LINCOLNVILLE — Isabella and Maren, the young daughters of Lincolnville Town Administrator David Kinney, were lauded at the Board of Selectmen's meeting Monday night for their vital roles in saving their dad's life on the morning of Aug. 23, 2016.

The girls, and their mother and Dave's wife, Michelle Brown-Kinney, were asked to come to Monday night's regular meeting, but with no explanation why.

It was a short agenda, with just two public items followed by an executive session. The first agenda item was the presentation of a Legislative Sentiment, given by Dorothy Havey, special assistant to Senate President Michael Thibodeau.

Stepping up to the podium, Havey asked 12-year-old Isabella "Izzy" and Maren, 10, to join her in standing before their parents and the Board of Selectmen.

Havey said she was telling Sen. Thibodeau last fall about the Kinney sisters' amazing action when they helped their dad out.

"And he said, we need to do a sentiment for these young ladies," said Havey. "So the other day we were waiting for a time to do it, and somebody decided tonight would be a good night to do it. So the senator wrote you this letter."

"Dear Maren and Isabella: Becoming a parent and now a grandparent has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. As a parent, you always hope that your children will grow up to be good and kind people with sound judgment and to work to make their communities a better place. Maren and Isabella, you certainly have achieved that goal at a very early age. Your quick actions in helping your father last fall tells a great deal about you. You are wise, you are caring, and you are very special young ladies

Quoting author J.K. Rowling from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 'It is our choices that show us who we truly really are far more than our abilities.'

Your choice that day changed the lives of many people. Thank you for making a difference in your own lives, your family's life and in the town of Lincolnville. Your father is a greatly respected town administrator and we celebrate his recovery. Life is a gift. Never forget to enjoy every moment your are in it."

After reading the letter to the Kinneys, Havey went on to read and present each girl with her own Legislative Sentiment, marking the actions they took on that day in August 2016, recognizing them for their role in saving their father's life and offered them their best wishes.

With their father watching on his seat on the Board of Selectmen's table, and their mother sitting in the audience, the Kinney girls posed for photos with Havey and shook her hand.

Before they could sit down, Select Board Chair Ladleah Dunn stepped up to the podium and asked the girls to stay standing. The other members of the Board joined Dunn, who then went on to tell the girls that this year, the Lincolnville Town Report had been dedicated to them.

The dedication reads:

"On the morning of Aug. 23, 2016, Maren and Isabella Kinney, then 9 and 11 respectively, found the body of an unconscious man. Acting quickly, calmly and beyond their years, the girls, by calling 911 and answering the dispatcher's questions and following the instructions given, set in motion a series of events that included Lincolnville Firefighters, North East Mobile Heath Service (our ambulance service), the staff at Waldo County General Hospital, Lifelight and a medical team at Maine Medical Center that ultimately saved the man's life. Undoubtedly without their actions, the man's life would have been lost.

"As it turns out, the life they saved belongs to their father and Lincolnville's Town Administrator, David Kinney. The Board of Selectmen has no doubt that these girls would have performed as admirably for a complete stranger as they did for their own rather.

"For their actions that day, and in setting an example of helping others that we can all follow, the Board of Selectmen has chosen to dedicate this Town Report to Maren and Isabella Kinney. Thank you for a job well done."

Related links:

• Lincolnville Town Administrative Kinney: 'Making very good progress in my recovery'

• Rest and heal, Mr. Kinney, Lincolnville's got you covered till you get home

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6655