Wake-Up Call: Tuesday, July 29, 2008

With the PolitickerME.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Maine's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

With the PolitickerME.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Maine's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Dems succeed – Hoffman off the ballot

Herb Hoffman has pledged to continue to fight, but for the moment he’s off the ballot.

The state’s Supreme Court sided with the Maine Democratic Party, who challenged the independent seeking a U.S. Senate seat on the grounds that three signature sheets on his nominating petition were invalid. (PolitickerME.com, Jessica Alaimo)

Link: http://www.politickerme.com/jessicaalaimo/2070/11th-hour-dems-succeed-ho...

Waterville Dems choose Winslow to run for mayor

WATERVILLE-- Republican Mayor Paul R. LePage will have competition in the Nov. 4 election if he chooses to run again.

City Councilor Rosemary J. Winslow, D-Ward 3, was nominated for mayor Monday night at the Democratic city caucus. (Maine Today, Amy Calder)

Link: http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/030870.html

Maine regulation of geothermal energy questioned

PORTLAND—There are an estimated 500 geothermal energy systems in Maine homes and businesses, but only about a half dozen are registered as required under federal and state law. And some engineers and experts warn that a lack of proper regulation is a disaster waiting to happen. (Boston Globe, AP)

Link:  http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/07/28/maine_regulat...

Group calls for action on climate change

The Conservation Law Foundation, a New England-based environmental group, issued a report today calling for an overhaul of the region's transportation and energy systems to slow climate change. (Maine Today, Staff)

Link: http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/030851.html

Deadline for new candidates is today

Today is the day Democrats, Republicans and Greens must select new candidates for vacated ballot slots, of which there are quite a few.

The state election officials' list on July 14 had two Democrats, five Republicans and two Greens dropping off the Senate candidate roster. (Maine Today, Staff)

Link:  http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/030830.html

Schools look to cut food costs

AUGUSTA - Despite federal increases in subsidies for school nutrition programs and expanded state aid for school breakfast programs, many schools across Maine are looking to cut staff and reduce menu options as food prices continue to increase. (Bangor Daily News, Mal Leary)

Link:  http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=167727&zoneid=500

School merger plan advances in Freeport, 5-2

FREEPORT — The Freeport School Committee's 5-2 vote on a plan to form a Freeport, Durham and Pownal consolidated school district was intended to advance the process rather than endorse the plan, committee members said at Monday's meeting.

Committee chair Chris Leighton said the plan next must be reviewed by Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron before going to voters. If Gendron approves it, Freeport residents will likely vote in November. (Portland Press Herald, Dierdre Fleming)

Link: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=201955&ac=PHnws

With the PolitickerME.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Maine's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.