Kennebec County jail hires Richard Wurpel as correctional administrator

Jail administrator hired Richard Wurpel was hired as the full-time correctional administrator for the Kennebec County Correctional Facility last week, according to a press release from Sheriff Ken Mason.

Wurpel comes to the agency with many years of law enforcement and correctional experience. He first retired in 2003, having served the Ewing New Jersey Police Department for 30 years. In 2004, Wurpel was hired as the correctional administrator for Kennebec County and retired in 2011.

The leadership, knowledge and professionalism Wurpel brings back to Kennebec County assures a safe, proper and well managed county jail, Mason said.

Skowhegan Savings names Christopher C. Farmer as vice president regional community banker

Christopher C. Farmer, Esq. joins Skowhegan Savings Bank as a vice president regional community banker.

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Skowhegan Savings is please to announce that Farmer has joined the bank as a vice president regional community banker focused on working with both commercial and retail customers in the Franklin County area. Well known to the area, Farmer most recently was the general manager, chief financial officer and in-house counsel of Saddleback Ski Resort in Rangeley.

“We’re thrilled to have Chris here at Skowhegan Savings,” said Dan Tilton, senior vice president of sales and customer relations. “Being a native of the area, his diverse skill set in finance and real estate will be an asset to our customers in assisting them with their financial needs.”

Farmer comes to the bank with an extensive background in finance and real estate. Prior to his position at Saddleback, he worked as a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch Fenner & Smith in Portland where he navigated clients through tax strategies, retirement planning and business development. Farmer is licensed in real estate having held past positions as a broker for Malone Commercial Brokers and the director of operations for Cocopelli Inc.

Farmer, born in Farmington, attended Mt. Blue High School before going on to earn his bachelor’s at the University of Maine in Orono. He then choose to live abroad in Russia before returning to Maine where he graduated with his juris doctor from the University of Maine School of Law and has been a member of the Maine Bar since 1999.

Farmer lives in Rangeley with his wife Jennifer and two children, Jacob and Lauren. He considers himself fortunate to be able to live in the western mountains area where he was raised.

Joel Lavenson awarded Certified PTSD Clinician

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Springfield, MO — Joel Lavenson, of Belgrade, has been awarded the prestigious Board Certified PTSD Clinician, BC PTSD Clinician by the American Psychotherapy Association, the nation’s leading organization to promote and support the profession of counseling. His advanced counseling and therapy center is featured on www.Imagotherapist.com.

The American Psychotherapy Association works to protect the right of counselors to practice, increases parity for their profession, and provides the recognition and validation that they deserve.

Earning an appointment to the American Psychotherapy Association demonstrates true dedication to counseling and a willingness to devote time and energy to advancing the field.

Maine Credit Unions distribute more than $20,000 to 33 hunger organizations

Portland — The Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, which has raised $7.2 million since 1990 including a record-setting $674,194 in 2016, recently distributed more than $20,000 of those funds to 33 hunger organizations throughout the state including two in Piscataquis County.

This year marked the 13th annual “Share the Bread” event, one of the most-widespread. “Share the Bread” brings awareness to the issue of hunger in Maine, and the acute need for food for Maine’s 85,000 children that depend on the school lunch program during the school year. The Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger started this initiative to recognize the efforts of food assistance organizations across the state and to provide significant financial assistance to food pantries in all 16 Maine counties.

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In Kennebec County — Augusta Food Bank in Augusta, and North Monmouth Food Pantry in North Monmouth, both received contributions.

According to Jon Paradise, Vice President of Governmental & Public Affairs for the Maine Credit Union League, this event comes at a time when supplies at many food pantries are at critical levels. “When people think of summer in Maine, they usually think about taking vacations and being outdoors; helping the local food pantry is often the furthest thing from their minds at this time of year. The reality is that hunger if felt all year round, especially in the summer, when it’s not getting the same attention as it does around the holidays. Sadly, it’s the state’s youngest residents that are most affected. … That’s why we are trying to help. Hopefully, others will be inspired to help, as well.”

Representatives from two food pantries in each of Maine’s 16 counties received two types of bread — the bread you spread butter on and, most importantly, the “bread” that affords you the ability to buy groceries. Each food pantry received a $600 check from the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. Good Shepherd Food-Bank also received a $1,000 donation for their efforts to end hunger across the state.

President of the Society of FSP to present at Financial Professionals’ Day

The Maine Chapter Society of Financial Service Professionals is pleased to announce its 2017 Financial Professionals’ Day. Sponsored by JP Morgan, Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), Ameriprise Financial, Federated Investors and Putnam, the full day event will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Embassy Suites in Portland.

Programs presented by national renowned speakers James S. Aussem, FSP National President, and Robert B. Wellendorf II, FSP National Secretary, will provide timely and relevant information on the topic of business succession and exit planning. In addition, Mila Tappan will present on college planning. Attendees will receive six hours of continuing education credits for Maine and New Hampshire Insurance.

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“The quality of speakers this year is exceptional,” says Chapter President, Carl Hanson, certified financial planner with IIS Financial Services. “We are privileged to be one of the selected few chapters to receive programming of this caliber by our National Officers. The Maine Chapter of FSP has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and resources to select topics and speakers that will enhance the knowledge of financial professionals in our community.”

In addition to receiving quality educational programming, attendees of Financial Professionals’ Day will have the advantage of networking with the area’s top notch leaders in the profession.

For more information or to register for Financial Professionals’ Day, visit www.SocietyofFSP.org/Maine or contact stacie@sarasioinc.com.

Franklin Memorial Hospital earns Gold Seal of Approval

FARMINGTON — Franklin Memorial Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The gold seal is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

On May 31, The Joint Commission arrived at Franklin Memorial Hospital to conduct an unannounced rigorous three-day survey to evaluate compliance with standards of care of all hospital inpatient departments, outpatient departments and the Franklin Health practices.

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During the review, a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated compliance with hospital standards related to several areas, including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, and medication management. Surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

The commission has accredited hospitals for more than 60 years.

Mark G. Pelletier, chief operating officer, Division of Accreditation and Certification Operations, The Joint Commission said, “Our accreditation helps hospitals enhance their risk management and risk reduction strategies. We commend FMH for its continued efforts in quality improvement.”

“We are pleased to have received full accreditation after completing an outstanding survey. The Joint Commission is the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” said Tim Churchill, FMH interim chief executive officer.

The Joint Commission’s hospital standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help hospitals measure, assess and improve performance.

Compiled from contributed releases


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