LIMESTONE, Maine — Limestone currently lacks specific representation on the Loring Development Authority’s Board of Trustees — but according to state statute, that’s OK.
Providing representation for Limestone on the Board of Trustees previously had been David King, who was nominated for a four-year term by former Governor John Baldacci on Aug. 3, 2010. King was replaced last year by Dana Saucier of Wallagrass.
Limestone officials are working to regain their representation on the 13-person board. Discussion regarding the matter wasn’t without negativity during the Feb. 18 Selectpeople meeting.
“Why did they pull our guy off?” Selectperson Tom Albert questioned.
“They did it on purpose so they could get rid of Sitel,” said audience member Melissa Devoe. “Guarantee you. So they could vote that unanimously.”
It was also suggested that King’s removal from the governor-appointed board was due to his “wrong” political party.
Town Manager Fred Ventresco explained to the board that he spoke with State Senator Peter Edgecomb (R-Caribou) who’d inquired if the town had any names to bring forward for nomination on the board.
Five names were presented as interested in serving on the board — Clifford Rhome, Jim Cote, Arthur Thompson, David King and Tom Devoe, who’s currently chairman of the Limestone Selectpeople.
Ventresco explained that the nomination process “is kind of nebulous.”
“From the way I understand it now, there are three (seats on the board of trustees) that expired back in 2014 and haven’t been filled yet,” the town manager said, clarifying that he hadn’t confirmed that information with LDA President and CEO Carl Flora.
On Monday, Flora explained that communities like Limestone have the ability to nominate members for the LDA board, but the governor makes final selections from the pool of nominees.
Flora referenced MRS title five, section 13080-B, which specifies that “The Governor shall make 12 appointments, of which no less than 7 must be from candidates who are residents of Aroostook County and are nominated by the primary impact communities. The Governor shall appoint members who reflect the diversity of interests represented by these communities. At least 4 of the remaining appointments must be from candidates who are not residents of Aroostook County.”
Primary impact communities, as specified in the legislation, are the municipalities of Caribou, Caswell, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Presque Isle, Van Buren and Aroostook County.
Currently serving on the board are: Board Chair Richard Ezzy of Caribou, Daniel LaPointe of Van Buren, Steven Levesque of Farmingdale, Jim Clair of Augusta, Miles Williams of Caribou, Carol Bell of Presque Isle, Tom Clowes of Stockholm, Janet McGillan of Fort Fairfield, Mark Wilcox of Mapleton, Mike Edgecomb of Spruce Head, Doug Damon of Bangor, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner George Gervais and Saucier.
As specified in law, “The authority is governed by a board of 13 voting members appointed by the governor are subject to review by the joint standing committee of the legislature having jurisdiction over economic development matters and to confirmation by the Senate.”
