Beacon The
ISSUE DATE 10.09.2018
Lighting our Community
VOLUME XVI NO. 3
SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Eggs and Issues Gubernatorial Debate By ALEX KENNEDY and ZACHARY GUIOD
This past Wednesday, the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a gubernatorial debate with the four candidates who are vying for the Maine governorship: Alan Caron (I), Terry Hayes (I), Janet Mills (D), and Shawn Moody (R). Before the debate even
started, the Chamber’s spokesperson voiced support for referendum questions 4 and 5, and stated that the Chamber encourages people to vote no against Question 1. As the candidates took the stage, they all shook each other’s hands and were very civil, and it set the tone for the debate. While each candidate stated their strongest qualities to
Illustration by Eden Dyer
set themselves apart from their opponents, none of them took any shots at each other. This was quite refreshing considering the current state of our national politics. Education The first topic of the debate was education. Mr. Moody was questioned about his statement of schools being “overfunded.” Moody welcomed the opportunity to address this controversy. He says the attack ad against him cut his full statement short and that he does believe more money is needed in the classroom. Moody hopes to achieve this by cutting administrators and bureaucracy as well as evaluating ways to make our schools operate efficiently. Mr. Caron, when asked about his plan for education, started by stating that teachers are heroes. He went on to say more money in the classroom is what is needed. Caron believes the state government should shrink around issues of education, providing their resources to the local and regional government level. Caron went on to lay out his plan for two years of free college education for Maine students. This would be accomplished in the form of 10-year, no-interest student loans. For
every year the graduate remains in Maine they will have no loan payment and 10 percent of the loan is forgiven. Janet Mills had several proposals to help improve education if she is elected governor. She supports a universal pre-K program so that all children in Maine can get a good start. While the question was focused on K-12 education, Mills also talked about her plans to help college students. She wants to implement a loan forgiveness program and expand the Maine state grant. Terry Hayes was the only candidate to talk about the low pay that our teachers receive for their hard work, saying that she would raise the starting pay for new teachers in Maine. This way the people who are educating our young people don’t have to rely on public assistance to get by. Workforce Development Next, candidates were asked about their plans for workforce development in Maine and to comment on how they would support our growing immigrant workforce. Moody highlighted his business expertise, noting that his business has been doing workforce development and that he understands (Continued on page 2)
Honoring the Life of Patrick Joseph Donaghue Loss is something that we all have to go through in life. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you will experience it. Loss can be a devastating unifier. In the two events held for Patrick Donaghue on Sept. 25 — the staff-led community meeting and the student led gathering in the Campus Center — this unity was palpable. Early morning on Sept. 25, 2018, Patrick “Pat” Donaghue died at Maine Medical Center with his parents and loved ones by his side. He passed from his injuries, which were the result of a car accident he was in the night before. Later that day, two events were held in celebration of his life. In Surfsite Residence Hall, where Pat had lived, Residence Life staff asked students to join them for a community meeting where there could process this tragedy together. Students were welcome to share stories and speak with counselors provided by Mobile Crisis. Anne Greisinger and Bruce Trask, the chaplins who staff and maintain the All Faiths Chapel on campus, were also present to help students grieve. The students who attended spoke of Pat’s humor, his quirkiness, and his ability to be in the moment. Fellow Automotive students attested to Pat’s intelligence in the classroom and his love of cars. Even students who did
not know him well spoke of his passion for automotives and his constant happiness. Many of his friends agreed he had a smile that wouldn’t quit. They also admired how great of a dog dad he was to his blue-eyed husky. The students spoke with a somber tone that was sometimes marked with laughter or periods of silence. While experiencing their own sadness, a few students took the opportunity to talk about ways they cope with loss in an effort to help others. They told each other to stay connected to your community, to take care of your basic needs like food and water, and that whatever emotions you are feeling, it’s okay. The Residence Life staff said the faculty are aware of what they are going through and would be mindful of students’ needs in regard to attendance and classwork. The RAs present let their fellow students know that if there is something they think would help the community, let them know and they can work to organize an event or whatever it may be. At the student-run event in the Campus Center, it was a different feeling. Students were smiling, crying, and laughing all at the same time. Six pizzas ordered by the students were
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Hurricane Florence
left untouched as memories were shared and messages of adoration for Pat were written on a poster. Some students spoke of his funny side and the pranks he liked to pull. One said Pat was “the most considerate guy” he had ever met. One friend told the story of
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America is still at war
losing Pat in Hannaford for a half hour. Another recalled the first time she met Pat. A mutual friend asked him to give her a ride home and he was so excited to get in his car and go for a drive. Loss can be a unifier. The students in attendance at both of these events were united in their support of each other and their love for Pat and his humor, happiness and constant smile.
Photo courtesy of www.wilescremationcare.com
By ALEXANDER KENNEDY
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Poetic License
From Tiffanie Bentley, Dean of Students: SMCC students can contact grief counseling services by dialing 211 or by going online at www.211maine.org. Maine’s 24hour Crisis Hotline can be accessed at 1-888-568-1112. If students need assistance with this or with anything else, the Student Life staff are available during business hours to help or to assist in connecting students to appropriate resources. Call 741-5967 or stop by 125 Spring Point Hall. Anne Greisinger and Bruce Trask, the All Faiths Chapel chaplains, provide non-denominational support to students. You can find them at the Chapel on campus Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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SeaWolves in actions