October 16, 2009
Hancock County Republican Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 6:10 by Chairman Mark Remick at the Union River Lobster Pot Restaurant in Ellsworth.
Eric White, Vice Chair, led the invocation.
Mark led the pledge of allegiance and adjourned the meeting for dinner.
At 6:30 Mark reconvened the meeting.
Secretary’s Report: David Lind moved and Dan Sullivan seconded that the secretary’s minutes be approved.
Motion Carried
Treasurer and Finance Chair’s report: Both the treasurer and the finance chair were ill and could not attend. There were no reports.
Platform Committee: Dan Sullivan explained that the platform committee plans and writes what we stand for as Republicans. One person from Hancock County will be elected to be on this committee. In Hancock, we elect and do not appoint the platform committee person.
2 ways to be nominated: Give Mark your name if you are interested. 2. There will be nominations from the floor.
Anyone wishing to serve on this committee must be present at the November 20 meeting to answer any questions from the body.
Brian Langley: Reported on his 2 hour visit with Jock McKernan and Olympia Snowe. He said he learned a lot about how the congress works.
He also reported that, due to the people’s referendum about the new taxes, the question should be on the June 3 ballot. At that time, legislators will have to sell the state on all the new taxes they wish to levy.
The legislators in Augusta will be back in full session in January.
Local Races:
Gay Leach, District 37
Jackie Spofford, District 36
Marty Vachon: Governor
Matt Boucher: Ellsworth City Council
Upcoming events: Republican State Convention, Portland, May 3 & 4.
Republican Women’s Club: Habitat for Humanity Luncheon and talk held at Maine Maritime Academy. Guest Speaker: James Goodson, Executive Director. Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 11:00 AM. Cost: $9.00. Men are invited. Contact Grace 667-8817 for RSVP or information.
Bangor GOP Governor’s round table. October 28.
November 20, HCRC next meeting Ellsworth City Hall 6:00
Christmas Party at Jasper’s 5:30 December 18.
Sign Wave: Stand for Marriage: Saturday October 17, 24 & 31 10-11 in Ellsworth, Friday October 23 & 30 4:30 to 5:30 in Ellsworth. Also Bucksport on Saturdays 10-11.
Matt Boucher, who has been working for the speaker’s campaign, introduced Bruce Poliquin, candidate for Governor.
Mr. Poliquin explained that he is a Maine native and a business man. He knows the problems the state is facing and he has ways to tackle them.
First and foremost, however, we need to run the state like a business. We need to spend less than we take in for money. Everyone in the room knows that. You can’t live on more than you have. It takes a business manager and not a politician to clean the mess up. Yes, we’re going to have to step on a few toes, but we need to look at every program. If it works, great! If it doesn’t work, SHUT IT DOWN! In Augusta they need to understand that the businessman is not the enemy. Realize that small business employs people and is the back bone of the economy. Let a business manager straighten out the financial mess that holds Maine back.
Mr. Poliquin took many questions from the floor and answered those he knew and admitted that he didn’t have some of the answers but he’d check those out.
The meeting was adjourned after Mr. Poliquin spoke with a thank you to him for coming and to Brian Langley for hosting us at the Union River Lobster Pot Restaurant and for the lobster stew!
Next meeting: November 20, 2009 at Ellsworth City Hall. Speaker: Jason J. Levesque, candidate for US House of Representatives. 6:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Sandra Blanchette