Bangor, Maine News Update: December 4, 2018

Governor Lepage has directed that all executive branch State of Maine offices be closed on Wednesday, in recognition of the national day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, calling him ‘Maine’s president.’ The closure will not affect public schools.

Residents of Orrington voted last night to deny a proposal to build a three point five million dollar public safety building. The vote was 234 to 255 against the project that many in town felt was too expensive. The issue will now start over again with the town selectmen

Head Start programs Down East got a big boost this week, with a nearly 2 million dollar federal grant. The funds will go to Downeast Community Partners and will help build educational foundations for children and families in one of the state’s most rural areas.

Secretary of State Matt Dunlap says the recount of the election ballots for the 2^nd Congressional District is set to begin on Thursday and could take four weeks. Republican Representative Bruce Poliquin has requested the recount. Poliquin had the most votes, by a narrow margin, in the first round of tabulations, but lost to Representative-elect Jared Golden in the subsequent tabulations.

The folks at the Bangor Humane Society say giving a pet for Christmas is too often a bad idea. People need to be financially ready to take care of a pet and have the time after Christmas to devote to training and bonding with it. Instead, they suggest filling a basket with pet-related items and giving a gift certificate toward adoption, so the recipient can pick out their own pet when they’re ready.