Representative Bruce Bickford’s

E{Newsletter

March 26, 2010

State Issues:

 

Maple Syrup Sunday Fast Approaching

 

On the fourth Sunday every March, many of Maine’s sugarhouses throw their doors open to the general public for Maple Syrup Sunday. They offer educational activities, entertainment, free samples, and more, depending on the location.  This is a great chance to gain valuable insight into an important Maine industry as they mark the coming of spring and the beginning of their season. 

 

This year Maple Syrup Sunday falls on March 28^th.  The Maine Department of Agriculture has a website providing more information on all of the activities available across the state. Just visit http://www.getrealmaine.com and click on “Maple Syrup Sunday” at the bottom of the page.

 

Paper Applications For Moose Permit Lottery Due By April 1

 

Paper applications for the 2010 Moose Permit Lottery must be submitted to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W) by 5PM on April 1. Paper applications may be delivered in person to the IF&W offices at 284 State Street in Augusta or mailed to the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. 

 

Although the deadline for paper applications is April 1, hunters may submit applications online until 11:59PM on May 14.  The online service is available on IF&W’s website at http://www5.informe.org/online/moose/.  This year, IF&W will issue 3,140 permits, with the Moose Lottery drawing being held on June 17 at L.L. Bean in Freeport.  Successful applicants will be notified by mail within a few weeks after the drawing.

 

Mainers Encouraged To Use Water Efficiently

 

The Maine Public Utilities Commission, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recently encouraged Maine homeowners to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks. Fixing leaks not only saves water, it can help homeowners save money on their utility bills as well.  You can save water in a number of ways, including:

 

·        Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear, replacing them if necessary;

·        Replace the rubber flapper on your toilet, which is often the cause of leaky toilets;

·        Replace the nylon or rubber washer on a leaky garden hose, and;

·        Check landscape irrigation systems each spring to make sure they were not damaged by frost or freezing.

 

If you do have to replace toilets, faucets, or other items, check to see if they carry the EPA’s WaterSense label.  These products have been independently tested and certified to ensure that they save water and perform as well or better than standard models. For more information on the EPA’s WaterSense program, visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense.

 

Economic News

 

The Maine Department of Labor announced that the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.2% in January, up from a revised 8.1% in December.  In January 2009 the state’s unemployment rate was 7.3%. 

 

Maine’s unemployment rate has remained lower than the national rate, which was 9.7% in January.  Maine fell in the middle of the pack compared to the other New England states, with a higher unemployment rate than New Hampshire and Vermont but a lower rate than Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

 

 

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