To the editor:
To members of the Greater Houlton area and beyond, we would like to express our sincerest thanks to all of you for the support we received over the past five months as we waited to hear if the state would keep the Houlton office of Maine Revenue Services open with all 14 jobs in tact.
Late last week, Governor Baldacci signed a biennial budget into law. That budget no longer included a proposal to close the Houlton office. The 14 jobs will be retained.
Numerous individuals supported the retention of these revenue-producing jobs by writing letters to legislators and signing petitions. Businesses sent letters and contacted legislators directly. Twelve area municipalities and the County of Aroostook adopted resolutions to encourage the Appropriations Committee to keep the Houlton office open. Several people traveled to Augusta to pack the public hearing and some testified in our support including legislators, county economic development representatives and MSEA.
There were so many people who took action on our behalf … some we aren’t even aware of. And, that support spread around the state as family, friends and business associates learned of the plan to close an office that generates an average of $8 million a year for the State of Maine and did what they could to stop that plan. Of note in this area is Pam Beal of South Portland who rallied the support of many southern Maine legislators and even traveled to Augusta to testify.
People repeatedly stopped us on the street, at meetings, in church and at events to express their concern for us and their hope that our jobs would be maintained. The support and encouragement of all of you have made these past five months so much easier. This is why we all want to continue to live and work in such a wonderful area! This is our home. You are our community and friends.
We must also single out a few individuals who went above and beyond the call in showing their support. Jon McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation, Houlton Town Manager Doug Hazelett, Sen. Roger Sherman and Rep. Richard Cleary spent countless house in championing our cause and spearheading the effort to maintain these jobs for our region. We also received strong support from other Aroostook legislators such as Reps. Henry Joy and Patricia Sutherland. The backing of Sen. John Martin who serves on the Appropriations Committee and Representative Jeremy Fischer, who is the House Chair on Appropriations were also key. These people were in the midst of the action and acted in our behalf. They really made the difference in this decision.
Our thanks to all of you. We will continue to work hard to show that your efforts were not in vain.
Susan Barker
Ardis Brown
Peggy Cleary
Cheryl Gentle
Crystal Hagerman
Amy Haney
Candy Hersey
Nancy Ketch
Mike McLaughlin
Torrie Nason
Gail Schools
Marcia Smith
Carol Turner
Roxene Williams
