​Community leaders, transportation providers, municipal officials, nonprofit partners, advocates, and residents are invited to participate in the York County Transportation & Mobility Forum on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the York County EMA Room, 149 Jordan Springs Road, Alfred, Maine. Refreshments will be provided. 
 
The forum will bring together York County partners for a regional stakeholder working session focused on improving transportation and mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and other residents who rely on coordinated community transportation. "Transportation is a critical need for the residents of York County, and this forum is an opportunity to gather input on how we can best serve the needs of the region," said County Commissioner Justin Chenette.
 
Discussion topics will include York County transportation today, transportation needs and gaps in services, coordination among York County partners, Maine’s Volunteer Driver programs, the York County Mobility Management Hub and mobility collaboration next steps, and funding tools to sustain local programs. 
 
Participants are encouraged to attend, share their perspectives, and help shape the future of transportation in York County. Participants with limited access to transportation can request a ride by calling 207-459-2932. Zoom link is available as well.
 
To RSVP or request a Zoom link: community.transport@yccac.org or call 207-459-2932.

Media Contact 
Tom Reinauer
York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC) 
thomas.reinauer@yccac.org
 207.459.2932 

Last year, when the nonprofit running our regional food pantry announced it was closing due to financial distress, we could’ve just said this isn’t our responsibility, as historically it’s not something county government has ever helped with.

But I believe we have a moral obligation to ensure no one in York County, let alone this country, should ever go hungry. Because when you can’t put food on the table, nothing else matters.

I pushed for the county to step up and take over operations. Within a month, we acted, hiring a pantry coordinator, partnering with the Good Shepherd Food Bank, and using our charitable arm to fund it. Today, our First County Food Pantry serves over 3,000 Mainers every single month—including over 600 children.

That’s a county we can count on.​

York County is also doing its part to tackle the housing crisis that hits our most vulnerable the hardest.

We are investing in the York County Homeless Response Hub, to support eviction diversion and enable housing placements. Our work with a local housing authority is creating units using the "Housing First" model to get our chronically unhoused neighbors into managed housing.
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That’s a county we can count on.

Recovery from substance use disorder should be possible for anyone in York County. We are building hope with construction of our Regional Substance Use Recovery Center.

This 58-bed facility provides a full continuum of care—including detox beds and outpatient programs to reduce the barriers to accessing services.

No other county has this and it will open later this year.
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That’s a county we can count on.

​We recently opened the First Responders Regional Training Center. This state-of-the-art facility is also the first of its kind in Maine—designed to ensure our local heroes like fire and police have the best tools to protect us.

Public safety is only as strong as the training behind it and we are ensuring that when you call for help, the response is faster, more coordinated, and more effective.
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That’s a county we can count on.

We’ve modernized the Sheriff’s office, outfitting every deputy with a body camera and every patrol cruiser with a lifesaving defibrillator. These represent critical investments in law enforcement accountability while increasing public health and safety.

That’s a county we can count on.

We cannot abandon our coast to the ravages of erosion. We are one significant storm away from losing more homes and businesses in Camp Ellis.  

We’ve operationalized the county’s first-ever regional dredge to protect our coastline and preserve homes and livelihoods.  

Recently, when the Trump Administration put up roadblocks and sought to delay our county’s efforts to tackle coastal erosion mitigation, we rallied support from local, state, and Federal officials to push back, and we won.

I’m pleased to report that with the county’s help, dune restoration has taken place in OOB, and the county has dredged the Saco River to strengthen our coastal resilience in Camp Ellis.

That’s a county we can count on.

Finally, we’ve brought county government to you. We’ve launched a modern website, started publishing annual reports, enhanced our commission room for clear communication during hybrid meetings, and publicized county actions through the press with a new media specialist.

That’s a county we can count on.

York County is no longer the “lost level of government”—we are leading with urgency, innovation, and heart.

Three local high school seniors have been named the 2026 recipients of the Chenette Leadership Scholarship, an award recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, civic engagement, and leadership.

This year’s scholars represent Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle High School. Each recipient was selected based on their proven track record of putting others first and their future aspirations to serve their communities.
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“It is an honor to support these three remarkable young leaders as they transition to the next phase of their lives,” said York County Commissioner Justin Chenette, who started the scholarship. “From mentoring younger students to advocating for policy changes at the school board, these students embody the spirit of service that can give us all hope for our future.”

Jackson Howard is the 2026 leadership scholar for Thornton Academy.

Howard is the Student Body President, founded the Communion of Christian Athletes, and is an active member of the Active Minds Club, which focuses on reducing mental health stigma. His history with public service began early; as a fifth grader at CK Burns School, he shadowed Chenette as a student page at the State House during his final Senate term.

Howard mentors eighth-grade students at Saco Middle School in leadership and stress management as part of his Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology. He also serves as a Sunday school teacher and works as a lifeguard during the summer in Old Orchard Beach. This fall, Howard will attend Gordon College to play lacrosse while double-majoring in Health Sciences and Theology, with the long-term goal of becoming a Pediatric Emergency Physician Associate.

Hannah Webber is the 2026 leadership scholar for Old Orchard Beach High School.

​A multi-year softball team captain and a former Student Council Class President, Webber has completed 359 hours of community service. Her experience includes attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), a program focused on youth leadership development.

Webber’s community service work has been deeply personal, including a significant commitment to supporting a young girl with Down syndrome during summer camp and volunteering for local recreation department events, such as the Easter Extravaganza and Concerts in the Park. Webber will attend the University of Maine at Farmington to major in Early Childhood Special Education, aiming to work in a life-skills classroom supporting students who learn differently.

Boston Nobile is the 2026 leadership scholar for Bonny Eagle High School.

​Nobile has held significant leadership roles, including serving as Student Council President and as a Student Representative to the MSAD#6 School Board. His dedication to civic engagement is further evidenced by his participation in the Maine Model UN, YMCA Youth in Government, and the National Honor Society.

Nobile has been instrumental in community initiatives, ranging from organizing food drives to activities that help to increase local voter participation. This fall, he heads to Washington, D.C., to attend George Washington University, where he plans to major in Political Science and eventually pursue a career in politics or civil service.

Since 2015, the Chenette Scholarship Fund has awarded $15,500 in scholarships to over 30 students at Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle.

It was an honor to join fellow leaders and community members at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Town Hall in Hollis. 

This 18,500-square-foot facility didn't just appear overnight. It is the culmination of many years of meticulous planning by the Select Board and countless individuals. It’s a testament to what we can achieve through collaboration across various levels of government, agencies, and committed stakeholders, fueled by strong public support. 

While this certainly reflects modernized infrastructure, this is so much more than just another shovel-ready project or new building. This shared, public space will foster a greater sense of community and connection with one another. Now more than ever, it is important to have a central hub where we can meet face-to-face, shoulder to shoulder, alongside our fellow neighbors. While this structure houses key municipal services, the new large multi-purpose room is for everyone to make their own. During the Boston Post Cane recipient ceremony, we recognized longtime local resident Rita Anderson, and the multi-purpose space will be named in her honor. 

This is a safe, accessible, and energy-efficient sanctuary that will even serve as an emergency shelter during storms, ensuring that no resident is left out in the cold. Perhaps most impressively, this public investment was completed debt-free, thanks to smart fiscal planning. 
No matter what brings you to town hall, whether you are here for a Select Board meeting, engage with a town department, meet up with a service group, or attend a community event, these are merely opportunities to share in the joy of fellowship. This new town hall is a physical representation of the very heart of Hollis; the people.

What truly defines Hollis isn't found in ordinances or property lines; it’s found in the quiet acts of kindness and compassion that happen here every single day. We are a community that looks out for one another, whether it’s checking on a neighbor during a power outage or coming together to raise funds for the parks and rec program during our community day festival. It is that selfless spirit and genuine care for one another that make Hollis such a wonderful place to call home, and this new Town Hall building now stands as a dedicated beacon to keep that culture of neighbor-lee-ness alive for generations to come.

When people drive by, they won't just see a municipal office; they will be filled with an overall sense of pride in a town that invests in its future and its people. This new town hall building represents a multi-generational investment in our community that will pay dividends through public participation and engagement.

​Congratulations to the Town of Hollis for a job well done!

Chenette’s career has been defined by breaking barriers. Before serving as a County Commissioner, he served as one of the youngest lawmakers in the country, championing ethics reform in both the Maine House of Representatives and the Maine State Senate. On the York County Commission, he has focused on fiscal responsibility, expanding access to county resources, and championing civil rights.

“I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund,” said Commissioner Justin Chenette. “Representation isn’t just about making history; it’s about making a difference. Whether it’s passing Pride proclamations to signal that York County is a welcoming place for all, or fighting for better mental health services and government accountability, my goal has always been to give a voice to the voiceless. I look forward to continuing this vital work for another term.”
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In 2025, Chenette was named Maine County Commissioner of the Month by the Spirit of America Foundation's Maine Chapter. 

York County has entered a new era of proactive, transparent, and compassionate regional governance. The County Commission has redefined its role by prioritizing the safety, health, and dignity of every resident—proving county government is not only relevant, but essential.
 
The Commission has just opened the region’s First Responders Training Center so local police and fire departments can train with state-of-the-art facilities here in York County. We have also modernized operations: every deputy now wears a body camera, and every patrol cruiser carries a lifesaving defibrillator—critical investments in accountability and public safety.
 
When a regional food pantry faced closure, we stepped in within a month to take over operations, protecting access to food for more than 3,000 vulnerable neighbors. No one in York County should go hungry. We are applying the same urgency to the housing crisis by working with the York County Homeless Response Hub on housing placement, eviction diversion to keep families housed, and a Housing First partnership prioritizing permanent, managed housing for chronically unhoused residents without restrictive preconditions.
 
Later this year, we will open a dedicated Substance Use Recovery Center to support a path toward stability for those struggling with addiction. Our regional dredge and dune replenishment efforts are protecting our coastline from future storm damage and erosion.
 
We are also strengthening accountability through unprecedented transparency—launching a modern county website and publishing comprehensive annual reports so residents can easily access initiatives, data, and contacts.
 
York County is no longer the “lost level of government”—we are leading with urgency, innovation, and heart.