Storm Preparedness Resources
Your family may not be together when an emergency happens, so it is important to plan in advance how you will contact one another and how you will get back together.
Emergency Contact Cards and Plans
FEMA's Ready.gov: Family Emergency Plans for Kids and Parents Prepare yourself and your family for a disaster by making an emergency plan. Download the Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids, print the pages, and fill them in offline.
American Red Cross: Family Emergency Contact Cards Print out a card for every member of your household. Fill in a card for each family member with emergency contact information (work, school, cell phone numbers, etc.) Fold to fit in a pocket, wallet, or purse and carry card in case of any emergency.
Let Someone Know You Are Okay, or Check on a Loved One
American Red Cross; Safe and Well (safeandwell.org) An Internet-based tool where people within a disaster affected area can register themselves as "safe and well," and concerned family and friends can search for messages posted by those who have registered. Share the site with your family, including phone number 1-866-GET-INFO to register if Internet access is not available.
Get Emergency Information on Your Smartphone
American Red Cross Mobile Apps These mobile apps, for Apple or Android, are for emergencies and everyday use. The "Emergency," "all-inclusive," app lets you receive more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
FEMA: Download Mobile App From this page you can download FEMA's mobile app for Android, Apple, or Blackberry mobile devices. Features timely weather alerts you can customize for your area, as well as preparedness and other information.
Find a Wealth of Resources from These Partners
American Red Cross: Prepare for Emergencies Become "Red Cross Ready" for an emergency means following simple steps in advance to ensure you can weather a crisis safely and comfortably.
FEMA's Ready.gov A wealth of information for emergency planning and safety for families, businesses, and more.
FEMA's Ready.gov: Emergency Planning Checklists Includes family emergency plans, communications plans, pet emergency plans, and more. Create plans with your family, and make sure everyone has a copy.
U.S. CDC: Emergency Preparedness and You You can take steps now to help prepare for an emergency and cope if an emergency happens. To help you prepare, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided step-by-step actions you can take beforehand to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Introduction of New Legislation for 2020
With the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature fast approaching, legislative leaders will convene next week to consider bill requests submitted by lawmakers. According to the Maine Constitution, “business of the Second Regular Session of the Legislature shall be limited to budgetary matters; legislation in the Governor's call; legislation of an emergency nature admitted by the Legislature; legislation referred to committees for study and report by the Legislature in the First Regular Session; and legislation presented to the Legislature by written petition of the electors under the provisions of Article IV, Part Third, Section 18.”
A preliminary list of Second Regular Session working titles of proposed bills can be found online here. State House leadership will convene next week to determine which of these requests will be allowed in for deliberation by the full Legislature.
Final 2019 Foliage Report
Peak Conditions Still Visible Along the Immediate CoastThe Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry reports peak and past-peak conditions throughout most of Maine, with coastal regions (zones 1 and 2) reporting high color (less than 70 percent color change).
Your family may not be together when an emergency happens, so it is important to plan in advance how you will contact one another and how you will get back together.
Emergency Contact Cards and Plans
FEMA's Ready.gov: Family Emergency Plans for Kids and Parents Prepare yourself and your family for a disaster by making an emergency plan. Download the Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids, print the pages, and fill them in offline.
American Red Cross: Family Emergency Contact Cards Print out a card for every member of your household. Fill in a card for each family member with emergency contact information (work, school, cell phone numbers, etc.) Fold to fit in a pocket, wallet, or purse and carry card in case of any emergency.
Let Someone Know You Are Okay, or Check on a Loved One
American Red Cross; Safe and Well (safeandwell.org) An Internet-based tool where people within a disaster affected area can register themselves as "safe and well," and concerned family and friends can search for messages posted by those who have registered. Share the site with your family, including phone number 1-866-GET-INFO to register if Internet access is not available.
Get Emergency Information on Your Smartphone
American Red Cross Mobile Apps These mobile apps, for Apple or Android, are for emergencies and everyday use. The "Emergency," "all-inclusive," app lets you receive more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
FEMA: Download Mobile App From this page you can download FEMA's mobile app for Android, Apple, or Blackberry mobile devices. Features timely weather alerts you can customize for your area, as well as preparedness and other information.
Find a Wealth of Resources from These Partners
American Red Cross: Prepare for Emergencies Become "Red Cross Ready" for an emergency means following simple steps in advance to ensure you can weather a crisis safely and comfortably.
FEMA's Ready.gov A wealth of information for emergency planning and safety for families, businesses, and more.
FEMA's Ready.gov: Emergency Planning Checklists Includes family emergency plans, communications plans, pet emergency plans, and more. Create plans with your family, and make sure everyone has a copy.
U.S. CDC: Emergency Preparedness and You You can take steps now to help prepare for an emergency and cope if an emergency happens. To help you prepare, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided step-by-step actions you can take beforehand to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Introduction of New Legislation for 2020
With the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature fast approaching, legislative leaders will convene next week to consider bill requests submitted by lawmakers. According to the Maine Constitution, “business of the Second Regular Session of the Legislature shall be limited to budgetary matters; legislation in the Governor's call; legislation of an emergency nature admitted by the Legislature; legislation referred to committees for study and report by the Legislature in the First Regular Session; and legislation presented to the Legislature by written petition of the electors under the provisions of Article IV, Part Third, Section 18.”
A preliminary list of Second Regular Session working titles of proposed bills can be found online here. State House leadership will convene next week to determine which of these requests will be allowed in for deliberation by the full Legislature.
Final 2019 Foliage Report
Peak Conditions Still Visible Along the Immediate CoastThe Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry reports peak and past-peak conditions throughout most of Maine, with coastal regions (zones 1 and 2) reporting high color (less than 70 percent color change).
For foodies looking for a unique experience, Portland’s annual food and spirits festival, Harvest on the Harbor, will kick off Thursday and continue throughout the weekend. Events include the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition, Straight Up! Boozy Bash, a Bloody Mary & Gourmet Pig Brunch, Maine Oysterfest and more.
Maine’s unique fall festivals continue with York’s 35th Annual Harvestfest and Kidsfest on October 19. The festival features live music, local food vendors, juried crafters, and old-fashioned market vendors from all over New England. Children can look forward to games, a roaming railroad, storytelling, face painting, and horse-drawn wagon rides.
This Sunday, visitors in Downeast will be leaf peeping as they run a marathon, half-marathon, or relay, or as a spectator as part of the award-winning Mount Desert Island Marathon.
If you are not ready to bid farewell to foliage season, OgunquitFest is next week from October 25-27. On Friday, there is trick or treating at downtown shops, and on Saturday, an Autumn Bazaar, whoopie pie-eating contest, and ghostly tours. For even spookier Halloween fun, check out Fright at the Fort at Fort Knox in Prospect.
Catch the foliage along the coast by heading to Boothbay to explore the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens featuring ornamental gardens, waterfalls, stonework, and sculptures. For a more adventurous take on leaf peeping, try your hand at rail cycling or even rock climbing with opportunities in the MidCoast region.
For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.
Maine’s unique fall festivals continue with York’s 35th Annual Harvestfest and Kidsfest on October 19. The festival features live music, local food vendors, juried crafters, and old-fashioned market vendors from all over New England. Children can look forward to games, a roaming railroad, storytelling, face painting, and horse-drawn wagon rides.
This Sunday, visitors in Downeast will be leaf peeping as they run a marathon, half-marathon, or relay, or as a spectator as part of the award-winning Mount Desert Island Marathon.
If you are not ready to bid farewell to foliage season, OgunquitFest is next week from October 25-27. On Friday, there is trick or treating at downtown shops, and on Saturday, an Autumn Bazaar, whoopie pie-eating contest, and ghostly tours. For even spookier Halloween fun, check out Fright at the Fort at Fort Knox in Prospect.
Catch the foliage along the coast by heading to Boothbay to explore the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens featuring ornamental gardens, waterfalls, stonework, and sculptures. For a more adventurous take on leaf peeping, try your hand at rail cycling or even rock climbing with opportunities in the MidCoast region.
For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.
Upcoming Referendum Election -- November 5, 2019
Referendum elections are held to provide Maine’s citizens an opportunity to vote on people’s veto referenda, direct initiatives of legislation (i.e. Citizen Initiatives), bond issues, other referenda proposed by the Legislature, and constitutional amendments. Referendum elections are an important part of the heritage of public participation in Maine.
Questions Appearing on the November 5, 2019 Ballot
Question 1: Bond Issue An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Improve Highways, Bridges and Multimodal Facilities Public Law Chapter 532
Do you favor a $105,000,000 bond issue to build or improve roads, bridges, railroads, airports, transit, and ports and make other transportation investments to be used to match an estimated $137,000,000 in federal and other funds?
Question 2: Constitutional Amendment
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine Concerning Alternative Signatures Made by Persons with Disabilities Constitutional Resolution Chapter 1
Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to allow persons with disabilities to sign petitions in an alternative manner as authorized by the Legislature?
Maine Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election
Grant Resources:
https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/admin/funding/
Search Unclaimed Property:
https://maineunclaimedproperty.gov
Recalls:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
Like our Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/State-Representative-Dennis-L-Keschl-218709614939215/
Referendum elections are held to provide Maine’s citizens an opportunity to vote on people’s veto referenda, direct initiatives of legislation (i.e. Citizen Initiatives), bond issues, other referenda proposed by the Legislature, and constitutional amendments. Referendum elections are an important part of the heritage of public participation in Maine.
Questions Appearing on the November 5, 2019 Ballot
Question 1: Bond Issue An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Improve Highways, Bridges and Multimodal Facilities Public Law Chapter 532
Do you favor a $105,000,000 bond issue to build or improve roads, bridges, railroads, airports, transit, and ports and make other transportation investments to be used to match an estimated $137,000,000 in federal and other funds?
Question 2: Constitutional Amendment
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine Concerning Alternative Signatures Made by Persons with Disabilities Constitutional Resolution Chapter 1
Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to allow persons with disabilities to sign petitions in an alternative manner as authorized by the Legislature?
Maine Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election
- Citizen's Guide– pdf
- Citizen's Guide- word
Grant Resources:
https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/admin/funding/
Search Unclaimed Property:
https://maineunclaimedproperty.gov
Recalls:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
Like our Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/State-Representative-Dennis-L-Keschl-218709614939215/
Dear Friends:
It's a great honor to have the opportunity to serve the people of Senate District 17 in the 129th Legislature.
If you have a question or comment about what is happening at the State House, I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at Russell.Black@legislature.maine.gov or (207) 287-1505.
Here's an update on what is happening in Augusta.
Sincerely,
Russell Black
Senate District 17 includes all of Franklin County communities as well as the Kennebec County communities of Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon and Vienna.
State News Update
The Cold Has Arrived – Let’s Look Out for One Another
Suddenly, it’s that time of year again when temperatures drop and cold air, sometimes dangerously cold, creeps in, especially overnight. Remember to check on your neighbors, including the four-footed kind, and in emergency situations like power outages, contact your city hall or town office to learn where warming centers may be set up.
Giving Back on Thanksgiving
The best way to give back during the Thanksgiving season is by helping others who could use a hand. Throughout Maine, there are “community action programs” that connect people in need with services and programs. If you know of someone who needs help, or would like to donate time or money to these programs, check out the list of these CAPs by clicking here.
Here Comes the Snow…Mobiles
Maine has more snowmobile and ATV trails than all but one other state. The first coating of the frozen white stuff reminds us all to get out the snow machine, get it registered, grab a map, and go. For information on trails, conditions, laws, and more, click here.
To register your snowmobile online click here.
Insulation Rebates Up To $3,500
Mainer, it’s cold outside! You may have heard about how they promote heat pumps and solar panels, but Efficiency Maine also has rebate programs for weatherizing your home with insulation and sealants. To learn more about how you can get rebates of up to $3,500 for weatherizing your home, click here.
Wreaths Across America
It is still a month away, but the annual Wreath’s Across America event (December 14th this year) is a day when Maine really shines. What started as an effort to put wreaths on veterans’ graves at Arlington National Cemetery has grown to all 50 states and added 1,600 new locations just this year. To volunteer, sponsor, donate, or just learn more about this amazing Maine-based effort, click here.
Senate Republican Radio Address
Senator Brad Farrin Talks About Veteran's Day
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the armistice that brought an end to the fighting in the “War to End All Wars” finally took effect, but not soon enough to prevent the deaths of tens of millions of people, 550 of them Mainers.
Ever since that day, now 101 years ago, we have called November 11th “Armistice Day,” and since 1954 we set aside the Monday nearest to it as the official holiday of “Veterans Day.”
To read or hear the rest of the address, click here.
It's a great honor to have the opportunity to serve the people of Senate District 17 in the 129th Legislature.
If you have a question or comment about what is happening at the State House, I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at Russell.Black@legislature.maine.gov or (207) 287-1505.
Here's an update on what is happening in Augusta.
Sincerely,
Russell Black
Senate District 17 includes all of Franklin County communities as well as the Kennebec County communities of Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon and Vienna.
State News Update
The Cold Has Arrived – Let’s Look Out for One Another
Suddenly, it’s that time of year again when temperatures drop and cold air, sometimes dangerously cold, creeps in, especially overnight. Remember to check on your neighbors, including the four-footed kind, and in emergency situations like power outages, contact your city hall or town office to learn where warming centers may be set up.
Giving Back on Thanksgiving
The best way to give back during the Thanksgiving season is by helping others who could use a hand. Throughout Maine, there are “community action programs” that connect people in need with services and programs. If you know of someone who needs help, or would like to donate time or money to these programs, check out the list of these CAPs by clicking here.
Here Comes the Snow…Mobiles
Maine has more snowmobile and ATV trails than all but one other state. The first coating of the frozen white stuff reminds us all to get out the snow machine, get it registered, grab a map, and go. For information on trails, conditions, laws, and more, click here.
To register your snowmobile online click here.
Insulation Rebates Up To $3,500
Mainer, it’s cold outside! You may have heard about how they promote heat pumps and solar panels, but Efficiency Maine also has rebate programs for weatherizing your home with insulation and sealants. To learn more about how you can get rebates of up to $3,500 for weatherizing your home, click here.
Wreaths Across America
It is still a month away, but the annual Wreath’s Across America event (December 14th this year) is a day when Maine really shines. What started as an effort to put wreaths on veterans’ graves at Arlington National Cemetery has grown to all 50 states and added 1,600 new locations just this year. To volunteer, sponsor, donate, or just learn more about this amazing Maine-based effort, click here.
Senate Republican Radio Address
Senator Brad Farrin Talks About Veteran's Day
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the armistice that brought an end to the fighting in the “War to End All Wars” finally took effect, but not soon enough to prevent the deaths of tens of millions of people, 550 of them Mainers.
Ever since that day, now 101 years ago, we have called November 11th “Armistice Day,” and since 1954 we set aside the Monday nearest to it as the official holiday of “Veterans Day.”
To read or hear the rest of the address, click here.