Mayor Larry Gilbert

Mayor Gilbert Presents The December 2008 "Volunteers Inspire by Example (VIBE) Award

Lewiston High School students looked on, teacher Rachel Rodrigue was surprised by Mayor Larry Gilbert and Officer Ryan Guay of the Lewiston Police Department.  Rodrigue was presented with the December 2008 "Volunteers Inspire by Example (VIBE) Award." LHS Assistant Principal Beth Bradley and Guidance Counselor Steve Clark were also on hand for the presentation in recognition of Rodrigue's community beautification efforts.

Rodrigue graciously accepted the recognition as Mayor Gilbert read her Certificate of Appreciation, "Thank you for your willingness to step forward to beautify your neighborhood. Your consistent leadership for a cleaner environment and the planning you put forth to arrange an October 25th Sunnyside Neighborhood Association 'Neighborhood Clean-up Day' are exemplary, and Officer Ryan Guay, known as your group's 'officer,' can testify to your dedication, drive, and follow-through as to enhancing the area of Sunnyside Park, to include Avon Street, Winter Street, Summer Street, Spring Street, Holland Street, and Bridge Street.  Individuals like you bring about positive community change, and you are a fine example for not only your neighborhood but for the City as a whole and for the students you teach at Lewiston High School.  Thank you for volunteering here in Lewiston!"

Mayor Gilbert also presented her with a VIBE lapel pin and a donated lunch for two gift certificate from Willy Bean's Coffee.

Mayor's Corner: Jobs and More Jobs Are Needed to Stimulate Our Economy

Twin City Times- Thursday, December 18th, 2008
Mayor's Corner #65

Do you remember back when you received that $600.00 that was suppose to stimulate our economy? 

In my June 26, 2008 column entitled “Infrastructure needs federal help.” I pointed out that former Arkansas Governor and former Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee was advocating a stimulus to provide funds that would create real jobs directed at our infrastructure that was and continues to be in dire need. As a mayor, I agreed with him then and I still agree with him. Did that $600.00 check stimulate our economy?  We can see now that it had little to no effect. That was five months ago and our economy has only worsened since.

We then saw the Washington, D.C. bailout of Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion.  Thus far we have yet to see the benefits of such a bailout both in terms of the economic market and jobs. 

We will realize the loss of some 2 million jobs this year for a total of some 10 million American workers who will have no work.  Aside from the financial hardship that the loss of a job creates, there is a depressed mental state that accompanies such hardships.
More jobs lost, equals a worsening economy.

What America needs immediately are jobs, jobs, and more jobs!  How do we do that and do it immediately?  Let us consider what our nations mayors are saying.  Mayors know well that metro economies drive the nation.  The United States Conference of Mayors points to the fact that “metro economies account for 86 percent of national employment, 90 percent of labor income, and 90 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).”

Mayor's Corner: College for ME Androscoggin Breeds Success

Twin City Times- Thursday, December 11th, 2008
Mayor's Corner #64

I had occasion to attend the Third Annual College for ME Androscoggin Higher Education Awards Luncheon at Bates College last Friday noon. 

College for ME-Androscoggin unites business, education, community and government partners who seek to ensure the quality of life in our community by raising educational attainment in our county according to a press release by Employment Times.

A number of awards were presented and they were reported in the Lewiston Sun-Journal on Saturday, December 6.  During the program there were two stories of success that were presented first hand.  The first was by a young woman named Bobbi Hill.  She was in attendance with her daughter Shauna Langlois.  I was so moved by Ms. Hill’s testimony that I asked her for a copy of it to share in my column of this week. She readily agreed and here it is below:

Fifteen years ago I never would have imagined that I would be standing up here telling you my story with the hopes of inspiring someone. In fact, I was a pregnant teenager struggling through my senior year at Lewiston High School. Each day, I would bring my little baby girl to school with me. She would go to the school based nursery while I attended my classes. With the help of a supportive family and a school that provided an environment conducive to success, I was able to graduate with my senior class.

I was so proud and I couldn’t wait to go to college. My parents had always taught my brothers and me how important it was for a college education.

Mayor Gilbert Makes Special Birthday Visit To 102 Year-Old Resident

Mayor Larry Gilbert and his wife Pat visited Andrea Poirier of Lewiston on her 102nd birthday, Tuesday, November 11th (Veteran's Day.) Ms. Poirier is on of the oldest residents of Lewiston. Pictured L. to R. Mayor Larry Gilbert, Andrea Poirier, and Pat Gilbert.

Mayor's Corner: Adoption, Foster and Host Family Relations Are Rewarding

Twin City Times- Thursday, December 4, 2008
Mayor's Corner #63

On Tuesday of this past week Mayor John Jenkins and I were invited to attend a celebration of adoption for children and families at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services on Main Street in Lewiston. Both of us read Proclamations declaring the month of November as Adoption Awareness Month. We called upon the citizens of our cities to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities to honor adoptive families and to participate in efforts to find permanent homes for waiting children.

At the celebration, it was clearly evident that love filled the two rooms where the gathering was held. The adoptive parents were filled with pride and joy that their children brought to them.  Children looked to their adoptive and foster parents with love for them and their security with their parents was clearly evident.

Every child should grow up feeling loved and secure in a warm and loving home. No child should ever be left wanting for a family.  Those who are adoptive parents know and feel the rewards of parenting daily.  There is no greater feeling than having a child who loves you cuddle up to you as I experienced as a parent and as I observed that evening. I saw no difference between children who were born into a family or were adopted by a family. Love and warmth was and is shared each and every day.

Aside from reading the proclamation, I spoke about the fact that no child should grow up without feeling love and support.  I drew attention to the fact that a mother chose to send her child to live with his grandparents in order for the child to have opportunities and to feel the love that is so critical in the developing years.  That child, after being brought up by his grandparents went on to be elected President of the United States. He is Barack Obama. Aside from his being elected to the highest office in the land, he is the loving father and husband to a loving family of his own.

I pointed out the fact that those who were adoptive parents in the audience may be the parents of a child who will become a mayor, doctor, teacher, police officer, carpenter or other profession in the years to come. I told them that they were assured a high place in heaven and there is not a doubt in my mind that is what awaits them as their eternal reward.  What greater gift could there be?