Comedy Night

The next fund raiser for New Lungs for George will feature talented comedians George Hamm and Ryan Waning, along with a guest to be announced. It’s Comedy Night at Spring Meadows Golf Course in Gray on Saturday, Nov. 10. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the show will start at 8 p.m. Snacks and a cash bar will be available.

Tickets are now on sale for $20 per person. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 926-5170. You may pay at the event. There are no guarantees that tickets will be available that evening, so book early.

A raffle to benefit for New Lungs for George is currently going on. The prize is a cord of firewood. Tickets are $5 each, and the drawing for the winner will take place at Comedy Night. To find out where to purchase raffle tickets, call 926-5170.

Election Day – Nov. 6

The most important detail New Gloucester voters need to know is that the polling place has permanently changed from the Amvets Hall to the Memorial School, 86 Intervale Road (Route 231). The entrance and exit will be through the side doors of the gym. The teachers have graciously consented to park out back in order to leave the prime spots for voters. The polls will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., as in the past.

Voter registration is available at town hall during regular office hours and at the polls on Election Day. Should you wish to vote by absentee ballot, you may vote at town hall during regular office hours. If you’d like to have an absentee ballot sent to you, call the town office at 926-4126 for an application, or print one out from the town web site www.newgloucester.com, ELECTIONS link.

Specimen ballots for the Nov. 6 election can be viewed on that Web page as well. The state ballot is comprised of five questions; the county ballot has three questions; and the local ballot contains just one, which is to decide between two candidates for selectman.

Two Candidates for Selectman

Linda Chase and Christopher Rheault are vying for a vacant seat on the board of selectmen created by the unfortunate death of Wayne Cobb who served as its vice-chair. Below are statements provided by each candidate.

“Hello, my name is Linda Chase and I am running for selectman. I am and have been involved in several community committees. I am a current member of the Parks and Recreation Committee where I have worked on the budget and CIP processes. I am active with SAD 15’s Project Team Committee. We are involved with shared facilities, shared philosophy and shared goals for student athletics, coaches and community programs. I have served as president of the New Gloucester Little League Board for the past 12 years.

“I have seen this community pull together in tragedy, reach out to neighbors in time of need and support each other through thick and thin. I would like the opportunity to continue the community spirit while helping the town adjust to the change around us. As our community continues to grow, new challenges will need to be faced. With your support I would like to help with this transition period.

“I am employed in the laboratory at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and have been for 21 years. I have lived in the New Gloucester community for most of my life. I have three children, Seth, 21, Megan, 19, and Lucas, 17. Thank you for your support on Nov. 6.”

The other candidate is Christopher Stephen Rheault, 30, single, no children; Education – MAH, University of St. Andrews; Teacher Certification, University of New England; candidate for Maine House of Representatives, 2006; VP Board of Directors, Tanglewood 4H Camp and Learning Center; former teacher, currently unemployed but volunteer with various statewide organizations.

“The major issues facing our town, like many, are focused around growth and the strains it puts on the services we provide. As a town we need to be proactive about where the growth happens in our town, encouraging new businesses and welcoming new residents. We need to work more at preserving our open spaces, which are a major part of what makes this town so special.

“As a teacher, I am very aware of the issues that face us as we prepare to follow the state’s mandates for school consolidation. As selectman, I will make sure that the needs of all our students are met when they enter a possible new district. Also, as the town grows we need to review the kinds of services we provide to our citizens and see if there are ways we can do more with neighboring towns, particularly with regard to our trash and recycling programs. Obviously our roads also suffer with more people living in and traveling through our town and we need to ensure that we are building, repairing and maintaining our roads as best we can.

“I wish I was running for this office under different circumstances. We lost a great citizen when we lost Wayne Cobb. However, I look forward to the opportunity to serve my town.”

Town Board and Committee Meetings

Oct. 30, Parks and Rec Committee, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse.

Nov. 1, Public Safety Committee, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse.

Nov. 1, Arts and Creative Economy, 7 p.m., Fire Station.

Nov. 1, Gazebo Committee, 7 p.m., Library.

Nov. 2, StoryTime, 9:30 a.m., Library.