Mayor Larry Gilbert

Mayor's Corner: Ramblings From My Recent Arizona Vacation

Twin City Times- Thursday, November 27, 2008
Mayor's Corner #62

 My wife and I just returned from a 10 day vacation in Tucson, Arizona.  The weather was spectacular with daily sunshine and temperatures that hovered between 80° to 85°. It was nice to be able to continue jogging in shorts and T-shirt while in a desert atmosphere and looking at beautiful morning sunlit mountains.

There were a couple of reasons this vacation was special. It provided with a rendezvous with friends and with my oldest nephew/Godchild and his lovely wife, Suzé.

At the age of 10, I had just started the 5th grade at St. Peter’s School here in Lewiston where I had risen to the ranks of being taught by the Sacred Heart Brothers after years of being taught by the Dominican Sisters. A month later, my family made a geographical move to Southern California.  French was my primary language. My first day at Holy Angels School in Arcadia, California was met with the harsh reality that my primary language would have to become English. Sister Dorothy (my favorite teacher ever) was a Franciscan Sister. She made me feel so welcome on my first day of school there. She had assigned the class a short essay to write as homework. After class, I went up to her and said “I don’t know if I can do it in English”. She said, “That’s okay, just do it in French.” She died shortly thereafter at age 37 of tuberculosis. We all had to be tested as a result. I’m certain there is a high place for her in heaven.

That same day, I made a new friend. His name is Michael Rizzo. From that day forward, Mike and I were in the same classes together all the way through grammar school and high school. Our friendship has continued to this day. He and his wife Donna live in Albuquerque, New Mexico and they own an Italian Bread Company.

Mike and I also gained a mutual friend at Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, California, named Ronald Rita. He and his wife Suzie live in San Gabriel, California.
Ron is the one who inspired me to become a police officer upon my return from Vietnam. At the time, he was a Montebello Police Officer. Ron and Suzie’s first date was to a hockey game in Los Angeles as I had introduced Ron to the sport of hockey in bringing him to a Los Angeles Blades hockey game. The Blades were in the Western Hockey League which was equivalent to the American Hockey League of today. After their marriage, they eventually became season ticket holders of the L.A. Kings first at the Forum and subsequently at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Ron and Suzie have visited us here on several occasions since my move back to Lewiston in 1969. They have attended hockey games with us in Portland, Boston, Quebec and right here in Lewiston watching Lions Tournaments and our own Lewiston MAINEiacs.

Mayor's Blog: My Impressions of the Recent Election

Twin City Times- Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mayor's Corner #61

Last week I wrote about my impressions of the presidential election and this week I wish to share my impressions of some other elections that took place.  To many, it may well be said “who the h--- cares what the mayor thinks of the elections.  Then again, some may be interested as to what was on his mind and where he may be coming from, especially when as a Democrat he was very public in endorsing a Republican for the United States Senate.

Senator Susan Collins not only won statewide re-election, but she also took Lewiston and Auburn by substantial margins. It just so happened that Mayor John Jenkins of Auburn and I endorsed Senator Collins as did former Lewiston Mayor Larry Raymond. She certainly didn’t win as a result of our endorsement.  Our endorsement, in my opinion, was a mere recognition of the truly dedicated service she has provided to our communities since her first election some twelve years ago. Six years ago, again with Mayor Raymond’s endorsement, she came very close to winning Lewiston.  She had set her mind to take Lewiston back then and worked to earn the votes of Lewiston residents, a city that is predominantly Democrat.

As a Democrat who had been recommended by Senator George Mitchell to President Bill Clinton for appointment as the United States Marshal for the District of Maine, my term ended with the election of President George W. Bush.

When my term ended, I was lacking 45 days of having 10 years of federal service in order to qualify me for the opportunity to purchase my health care insurance upon retirement.  The U.S. Marshals Headquarters in Washington, D.C. suggested I check with our congressional delegation to see if any of them might have a project for me to work on for a period of 45 days.  I first checked with Congressmen Baldacci and Allen and neither of them had anything to be worked on. Allen told me to go see Olympia Snowe.  I did go there and they had nothing.

Mayor's Corner: My Impressions of the Presidential Election

Twin City Times- Thursday, November 13, 2008
Mayor's Corner #60

The American people have spoken and they did so loud and clear in selecting the next President the United States. I was very pleased with the results as it is a mandate of the people. This election has been historic for so many reasons. We had the first woman as a Democratic candidate for president in Senator Hillary Clinton, whom I endorsed.  Senator Barack Obama, an African-American, became the first black presidential candidate and now is the first black American to be elected President of the United States.

On the Republican side, we had Governor Sarah Palin selected to be the first Vice-Presidential candidate ever to run for that office from the Republican Party. This was another historic moment for the country. If for some reason Senator John McCain selected her because she was a woman, I think it was a mistake because if it was solely the reason that he wanted a female, he could have looked right here in Maine for two far more qualified female United States Senators to serve as his running mate. The results might have been different.

As a Democrat, I use to like Senator McCain back in the days when he was a maverick. In my opinion, he would have made a far better president than President Bush. After losing to Bush and in his attempts to receive the party nomination, he became a Bushie (as Laura calls the prez). He tried to please the far right and consequently he wasn’t himself and wound up losing support from moderate Republicans who thought his choice of Palin was a poor one. He lost. 

I must say, I was impressed by Senator McCain’s speech and his offer to work with the new president.  I feel reasonably certain that he will now return to being the maverick that he once was and work across the aisle.  As a result, his legacy will be great. He truly was presidential in his concession speech. Bravo to him!

Aside from being pleased with the presidential election result, my wife Pat and I watched intensely as President-elect Obama walked out on the stage at Grant Park in Chicago after he was announced the winner. To me, the expression on his face had changed from that of the one in the campaign. His expression was primarily serious.  As he looked out at the vast crowd, it appeared to me that this was the first glimpse of his having not only the weight of the people there, but also the weight of the entire world on his shoulders.

Mayor's Corner: U.S. Mayors Advocate for a Main Street Stimulus Package

Twin City Times- Thursday, November 6, 2008
Mayor's Corner #59

On a weekly basis, I receive communications from the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), a national organization that advocates for municipalities in support of this nation’s mayors.

This past week I received the USCM’s Main Street Stimulus Plan. I wish to share with you what the plan includes and I would ask you to advocate for it with our congressional delegation in order to immediately stimulate our economy.  In light of the sad state of our economy and in light of the services municipalities are responsible for providing, we are in desperate need of assistance in order to help us provide these necessary services.  It will provide immediate assistance to cities, counties and states that have these immediate needs which will create jobs in support of our economy. It will also assist us in providing the necessary services that you seek but we fall short in providing due to our reliance on local property tax that effects all who are hurting during these difficult times and most especially those who are retired and on fixed incomes.

In the last nine months the U.S. has lost some 800,000 jobs and the unemployment rate is at 6.1%. It is projected to rise to 7.5% next year and when under-employment is included it is projected to be 9%.  Families have lost $2 trillion or 20% of their savings. What we need is jobs, jobs, jobs! 

We have recently seen Congress pass the $700 billion Wall Street Bailout. It may become helpful in time and only time will tell.  What we need immediately is a Main Street Stimulus.

In September, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a stimulus package that amounted to $60 billion. It fell short in the Senate by eight votes to overcome a filibuster.  The measure relied heavily on infrastructure investments and was fully supported by the USCM.

Mayor's Corner: A Wake Up Call and an Economic Stimulus Package

Twin City Times- Thursday, October 30, 2008
Mayor's Corner #58

As my wife Pat, with whom I have been married 38 years, and I have been discussing the economic crisis, Pat’s assessment is that this crisis is a wake up call for all of us to live within our means.  Reality dictates that everything has a price and at some point, payment comes due.

As Americans, we have been blessed with much, unlike many third world nations. We are use to instant gratification.  We want something, regardless of whether we can afford it or no, so we buy it on credit.  Such was the case with housing. Even though we couldn’t afford the homes we bought, we bought them because some financial institution made it easy for us to get the credit. So, we bought bigger and better than we could afford. Now with a downturn in the economy, we cannot make the payments and foreclosure results. Wow, what a sad state of affairs.

The same goes with college.  We choose prestigious schools at far more than we can afford, yet we take the loans that predators offer us.  We are instantly gratified to attend the school of choice. Of course upon graduation, it doesn’t provide us with a better job than a community college offered us for the first two years and subsequent attendance at a state college or university. Has the easy financing made it easy to provide us with instant gratification?

We live in a world that in order to be “in,” we must have the latest of everything, be that a new sports car, SUV, and whatever the latest gismos may be.  We need it and we need it now.

Perhaps my wife and I come from another generation.  Our parents lived through the Great Depression, World War II, Korean War and I lived through the Vietnam War and while in Vietnam, I witnessed what life was like in a third world country and counted my blessings as an American.

Mayor Gilbert Participates In MDA Lock-Up

Mayor Gilbert submitted to a Warrant of Arrest for the Muscular Dystrophy Association known as the MDA Lock-Up, located at DaVinci's Restaurant in Lewiston.  His bail was set at $800.00.  With the help of community members as well as members of the business community, the Mayor raised $845.00 for MDA. As a result a child will be able to attend an MDA Summer Camp for one week. He wishes to thank all those who provided "bail money" donations. The hours spent raising the funds was enjoyable. The jail food at DaVinci's included a salad bar and pizza bad. It sure beats bread and water!  If the opportunity arises for your participation in future years, he urges you to participate for this most worthy cause.

Northern Ireland Youth Visit With Lewiston Youth Council

When Northern Ireland teens met members of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council on October 29th, communication saw no cultural barriers, and conversation immediately ensued. Friends Forever, a grassroots organization that promotes peace through cross-community youth work, had contacted the City of Lewiston in September asking to schedule some time with the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council.

The visiting youth were ten (10) Northern Ireland youth visiting Maine after being selected via an application process for Friends Forever.  The organization works with local communities in the United States and teens from around the world to promote peace by replacing fear and suspicion with laughter and trust. Friends Forever strives to instill a desire for peace, understanding, and cross-community friendship into the lives of the next generation's leaders and decision-makers.

During the October 29th visit, LYAC members partnered with Northern Ireland teens for a "getting acquainted" exercise and then the remainder of their time together focused on a group discussion about traditions/customs; individual career interests; description of each other's schools; learning more about Northern Ireland's landscape; what their perspective is of America; climate differences; family dynamics; and sharing what types of fun, music, and sports each group enjoys.  US Congressman Tom Allen and Lewiston Mayor Laurent F. Gilbert, Sr., stopped by to extend well wishes for the teens' time together, and Lewiston City Councilor Denis Theriault was also on hand to observe the upbeat interaction between the two groups.

Founded in 1986 by Rotarian and YMCA director, Robert Raiche, Friends Forever began as a joint Portsmouth, New Hampshire, YMCA/Rotary effort to unite one small group of Catholic and Protestant teens from Northern Ireland. Since that time, Friends Forever, based in Portsmouth, has grown to host 60 youth from Northern Ireland annually, and it has expanded to serve the Arab and Jewish youth of Israel.

Above- Photo of the group, with 10 youth council members in the back row, accompanied by Mayor Laurent F. Gilbert, Sr.; Councilor Denis Theriault; and the 10 Ireland teens & their 3 leaders