Housing Choice Vouchers is a federal program that helps low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled afford safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Also known as Section 8, this program provides rental subsidies that are vital to making ends meet for many families.
Throughout the country, the federal funds are administered by state and local public housing authorities. In our state, the Maine State Housing Authority performs the bulk of this important work.
Last fall, alerted by newspaper reports and concerns of an Oxford County fire chief that federal funds were going to landlords who failed to maintain subsidized properties at acceptable health and safety standards, I asked the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a thorough audit. The final report, which was just issued, provides further proof that, under its previous leadership, Maine State Housing failed to live up to its mission of helping low-income Maine people live in decent, safe, and affordable housing.
For this audit, HUD inspected a representative sample of 61 Section 8 housing units administered by Maine State Housing throughout Maine. Of those, 53 failed and even worse, 28 of the 61 units, nearly half, had emergency or life-threatening violations requiring immediate correction.
These violations ranged from leaking roofs, mold and mildew, and broken plumbing fixtures to exposed electrical wiring and faulty propane connections. No one should ever be living in federally subsidized housing that fails to meet basic health and safety standards. Certainly, the American taxpayers should not be footing the bill for shoddy units.
This crisis was brought to my attention early last November in a letter from the Fire Chief in Paris, Maine, which included a copy of an alarming investigative report published a few days earlier by the local newspaper. For that report, the Norway Advertiser-Democrat inspected more than 125 Section 8 units in Oxford County and uncovered shocking violations, poor oversight, and wasted taxpayer dollars.
I immediately called upon the HUD Inspector General to investigate. As a leader of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations, I was concerned not only about the well-being and safety of tenants in Maine, but also about the larger issue of federal funds subsidizing improper housing nationwide. More than 2.1 million American households rely on the Housing Choice Voucher program at a cost to taxpayers of nearly $19 billion.
I believe that the unacceptable conditions revealed by the HUD investigation are being corrected by the new management team that has led Maine State Housing since last spring. One significant change already in effect is that it no longer hires outside agents to conduct property inspections, but takes on that responsibility itself. Furthermore, Maine State Housing has committed to inspecting every one of the 3,200 units it oversees.
In addition to recommending significant improvements in inspection quality control, the HUD Inspector General has recommended that Maine State Housing repay the nearly $200,000 it wasted on substandard housing. In a separate financial-management issue, the HUD Inspector General is also questioning the propriety of nearly $112,000 Maine State Housing paid to a technology consultant through a noncompetitive procurement process.
One of the strengths of our society is the willingness of citizens to speak up, and the Paris Fire Chief and the Norway newspaper should be commended for doing just that. Going forward, Maine State Housing must not only be steadfastly committed to ensuring safe and healthy housing for Maine people, but also to spending taxpayer dollars.
Romney for America!
By Hon. Hayes Gahagan
As a Romney delegate from Maine to the Republican National Convention in Tampa this August, I was greatly impressed and moved by the display of American Patriotism and love for God and Country openly displayed by prayers, speeches and song each day of the 4-day event.
Speakers and performers presented a refreshing unity of diversity in personality, talent, sophistication, and experience in the arenas of government, politics, business, education, sports, entertainment, military service, and culture.
Yet, when we arrived back at our hotel, sometimes after midnight and again in the morning, we watched the national news as if there had been a filter placed on television, radio, and print media, because the truth of what was really happening at the Republican National Convention was not evident.
The political filters and spin doctors of the main stream media were continuing to present a biased, narrow, and distorted view of the Republican Party and of our Presidential Nominee, Mitt Romney.
It was therefore very encouraging when, along with 70 million other viewers, we saw the same Mitt Romney we had met at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, unedited, during the October 3 debate on national television. This was and is the Mitt Romney who in summary is the best candidate for less government and bi-partisanship.
On Nov 6, we can choose to either: (1) stay on the path of division and bankruptcy, leading to a godless European style nanny-state where the growing tyranny of government intervention and control stifles individual thought and initiative in favor of the collective mind, will and emotion; or (2) work together to return to the path of American Exceptionalism where the unique and basic American values of Liberty, In God We Trust and E Pluribus Unum can and will overcome the destructive assaults of Radical Leftism and Islamism.
At this critical moment in the history of our great nation, it is my belief that a vote for Mitt Romney is a vote for America and restoration of the values and policies that made America the Beacon of Freedom for Individual Rights and Liberty in the world.
Hayes Gahagan is a former state senator from Aroostook County, and serves as Chairman of the Aroostook County Republican Committee.
Welcome to the world of real politics
To the editor:
It’s that time of year when as responsible citizens we do due diligence in putting some thought to where our country, state, and communities should be heading and what direction they should take to solve the many problems that we and our children will be facing in the future. Are we going to accept the same old moronic ways of doing things in the political arena (federal, state, and local governments) that have driven us over the proverbial cliff with a noose around our necks with promises that we will survive the fall, or do we do the sensible thing and build a platform of security that will provide us with a tough landing but with more of a chance to survive the outcome of what’s in place now?
We’ve blamed all the politicians and the systems in place for all the monumental economic problems we have today when in fact we only have ourselves to blame. We elected all these self serving bureaucrats who only represent special interest groups. If the same old regime gets back into office this nightmare is just beginning and I can assure you the riots that are happening in foreign countries with socialistic governments will look like a cakewalk compared to what you will see here in the good old U.S.A.
When are we going to learn from the warning that Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who I might add was a staunch Democrat, gave about not letting unions into the government sector. He stated that it would cause great disruption in our government. Had this warning been strictly adhered to, we sure wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in today.
Unions are so well entrenched in our government today that they have the largest dedicated voting block in the country. Along with their offspring that are all tied to the government hip along with all those in our generous welfare systems who are taking everything they can get for nothing, unions represent a large majority and as we know full well majority rules and leaves very few in the private sector who pay all the bills very little control over big government.
The private sector and all other reasonable people with some form of common sense have to take a stand and instill in the minds of our legislators that they have to take some bold steps to bring to an end unbridled government spending and get us back on the road to prosperity. That will mean downsizing government wages to a level of the private sector for the same job performance, shortening vacation times to that which mirrors the private sector (normally two weeks yearly), and limiting sick leave days to require doctor approval. Insurance benefits should be for employee only and not a family plan unless monetary input by an employee is implemented. High deductible programs should be considered for all employees, that would bring this freebee more in line with what the private sector has to do. All employees of governments should be in the same Social Security system afforded the private sector with all the same retirement age requirements that are now in place for the private sector (including all sitting lawmakers). Also the elimination of payout for sick leave time not taken and accumulated at the time of termination of employment or retirement. There are a lot of other items to mention but not enough hours in the day; we can talk about these at a later time.
In Caribou, we have City Council seats to fill and on the state representation level we have a House seat vacancy for District 4. A gentleman by the name of Mark Goughan is running for this position and I would have to say, in consideration of his background, he would be the man for the job. He is on the ballot as an independent and not beholden to either party. He has a unique family farm that is well known far and wide for its products and cordial atmosphere for his customers who frequent the farm for fruits and vegetables. The farm is also well known for his corn maze and popular farm tours and carnival rides for the children who partake in eating his farm’s home-made ice cream.
He’s a man that served on our Caribou City Council by the unselfish giving of time and energy to create a more responsible and transparent local government. His experience in city government using logical approaches to budgetary items and problems will go a long way to make him an excellent choice as a representative for District 4 and you can take that to the bank. His knowledge of public finance and common sense is second to none.
Wilfred Martin
Caribou
More of Lesson 37: When you enter the world of cancer, don’t waste time asking why; fight for your life
I have always loved the month of October. Cloaked in blazing colors of orange and deep red, October is by far the most colorful and most unpredictable month of the year, as balmy days and frosty nights give way to easy slumber. My parents were married in October and it is also the month I was born. October is the prelude to the Holidays and the host of Halloween happenings.
In recent years, October has been hailed as Breast Cancer Awareness month and that familiar shade of pink, the color symbolizing breast cancer, is easily recognized. While navy blue is the color representing rectal cancer awareness, the color green symbolizes kidney cancer. Some of the other colors are yellow (bladder cancer), white (bone cancer), and orange (leukemia). This myriad of color defines a disease that is complex, diverse and often as unpredictable as an October sky.
As a rectal cancer survivor, I have become privy to the world of cancer. This monstrous disease ravages lives with a wrath that is unchallenged. We shudder with ironic delight at displays of Halloween ghosts, vampires, witches, and zombies, but the true monster cowers in the darkest of corners, choosing its victims at random with no preference or prejudice.
I clearly recall my first appointment with my radiation oncologist. The walls of the examining room were done in a soft, safe blue. Within the space was an examining table and counters displaying information placards and small tubes of medicated cream that is used to soothe skin damaged from radiation. Tasteful, decorative wall hangings and inspirational posters were carefully positioned at eye level. I turned to my husband and whispered, “This is a whole new world to me.” The room’s atmosphere was comfortable, sincere and welcoming but just below the surface, cancer’s strong whisper prevailed.
Chemotherapy and radiation become familiar terms to those of us who go to war with cancer. I am still surprised at how easily the phrase, “I had two rounds of chemo” rolls off my tongue these days. When I am asked how I am doing, I answer that I am doing fine and that I am rather fortunate, despite the radiation proctitis that I am presently plagued with. When I see a lady wearing a lovely lavender turban or a scarf upon her head, I no longer look at her with great sadness and empathy. I smile and catch her eye; knowing from my own experience that the hair loss is a small penance to pay for the chance to go on living.
As October steps aside and November arrives, we say farewell to those bronze leaves. We willingly struggle through the month of November, shaded in brown and gray, because the ultimate reward is Thanksgiving and Christmas! It is the same in the world of cancer. We forgive the bitter cold and the short days of sunlight because we believe that beneath winter’s white blanket, a young and eager spring will bless us with the revival of color, the return of warmth and the strength to heal.
Editor’s Note: Belinda Wilcox Ouellette lives Connor TWP with her husband Dale and their Goldendoodle Barney. They are currently working on building a home in Caribou. You may contact Belinda online at: dbwouellette@maine.rr.com.
Heirlooms help keep families formally attached
The first words most of us learn are Mama and Dada; because these are words that identify people and their place in our world. We start as babies and spend all our lives trying, in some way, to attach people to us. Genealogy is a formal way of doing this; keeping people in our lives. Informally, we have been doing this since long before written records existed. Early cave paintings consist of the animals on which our hunter/gatherer ancestors relied, but, significantly, we also find handprints declaring “I was here!” From the beginning we have tried to pass down something of ourselves to future generations, not only our genetic heritage, but something of our personality.
It is no accident that we are known for repeating stories as we get older. It is part of this same, very human need to be remembered. I believe we repeat stories as a hangover from the days when oral history was the only history we had. It is the same with the family heirlooms that are passed down for generations. The best heirlooms have a name and a story attached, and a list of family members through whose hands they have passed.
I know of one family whose patriarch’s pipe had sat on the same fireplace mantel since Revolutionary War days. There is a man whose courage was tested under fire, and his family has carried the memory of that for several generations. We can be sure that the list of family members who have honored that memory will be passed on for at least another generation. By remembering this family’s past through heirlooms, it is a way of saying: “We are a strong and brave family.” In my own family, we cherish Kittie Gallagher’s photographs and the plate she painted as a way of recognizing her creativity. At the same time we are saying that this family values art and beauty.
Formal genealogy began as a way for the early kings to say: “I should be your king because the blood of these great men of our past flows in my veins!” It was a way of implying that because his ancestors were strong, or smart, he was too, and therefore, even without having been tested, you could rely on him. In actual fact, genetics has shown us today that the traits of our ancestors may very well have been passed down to the future. Perhaps not as reliably as royalty would have us believe, but many things are passed down to some degree.
My own ancestral tree has shown no major memorable heroes, no remarkable strengths, and no feats of derring-do. In fact there have been a few characters I’d just as soon not have to claim. But they are my people, and I have learned much by coming to know them. We learn from mistakes as well as greatness. I like to think I am a better person today because I better understand their weaknesses and strengths. I can recognize parts of it in myself, and work to improve. Genealogist heal thyself!
Editor’s note: Columnist Nina Brawn of Dover-Foxcroft, who has been doing genealogy for over 30 years, is a freelance genealogy researcher, speaker and teacher. Reader e-mails are welcome at ninabrawn@gmail.com. The Aroostook County Genealogical Society meets the fourth Monday of the month except in July and December at the Cary Medical Center’s Chan Education Center, 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, at 6:30 p.m. Guests and prospective members are always welcome. FMI contact Edwin “J” Bullard at 492-5501.
Thank you to supporters of ‘Welcome Home’ event
To the editor:
On behalf of everyone involved with the recent 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War and Welcome Home for both Vietnam and Vietnam-era Veterans held Oct. 6 at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, I want to express to the following who were involved which made the program successful, my “personal thanks”: Congressman Mike Michaud; local Congressional staff; Young Marines; Thomas O. Cyr American Legion Post 147; Lister-Knowlton VFW Post 9389; musical selection by Melanie Saucier, daughter of Vietnam Veteran; staff of Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery; Lt. Col. Peter W. Ogden, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Retired, Director Bureau of Veterans Affairs State of Maine, Vietnam Veteran; Major General Stephen E. Nichols, U.S. Army Retired, both Korean and Vietnam Veteran who served two tours in Vietnam; and Kimber Noyes, who is a Vietnam Veteran and owner of Noyes Florist and Greenhouse for the wreath that you designed and donated to the program. There are not enough words to say publicly, “thanks.”
To all the Veterans who showed up and braved the weather, you are not only a credit to your family and the state of Maine, but to the entire nation as well. I thank all of you and I am proud to be associated with you.
Peter F. Miesburger
Caribou
