PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Several weeks ago, I watched the culmination of the process used by Maine’s executive and legislative branches to appoint a citizen to one of the state’s many boards. I am happy to report to you that it was a refreshing break from the sausage making we often associate with our government.

There are literally hundreds of statelevel boards and committees that Maine citizens are appointed to. Nominations come from a myriad places, such as chambers of commerce, business associations, organized labor, governor’s office, educators and many, many more. Nominations are then vetted to ensure the best and most qualified folks are selected for a particular position.

Let’s stop and chat about that phrase, “best and most qualified.”

I have found over the years that this unique combination of words is very subjective and therefore up for interpretation. For example, if you were looking for someone to sit on a Job Creation Committee, some would deem the folks that actually create jobs, such as CEOs, company owners, etc., to be the authority. Yet others would deem work force folks, the ones that constantly see the skill set of unemployed professionals, to be a better fit.

I would say both these groups are qualified to talk job creation. If available, the common sense approach would be to have both these professionals sitting at the table. If only one seat is available, “best and most qualified” is in the eye of the beholder (i.e. chairman of committee, person or persons with final say on who the nominee will be).

State committees, task forces, and boards strive to balance Maine’s diverse ideologies. To be honest, it is not a job I would like to be stuck with. There are so many vocal minorities throughout our state, and to be fair, most represent legitimate causes and concerns.

That being said, not every cause, concern, or problem raises to the level of importance that it deserves legislative protection. Balance is hard to find, and in many cases, competing interests sit across the table from each other.

For example, the particular nominee I watched go through the confirmation process was for a seat on the Workers’ Compensation Board. The particular seat she was being nominated for was one of the three “management” slots; the three “labor” slots had already been filled. Talk about pressure from the get go.

After being vetted and nominated by the governor’s office, the next step in the nomination process was to appear before the joint standing committee on Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development. State Sen. John Patrick was the Senate chairman and Rep. Erin Herbig was the House chairwoman; in my opinion, both did an excellent job conducting the hearing.

Whereas the confirmation process can be intimating, the members of the LCRED committee didn’t get caught up making grandiose statements or pontificating speeches. Instead, they were very down to earth, asked great questions, and appropriately thanked the folks appearing before the hearing for their willingness to serve Maine.

The LCRED committee unanimously approved both of the nominees for the Workers’ Comp Board and passed their recommendation to the Maine Senate. The Senate, in turn, was prompt in giving final approval to the nominees.

In today’s media world, we are often led to believe that partisan politics rule the day. My experience over the past four years has been anything but that. More than 90 percent of all legislation, including fiscal matters, is overwhelmingly approved by both sides of the aisle.

And as indicated by the confirmation process that I witnessed, it is done so with complete professionalism and due diligence. Kudos to the governor’s office, LCRED committee, and Senate for the way they handled this particular process.

UPCOMING EVENTS: The Midcoast Regional Business to Business Expo (B2B) is Wednesday, March 27, 3 to 5 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Brunswick. Partners include Brunswick Downtown Association, Georgetown Business Association, Harpswell Business Association, Main Street Bath, Phippsburg Business Association, Bowdoin Business Network, Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber, Positive Change Lisbon and Wiscasset Chamber. This dynamic event is sponsored by Mechanics Savings Bank, Mid Coast Hospital, and BEK, Inc. Admission is free with a business card.

Immediately following the B2B Expo is the best in regional networking, Chamber After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Continue to find unlimited opportunities to build strategic partnerships and grow your business.

“Read ’em and Smile — Making Sense of Financial Statements,” is a three-part series of Business Success Seminars on April 4, 11 and 18 that meet 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Village Room, Priority Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. Brad Swanson, a Maine Small Business Development Center (SBDC) certified master business counselor, will explain the basics of accounting and how financial reports are generated, what they mean and how they can be used to understand where you’ve been and project where you want to go, financially, in your small business. Sponsored by SBDC, Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber and Brunswick Downtown Association. Fee charged, registration required.

The April 10 Chamber Regional Luncheon features Gov. Paul LePage as guest speaker. The event is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Inn at Brunswick Station, 4 Noble St., Brunswick. Fee charged, reservations are required.

Please go to the chamber’s website (www.midcoastmaine.com), scrolling calendar to register for all of these events.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: The chamber welcomes Harbour Towne Inn on the Waterfront (Boothbay Harbor). To discover more about chamber members, go to www.midcoastmaine.com or download MyChamberApp for use on your mobile phone or tablet.

The chamber proudly serves 740 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.

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