ICYMI Video of the July 15 Meeting | Legislative, Judicial, and State Party Updates

The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) held its monthly meeting on July 15, 2021, via Zoom.

During this meeting we received legislative, judicial and state party updates from: Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli (SD 23), Sen. Chloe Maxmin (SD 13), Reps. Allison Hepler (HD 53) and Holly Stover (HD 89), District Attorney Natasha Irving (PD 6), and Gaetan Davis, the new executive director of the Maine Democratic Party. Rep. Lydia Crafts (HD 90) was unable to participate.

Note that the video has been edited to show only the Legislative Update portion along with the Q&A. Our LCDC business meeting is not included in this recording.

The next meeting will take place on September 16. In August, we’ll see you at the Bake!

Notes and Resources Shared During the Meeting Chat

DA Natasha Irving announced her bid for re-election. Reach out to her at: natasha.irving.da@gmail.com or natasha.irving@maineprosecutors.com.

These two questions were asked to and answered via chat and not on the live recording by DA Irving:

Q. By Jeff Tarbox: How do you respond to the question of how your work has made Mainers safer? How can we respond to questions we might get about what your work might mean for our neighbors? I like restorative justice, but I’d like to be able to talk more broadly?

A. From Natasha: Jeff, that is a great question. Mainers are safer because the people who are non-violent offenders are diverted to treatment, where recidivism rates plummet, jail and prison are proven drivers of violence and crime. When it comes to violent and sexual crimes, we are using our resources to fight those cases, and we are working with law enforcement to build stronger cases. When you fail to charge a sex offender because their victim is vulnerable, it is clear that they continue to offend with impunity.

Q. By Sue and Bruce Rockwood: Restorative justice is important How are we in Maine going to deal with the recent deaths of young children. Do the DA and sheriff offices have any coordination with Maine child services to improve timely intervention in these situations?

A. From Natasha: Sue and Bruce, we are working with Lincoln County and other law enforcement agencies to build cases against child abusers, to get neglectful parents interventions/support/or accountability. We need a strong child protective safety net, they can make quick interventions that can save lives before we are dealing with injured or murdered children. I have sent my victim witness advocates and prosecutors to special trainings regarding child abuse, we have filed more charges, and used the criminal justice system to protect children from dangerous or violent parents. Again: DHHS should and can be doing more, and we are begging for that intervention on a daily basis.

Follow up by Sue and Bruce: Thank you Natasha. One story, about five years ago I mentored a youth who had a minor charge, and his parents spent his college fund on a lawyer to no great purpose before we got a restorative contract for him and had his charges dismissed after he completed it. A public defender would have saved them a lot of money.

Shared by David Levesque to Everyone : Amanda Silverstein and the Finch Society from Maine Law did a great job in pursuing the tax credits and promoting rural practice.

Asked by Autumn Mahoney: Do any of the officials have anything to share that was surprising to them this year, in a good way, that came from their Republican colleagues?

Answered by Rep. Hepler: great question. For me, it was Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham and Sen Craig Hickman working together to get the Right to Food Constitutional Amendment. I love those types of coalitions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Sarah Wolcott Twaddle has announced that there is a memorial service for Andrew Twaddle scheduled for Sunday, August 1 from 4:00 – 5:30 PM at the St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 32 Emery Ln, Boothbay Harbor, ME. Andrew has been a strong supporter of our organization for many years as a summer visitor to the region. Read Andrew’s obituary here.

Family Fun Day Lobster Bake
Sunday August 8, 2021
Noon – 3 PM
Cider Hill Farm
785 Main Street, Waldoboro
General Admission: $40
Hosts: $150 and up
Event website will be up soon to sign up!

FMI, to volunteer or to donate, contact Geoff Bates, Leader, LCDC Fundraising Initiatives at:
gbbates@gmail.com
207.644.8776

Treat for Two Raffle!
Win two tickets with round-trip transportation to the Turner Farm Barn Supper for Thursday, August 19, 2021. Tickets are $30 each. To purchase raffle tickets or to ask questions, contact Johnson at 207-549-3358 or email her at valariesmithjohnson@gmail.com. Due to state law, tickets are not sold online.