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Giving back to the community is an important part of Re/Max International and Re/Max by the Bay's mission statement. As Re/Max agents, Neal & I also take that commitment to the next step in our personal lives. Here are some of the events that we,and our office have particpated in. SUCCESS AT LAST! FEDERAL FUNDING OBTAINED FOR MILFOIL MITIGATION CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR THE FULL STORY
MILFOIL INFESTATION, MITIGATION, ERADICATION, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INITIATIVE
From Left to right in Washington: Maggie Shannon, Maine Congress of Lakes,Bob Mills. Lobbyist for LSLA, Peter Lowell, Lakes Environmental Assocation,Carol Ann Doucette, President of LSLA, Dr. Joseph Lee, President of St. Joseph's College and Elizabeth Schran from St. Joespephs College.
Bob Mills, new property owner on Little Sebago and a professional lobbyist and former member of the Professional Staff of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington, has created a proposal to help with funding for milfoil mitigation in the state of Maine. The proposal in its conceptual stage was first introduced by Carol Ann Doucette President of LSLA at a meeting with Governor Baldacci in late fall. The Governor was extremely interested and asked for a follow up meeting with Mr. Mills in Augusta, when the proposal was completed . At that meeting the Governors support plus that of the DEP brought the proposal to the next level which was a presentation to the constituents in Washington D.C. Making the trip were Carol Ann Doucette, of Maggie Shannon of Maine COLA, Peter Lowell of LEA, Elizabeth Schran of St. Josephs College and it President, Joe Lee, representatives of the partnership. Below is an overview of the proposal.
Six Maine organizations are working together to raise $4,000,000 over the next three years to control and contain variable leaf milfoil in Maine waterbodies. As a first step, the group is seeking $1,250,000 as part of the fiscal year 2009 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
Partners include the Little Sebago Lake Association, Saint Joseph’s College, the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, the Lakes Environmental Association, Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed, and the Maine Congress of Lake Associations. In addition to the $1,250,000 federal earmark, the partnership will pursue $800,000 in competitive Federal grants, and seeks to raise $250,000 in private donations. State funds have already been allocated for controlling invasive aquatic plants. At the start, the initiative will focus on a seven-lake test bed where proven control methods will be applied and evaluated for the dual purposes of plant control and developing a best practices guide for plant managers. Saint Joseph’s College has contracted with Jackey Bailey to oversee the applied research component under the direction of Dr. Mark Green of the Saint Joseph’s College faculty.
The proposal has received letters of strong support from Governor John E. Baldacci and Commissioner David Littell of the Department of Environmental Protection. On February 27 several of the partners presented the proposal to staffers at the Washington, D.C., offices of Allen, Michaud, Snow and Collins and to Senator Collins in person. Congressman Allen and Michaud and Senators Snow and Collins are writing the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environmental and Related Agencies to advocate for funding.
Congressman Tom Allen’s Director of Economic Development Visits Little Sebago
Celeste Viger, from Congressman Allen’s’ office visited Little Sebago on August 22, 2008. This was a third visit from supporters of the Maine Milfoil and Mitigation Initiative before Congress for funding support. Other visits were from Senator Susan Collins and her representative of environmental and energy issues, Amy Carroll. Celeste spent about an hour on the Little Sebago suction dredge and was educated by its captain, Leo Shannihan. Also on board was Blake White, deck hand. Sharon Lamontage, LSLA treasurer was facilitator of the boat trip to the dredge. The visit was co-ordinated by Carol Ann Doucette, president, who was also aboard to give an overview of the history and expenses of LSLA in regards to milfoil mitigation. It is hoped that a visit will also occur from a representative from Congressman Mike Michaud’s office.
Senator Susan Collins Representative Boards Milfoil Suction Dredge on Little Sebago
Amy Carroll, Washington representative of Senator SusanCollins, in regards to environmental and energy matters visited Little Sebagorecently. This was a follow up visit to that of Senator Collins earlier in the Senator Collins Visits Little Sebago Lake
 Windham, Me-- Senator Susan Collins today visited Little Sebago Lake to meet with the members of the Little Sebago Lake association a group dedicated to keeping the lake clean and free of invasive species that threaten the lake’s ecosystem. The Senator is supporting the group’s efforts to address Eurasian water-milfoil, which is a destructive plant that causes problems for swimmers and boaters, and degrades water quality by displacing native plants, fish, and other aquatic species. There are currently at least 28 lakes in Maine affected by aquatic invasive species. Senator Collins is seeking federal funding for a milfoil invasive species mitigation initiative and to secure funding to support a statewide initiative to mitigate milfoil infestation before it gets worse. The federal funding would also support a freshwater marine laboratory at Saint Joseph’s College. “The value of Maine’s lakes and ponds to our economy and environment is invaluable. It is critical that we work to stop the spread of invasive species in Maine and throughout the nation. I am proud of the dedicated efforts of the Friends of Little Sebago to stopping the spread of milfoil in the Sebago lake region and will continue to support their efforts on the federal level,” said Senator Collins.
Senator Collins has also joined Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) in authoring bipartisan legislation to help identify and combat aquatic invasive species like milfoil. The legislation, “the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act,” would end the easy access of invasive species into U.S. waters through ships’ ballast water and establish a grant program to assist state efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species in ecosystems. Milfoil is one of the world’s most notorious and troublesome invasive aquatic plants. Its presence has been confirmed in nearly every state in the U.S. It grows well in both still and flowing waters, tolerates mild levels of salt, and can survive under ice cover.
Re/Max Room At Barbara Bush Children's Hospital Grand Opening “We truly appreciate the generous donation that our RE/MAX agents made in our name. Werecently moved here from out of state. Shortly before our long-distance move our infant daughter was diagnosed with a medical condition. In July, she had to undergo a medical procedure and spent one night at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital. The staff were kind and supportive and the wonderful facility made us appreciate thisdonation even more. Again we say Thank You to our agents, all the other RE/MAX agents and the staff at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital fortheir amazing partnership that helps children in our community." Client family of Collette Connolly of RE/MAX By the Bay On December 10, The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center and its Children’s Miracle Network will be hosting the First Annual RE/MAX Day (an Open House of sorts!) in honor of our stellar agents. Invitations were mailed in late October and we hope that you will be able to attend. During the event we will be unveiling an amazing new RE/MAX recognition program at the hospital. It will provide fantastic and well-deserved recognition for RE/MAX, and, even better, it will also actually save the lives of children. As part of this announcement we have sent letters to 1,000+ of your past clients letting them know about the amazing things that RE/MAX agents are making possible at their local children’s hospital. Although they have been sworn to secrecy until 12/10, several of these past clients have replied with messages about how much they have appreciated working with you and how proud they are to be involved with RE/MAX and the children’s hospital. These client messages (like the one above) have brightened my day and reminded me why I am so very proud to be working with all of you. We all share more on December 10th. Again, we hope that you will be able to attend. Many thanks, Elliott Pitts Last year, RE/MAX agents in Maine and New Hampshire donated morethan $37,000 to The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center and its Children’s Miracle Network. LET’S CELEBRATE! Portland Board of Realtors 2007 Habitat for Humanity Home Constuction Project
A great deal was accomplished by our Re/Max crew including agents Merle Hartford, myself, Ann Ball, leader Derrick Buckspan and the property owner. Not in the photo, Pam Storer, Liz Dubois and Katie Malcom. 2007 Rowgetta- Sponsored by Re/Max By the Bay Winner-Re/Max By the Bay! The kids build the boat... and the boat builds the kids." The Compass Project mission is to use boatbuilding and rowing to provide positive direction to youth, encouraging the development of personal and community responsibility.
Rowers included Derrick Buckspan, Marissa Gagne, Alicia McLaughlin & Lynne Weinstein and Captain, Bruce Lewis. Big Max of New England Comes to Portland Air Show The ReMax Ballon came to Portland in October 0f 2007 to raise money for the Barbara Bush Childrens Hospital at Maine Medical Center Re/Max Pilot Chis Mooney can be seen firing up the balloon.
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