provided the donation to secure the land and Chaffin Pond that is now Donnabeth Lippman Park named after Martin’s late wife. A plaque was also awarded to Gleason’s widow, Nancy Gleason, as a show of gratitude for Tommy’s service to the community.

Special thanks went to Bomb Diggity Bakery and Café for providing desserts for the evening as well as to Blossoms of Windham for supplying the flower arrangements. Jars of Maine Tex Grilled Salsa were given as gifts to all members and guests upon the completion of the annual meeting.

2016 Halloween adventure was scary fun - By Stephen Signor

Windham Parks and Recreation and the Windham Public Library held the first ever truck or treat contest on Saturday, just after the Windham Primary School . As the theme and main event put on by the Windham Parks and Recreation department implied, those interested in participating decorated their trunk or rear of an SUV in a Halloween theme. Prior, during, and after the judging, treats were available from the rear of the vehicles. 

“This event was a far cry and improvement from last year’s adventure which featured hunting for candy in the dark with flashlights,” said Randi Benish, one of the entries. When darkness prevailed the rear end of vehicles lit up with a variety of flashing lights, luminescent balloons and even a bubble making machine. It was obvious there was no limit placed on the creativity.   

In all there were nine entries with three winners. One of the winners was the Warren family. 

Their theme was not only unique, it was mostly improvisation. Their undersea display, which won most creative, included balloons to mimic air bubbles, incorporated an electric bubble making machine and a handmade jellyfish fashioned out of an umbrella frame, bubble wrap, lights and packing tape. 

“We just wanted to do something fun and really creative. The kids loved the bubbles and balloons so we went with it,” said Sally Warren.

Clearly everyone else had just as much fun. All of the contestants displayed a unique and creative quality making the judging extremely challenging. When it was over the kids reaped the benefits by filling their Halloween containers with goodies from the trunks.

There was more going on than just Trunk-or-Treat, however. An announcement could be heard in the darkness. “There other fun things to do inside after the Trunk-or-Treat, said parks and recreation director Linda Brooks using a megaphone. There’s a table in the gym for registering your costume for the contest,” continued Brooks. There was also a haunted house inside that began on the second floor of the gym where long lines formed all evening.

Entertainment was provided by Flamin’ Raymin and Sizzlin’ Suzzin high energy DJ’s. They have been pleasing crowds and providing unprecedented entertainment for 22 years. “We started out as line dance instructors and still are. But we evolved more as entertainers.” Doing nearly 200 shows a year has kept them busy, especially in the summer months. With numerous environments it’s always different. 

“We try to fit what we do to the crowd or if there is a theme we stick to that and decorate accordingly. During the summer months we do a lot of resorts. We have been performing at Point Sebago for 22 years,” shared Susan Hall, the Susan in Suzzin and controller of the tunes.  

“The town has done a great job with this. I’m impressed. I think Windham did a really good job of getting it going. I think it will only continue to grow,” she added.

The other half, Raymond Dupuis, had the duty of keeping the crowd, especially the kids, entertained. Dressed up as a pirate, he held the audience captive with his swashbuckling mannerisms. When it came to dancing, all ages enjoyed the lessons in choreographic elements of such Halloween favorites as Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Tunes also included other favorites like Bobby Pickett’s MonsterMash.

 

Meanwhile, the best costumes were chosen. Judging was done by Mrs. Maine 2017 Betsy Benish, Sherma Moody, Jennie Butler and volunteer Selena Pelletier. There were numerous visually appealing outfits and several age groups eligible to win making judging very challenging. “Among other things we are looking for the scariest, detail, originality and overall appearance. Some very original costumes are out there,” said Benish. Even Donald Trump made an appearance.

When the finale the kids were waiting for arrived, they were ready. The costume contest winners were announced.  Tina Bean was given the most original title and Elizabeth Benning was most authentic dressed as a cat. 

Although this event was scheduled until 9 p.m., the majority of the crowd made a mass exodus immediately after the judging of the contest, but everyone agrees they had a great time.

Despite rain, WPS's firstfa ll Festival a huge success - By Stephen Signor

Rain did not keep Halloween fanatics from showing up at 404 Gray Road last Saturday for Windham Primary School’s first ever Fall Festival. 

“In June we started thinking about ideas about an event and landed on the Fall Festival, something for all ages with a theme,” shared principal Dr. Kyle Rhoads. 

Although the weather forced most of the events to be moved inside no one seemed to care. Several classrooms were the showcase for such events like a ring toss over pumpkins, face painting and a treasure hunt where two kiddy pools were filled with leaves that hid prizes for the taking. The main hallway was abuzz with children engaging in games like the apple toss and having their picture taken while placing their smiling faces into corn stalks and other seasonal selfie booths.

Meanwhile the cafeteria was the scene of pumpkin decorating. Two young for using carving tools, the children decorated donated pumpkins with stickers to take home. The library was the scene of a scavenger hunt. There were hidden objects in plain sight to be found by seekers and treats to be rewarded.

Outside a dunk tank was set up that proved to be very popular. Despite the rain, children lined up to take a shot at four brave souls who volunteered to get wet. For $1, those aspiring to hit their target were given three bean bags. Staff members secretary Corey McAllister, social worker John Reidy, noon monitor Jason Farley and last but certainly not least principal Rhoads endured the rain and accurate arms of paying customers. 

The staff’s popularity was obvious even before the day of the festival. “Well, we made announcements over the intercom on Thursday listing the activities that would be available. The dunk tank was most by far what the kids were talking about,” said Rhoads. The notion of this activity came naturally. “The dunk tank was my idea. Thankfully it was purchased by the PTA and eventually paid for by contributions,” continued Rhoads. 

In response to the weather, Rhoads said “Even though it was rainy outside, it was sunny inside for sure. The kids are having a blast and that’s all we wanted to do.” 

There was no letting up in the attendance the entire four hours. “I’m impressed with how it has gone today. At one point we had the hallway pretty packed with families. The PTA has been a great help along with staff and family volunteers. Volunteer coordinator Michelle Jordan was instrumental in getting volunteers and organizing the event. It’s a team effort. It shows community support also,” said Rhoads. 

 

Parent advisory group at the primary school, the PTA and staff all worked together to coordinate the event. Kudos also goes to Melissa Oldakowski from Coldwell Banker Team Real Estate who recruited donations from area businesses and people. 

“Local business owners should feel proud that they make consistent efforts to help their community. I think it comes back two-fold when you give,” said Oldakowski. As for the event itself, she acknowledged, “Super thankful to all the teachers. I am really excited to see where this community is heading,” she continued.

Success isn’t always easy to measure. But to summarize, Jordan attempted by saying “We had 350 pumpkins and they were all gone. If you take, say 400 kids each with two adults, I think we probably had 800 or 900 walk through today.” As a free event the only thing donation-based was the bake sale table and the dunk tank. 

“That money will off-set any cost that we had for the event. I expect that we will make some extra money so we will decide later where we will put that to work; probably something for the students through the school,” concluded Jordan.