At an informal ceremony at Romeo’s Pizza in Damariscotta on Oct. 6, Sen. David Trahan of Waldoboro received the Maine Merchants Association’s annual Government Service Award.
The ceremony at Romeo’s previews a formal presentation of the award at the Association’s annual meeting on Oct. 27 at the Augusta Civic Center.
Curtis Picard, Executive Director of the Merchant’s Association, presented the award to Trahan for his work spearheading the successful campaign to repeal tax reform legislation at the polls earlier this year.
“I’m very proud of the fact that I’m getting this award, but the people who worked on the campaign really deserve it,” Trahan said before the ceremony. “I’m happy to accept the award on their behalf.”
Trahan is the first two-time recipient of the award, having received it in 2003 for his work creating Office of Program Evaluation and Accountability, which conducts independent audits and investigations of state agencies.
Romeo’s hosted the well-attended ceremony because they were extremely supportive of the repeal effort, said Romeo’s Manager Anne Gabel.
The Merchants Association chose to honor Trahan’s work because the association was a strong supporter and influential campaigner in the effort to repeal the tax reform legislation installed by Gov. John Baldacci.
“If I had to choose one word to describe Sen. Trahan, it would be persistence,” Picard said before the ceremony. “When we started, we didn’t have two nickels to rub together. It was frustrating to see our opponents getting $100,000 contributions from hedge fund managers.”
During the ceremony, Picard called Trahan a “constant champion of making sure your tax dollars are spent well,” and said it was Trahan’s work that led to the sweeping 61 percent victory at the polls.
Trahan thanked many of his supporters during the ceremony, including Al DiMillo, D- Portland, the Maine Green Party, Rep. Jon McKane “and especially thanks to the volunteers,” Trahan said. “Last summer, it was rainy, it was wet, but they gave up their days to go out get signatures.”
