What a week — June 1-5 — extra long caucuses, parties trying to get their point across for passage of their bill, and Democrats leaving their caucus. Some quotes were: “nothing means anything,” “long winded and doesn’t make any sense.” In Republican caucuses the same legislators walking out and saying, “I’ve heard enough,” “where do they find this stuff,” and “we already did that.” There seems to be a lot of anger. One senior senator said to me, “the new ones don’t know what they’re talking about — many of these things we’ve been through before. We need to get rid of this new system. Hey, if the person ain’t doing the job, let the voters decide. We’ve lost a lot of good experienced legislators, that’s why we are in turmoil.” Maybe you’re right, senator. I agree, let The People decide who belongs and who doesn’t.

Taxes and Welfare are the items separating our legislators. My opinion — listen to the Governor, his Commissions, his team. We The People elected our Governor to do what he thinks is right for the people. His Commissioners are trying to run their agency for all the people, not for those special interest groups. I’ve talked to senior citizens and lots of them are confused, scared, and wonder what will happen to them if the State shuts down.

Our legislators are working double shifts, our Appropriations Committee is working overtime to come up with a budget that will satisfy our Governor and both parties. I’ve got to say this — they are all good people and in their own way they want to do the right thing for the people, but they can’t come together on Taxes and Welfare. It’s time for a prayer or two. Who knows — it might work. Most of my mornings were spent in the Senate Chamber. Lots of bills “Ought Not To Pass” were tabled till later, placed on file, or placed on Appropriations table. One Senator told me, “at that rate, they’ll be in session till the end of June.”

My afternoons have been busy with LD 1280 — an act to establish a competitive bidding process for the operation of a resort-style casino in Southern Maine. Absolutely approve of this legislation. In my opinion it’s MAINE MADE. Number one, it takes care of veterans. When the casino is up and running 14 million dollars will be distributed to veterans. The distributions will be handled by a Board of Directors. Our veteran cemeteries need better funding. Veterans Courts need additional counties. The Veterans Emergency Fund would be restored. We would be able to better serve our homeless veterans, especially our women veterans. We could help our Veterans Homes with comfort items, and we could study some kind of transportation system for veterans, their families and survivors. It sounds too good to be true, but with The Peoples help it can happen!

Call your state senators, Democrat 287-1515, Republican 287-1505. On the House side, call 287-1400; give your name, residence, legislators name and support for LD 1280. Sounds simple? It is, try it. Help our veterans. Also the harness racing industry in Maine needs help — LD 1280 will benefit them as well. Our off-track betting parlors would also get some funding — we have one in Brunswick. The State Fairs would also get some help — Topsham, Union, and Litchfield in our area. It sounds like a Maine made product to me. The casino would be built in southern Maine. It would probably take two or three years. Imagine the economic boom this will cause for our state. Sounds to me like a nobrainer.

Talking to friend Sen. Stan Gerzofsky (Brunswick), he said,” seems to me, if they can find the money to send people to war, they ought to find the money when they return.” We all agree, seems like when wars end, those who survived are forgotten. Think of the many, many veterans still suffering from the ravages of disease, wounds and wants — think of those survivors who lost their loved ones in the wars. Veterans deserve better treatment.

Enough on the state level, let’s talk about our federal government. What are our Congressional delegates in Maine doing for Maine veterans? Employment and housing are among the first barriers that veterans must overcome during their transition from military to civilian lifestyle. Legislation would help to eliminate needless roadblocks. Returning veterans may also suffer from additional stressors such as marital conflict, PTSD, TBI, to name a few. The veterans and Service Members Employment Rights Housing Act of 2015 was recently re-introduced in the House. A quote from Rep. Kilmer (D-WA), “if you fight for our country, you should not have to fight for a job when you come home.” Two bills pending in Congress would extend VA benefits for Agent Orange exposure to sailors who served off the coast of Vietnam during the war: HR969 in the House and S681 in the Senate are both called “The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015.”

Contact Sen. King and Sen. Collins and Rep. Pingree and Rep. Polequin and ask them to support this legislation.

Recently in Congress a group of 9/11 vets formed a Congressional Caucus with it’s purpose being to address issues related to the newest generation of veterans. Leaders of the caucus say they want to tackle concerns of the 2.8 million veterans who served since 9/11. A quote from Sen. Gabbard (Hawaii), ”taking care of our brothers and sisters in uniform who have selflessly served our country must be a priority for Congress. The bond that exists between those of us who served spans across all generations.”

On the local scene a lot is happening — The Veterans Resource Center at Brunswick Landing has been busy — Director Read Rich has organized many programs helpful to local veterans and Paul Loveless VSO at the Center has helped many veterans, their families and survivors. Veterans, if you are in a period of crisis and need to talk with someone, don’t go it alone, make a confidential phone call to Paul or Read at 406- 4103.

The Brunswick Naval Museum and Memorial Gardens are now open two days a week, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. The public is welcome.

A Habitat For Humanity information meeting will take place from 9;30 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 20; for more information, contact Michelle at 504-9335.

Post 20 American Legion Flag Honors Ceremony will take place from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at Joshua Chamberlain Park.

A FRA meeting will take place at Post 202 in Topsham, at noon Thursday, June 11.

The annual Wounded Warriors Golf tournament, to benefit the veterans serviced in this area, will take place August 21 at the Brunswick Golf Club. Support this important fundraiser by donating your time to participate or volunteer as a helper. For further information call the Resource Center at 406-4103.

The Coffee Crowd: Gil has been busy planning for events when The Evergreens Center becomes the Post 20 home. How about those Yankees — Murph’s happy, Dante too — both smiling. Jim, Cliff, Bob — watch those Red Sox!!!

’Til next time, keep the faith.

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Chick Ciciotte is the legislative chairperson for the Mid-Coast Veterans Council. He lives in Topsham.