Mayor Larry Gilbert

Mayor's Corner: A Mayor’s role is as a community facilitator and supporter

Twin City Times- Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Mayor's Corner #110

In cities such as Lewiston and Auburn where there is a strong council, weak mayor and city manager form of government, the mayor’s role takes on other forms of public service. That isn’t to say that a mayor has no means of influence because he or she does.

There is always the “bully pulpit” which in and of itself can take many forms. Certainly this Mayor’s Corner of the Twin City Times is a means of communicating and acting as a community facilitator or supporter to help people achieve their dreams, be that in the form of volunteerism, business, public service and the list goes on.

Other means of functioning as a community facilitator and supporter is through the use of other media such as cable television, attending meetings, writing letters of support.  A mayor’s role is an active one.

Ceremonial groundbreaking with shovels or ribbon cutting at grand openings occur often and are opportunities to celebrate the efforts of many, be that for a business or school opening. They generally require the delivery of a speech. Such would not be possible without the able and extraordinary assistance of the likes of a Dottie Perham-Whittier, Lewiston’s Community Relations Coordinator who writes the speeches and coordinates the activity. The mayor’s support is only made possible with such behind the scenes assistance.

There are those who are involved in teaching our young children, be that at a day care or a school. For example, Estelle Rubinstein the Executive Director of Head Start has invited mayors to come read to pre-school children and have lunch with them. The Ready Read program has been another means of being supportive by reading to children at day care centers. Then there is Ms. Andrea Bail a fourth grade teacher at Martel School who invites “mystery readers” readers to her class that includes the mayor.

Mayor Gilbert Takes Part In 'Kid's Day America/International'

On Saturday, September 19, Mayor Gilbert took part in festivities surrounding the 6th Annual Kid’s Day America/International.

The event was held at Montello Elementary School in Lewiston. Kid’s Day America/International is dedicated to children’s health, safety, and environmental awareness.

The even locally has been sponsored by Sasseville Chiropractic Wellness Center.

Mayor Gilbert presented a proclamation to Dr. Chandra Sasseville and her staff on behalf of the City of Lewiston to recognize the hard work and dedication Dr. Sasseville and her staff have given to Kid’s Day America/International over the years.

Last years event involved over 400 kids (with their families), served 675 meals, and raised $2,150 for their charity; New Beginnings, in hopes to spotlight their involvement with children in crisis.

Due to the rising rates of obesity and health issues, Dr. Sasseville and her staff have provided spinal, foot, dental, and eye screenings, as well as five minute massages.

(Photo above, Mayor Gilbert with Dr. Chandra Sasseville)

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.

L/A Mayors Photographed for United Way's "Live United" Ad Campaign

Mayor Larry Gilbert of Lewiston and Mayor John Jenkins of Auburn were photographed recently for  the United Way's "Live United" ad campaign. The first ad which feature Mayor's Gilbert and Jenkins wearing a white 'Live Untied' T-Shirt with the caption, "Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

Another ad features Mayor Gilbert alone with the caption, "How to live United. Invest in the building block for a good life. Education, Income, & Health.

The photos were taken by Kip Elliott.

Mayor's Corner: A Gala Honoring an Extraordinary Man

Twin City Times- Thursday, September 18th, 2008
Mayor's Corner #52

 
L to R. Larry Gilbert, Kitty Dukakis, Governor Michael Dukakis, Dr. Bernard Lown

 
L to R. Larry Gilbert, Pat Gilbert, Alan Dershowitz, Al Harvie

I write about an extraordinary man who was honored Saturday night at the Seaport Hotel in Boston. This man is none other than Dr. Bernard Lown, an internationally renowned cardiologist who graduated from Lewiston High School in 1938 and went on to develop the direct current (DC) defibrillator that has saved thousands upon thousands of lives worldwide.

Dr. Lown has been and continues to be, even though he recently retired, a people’s doctor.  He is quoted as saying “Medicine is the art of engagement with the human condition rather than with the disease.”  I am currently reading his book entitled The Lost Art of Healing, Practicing Compassion in Medicine.  I would highly recommend it to anyone and most especially physicians.  As one doctor has said; “It should be required reading by everyone in medical school.”

In 1985, Dr. Lown and his Soviet counterpart Dr. Yevgeni Chazov, a Russian Cardiologist, won the Nobel Peace Prize, not for medicine, but for peace.  Together they founded the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War.  This worldwide organization, made up of thousands of physicians, was able to gather enough data to demonstrate that the world could not survive a nuclear war. There simply weren’t enough hospitals and physicians to treat those afflicted by such an attack, the result being death.   

My wife, Pat, is currently reading his newly released book Prescription for Survival, a Doctor’s Journey to End Nuclear Madness.  I cannot wait to delve into that book. Periodically, my wife will present me with tidbits from the book written by this most extraordinary man.

Over a year ago while I was volunteering as an indoor track official at Bates College, Al Harvie, a Bates alumnus and retired teacher who has taught at Edward Little High School and Leavitt Area High School was serving as the announcer of the track meet.  During a break, he started telling me about this most extraordinary man, Dr. Bernard Lown.  He also told me that he was a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and had graduated from Lewiston High School. He said that nowhere in Lewiston-Auburn had he ever been recognized for his achievements.  Harvie suggested to me that the South Bridge that connects Lewiston’s Little Canada to New Auburn be named in Lown’s Honor.

Mayor Gilbert Receives Pie In The Face For Kennedy Park Playground Equipment Fundraiser

(Mayor Gilbert gets hit in the face with a pie by Mack as Councilor Bailey looks on)

On Saturday, August 23rd community residents joined together under sunny skies for a time of music, fun, and laughter at Kennedy Park in downtown Lewiston.  The event was a fundraiser to acquire additional playground equipment for the park, and over $300 was raised.  Highlights of the evening were entertainment by local musicians, balloon making by Shriner Klowns Ginjo and Dusty, and pie throwing with Mayor Larry Gilbert, as the recipient. 

The event was planned by Project Neighborhood.  Lewiston City Councilor Tina Bailey, who is part of that group, noted, ''I thought it was an incredible event that brought people from the neighborhood out to enjoy the music, and it was very generous of the Mayor to allow people to put pie in his face.  Two ladies I saw later in the evening expressed their appreciation for the neighborhood event."

Senator Collins and L/A Mayors Take Part in MDA Fundraiser

U.S. Senator Susan Collins along with Mayor John Jenkins of Auburn, and Mayor Larry Gilbert participated in Jam Day, a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association held at L/A Harley Davidson in Lewiston on Saturday, June 28, 2008. Aside from raffles was a pancake breakfast in which both Mayors and the Senator took part in by serving pancakes to the crowd. (Pictured L to R: Mayor Gilbert, Senator Collins, and Mayor Jenkins)