There are seven referendum questions on the November ballot. Gorham voters will be asked if they want to approve a citizen’s initiative request and three state bond requests; whether or not they want to replace the state flag; and if they approve issuing bonds for capital improvements for Gorham schools and for replacing the district’s tennis courts.
The Secretary of State reports that no public comments were filed in support of or in opposition to any of the five State Questions.
State Question 1: Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates or office?
This citizens-initiated bill would prohibit any individual or business from giving more than $5,000 in a calendar year to a political action committee, commonly known as a PAC. A PAC itself may not contribute more than $5,000 to a “superPAC.” Most groups that receive contributions or make expenditures of more than $2,500 to influence the election of a candidate are PACs. They act independently of candidates. If passed, the contribution limit would be adjusted for inflation every two years.
State Question 2: Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing?
If passed the state would be authorized to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $25 million to raise funds to promote technological information in certain sectors of the economy, as listed in the question. It would provide these funds to the Maine Technology Institute to be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development.
State Question 3: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historical buildings owned by the government and nonprofit organizations, with the funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either profit or nonprofit sources?
The proceeds of the bonds would be expended by the director of the Maine State Historic Preservation Commission. Up to 1% of the funding could be used to administer the program.
State Question 4: Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?
These bonds would provide funds for the Maine Trails Program and spent by the Bureau of Parks and Lands. Only $7.5 million could be spent in each of four years. Approximately 25% of the funds would go to nonmotorized trails, 25% to motorized, and 50% in support of multi-use trails used for recreation or active transportation. Each project must have at least 10% matching contributions. The funds would be administered by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
State Question 5: Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State?
The design of the Pine Tree flag was approved by the Secretary of State after a contest held last summer. It features a pine tree and north star on a buff background. The current flag is blue with the state seal in the center. If voters approve of the Pine Tree flag, it will be replaced at state agencies only as existing flags become worn.
The information for this summary comes from the Maine Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election. The guide can be viewed at Baxter Memorial Library and the North Gorham Public Library. It is available online at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec.
Gorham Referendum Question 1: Shall the Town of Gorham authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and/or notes in anticipation of such bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $9,494,575 and to appropriate the proceeds thereof for the purpose of financing the cost of 1.) Gorham High School cafeteria expansion and modular Phase 1 additions (six classrooms, one adult education bathroom, utility rooms and other related expenses). And 2.) HVAC system at Narragansett Elementary School.
Although the wording of Question 1 was taken from the Town Council minutes, to be clear the project components for the GHS Modular Phase 1 additions are six classrooms, one adult education classroom, bathrooms, utility rooms, and other related expenses. The Town Council recommended a “yes” vote (5 in favor/2 opposed.)
Gorham Referendum Question 2. Shall the Town of Gorham authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and/or in anticipation of such bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $2,541,250, and to appropriate the proceeds thereof for the purpose of financing cost of 1.) Rebuilding/relocating tennis courts at the Gorham Middle School site?
The Town Council recommended a “yes” vote (5 in favor/2 opposed). Detailed information, including illustrations, about the projects that would be funded by these two bond issues can be found by accessing the Gorham School District website and clicking on Referendum Information. The same information is available from the Town of Gorham website. Information about the Town Council discussion about these questions appeared in earlier issues of the Gorham Times, which are available on-line.