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Financial Literacy Initiative

ORONO – Winter is long and money is shorter than ever for many Mainers. To help residents budget for heating and fuel costs and connect with resources, the University of Maine will offer free financial literacy workshops starting this fall through the Financial Literacy Initiative.

The goal is to reach as many people as possible through community partnerships. To that end, UM urges all state and local agencies, municipal officials, churches and other service groups to sign up for the program.

“We’re interested in helping people realize what their situation is before it reaches a crisis level,” said George Criner, a UM economics professor and the Financial Literacy Initiative coordinator. “We’re providing them with information to help them make intelligent decisions.”

The University of Maine School of Economics will collaborate with UM Cooperative Extension, UM’s Maine Business School, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the University of Maine at Machias, the University of Maine at Farmington and the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Students who are trained as financial advisers will travel to towns in Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Hancock counties. There, they will help individuals and businesses evaluate their finances; discuss household budgeting and winterizing; and provide an extensive list of organizations and programs that can provide assistance.

If your organization or town is interested in participating in the Financial Literacy Initiative, contact Hugh Stevens in the Office of Special Projects at 581-

Guide to Employment Law

ORONO – The University of Maine’s Bureau of Labor Education recently completed a revised update of “A Maine Guide to Employment Law.”

Employment law encompasses a myriad of statutes that deal with work and employee-employer relations. Over time, these laws evolve through political, administrative and judicial processes at state and federal levels. As a result, many employees and employers often are unaware of their rights and responsibilities, according to Bureau of Labor Education Director Bill Murphy.

The new guide addresses a number of employment laws in a question-and-answer format, with a comprehensive index.

“Our continuing objective is to provide important information on employee rights, protections and responsibilities under a number of federal and state statutes, in easy-to-understand language,” Murphy said.

The guide covers state and federal laws as they apply to employment discrimination, occupational health and safety, work-related injuries and diseases, unemployment compensation, organizing and collective bargaining in the public and private sectors, among other issues.

The guide is an evolution of previous editions, representing the collective efforts and contributions of many of the bureau’s past and present staff members, including project staff Gabrielle Berube and attorney James Davitt, who “worked diligently” conducting the research, compilation and writing for the updated edition, Murphy said.

To ensure legal accuracy and clarity, the publication has been reviewed by employment law authorities, including lawyers specializing in employment law and government officials responsible for enforcing the statutes. Murphy emphasized that the book is a guide only and should not serve as a substitute for legal advice.

The Bureau of Labor Education offers educational programs on employee legal rights, protections, and responsibilities for a wide variety of groups, including employees in the public and private sectors; leaders, officers, and staff of unions; community groups; educators and students; government officials and public policy makers. There is a minimum program charge to cover expenses. To obtain the guide for $5, or to arrange for a bureau employment law program, call 581-4124 or e-mail labored@maine.edu.

Cashman on PUC

AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci has sworn in Jack Cashman of Brewer as a commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission.

Cashman joins Commissioner Vendean Vafiades and Chairwoman Sharon Reishus on the commission.

“Energy costs continue to be one of the biggest problems facing not only family budgets but business budgets as well,” Baldacci said. “Jack has worked successfully both in state government and in the private sector to support business and business development in Maine. I am confident that he will bring his business background and knowledge to this commission and complement the existing commissioners well to serve effectively the people of Maine.”

The swearing-in took place in the governor’s office, with members of Cashman’s family and several friends present.

Cashman succeeds Kurt Adams, who left the PUC in May. Cashman will complete Adams’ term with the PUC, which will expire March 31, 2011.

Cashman begins his term immediately.

Executive vice president

BREWER – CES Inc., a Brewer-based consulting firm, recently named Denis St. Peter, professional engineer, as executive vice president.

St. Peter, who is a principal of CES Inc., has more than 18 years of civil and environmental experience and has been with CES Inc. since 2000. He serves as the department manager of the Environmental Engineering Group.

CES Inc. provides a full compliment of professional consulting services, including civil, environmental and structural engineering, design, permitting, planning and surveying services.

CES Inc. is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has offices in Brewer, Southwest Harbor, Presque Isle, and Machias.

Postal Service promotion

Brett DePuy of Levant has been promoted to associate supervisor at the U.S. Postal Service. He has been with the postal service for three years and recently completed a four-month supervisory training program, graduating with 11 other management trainees.

DePuy began his postal career as a clerk at the Eastern Maine Processing and Distribution Facility in Hampden in 2005. He has worked as acting supervisor, distribution operations, at that facility while learning about other postal operations during the postal service training program.

As a graduate of the associate supervisor program, DePuy will supervise clerks and mail handlers at the Hampden facility.

Senior environmental scientist

OLD TOWN – The James W. Sewall Co. announced that Chester C. Bigelow III has joined its staff as senior environmental scientist. Bigelow has 25 years’ experience in aquatic and wetland ecology and environmental engineering, with a specialization in water quality monitoring, wetland restoration and ecological conservation and management.

In his previous job, Bigelow played a pivotal role in developing and managing water quality and protection programs at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

He also worked in as an environmental engineer, wetland restoration ecologist and compliance specialist. He trained and managed teams of staff in wetland restoration; guided regional offices and state and federal agencies in water enforcement programs; and supervised development and maintenance of enforcement program data systems.

He is a member of the Society of Wetland Scientists and the American Ecological Society.

At Sewall, Bigelow will assist government, industry and commercial clients with environmental assessment, wetland delineation and functional assessment, spill response and damage assessment, field collection and statistical analysis of chemical and biological data, and state and federal environmental permitting.

Bigelow has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in biology from the Virginia Commonwealth University, and is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.