Lincoln County Republican Committee (LCRC) held their monthly meeting at the Alna Fire Station meeting room Oct. 23. There was a packed house and full program as local Republicans continue to rally around Republican successes at the national, state, and county levels. Welcomed guests were Dr. Jay Allen, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Ben Hincher from the Trump Victory Campaign, the Honorable Richard T. Bradstreet, who is serving his second term from House District 80, and the Honorable Jeffery Hanley, serving his third term from House District 87.

Dr. Allen graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree focusing on genetics and life science research. Deciding that a medical degree was his next step in life, he attended the Medical College of Pennsylvania. But realizing the costly undertaking of medical school, he joined the United States Army in 1994. While in the Army he deployed to combat zones three times. In the Army he had the opportunity to manage numerous people and projects. He and his wife have six children who are spread throughout the United States. Allen now lives in New Harbor and has a family practice in Waldoboro. He is alarmed at the increase of the Socialist movement in the United States and is a strong believer in fiscal responsibility.

Allen’s talk at LCRC was focused on his opposition to the so-called Death With Dignity legislation passed in the last legislative session in Maine. This bill violates Allen’s principle that life is sacred and that a doctor’s purpose is to save lives and make lives as comfortable as possible through palliative care. Allen pointed out that insurance providers find suicide cheap and the cost of fighting illness expensive.

Ben Hincher informed us of the many ways that the Trump Victory Campaign and the Maine people can work together to bring rationality and the light of day to Washington. We will all work together to not only re-elect President Trump, but also add national, state and local representatives to all of our government — officials who understand that the power of government is derived from the people giving officials the privilege of serving us, rather than adding more governmental powers just to create bigger bureaucracy.

Richard T. Bradstreet of Vassalboro, who is the ranking member of the Labor and Housing Committee, said he was disappointed about the number of bills that will come up in the next legislative session beginning in January 2020. He informed us that there are about 400 bills that were held over from the last session and there appears to be about 120 new bills to be considered in addition. The second session is for the purpose of deliberating on “emergency” bills. After last session’s record number of bills brought before the Legislature, he is rightfully incredulous that there are these additional 520 bills up for consideration. He said citizens will need to get educated on all these bills that pass as we may be in danger of breaking the law inadvertently.

Rep. Jeffery Hanley of Pittston serves on the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. He obviously has given a great deal of thought to the CMP corridor bill. He is passionate to bring energy sources to the Maine people that are the cleanest possible for the least amount of money. The lack of such energy, he believes, is the primary reason that Maine does not have more good jobs. Although the energy that will travel from the hydro damn in Quebec is intended for the Massachusetts market, there will be many immediate and potential longer term benefits for Mainers. Maine will, with some changes in the law, be able to negotiate with Canada for lower cost energy from this renewable source. Currently solar and wind energy are adding to Maine’s cost of energy. Hydro is much less costly and will bring the average cost down. And towns along the corridor will be able to tie into a $15 million fiber optic channel being planned along the corridor. Both former Governor LePage and Governor Mills are all in on this project. That says a lot!

The representatives could not help naming their least favorite bills that were brought before the Legislature in the last session. The winner was the $.40 per gallon increase on every gallon of fuel sold in the state which was brought forward by 62 elected Democratic Representatives (and that included some who call themselves Independent). This bill would have added $110 per fill up of oil for heat. And the citizens of our rural communities would have felt extreme pain from this with their commutes to work or just getting to the grocery stores.

Representatives Broadstreet and Hanley also commented on the wind turbines being built out near Monhegan Island. No trespassing signs will be going up covering about a mile wide of ocean fishing ground because of these monstrous, high cost sources of energy.

There was also a brief period of time spent on LCRC business, a treasurer’s report, a discussion on obtaining an election headquarter, and Franciscka Needham brought new wording for DO NOT Resuscitate Directives to our attention and clarified a matter regarding her art work which was used for a fundraiser.

The next Lincoln County Republican Committee meeting will be held at the Newcastle Fire Station building on River Road at 7 p.m., refreshments will be available at 6:30. Maine Heritage Policy Center is sending two representatives to talk to us about the legislative process in Augusta and how we can influence what goes on there. All Republicans are welcome to attend.