Published Mostly Weekly by the
Bangor Area Breakfast Rotary Club
Packaging, packaging, packaging
Wrap it with a beautiful bow
W
hat’s the state of our region?
Not very good.
Jonathan Daniels, new CEO of the Eastern Maine Development
Corporation, asked and answered that question during his unveiling of his
economic pallet painted in colors of discouragement, impediments, hope and
optimism.
Citing mill closures, lack of access to wood and state finding, infrastructure needs and
tax reform, Mr. Daniels noted better response from Senators Snowe and Collins, and Rep.
Michael Michaud to EMDC’s requests than from the state.
“High taxes and lack of available capital are the biggest impediments to
development” in the Eastern Maine region, Mr. Daniels said. “The Bangor Hydro
transmission line (as reported by LuAnn Williams of Bangor Hydro at the March 11
meeting) will stabilize our energy needs and help lower energy costs.”
Does Maine promote business? “The ‘branding’ of Maine calls it ‘vacationland,’”
said Mr. Daniels. “So when business people come to Maine, they see it as vacationland.”
Then they go back home. To their businesses.
He noted that 43 million people live within 500 miles of Bangor. “Eastern Maine is
located in the middle of a development triangle that includes Halifax, Montreal and
Boston.” EMDC is undergoing significant restructuring to fine-tune its service to the
region. Active committees include the small business development program, funding
resources, community and economic development, transportation planning and financial
advising.
“Our focus is on Atlantic Canada and Quebec. We need to sell the larger region rather
than marketing a specific location,” he said. “It’s about leveraging partnerships. These
partnerships must include the private sector.”
To overcome impediments to successful regional development, Mr. Daniels preaches
the gospel of making and creating our own opportunities. “We cannot wait for the state.
We know we have problems. It’s how we package the Product Region,” he said. “We
need to put a bow around it and sell it.”
Nourishment and needling
As Clean Plate Club members tidied up their table places, we welcomed Ann Dyer
back from her somewhat extended ski vacation, who grabbed her crutches to support
herself to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. She later praised the care she received at Eastern
Maine Medical Center.
Nat Bond reminded us of the sign-up for the National Folk Festival volunteer
opportunity as a group. He also mentioned the Bangor Rotary Centennial Committee that
includes members of the Bangor Noon Rotary. “We are looking for people who can do
oral history,” he said. If you can help with information and other participation, e-mail Nat
at natbond@aol.com
The Downeast School reading program continues to be a page-turner. Andy Orascio
said that there are some openings for readers. Meanwhile, you’re invited to become
involved in the Interact Rotary Club at the YMCA. Steve Andrew said one or two people
are needed to attend each meeting.
Mischelle Adams’ Rotary Moment focused on Earl Frank, 100, of an Arizona Rotary
club. Mr. Frank joined Rotary in 1927, has perfect attendance and is president-elect of his
club. We should all live so long…
Kilts in school were a poor sartorial fit for Bangor School Superintendent Sandy
Ervin, but not for Ivan McPike, who fined Dr. Sandy for showing up in the Bangor
Daily News (without kilts, we hasten to add).
The 4-Way quartet, bargain priced at 3-way (Lisa Wahlstrom, Dick Cattelle and
Les Myers), sang birthday greetings to Ned Jennings. Ned reported on his 60th birthday
party at which Nat Bond presented a gift certificate to Home Depot. Birthday celebrants
included John Rohman and Ann Dyer. Gail Kelly received so much intense training at
the President-Elect Training last week that she rumbled about changing her mind about
being President. However, the salary is right; she’ll stay. Mischelle Adams, who won the
weekly lottery- again, accompanied Gail. She gave a Sad Dollar because she saw how
Gail learned to delegate.
You have little time left to add your name to the
www.bangorbreakfastrotary.org website before Ivan fines you. Thirty members
currently have listings at the site.
Les Myers- March 25, 2004
Breakfast vessels