Aroostook officials share concerns with Chamber president

By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, returned to the city he once led as city manager, taking part in a business breakfast held at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Campus Center, joined by business and community leaders — including educators, municipal officials and business representatives — from throughout Aroostook County.
    “The purpose of this meeting is to help steer policies and understand issues so we can better help you,” said Connors, an Easton native who served as Presque Isle’s city manager for 16 years. “It means a lot to come back to visit. It’s so nice to be back home.”
    Connors stressed the importance of speaking up and making concerns heard.
    “Too often we forget the voice of many is stronger than any one of us,” he said, noting he and his staff are the voice for those they serve in the state.
    “We work with the legislature — have representation in Augusta. We want to hear the issues, what’s working, and help steer the ship in Augusta. This group is important to us,” said Connors.
    Connors said it was “easy to get caught up in everyday life.”
    “There’s a tendency to try to please everybody,” he said, noting he’s been working on a list of areas he’d like to focus on.
    “The top issues my office would like to see addressed are: health care costs, energy costs, regulations, taxes, transportation and education. Some items are concerns shared by other states, while a couple are uniquely our own,” said Connors. “We aren’t the only state that has problems. We’re in danger of becoming the first industrialized nation that our children receive lower education and the first that our children might live shorter lives than their parents.”
    Connors said he’s seen some advancement this past session in Augusta.
    “This year, like it or not, some very good things have started,” he said. “Two things will help: productivity and innovation.”
    Both categories he said will benefit through better education and training. Connors said Maine also has quality of life going for it.
    “We may not be lower cost for production purposes, but we can keep people in Maine due to the quality of life. We have an aging population and it’s a daunting challenge to the workforce today, unless we can grow business and diversity,” he said.
    Connors noted the disparity in health insurance rates between northern and southern Maine, due to the northern population being older, compared to the much younger population in communities like Portland. Energy costs are also an issue — an issue he hopes state officials will look at during the next session.
    As for transportation, Connors said it was “an issue driven not just by Maine but the federal government.”
    “The federal government is pushing for vehicles that get more mileage. Infrastructure depends on money obtained purely from taxes on gas and diesel. So it means less money (for road maintenance, etc.) with more fuel-efficient vehicles. That’s an issue the feds have to deal with,” said Connors.
    He said changes also need to be made to the way education is funded.
    “It’s not all about K-12. We need to make sure higher education is funded at the level needed. Lower grades need to be taught to meet skills needed for higher education,” Connors said.
    Bob Clark, director of the Northern Maine Development Commission in Caribou, who serves on the board for LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development, questioned what could be done to give Aroostook leaders better access to officials in Augusta.
    “They’re so far away. We have to find some way via video conference or technology to do this. We need to see what can be done,” said Clark.
    Connors said while state officials love to have testimony from County people, he said it would be “helpful to do that (video conference).”
    “It’s less about up here and more about getting the committee (in Augusta) into a room to video conference,” said Connors.
    Tony Sullivan, owner of Governor’s Restaurant in Presque Isle,  said a lot of small businesses “are just hanging on” when it comes to the cost of food and energy. “Now we’re faced with a triple whammy. Added health care costs could put us over the edge,” he said.
    “2014 will be a pinnacle year (Obama-care). I’m not sure what the states can do. They can be more restrictive, not less — 15 states are under appeal and expecting some decision from a higher court. Once the court renders a ruling, if reversed, it’s not a clear path,” said Connors. “If it’s not repealed, the question is what to do to minimize (the impact).”
    Clark noted that in Maine at least, it was an urban/rural issue, with health insurance figures varying considerable between northern and southern Maine, based on age.
    “When this was undertaken (health insurance reform), it wasn’t done to punish anyone. A number of people tried to raise the disparity outcome,” said Connors.
    “Northern Maine’s more on Maine Care, compared to those in southern Maine being private pay,” said Clark.
    “We need to recognize we’re in this together. We need to encourage the State Chamber to continue to work with organizations. We all can’t be winners or losers,” said Dan Foster, town manager, Fort Fairfield.
    Connors said it’s important to remain positive.
    “It’s important to speak positively on the road and work collaboratively on issues. I sense Maine’s on the move. That’s a tremendous value. Other businesses see and hear it. I’m finding some real creeping optimism in business,” said Connors. “The more we can speak with conviction and positive feelings about what we can do, the better.”
    Theresa Fowler, executive director, Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, expressed concern over alternative energy sources and the way Maine has advocated for wind power and natural gas.
    “A working gas line from Canada has been discussed. The governor is not opposed to wind power but doesn’t consider it an immediate solution. He’s made an issue of picking winners and losers in energy. When it comes to energy, (the state) should encourage as many investors as possible and let market demand determine the winner,” said Connors. “I think it’s a mistake to pick one over the other.”
    Connors said he’d like to see energy “front and center” during the next legislative session.
    “If the private sector wants to build windmills — there’s controversy and debate, but it also provides an alternative and think of the jobs they create,” said Connors.