from 6 to 7 p.m. to collect signatures to repeal the school consolidation law passed by the Legislature in June 2007.

State Senate Candidate Dave Trahan (R-Waldoboro) will be at the parking lot of the Wiscasset Municipal Building on Thursday, July 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. to collect signatures to repeal the school consolidation law passed by the Legislature in June 2007.

"Once again, out-of-touch politicians in Augusta passed a law strong-arming local communities to comply with unrealistic mandates, and this time it's turning our local education upside down," Trahan said.  "I fully support the citizen movement to repeal this harmful law, and I am glad to have an opportunity to assist with collecting the signatures we need to do so."

The school consolidation law, written into the most recent biennial budget passed by the Legislature on June 6, 2007, has met resistance in places like Lincoln County because of its "one size fits all" approach—an approach that has completely disregarded Maine's long-standing tradition of local control of education.

In Wiscasset, Trahan, a former member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1998 - 2006, will be available to explain details about the effort to repeal the school consolidation law, and the consequences to Lincoln County if the repeal effort is blocked or fails.

"This is an important issue that Lincoln County citizens need to be aware of," Trahan said.  The added mandates, costs and regulations this new law places on local school districts, parents and students are jeopardizing the quality of education we offer our students, and we must all take action to repeal it right away."

Trahan is encouraging residents of Wiscasset and the surrounding communities to meet him at the Wiscasset municipal parking lot on the 10 th to make sure their signature is counted towards the school consolidation repeal effort. 

If any resident is unable to make it during the allotted time, they can call Trahan at 832-4135, or e-mail him at dptrahan@midcoast.com to arrange another time to sign the petition.

Dave Trahan is running for State Senate District 20, which includes the towns of Alna, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Edgecomb, Hibberts Gore, Jefferson, Monhegan Island Plantation, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Somerville, South Bristol, Southport, Waldoboro, Westport Island, Whitefield, Wiscasset, Friendship, Washington, and Windsor.