Maine Democratic Party meets with county farmers
FORT FAIRFIELD — Members of the Maine Democratic Party wrapped up their first stop on the party’s “Get Real Maine” tour this weekend.
The tour stop included the Maine Potato Board’s Industry Dinner in Fort Fairfield Friday night, marching in the Potato Blossom Festival parade Saturday, a community barbecue following the parade, and a meeting with farmers in the Fort Fairfield area to learn about the issues that are most important to them.
“Aroostook County was a great place to start our Get Real Maine tour,” said Ben Grant, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party. “Farming and agriculture are such important parts of the Maine brand and our economy, yet so many farmers are struggling to get by. It was great to sit down and really listen to folks and learn why they are struggling and what they need to succeed.”
“Maine workers — and especially workers in The County — are some of the hardest working people I know yet many of them are unemployed,” said Sen. Troy Jackson (D-Allagash). “It’s not right. When we return to Augusta in January, Democrats are committed to fight for what Maine people want and need.”
The farmers who attended Saturday evening’s meeting in Fort Fairfield cited the high costs of starting a farm, the need for a USDA-approved and MOFGA-certified slaughterhouse in the county, the high cost of health care, and the need for strategically allocated government subsidies as some of the most important issues to them.
“Democrats are doing the ground work to bring the voice of real Maine people back to Augusta,” said Rep. Charles Theriault (D-Madawaska). “Instead of focusing on the needs of farmers and loggers this session, Republicans passed laws that will increase the cost of health insurance in rural Maine, make it harder to see a local doctor, and refused to invest in economic development that would make it easier to do business in The County.”
Many elected Democrats were also able to attend some or all of the weekend’s festivities including Congressman Mike Michaud.
More stops are being scheduled throughout the summer. To find out more about the tour, visit the Maine Democratic Party’s website at www.mainedems.org/real.
