L.C. Democrats Rally for Michaud

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud meets constituents at the Lincoln County Democrats kick-off rally for his gubernatorial campaign held July 7 in Damariscotta. (Tim Badgley photo)

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More than 100 supporters gathered at Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta for the kick-off rally of Mike Michaud’s gubernatorial campaign hosted by the Lincoln County Democratic

Committee July 7.

Feted with food donated by Alex and Rachel Nevens of Newcastle Publick House and music performed by guitarist Paul Mellyn ralliers broke into spontaneous chants of “We want

Mike,” to urge the candidate onto the stage.

Taking the podium amid cheers, Michaud said that if elected governor he would, “build upon our strengths – we have so much to offer here in the state of Maine.”

Michaud said those strengths include small businesses which compose 95 percent of all businesses in the state.

Michaud said another strength is that Maine has the youngest farmers in the country per capita, indicating a lot of opportunity for the state to be “the food basket of New

England.”

Michaud said, as governor, he would set the goal to reduce Maine’s dependency on home heating oil by 50 percent by the year 2030. According to Michaud, Maine has plenty of

opportunity to use green energy, including tidal, solar, and geothermal power.

Michaud said health care for all Mainers is a top priority in his legislative agenda.

“As your governor on day one, I’ll be submitting legislation to the legislature that will cover the 70,000 Mainers who were denied access to affordable health care, not only

because it is the morally right thing to do, but it’s the fiscally responsible thing to do as well.” Michaud said.

Michaud claimed Maine will save more than $600 million over 10 years by covering the 70,000 Mainers and hospitals would receive an additional $348 million. “Covering 70,000

people with health care will actually hold down the cost of health care for those who do have insurance,” he said.

During the question-answer forum that followed his remarks, Michaud said another priority he intends to pursue if elected governor is the development of passenger and freight

rail service in the hope that private investment can be secured to upgrade the rail system in Maine.

In answering ralliers’ questions Michaud was able to underscore some of his past accomplishments both as a Maine state senator and during his current 12 years of service as the

U.S. Representative of Maine’s second congressional district.

Michaud said his record shows his support for strong environmental laws in Maine. He said he began his political career when he saw the pollution released into the Penobscot

River by the paper mill where he worked. As state senator, he was appointed to the energy and natural resources committee.

“We were actually able to clean up the Penobscot River,” he said.

Michaud said that as a president of the state senate he was successful in crafting bipartisan legislation by holding informal legislative calendar meetings in his office every

morning with both Republicans and Democrats.

“It built up trust and opened lines of communication, and that’s what’s missing today,” Michaud said.

Michaud said that two of his major accomplishments in congress are the work he has done on behalf of veterans and the Northern Border Regional Economic Commission Bill that

provides Maine with $30 million for economic development purposes especially focusing on natural resource based industries, fishing and agriculture.

Betsy Wooster of Waldoboro said she attended the rally due to her deep commitment Democratic Party especially in Lincoln County. “Michaud deserves to win. He’s pro-Maine and

he’s so positive – that’s what we need is somebody positive.”

Mary Sheldon of Nobleboro said she agreed with Michaud’s perspectives on providing health care to people and his willingness work with other organizations to make things

work.

“I think that even with tough Republicans you can make some ground,” Sheldon said. “It was so embarrassing when LePage wouldn’t go and talk to the other governors because he

didn’t want to be in a room with a bunch of Democrats.”

Sandra O’Farrell of Waldoboro said that as a mother of an Iraq war veteran, “What really grabbed me are the issues Michaud has addressed to help our veterans.”

Lincoln County Democratic Committee Chair Lisa Miller opened the rally announcing the committee is finalizing a contract on an office in Damariscotta. Details will be made

public once the contract is secured, she said.

Miller introduced Maine elected officials at the rally by having them come up onto the stage. She turned the podium over to Rep. Mick Devin, D-Newcastle, who recounted his

service as a military veteran beginning with four years at the U.S. Naval Academy followed by eight years of active duty and 20 years in the reserves.

“There’s no question in my wife’s mind, there’s no question in my mind: we’re voting for Mike Michaud,” Devin said. “As a veteran there is no choice. We’ve got programs here in

the state of Maine that are a direct result of what Mike has done for veterans.”

Devin said the Access Received Closer to Home program in Aroostook County, established by one of Michaud’s bills, enables veterans to use health care services outside the VA

system so they don’t have to travel so far to Togus in Augusta or to Boston.

“It has been a resounding success and has saved the VA $600,000,” Devin said. “He also sponsored a bill in 2008 which is now law to help end veterans’ homelessness across the

United States.”

According to Devin, Michaud through his work on the House Veterans Affairs Committee “played a major role in rooting out the scandal which initially broke in Arizona, but is a

problem throughout the VA.”