Skowhegan political rally planned

This is from the Morning Sentinel "Updates" section posted on Friday Oct. 24 By Darla Pickett Morning Sentinel Staff Writer October 24, 2008 SKOWHEGAN --State and national candidates will rally in Skowhegan Saturday night to talk about the economy and the needs of the middle class, according to Brad Saucier, spokesman for the Maine State Employees Association. Soucier said Republicans and Democrats have been invited to join a 7 p.m. rally and candlelight vigil on Water Street in the downtown and then move to the Sun Rayz Tanning building on Water Street for a 7:30 p.m. press conference. Speakers are expected to include U.S. Senate candidate Tom Allen, State Rep. Philip Curtis, House 85 candidate Jeffrey McCabe, state house candidate Paul Gilbert, state senate candidate Robert Sezak and several small business owners who will talk about how to help the middle class in today's economy. "The purpose of bringing candidates together is to hear their plans for fixing the economy and supporting the middle class," Bruce Hodsdon, president of the rally's sponsor - Maine State Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union - said in a prepared statement . "It's great to have candidates from both major parties participating in this event." The Maine State Employees Association represents over 15,000 Maine workers, including employees of the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Child Development Services, Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, Alpha One, Home Care for Maine and Child Care Providers statewide. MSEA-SEIU is affiliated with the 2-million member Service Employees International Union.