04-03-20 Friday

WLOB Radio...The Lobster Network

Part 1:  Ray is bringing hope and faith. He talks about how social media can bring us together, but it can also scare people. We need to use it responsibly. It is really important to listen and following the Government guidelines to combat COVID-19 and stop the hysteria.


Part 2:  Ray explains the PPE and today is the day that you can file. This is for businesses to be able to cover payroll for your employees while they aren’t working. So that you can keep them employed. He feels this is the best thing for our country. He understands that there is a bunch of junk in the stimulus bill. Nobody cares about the Nations Debt. It keeps growing because they don’t care. This is the biggest challenge we have faced in modern times and we have to do our part as citizens.

Part 3:  Doc Herzog joins Ray for this short segment. Ray talks about the benefits of his techniques.

Part 4:  Ray talks about the small business loans. He officially re-introduces Dr. John Herzog of Orthopedic Specialists LLC back to the studio. The doc is a regular on Fridays. He and Ray have a discussion about the “wives tale” about feeling the weather change in your bones. They talk about torn rotator cuff and what exactly is it that Dr. Herzog can offer his patients. Ray asks him why isn’t this technique more widely used to prevent invasive surgery. The Doc tells Ray how he got into this method of healing.  For more information about Dr. John Herzog’s services or if you would like to set up an appointment, visit his website, Orthopedic Specialties or call, 1-207-781-9077, today.

Part 5:   Ray and Dr. Herzog explains the controversy that Martins Point tried to pull. They have cost him a lot of money to protect his reputation and his business. Ray says that from the feedback that he has gotten from friends, family and audience members have all be good. Ray says that if you are in pain, you should contact Dr. Herzog and see if there is something that he can do to help you. For more information about Dr. John Herzog’s services or if you would like to set up an appointment, visit his website, Orthopedic Specialties or call, 1-207-781-9077, today.

Part 6:  Ray and Dr. Herzog welcome Former Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson. She is running for State Senate District 29. She lists the district off and she states that she is running as a clean candidate and she tells us what that means. She gives a plug to another candidate in Cape Elizabeth. They talk about Stephanie’s history of looking for the best outcome of a bad situation. Not all crimes are equal and needs to be looked at individually. Problem solving and justice can work together and she gives the story of how a program started in Cape Elizabeth. She explains why she is running for office. They talk about the policies that we have in place and that they need to be changed regarding mental illness. She talks about the time when Pineland closed and the resources and safety net that were available for their clients were not enough. She also talks about substance abuse and the unique perspective that she will bring to Augusta. Ray commends her of sharing her story. She believes that connections are the way out of addictions. Ray tells a story. If you would like to contribute to Stephanie’s campaign, visit maine.gov/cleanelection. You can also follow her on Facebook.

Part 7:  Ray and the Doc welcome Liz Harrington of the Republican National Committee from her home in Washington DC. They talk about the President’s plan and the resources that are now available to small businesses and their employees. Ray stresses that unemployment is not welfare and neither is the package that the President is offering to help businesses that had to close due to no fault of their own. They chat about the politicians that have been turning this pandemic into a political event. They also talk about Sen. Susan Collins and her loosing her temper and the way that she was treated while trying to speak on the US Senate Floor.

Part 8:  Ray plays a creative song about the Coronavirus that sounds like the Bee Gees. He takes a call about how we need to continue with the neighbor helping neighbor attitude and not go back to hate and nasty behaviors that our country had gotten to before.

Part 9:  Ray and Doctor Herzog talk about the previous segment where they talked about suicide and how social distancing doesn’t mean that you are alone. There are many ways that you can reach out. They take a call from Arthur Langley to give a glowing review and recommendation for Dr. Herzog’s services. They all talk about hope and faith. Isolation is never a good or easy thing. Ray talks about how people are not built for isolation. There are outlets that are available. Ray says that there are way too many Negative Nellies. We need to rely on our Faith and look to social media for positive way to connect with people.

Part 10:  Ray preaches how now is the time to rely on one another and your faith.

04-02-20 Thursday

WLOB Radio...The Lobster Network

Part 1:  Ray starts off with Faith and the scary times we are in right now. Ray talks about the Washington Swamp and Trump continuing to drain it. Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants a fourth stimulus package. He isn’t happy with what is in it. He says that he isn’t afraid of us not surviving physically, he is much more worried about what we will be coming back to economically. He talks about the infrastructure and the money that is being discussed. Pres. Trump has put forth an infrastructure stimulus package. Think about how many people would be able to get back to work immediately and not just give money out, but get something for it. Ray says lets be smart. Ray says lets heal ourselves. Ray takes a call from Gordon.


Part 2:  Ray gives a quick line up of this morning’s show.

Part 3:  Bob Witkowski joins Ray to discuss a question that was posed yesterday about Mardi Gras not being cancelled. Bob was down in New Orleans to celebrate with his daughter, Sam, who is down there attending college.

Part  4:  Ray thanks the audience for going to WLOB’s website to listen to Sen. Collins and her interview with Ray where she gives information out. News Center Maine‘s Pat Callaghan joins Ray by phone to discuss the hunger for information that people have. Ray stresses that we will be getting a lot of bad news today and we can’t stress about it. Yes it is important, but not something that is really important because it is a snapshot. Pat stresses that it is really important to get away from the news and all of the bad news and you should watch an old show. Ray says that he has been watching the Andy Griffith Show. They also talk about sports and people that left while they were on top. They also talk about how people are still watching sports even though they already know the outcome, but still sit on the edge of their seats.

Part 5:  Ray and Pat Callaghan talk about the logistics of broadcasting during these social distancing times. He talks about some of the comments and questions that they have had about the color of wall color and artwork on their walls.

Part 6.  Ray reiterates that they numbers that are coming out today are going to be really really bad, but that should be expected considering what we are going through. This is just a blimp on the screen and only one quarter. We need to not panic and remain calm. Former Portland Police Chief Michael Sauschuck now Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Public Safety joins Ray to talk about some of the things to help keep you and your family safe. They talk about the Governor Mills’ new mandated stay in place order. Ray asks about the fines and rumors on how people are tracked. He reassures that they aren’t tracking people and they aren’t stopping people at the border. Ray asks the Commissioner about what will be coming up and he gives a couple of scenarios. Ray asks about the rural areas that don’t believe that they are effected and will their ever be a need to have two different emergency orders? They discuss the out of state plates and influx of people coming into our state. The Commissioner stresses that a lot of the out of state plates are people coming into our state to help in different industries. They discuss the Governor response and efforts to keep all of Maine safe. Ray asks how are they keeping Law Enforcement and First Responders safe.

Part 7:  Ray welcomes Cumberland County District Attorney Jonathan Sahrbeck. Ray asks him how this pandemic has affected his office. The DA states that as of March 13 the courts have been closed with a couple of exceptions and he gives what his office is doing. Ray talks about Cumberland County Sheriff and the job that he is doing in concert to keep his people and charges safe. He teases the DA that the Former DA will be on tomorrow’s show and they will be criticizing his performance as DA. (Just kidding) She is running for office and that’s why she is going to be on the show. Ray asks about what he learned from his time under her tenure as DA. DA Sahrbeck urges people to check on people that are in the recovery stages of substance abuse. All of the resources that were there are now gone basically overnight. They both stress that when someone is alone that is when the demons in their own head come out and it is really important to check on family and friends that suffer from substance abuse and mental illness.

Part 8:  Ray continues his discussion with Cumberland County District Attorney Jonathan Sahrbeck. He gives a shout out to someone that is running in Cape Elizabeth as well.

Part 9:  Ray talks about the crisis of the moment and what is going to get us through…Faith. If you are struggling with anything big or small God is there for you. Ray says if you need help text the Dirigo Text Line and he will find it for you. He talks about the scary unemployment numbers and that they are just a snapshot in the whole picture book.

Part 10:  Ray takes a call from Gordon and then gets back to the strength of our country. Ray takes a call from Texas Tom. He says that there are many companies that are still hiring.

Attention Small Businesses and their employees affected by COVID-19

WLOB Radio...The Lobster Network
Following Pressure from Senator Collins, 
SBA, Treasury Roll Out Information for Small Employers and Lenders
to Participate in $350 Billion Loan Program
            • If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
            • The application for borrowers can be found HERE
Senator Collins co-authored the new law included in the Phase 3 coronavirus package that will serve as a lifeline for small businesses and their employees affected by COVID-19

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Treasury released new information that will allow lenders to begin accepting applications and disbursing loans to assist small employers that have been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

These Paycheck Protection Program loans were created by the Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act, which was authored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Jeanne Shaheen.  Their legislation was included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and signed into law on March 27, 2020.  Yesterday, Senators Collins, Rubio, Cardin, and Shaheen sent a letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, requesting immediate action to implement the new law.

The loan program will help small employers with their payroll and other covered business operating expenses for eight weeks. Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they have 500 employees or fewer or otherwise meet the SBA’s employee-based size standard for their industry.  Additionally, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses that fall within North American Industry Classification System code 72, “Accommodation and Food Services,” are eligible if each of their locations has 500 employees or fewer.  The SBA’s affiliation rules are also waived for independently owned franchises that are approved by SBA.

The Paycheck Protection Program will provide critical capital to businesses without collateral requirements, personal guarantees, or SBA fees – all with a 100% guarantee from SBA. All loan payments will be deferred for six months. Most important, if an employer maintains its payroll, the portion of the loan used for payroll (up to annual rate of salary of $100,000 per employee) and covered mortgage interest, rent, and utility payments will be forgiven.

Every day, I am hearing from small business owners who are anxious about the future of their businesses and how they can continue to pay their employees due to the economic harm caused by COVID-19,” said Senator Collins.  “As members of the Small Business Task Force, Senators Rubio, Cardin, Shaheen, and I worked day and night on this bipartisan $350 billion small business economic relief plan.  I am pleased that the SBA and Treasury have released information that will begin allowing this desperately needed relief to reach small businesses to help prevent them from going under and to help save millions of Americans’ jobs.”

The new loan program runs through June 30, 2020, and will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees.  Starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply. Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply.

Small businesses can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. Small business owners should consult with their local lender as to whether it is participating. All loans will have the same terms regardless of lender or borrower. A list of participating lenders as well as additional information and full terms can be found at www.sba.gov.

SBA encourages small businesses to apply as quickly as they can because there is a funding cap.

  • For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
  • If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE
  • If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
  • The application for borrowers can be found HERE