Recall? Bridgton Selectmen say ‘reappointment,’ but committee members see it another way Page 3A
Still rolling
Inside News
Lake Region girls improve to 5-0 in basketball; LR boys pick up big win; Raiders still searching
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www.bridgton.com Vol. 143, No. 51
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. 28 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
December 20, 2012
(USPS 065-020)
SIXTY CENTS
Addiction in Maine: Medical pot law blasted (First of a three-part series) By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Maine’s medical marijuana law came under intense criticism at the annual Addiction Conference sponsored by Healthy Oxford Hills in South Paris Dec. 7. Two experts, one in addiction medicine and the other in law enforcement, said that deregulation of the law over the past three years has made their jobs much more difficult, and is sending the wrong message to young people who now increasingly view marijuana as
medicine. Discussion of the medical marijuana law became a prime focus of the conference, after Maine Rep. Tom Winsor (R-Norway) asked Dr. Mark Publicker for his opinion. Publicker is a respected addiction medicine specialist at the Mercy Recovery Center in Westbrook, and is also president of the Northern New England Society of Addiction Medicine. Publicker said he’s seen a “tremendous increase in the use of marijuana by adolescents” since 2009, when Maine voters approved an expansion of
the original 1999 law to create nonprofit dispensaries (currently there are eight, including one in Auburn) and allow certified caregivers to grow marijuana for their patients. Prior to 2009, marijuana use among adolescents had shown a steady decline. The 2009 amendments to the law also expanded the list of allowable conditions (originally cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDs, Crohn’s disease, Lou Gerhig’s disease, hepatitis C and Alzheimer’s disease) to include less serious conditions such as seizure disorders, severe muscle
spasms and intractable pain. “There is no perception of harm anymore,” said Publicker. Nor does the law require that addiction screening be part of a physician’s assessment prior to issuing a prescription. He said such perceptions of marijuana as harmless fly in the face of strong evidence that marijuana impairs cognition, especially when driving, and is toxic to lungs. Also, he said the likelihood of addiction is extremely high among adolescents, who lack executive brain function. A study showed that heavy marijuana smoking at age 15-17
increases the risk of schizophrenia by six- to seven-fold, and increases panic trauma disorders, he said. “We don’t have effective treatment for cannabis addiction,” Publicker said. “Working in my field, I can tell you that I can get my patients to stop smoking, drinking, using opiates or cocaine, but I can’t get them to stop smoking marijuana.” Publicker said that had the law been subject to an evidence-based evaluation, rather than voted in through a citizen initiative, the evidence of marijuana’s harmful effects would
far outweigh its medicinal value in treating chronic pain. View from the cruiser Oxford Patrolman Zane Loper, who spent seven years as a undercover agent working in Oxford County for the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, echoed Publicker’s view that the recent deregulation of the medical marijuana law has led to increased use of marijuana by adolescents. Referring to nearby Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, Loper said, “If you were to walk in that high school MARIJUANA, Page A
Powers set to tackle two houses By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — The long-time resident and local librarian refers to herself as someone who adores politics almost as much as volunteerism. For Christine Powers, being involved in both over the years has been rewarding. But, keeping up on state politics has been a long-time passion, she said. “I am a political junkie,” said Powers, the newly-elected State Representative for District 101. Powers said it was exciting to be in Augusta and watch the goings-on during her recent swearing into office. “Augusta is a great capitol. It’s so accessible. It is not intimidating because it is not located in a large city. Instead, it feels like a small town. It feels very people-friendly,” she said, describing the State House building as “impressive and regal.” Powers will continue to serve simultaneously on the Naples Board of Selectmen — a job she believes has prepared her for stepping into the House of Representatives position. “I love being a selectman; and, I like how well we work together. I consider each of them a friend that I could call upon. We have a great mutual respect for one another,” she said. “We don’t agree on everything, but we agree to disagree civilly,” she said. Before making any decisions regarding leaving her seat, Powers researched it. There are no laws or ordinances stating a person cannot serve on both, she said. “In May 2013, it will be the second year of my three-year term. I will either decide not to stay, or I may try to finish off the last year,” she said. Eleven years as a selectman has taught her something about casting her vote. “I am a Democrat, and I have some really strong positions — for me, personally,” she said. “Even when I vote against my personal beliefs, it is the will of the people. When people come to meetings and express concerns, I listen and hear what they have to say,” Powers said. “Sometimes, a vote from the heart is what is right,” she said. “Most frequently, if you are an effective politician, you have to vote for your town or your district. You have to vote for what has the most benefit to the people,” she said. For Powers, her future in Augusta’s political arena will include issues such as the tar sands pipeline, funding for local schools, and informing residents about the circuit-breaker program, which provides tax refunds. A big fan of social media, Powers plans to use networking to notify people of state legislation that might affect them. “I am big on technology, I use the social media a lot; and POWERS, Page A
SET TO START HER TERM — Christine Powers of Naples appears in front of the Maine State House. She was elected this fall to represent House District 101.
NEVER TOO OLD TO VISIT WITH SANTA — Lois Cassidy, 82, of Naples flashed a big smile after meeting with Santa Claus last Friday at Family Fun Night held at Tony’s Foodland/The Umbrella Factory. To remember her visit, Lois and all those who sat with Santa received a free UFO T-shirt, courtesy of storeowner Dave Allenson. Pictures of the festive night, see Page 1B. (Rivet Photo)
Look at the future
Future builders tour ‘zero’ energy home
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer SWEDEN — When he began Main Eco Homes in Bridgton in 2008, Justin McIver realized that education, of necessity, was going to be a huge part of his mission. The young entrepreneur is a homebuilder whose has taken the concept of “going green” to the absolute limit, by building the first “net zero” home in western Maine. It’s a home that is so insulated and energy-efficient, it doesn’t need to rely on fossil fuels. In fact, on an annual basis, the home doesn’t cost anything to heat, because it’s designed to produce as much energy as it consumes. “Why build a house that uses low energy when you can build a house that uses no energy?” McIver said. Now 98% completed, the 2,000-square-foot home is on the market for $419,000. But until it sells, he is treating it much like a model home, offering tours to vocational students from Lake Region High School and Fryeburg Academy. McIver’s first test as a teacher came on a brisk November morning, when a school bus climbed up Black Mountain Road in Sweden and stopped at the net zero home on Woodbury Hill, a small subdivision of newer homes. A class of around 20 LRHS entry-level building trades students climbed out. After giving the teens and their teachers, Sally Thompson and David Leddy, time to admire
NET ZERO’S NEXT GENERATION — Students and teachers from the Lake Region Vocational Center gather in front of Justin McIver’s “net-zero energy” home in Sweden. Attached to the south-facing roof can be seen the bank of 39 solar panels which, combined with the home’s super-energy-efficient construction, allows the home to produce as much energy as it consumes annually. Posing with the students are McIver, his project manager Dave Giasson, drafting and design teacher Sally Thompson and construction technology teacher David Leddy. the stunning Mount Washington views, McIver and his Project Manager David Giasson got down to business. “This is the home of the future,” he told them, gesturing to the two-story open concept home, its south-facing roof blanketed by a veritable army NET ZERO, Page A
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