Mayor Larry Gilbert

Mayor's Corner: Emotional goodbye to the Army Reserve 619th Trans. Co.

Twin City Times- Thursday, July 2nd, 2009
Mayor's Corner #93

The place on last Saturday was the Edward Little Gymnasium where family, friends and supporters of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 619th Transportation Company, one of four companies of the 719th Transportation Battalion, was preparing for their deployment to Iraq. 

The gymnasium’s grand stand was filled to capacity.  There were several groups showing their support, from the Red Cross, to the Auburn & State Police, Auburn and Mechanic Falls Fire Departments and the Patriot Guard Riders, veterans, former members of the 619th who were part of Desert Shied/Storm, and perhaps others that I might not have detected.

In the audience, the soldiers sat with their family and friends as the very brief goodbye ceremony took place. Mayor John Jenkins and I shared the stage with the Company Commander who is a Captain that I actually met at a MAINEiacs hockey game this winter and First Sergeant Charlie Morin who was at the game with the Captain. I have also seen First Sergeant Morin on several occasions working out at Planet Fitness in Lewiston. The 26 year veteran had told me that he would be deploying out to Iraq this summer and behold the day was here.

Mayor Jenkins and I both spoke to give these solders words of encouragement and support.  I told them that on this beautiful day, hearts were heavy as it reminded me of when I left my girlfriend and family members as I left for Vietnam in 1966. I know somewhat what these men and women were going through, yet it is more difficult when one is married and has a family. I pointed to everyone in the audience and told the soldiers that each and everyone there would be praying for them daily to be safe and have a safe return home. I said, with that many prayers, surely God would listen.  Auburn City Councilor Raymond Berube was there to send off the oldest of his 12 grandchildren. State Representative Peggy Rotundo was also there in support of the troops.

Master Sergeant Cyr was the M.C. for the event, (I wasn’t concerned with names at the time as I hadn’t planned writing about it for this column). I chose to write about it because as soon as I left the area, life for those of us in the community was very normal. We have a tendency to forget the sacrifices that are being made for us on a daily basis.

Mayor's Corner: LYAC impresses Lewiston Mayor and City Council

Twin City Times- Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Mayor's Corner #92

The Lewiston Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) has truly impressed Lewiston mayors and city councils since it was established by the Lewiston City Council in October 2001.

The mission of the youth council reads as follows: “The LYAC shall serve as an advisory council to the Lewiston City Council in regards to community issues affecting youth and shall serve as a liaison between the youth of the community and the City. The LYAC shall enable youth to work toward goals that empower all the community’s youth and to undertake service projects that enhance the community.”

The LYAC operates under Co-Advisers Dottie Perham-Whittier who is the city’s Community Relations Coordinator and Maggie Chisholm the Lewiston Recreation Director. The liaison between the Lewiston City Council is Denis Theriault, City Councilor from Ward 4. In the previous city council, Normand Rousseau served in that capacity.

There is much energy generated by this group of high school students that not only are the city councilors serving as liaisons highly impressed, but also the mayors and councilors since the creation of LYAC have been highly impressed by these dedicated students who have a wonderful future ahead of them. Many who have graduated are doing very well in college and beyond to include medical school and other institutions of higher learning.

Students learn to take responsibility for not only themselves but also for their community by their civic involvement. They provide vital information to the mayor and city council.  As a very active group, they were very much involved in the city seeking to be recognized as the All-America City that it is by the National Civic League in 2007. After not quite making it in 2006, it was LYAC who encouraged the city fathers to try again. Their involvement in the second try resulted in the award that we are all so proud of. It was a valuable lesson for not only the students but the governmental officials as well.

Mayor's Corner: Lewiston MAINEiacs; end of a chapter, start of a new one

Twin City Times- Thursday, June 18th, 2009
Mayor's Corner #91

The last half of the Lewiston MAINEiacs season this year appeared to be the closing of a book that had been written by this organization that is part of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.  This team of 16-20 year old young men who have dreams of playing in the National Hockey League was hovering around the cellar of their division.  Attendance was down in an economy that was sliding quickly and the enthusiasm that had been there the years prior seemed to be lost.

The front office appeared to only be interested in the bottom line and nothing else. Marketing the team beyond the borders of L-A appeared to be non-existent in spite of the urging from an advisory board to market in other hockey towns within a 50 minute drive area. The organization had lost character, something that isn’t gained overnight. It
requires determination, commitment and genuine application. It truly has to be sincere. All of that was lost.

With all that had occurred above, the organization and in particular the principal owner, Mark Just blamed the lack of support from local hockey fans as the problem. He made some very disparaging comments in the media that were truly vitriolic and most unbecoming of a principal owner who had benefited greatly from the support of fans by their attendance at games, thousands of volunteer hours, and outstanding support from city hall in the investment of millions of tax dollars to provide a high quality venue for his team to play in.

Matt McKnight, the team president and governor at the time and Just searched for a new home and announced publicly that they were leaving Lewiston for greener pastures. There wasn’t even a courtesy call to me, the mayor of the city, to inform us that they were leaving. This in my opinion was another demonstration of lack of character after the city had spent the millions of tax dollars in support of the organization.

 The fans were mad, city officials were mad. I was mad. My wife and I have been season ticket holders since day one. I had said to myself that should they come back, I will not renew my season tickets. With all of this, they burnt a major bridge. When those plans fell apart and they couldn’t find a new home, they had to return and attempt to cross the bridge they had burnt.

Mayor's Corner: Unbiased response to the Lewiston Charter review question

Twin City Times- Thursday, June 11th, 2009
Mayor's Corner #90

In my May 21, 2009 column headline; “Is it time for a Lewiston City Charter review? You tell me!” I did receive responses and as a result of my appearance on the Sun Journal’s Live Chat, a Sun Journal editorial was generated. I offer a response to that editorial later in this column.

I first wish to share a truly unbiased response from a former Lewiston resident from many years ago who reads both newspaper publications regularly online and is looking to come back to his home perhaps as early as next year.

I now wish to share an exchange I had with this gentleman who is a retired high ranking military officer and is a gentleman with a doctorates degree and lives in a far western state. I received his permission to share with you our e-mail exchange. He offers a poignant and most unbiased response from his professional experience as well as his research of the Lewiston City Charter in order to provide his opinion.

His first e-mail on May 30 read “Mr. Mayor: I’ve been trying to email you regarding the Lewiston City Charter but cannot seem to have the right address. This is a test message. If it appears that it gets sent, I will send you my thoughts on the matter.”

I responded to him on the same day by writing “It was a successful test. I look forward to your thoughts. Best wishes, Larry Gilbert, Sr.”

Mayor's Corner: Veterans Memorial Park, Veterans Cemetery, and Flag Day

Twin City Times- Thursday, June 4th, 2009
Mayor's Corner #89

After the Twin Cities Memorial Day services held on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at the Veterans Memorial Park, Mr. Joseph A. Paradis approached me and said that he was a regular reader of this column and asked me if I could write a column on the history of Veterans Park. He thought it might be appropriate between Memorial Day and Flay Day that is coming up on June 14. 

Aside from speaking at the Memorial Day services, I also visited the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta with my wife Pat and two daughters, Karen & Karla. I will address this visit further into the column.

First for the history of the Veterans Memorial Park, Mr. Paradis delivered his album to my office for my review to address the history. In addition I went to the park to take photos of the park itself as well as of the plaques that are affixed to the retaining wall of the Longley Bridge.

One of the plaques reads as follow: “The Veterans Memorial Park, formerly known as Heritage Park was renamed by the City of Lewiston on July 17, 2001. Joseph A. Paradis, Korean War Veteran, Prisoner of War and Purple Heart Recipient was solely responsible in obtaining the park from the city for the purpose of establishing a veteran’s memorial park. His unselfish commitment and dedication to this major project will always be remembered.”

A Twin City Times article dated August 2-15, 2001 pointed the fact that Paradis secured 1,416 signatures and 51 letters of support to include letters from the federal Congressional delegation and L/A’s State delegation as well as every veterans organization at the state and local level.

Mayor Gilbert Presents Elizabeth Jonitis with VIBE Award

Lewiston Adult Ed had a bit of unexpected excitement this morning, as long-time volunteer Elizabeth Jonitis was surprised with the May Mayoral VIBE Award (Volunteers Inspire by Example). 

After having been employed as a teacher by Lewiston Adult Ed since 1982, Jonitis retired in 2000.  However, the very next day, she returned as a volunteer! 

Amidst many of the ESOL students that Jonitis teaches, Mayor Larry Gilbert, presented her with the award, a VIBE pin, and a donated "lunch for two" certificate from Marco's Restaurant.  Gilbert stated, "Thank you for utilizing your exceptional professional skills as a Lewiston Adult Ed teacher to transition into a dedicated Adult Ed volunteer who is still caring about the aspirations of others.  For the past 9 years, you have been responsible for 30 ESOL students each day, as well as guiding the many volunteer tutors who come to the Learning Center each week.  Clearly, without your wisdom, support, and commitment, the program could not accommodate the number of students it daily serves.  In addition, we applaud you for previously establishing-as a volunteer- an adult education program at the Androscoggin County Jail.  As you know, that program evolved into what is now a full-time learning program.  Individuals like you make a tremendous difference, and thank you for encouraging others to strive towards their academic potential.