The past four years has
not been the smoothest of sailing in Augusta with individuals and
political parties struggling to gain control or keep control. often
forgetting who they were elected to represent. Politics, both in
Maine and across the nation has become a 'money business' with
thousands of dollars being raised in order to “win.” But the real
question may just be....in the end, who loses?
Over the past several weeks I have had the opportunity to travel
across different sections of Maine, to regions I have not visited for
several years, I was very surprised at the changes, both in the
landscape and the attitudes of the people; the vacant buildings and
empty store fronts, the anger and frustration.
We have all heard the
discussion of the “two Maine’s”, but unless you drive it, you
do not get a true appreciation for the differences. I could even
argue the case for maybe three or four Maine’s. Take the trip along
Route 2 west or up and down the coast and you get a perspective on
just how different the regions of Maine can be.
For example, few short
miles north out of Bangor and you notice immediate changes. Traffic is
almost non-existent. What traffic there is travels well above the new speed limit. Standing along the side of the road, at the edge of
the wooded areas are deer searching for food, even at this time of
year. Maybe they were just curious about those traveling the
interstate on this particular day.
A car had pulled off to
the side of the road with a flat tire and it was nice to see that
someone had stopped to help them. Who says Maine folks aren't
helpful.
In contrast, a trip
south is very different. More traffic moves along just as quickly. There
are more towns, places to shop and fast food stops. And generally, there are just more people!
As diverse as the
landscape is, so are the people and their needs. It must truly
present some difficult challenges in governing. Laws and legislation
can not be a “one size fits all’ approach. Maine is more than a
city like Portland or a town like Patten. I would not say it costs
more in some areas than other. What I would say is that the costs are very different. I sincerely hope the leadership in Augusta realizes
this fact. These are financially challenging times. There is a need
to find ways to become more efficient and effective in providing
needed services regardless of where one lives.
Ten weeks and counting.
But I would like to take this opportunity to write an open letter to
the next Governor of Maine even before the results of the election
are known. So here it goes....
Dear Governor,
The people of Maine
have elected you to serve as our Governor for the next four years.
You will have spent thousands, maybe even millions of dollars, for
the privilege and the honor to serve all the citizens our state,
including those who may not have voted for you.
I hope at some time
you will look back and think about the dollars spent by all the candidates and
how those dollars may have better serves those in the State who
struggle each day to put food in the table, gasoline in the car in
an effort to get to work or pay for their medical bills.
Before beginning the
new term, there are four suggestions I would offer for your
consideration.
First... I would
encourage you to travel around the state, visiting shopping malls and
small 'mom and pop' convenience stores, attending a ball game or
two at a local school and stop in a grocery store and purchase a
week's worth of groceries. See how many people pumping gas or
walking the aisles of the local Hannaford recognize who you are. The
challenge is going to be to pull this off without fanfare and an
entourage, just you in a pair of LL Bean boots, a flannel shirt,
jeans, and a Red Sox cap.
Second..... Before the
first day of taking office, travel to three places in Maine where you
have never been. Take along a camera and snap plenty of pictures.
Pick out your favorites, frame several of them and hang them in your
office to serve as a constant reminder of the other Maine. On the back of each picture record the date you visited and
the location. After your term is over, revisit the sites, taking the
pictures with you, a kind of 'then and now' experience. While in
office did you really make a difference?
Third......Visit
several elementary classrooms and senior citizen homes in some of the
most rural parts of the state. Talk with the kids and the seniors,
take notes and draw your own conclusions about Maine's future ten years from now.
And finally.... gather
a group of common, everyday citizens and invite them to lunch or
dinner. These guests are not members of the House or Senate, members
of the Cabinet or members of a political groups or organizations. Not your good friends. They are regular, ordinary hard working Mainers, men and women, young
and old. The topic for discussion. 'What will Maine look like ten
years from now?' Sit back and just listen! Often the “beginning of
wisdom begins with silence.”
The next four years
will be filled with challenges, but with challenges also come
opportunities. With the help of others, create a vision for the
future, for all Mainers, young and old, rich and poor, and realize
that while you will not see this vision fulfilled within your four year
term, know that you played a key role in getting Maine's future off to a great start.
Congratulation on your
successful campaign and best wishes for the future of Maine.
Sincerely,
JKL
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