Mayor Larry Gilbert

Mayor's Corner: An introduction to the Maine Military & Community Network

Twin City Times- Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Mayor's Corner #101

Nancy Dubord, a Lewiston resident, called me at my office at city hall one day and said she had attended a conference introducing the Maine Military and Community Network organization in support of our military personnel who are serving or have served in combat zones as well as their families. As it turned out, she was the only one from Lewiston to attend this gathering in Augusta.

She asked me if I would attend a regional meeting entitled “From the warfront to the home front” at St. Mary’s Hospital to represent city government on July 15, 2009. I obliged her and attended. At the meeting there were several service providers from non-governmental organizations, military and veteran services representatives, clergy, etc.

The mission of the Maine Military and Community Network (MMCN) was shared with us and reads as follows: “Our mission is to develop and maintain a multi group network between community, military, government, and private sectors that creates awareness of challenges and resources and provides services to all service members and their families throughout the deployment cycle.”

Maine Army National Guard Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Andrew L. Gibson explained that members of the Maine National Guard and Family Programs, Chaplains of the Military groups, the VA, Vet Center, Maine Bureau of Veterans Services, Maine Department of Health and Human Services and many others have joined forces to help returning troops and their families make smoother transitions from the war zone back to the home front. War and the experiences of our returning troops impact aspects of the entire community.

The Network is committed to ensuring that members of our communities have a greater awareness of the issues that vets and their families face following deployment. While many local and state resources are available to help specifically with the readjustment to civilian life, the network intends to improve awareness of these services for all community service providers and to provide appropriate training and support.

Mayor Gilbert Extends Farewell to Highly Praised Pediatrician Dr. Emault Louis

Mayor Larry Gilbert, was recently approached by resident Abdihakim Abdi who readily praised the services of pediatrician Dr. Emault Louis of Pediatric Associates, Lewiston. 

Abdi then asked if the Mayor could recognize her before she relocates to practice medicine in Massachusetts.  Hearing of Dr. Louis' "professional, kind, and compassionate" nature, Mayor Gilbert agreed to do just that.  On Friday, August 21, 2009 which was Louis' last day with Pediatric Associates, Gilbert joined numerous employees at a farewell celebration & thanked the doctor for her contributions to this community.

Gilbert presented her with a proclamation officially recognizing her service and noted, "She is a physician who has gained the respect and admiration of families throughout the       community--so much so that today's moment of appreciation was initiated by individuals who have come to hold her in high esteem."  During the celebration, the arrival of Abdi and others whom she previously served resulted in an appreciative and emotional Louis.

Dr. Louis studied to be a Doctor of Medicine at State University School of Medicine and of Pharmacy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and upon completion began her medical career as a staff physician at the Hospital Beraca in Port-de-Paix, Haiti.  To further her medical career, in 2000, she moved to the United States where she resided in Boston employed as a Medical Research Assistant at Boston Medical Center while undertaking the task of obtaining a medical license in the United States.  After completing required testing for all foreign medical graduates, Louis moved to Paterson, New Jersey, to finish residency training in pediatrics at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.  Her next stop was the All-America City of Lewiston, Maine. 

At the celebration, Louis graciously thanked her well wishers and said, "I will miss you all."

My 100th Column: An Opportunity to Recap Some of Them

Twin City Times- Thursday, August 20th, 2009
Mayor's Corner #100

Welcome to my 100th Mayor’s Corner Column that dates back to the first one on July 26, 2007.  The first paragraph went like this; “As I write my first column, I first wish to express my sincere appreciation to Laurie and Peter Steele, publisher and editor, for offering space in their newspaper for me to communicate with the community.”

On the 100th of these columns, I again wish to express my gratitude to Laurie & Peter Steele for allowing me to communicate to my constituency. Since the first column, I have heard many positive comments from readers and of course some not so positive comments from some who disagreed with my position on issues. Isn’t that what makes America great?  We have our first amendment right to freedom of expression. Many countries are envious of us.

Newspapers are a means of such communication. As a mayor, it has allowed me to communicate with the public as I have mentioned earlier, but it has also caused people to communicate with me. In serving the public, it is extremely important to “have your ear to the ground.” The first column was titled; “Communication is Key to Good Government.”

In simply looking at the titles of the 100 columns, I have tried to bring a variety of issues to the forefront. I have talked about trust in government and citizen engagement. 

I gave warning about the Casella 30 year take over of the city’s solid waste facility where out of state waste would be brought in offering a stench that would last into perpetuity. I called for the public forum that ultimately killed the proposed deal with Casella Waste Management.

Mayor Gilbert Gives Guided Tour of L-A to MAINEiacs Players and Parents

On August 19th,  Mayor Larry Gilbert, provided a two-hour guided tour of Lewiston-Auburn to the parents of prospective Lewiston MAINEiacs players who were in town for their sons' training camp, which commenced this week. They hailed from Quebec and the Maritime Provinces.

At 1:00 p.m., a bus full of parents left the Androscoggin Bank Colisée with Mayor Gilbert as their tour guide, with him speaking in both French and English. The tour was arranged by MAINEiacs President and Coach Don MacAdam, and Northeast Charter & Tour Co. of Lewiston provided use of the new bus that the MAINEiacs will be traveling on for road trips during the upcoming season. 

The first stop was at Sts. Peter & Paul Basilica.  Rev. Msgr. Mark Caron, also speaking in both French and English, provided a tour of the interior of the Basilica. It included the section behind the alter that was used to sing the Psalms by the Dominican Fathers who provided the clergy there for many decades. The Mayor reports that all were favorably impressed with the beautiful edifice.

The tour continued on past the former Healy Asylum, the Post Office, Lewiston Sun Journal, Lewiston Public Library, City Hall, Kennedy Park, Simone's Famous Hot Dogs, and Somali owned stores on Lisbon Street. Attorney offices were also pointed out on Lisbon Street as was the Maine District Court House, Fuel Restaurant, and the Mosque.

Upon a turn down Canal Street, the textile mills were pointed out, followed by a turn down Cedar Street and parking in the Continental Mill lot for a visit to the Franco-American Heritage Center. Mayor Gilbert, who serves as President of the Center's Board of Directors, provided them with a tour of the performing arts center.  He also touted the "Little Canada" section of the city providing historical background of its connection with the mills and St. Mary's Church, rectory, and school. While in the parking lot, the Mayor also provided an explanation of the naming of the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge linking Lewiston and Auburn.

Mayor Gilbert Comments On MAINEiacs Upcoming Season In Portland Press Herald

Mayor Gilbert was quoted in an article in the (Wednesday, August 19th,2009) Portland Press Herald about the MAINEiacs upcoming season. They did a nice job with the article. Mayor Gilbert will be gave the MAINEiacs players and parents a tour of Lewiston/Auburn in French and English aboard their new bus this afternoon.

Read full article after the jump.

[Portland Press Herald]

Mayor Gilbert Invited to Attend International Gathering of French-Speaking Mayors in Paris, France

Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert at the recommendation of the Quebec Government Delegate to New England, France Dionne--will join an international gathering of French-speaking mayors on October 1, 2009, in Paris, France, focusing on "Cities and the Dialogue of Cultures." 

The gathering will mark the 30th anniversary of the Association Internationale Des Maires Francophones  (AIMF), a branch of the Organization Internationale De La Francophonie (OIF). Gilbert will be attending at no cost to the City of Lewiston.

Started as a small club of northern French-speaking countries in 1970, the Francophonie has since evolved into a global organization whose numerous branches cooperate with its member states in the fields of culture, science, economy, justice, and peace. The Francophonie has been considered a French version of the Commonwealth of Nations and strives to promote cultural diversity and the use of the French language amongst member countries and throughout the world.   It also aims to stimulate education at all levels, economies, and lasting development, as well as impact major global debates.

Officially invited by Pierre Baillet, of the AIMF, French-speaking Gilbert noted, "It was an honor to be recommended by the Quebec Government Delegate to New England.  As I have now received the actual invitation to participate, I am looking forward to meeting mayors from around the world and exchanging thoughts and ideas with them."

Gilbert will indeed be interacting with mayors from numerous countries to include Egypt, Canada, Morocco, Togo, Madagascar, France, Romania, to name but a few.   At current time, there is only one other confirmed United States mayor attending, that of Mayor Joey Durel, Jr., of Lafayette, Louisiana, who is also the President of the Lafayette Parish Consolidation Government.

Specifically, the conference will focus on a new strategy to achieve inclusive societies.  The strategy is based upon inter-cultural dialogue applied to the workplace, to neighborhood life, to youth, to the media, and to the arts.  The strategy is touted as one that leads to harmonious interaction between persons and groups with different identities, as well as favoring social cohesion and economic development.

Attending mayors will consider what tools they can use; what the impact is of inter-cultural dialogue on economic and social development; and what might be the role of networks in developing such an approach to dialogue.

In addition, Gilbert will also attend workshops entitled Entrepreneurship and Health, Including Children's Healthcare; Neighborhood Schools and Other Neighborhood Spaces Where Dialogue Can be Useful; and The Roles of Networks and Networking in Pluralism.  Gilbert will also participate in a "Nuit Blanche," a     7 p.m. to 7 a.m. focus on contemporary arts.  The purpose of the event is to make art accessible to everyone, giving value to a shared heritage through contemporary artworks via a festive atmosphere. 

Media Related Links:

[Sun Journal]

[WMTW-TV 8]

Mayor Larry Gilbert At Groundbreaking for Stimulus Funded New LA Water Treatment Plant

Mayor Larry Gilbert is happy to see more stimulus money come to the twin cities that he has been advocating for. Groundbreaking for the Joint Lewiston & Auburn Ultraviolet Water Treatment Facility took place Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at Lake Auburn.

This is an important project for the two communities to meet regulatory requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and is the largest drinking water project in the State of Maine to be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

Among the other dignitaries was Senator Susan Collins and Auburn Mayor John Jenkins.

[Sun Journal]

Mayor's Corner: Ceremony at Lown Peace Bridge calls for World Peace

Twin City Times- Thursday, August 13th, 2009
Mayor's Corner #99

On the Sunday afternoon of December 7, 1941 my parents had gone to the movies at the Strand Theater here in Lewiston when suddenly an announcement was made that the Japanese Navy had attacked Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. To them, and to all Americans as described by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, it was a “day that will live in infamy.” This was the start of the war in the Pacific, a continuation of World War II.  Many American lives were lost that day as was the Pacific Battleship Fleet.

As a Vietnam War Veteran, I know full well the hell of war. I have always and will always continue to honor our war veterans and most especially those who made the supreme sacrifice in defense of our country.

The total number of people killed during all of World War II is 56 Million People. This figure in and of itself should be a lesson to us.  We are one-humanity and yet we are continually destroying each other. For what purpose, what is gained?  We were at war with Germany and today we are allies. We were at war with Japan and today we are allies. We were at war with England and today we are allies. We were at war with Vietnam and today we have established trade and returning to normalcy.  Why can’t we just work to find our common ground between nations?

Another “day that will live in infamy” actually includes two days and they were the atomic bombing of two Japanese cities. According to Wickipedia Encyclopedia,  President Harry Truman on August 6 and August 9, 1945 respectively ordered the nuclear bombing of these two cities. This came after forewarning which was ignored by the Emperor of Japan. These are the only attacks with nuclear weapons in the history of warfare. I was two months old at the time of this occurrence.

Again, according to Wickipedia, “the bombs killed as many as 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 80,000 in Nagasaki by the end of 1945, roughly half on the days of the bombings. Amongst these, 15–20% died from injuries or the combined effects of flash burns, trauma, and radiation, compounded by illness, malnutrition and radiation sickness. Since then, more have died from leukemia (231 observed) and solid cancers (334 observed) attributed to exposure to radiation released by the bombs. In both cities, most of the dead were civilians.” Shortly thereafter the war ended.

Mayor Gilbert Speaks at Ceremony on 64th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Nuclear Tragedies

On Sunday, August 9th, Mayor Larry Gilbert spoke at a remembrance ceremony for those who were victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear tragedies. Sunday marked the 64th anniversary of the attacks. The event took place at the foot of the the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge.

Aside from words from Mayor Larry Gilbert, Physicians for Social Responsibility Executive Director Dr. Peter Wilk spoke to the crowd.

Mayor Larry Gilbert led efforts last year to re-name Lewiston-Auburn's South Bridge after Dr. Bernard. Lown. The Bernard Lown Peace Bridge is dedicated to Dr. Bernard Lown, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, PSR founder, and native of Lewiston.

Mayor’s Corner: City Administrator’s Monthly Report; a good idea!

Twin City Times- Thursday, August 6th, 2009
Mayor's Corner #98

A couple of years ago as I was surfing the world wide web for city beautification ideas, I came upon the City of Santa Barbara, California where I had attended my first semester of high school at Saint Anthony’s Seminary behind the Santa Barbara Mission. Although my seminary days there to become a Franciscan Priest were short lived due to homesickness and an interest in girls, I did find that it was a beautiful city.

While on the city’s website, I noticed that the City Administrator was publishing a monthly City Administrator’s Report for the public’s benefit.  I printed a copy and talked to City Administrator Bennett about it and he nixed the idea. I didn’t pursue it further as it wasn’t something I had really seen around here.

A couple of months ago, Ward 4 City Councilor, Denis Theriault approached me with the idea of a monthly city administrator’s report modeled on one that Auburn City Manager Glen Aho puts out every month and from which he publishes excerpts in his weekly column of the TCT.  At that point, I provided Councilor Theriault with a copy of the Santa Barbara City Administrator’s report. He then decided to bring his proposal to the entire city council which received a unanimous vote of those present at the meeting. I wish to applaud Councilor Theriault for moving this forward.  At a recent city council meeting, Ward 6 Councilor, Betty Dube praised the first report which covered the month of June.

Lewiston’s monthly report can be accessed on the city’s website at http://www.ci.lewiston.me.us/ . On the main page, go to Monthly Departmental Reports. A copy is also available to be read at the City Clerk’s Office and the Library.

Auburn’s May report contained 44 pages. Lewiston’s report in June contained 53 pages which Santa Barbara’s Report was 8 pages in length.  Where we don’t want the City Administrator and Department Heads to spend all their time developing a monthly report, maybe a report of a dozen pages or so would suffice in keeping both the public and city council abreast of what is happening in each city department.