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Approximately 35 people, including selectmen, code enforcement officers, town managers and representatives from local land trusts, gathered on Wednesday, April 30, in Watts Hall in Thomaston to learn what the future holds for Route 1 in Waldoboro, Warren, Thomaston and Rockland. The presentation was part of the Gateway 1 project, a $2 million planning experiment spearheaded by the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) that began in 2005 and involves all 21 towns along Route 1 from Brunswick to Prospect.

Carol Morris, a communications consultant with MaineDOT, gave a brief overview of the Gateway 1 project —progress made in gathering demographic, traffic, environmental and zoning data for the Route 1 midcoast corridor — and summed up the purpose of the evening’s meeting. “Gateway 1 is about balancing community values with growth and transportation needs,” she said. “We are not there yet. This is an interim step in the process.”

She then introduced Paul Godfrey from HNTB Consultants, who explained that the project’s steering committee — two representatives from each of the 21 towns — had, based on all the data that’s been generated, devised three scenarios describing what the midcoast Route 1 corridor might look like by 2030. Each scenario was predicated on 60 variables, including such items as the success of redeveloping the Brunswick Naval Air Station, Bath Iron Works employee numbers, the status of lobster landings in Knox and Waldo counties, property taxes, the cost of fuel and the number of retirees moving to the midcoast area.

The “Riding the Currents” scenario assumes a pace of growth over the next 30 years in the midcoast that is pretty much similar to what has occurred during the past 30 years. The other two scenarios are “Full Wind: The Economy Explodes” and “Perfect Storm: An Economic Nosedive.” (Detailed descriptions of all three scenarios is available at www.gateway1.org/scenarios.asp.)

During this week and last week, Gateway 1 staff held meetings like the one last Wednesday night — which focused on Waldoboro, Warren, Thomaston and Rockland — around the midcoast and presented the “Riding the Currents” projections for each region in the corridor.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Godfrey pointed out that based on current population trends and new construction in the four-town area (known as Gateway 1 Region 3), new jobs will arise in Warren or along the peninsulas, and the bulk of the population will live inland, away from the more expensive coast. Traffic volume will increase on many local roads to well beyond 2,000 vehicle trips per day.

“When a local road exceeds 2,000 vehicle trips per day,” said Godfrey, “it doesn’t feel like a local road anymore.” He noted that an origin/destination study conducted in 2006 found that the majority of people on Route 1 in the summer are not tourists; rather, the traffic is local people going to work, the grocery store, or home. “Route 1 traffic is locally based,” stated Godfrey.

By 2030, the percentage of jobs that are located in the downtown areas of local towns will have declined, Godfrey reported. Just 29 percent of all Rockland employment will be located in the city’s downtown, with just 31 percent in Camden’s center and 32 percent in Waldoboro’s heart. “These numbers say, do you want more growth in your downtowns or outside?” Godfrey said.

He characterized the land use pattern in the four-town area as low density and illustrated the advantages and costs to that pattern. “The problem is that it is auto-dependent, with no concentration of jobs, homes or shopping,” he said. “The rural character inevitably is lost.”

He went on to describe the advantages of “micropolitan” development, using Brunswick as an example. “Brunswick is a dense compact urban cluster. There are economic opportunities, transportation choices, better Route 1 mobility.” By concentrating new job growth and housing in a town’s center, population growth does not necessarily mean increased traffic on Route 1 or other local roads.

Many members of the audience had comments to make on the “Riding the Currents” scenario. Frank Isganitis, a Rockland economic development committee member, said that the data suggested the need to look collectively at the region’s growth possibilities. “We need to plan how we want development to occur. How much retail do we need and where should it happen?” he said.

Val Blastow, Thomaston’s town manager, took another angle. “Planning for development on Route 1 doesn’t matter if the jobs are in the towns and the people all live out in Hope,” he pointed out.

George Terrien, another member of the Rockland economic development committee, said, “We need to know what these scenarios do in terms of municipal tax burdens. That is what informs the choices concerning land use and access to Route 1.”

Godfrey emphasized that the scenario he had presented simply describes what the region may be like in 2030 if nothing changes in terms of land use patterns and job growth. “Maybe the current pattern of development is not what you want. [The goal] is to have your tax base strong and mobility and safety [on Route 1] as well.”

Gateway 1 staff have been presenting the “Riding the Currents” scenario to all the towns along Route 1 in May. The 21-town steering committee will next meet in June to review responses from the towns. Then the Steering Committee is supposed to start to make recommendations on how these growth patterns could be changed “to better the economy, improve quality of life and maintain Route 1 as a functional arterial roadway.”

Gateway 1’s “Riding the Currents” projections assume a pace of growth along the midcoast Route 1 corridor over the next 30 years that is similar to that which has occurred over the past 30 years.

The 100-mile corridor is broken down into five regions:

• Region 1: Brunswick, West Bath, Bath & Woolwich

• Region 2: Wiscasset, Edgecomb, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Nobleboro

• Region 3: Waldoboro, Warren, Thomaston, Rockland

• Region 4: Rockport, Camden, Lincolnville, Northport

• Region 5: Belfast, Searsport, Stockton Springs, Prospect

Key differences, region by region, 30-year projections:

• Region 1 will grow more than 20%, both in jobs and housing: strong growth but slower than other sections of the corridor.

• Region 2 will grow the most — 56% in jobs and 38% in new housing — due to the continuing growth of Wiscasset and Damariscotta and the large amount of available land in the region.

• Region 3, with large areas of available land and frontage on Routes 1 and 90, shows the second-highest level of highway commercial growth, as well as a 33% jump in employment. Warren and Waldoboro, with significant amounts of available land compared to their neighbors, account for much of the 22% projected increase in housing.

• Region 4 is projected to see a 36% increase in new jobs, fueled by the growth of light manufacturing in Rockport. Available land in Lincolnville and Northport contributes to a 24% increase in new single-family homes.

• Region 5 shows growth consistent with the rest of the corridor (36% employment and 24% housing), driven by a steady increase in smaller retail/artisan shops and condos, and growth in light manufacturing.

Gateway’s Damariscotta to Wiscasset Session

— by Melissa Waterman

The 35 people attending the Gateway 1 briefing Tuesday night, May 6, in Edgecomb found that the “Riding the Currents” 30-year projections for Region 2 of the midcoast Route 1 corridor (Wiscasset, Edgecomb, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Nobleboro) are predicated upon construction of a Wiscasset bypass having been completed.

In discussing the projections, Godfrey said, “We picked a composite bypass for the scenario that is consistent with all the alignments being considered today.” Maine Department of Transportation has proposed several bypass options for the town, which have been countered with other options proposed by local organizations. Currently 22,000 vehicles pass over Davey Bridge, which spans the Sheepscot River, connecting Edgecomb and Wiscasset. With the hypothetical bypass in place, the projections show a decrease in traffic volume through the center of Wiscasset, but Route 1 would remain highly congested west of the town, as would Route 27 going to Boothbay.

By 2030, Region 2 will have experienced the greatest rate of growth in jobs (62%) of all regions along the 100-mile corridor, with most of that growth occuring outside of the towns’ centers. Housing growth will also be significant, increasing by 36% compared to 25% in Region 3.

Region 2 also has the greatest number of “distinctive and noteworthy” views in the midcoast corridor, according to Godfrey. Those views from Route 1 include the view from Davey Bridge, the views over the Damariscotta River, as well as views of specific fields and farms between Wiscasset and Damariscotta. “As traffic and retail development [along Route 1] increase, will these views be affected?” Godfrey asked. “You have been given a lot of information. Does it concern you? What do you think?”

“Economic Stimulus Payments” on the Way

The Internal Revenue Service has begun to transfer economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million American households. The payments will continue on a weekly basis through July. Payments will be made by either direct deposit or paper check, consistent with how people filed their 2007 tax return.

The first wave of payments, which began April 28, is going to people who opted for direct deposit on their 2007 income tax returns.

The first cycle of paper checks will be mailed starting May 9.

To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, at least $3,000 of qualifying income, and have filed a 2007 federal tax return. IRS will take care of the rest.

Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17.

The stimulus payment begins to phase out for individuals with adjusted gross incomes over $75,000 and for married couples with over $150,000 in adjusted gross income.

Millions of retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return but have at least $3,000 in qualifying income may also be eligible for a smaller stimulus payment — of $300 ($600 for married couples) plus the $300-per-qualifying-child payment — but they must file a tax return this year in order to receive it. Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay they elect to include in earned income and certain payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement. There is still time for those who ordinarily would not have to file a return to do so — it must be done by October 15. Use the simple Form 1040A and provide the basic information. Form 1040A is available on IRS.gov, the official IRS Web site.

Below are the schedules for economic stimulus payments to those people whose tax returns were processed by April 15. (People who did not submit a return in time for it to be processed by April 15 may receive their stimulus payments later than the scheduled dates):

Direct Deposit Payments —

People who opted for direct deposit on their 2007 income tax returns are among the first to receive payments, which started being transmitted on April 28 and will be completed as follows:

• If the last two digits of your Social Security number are 00 through 20, your economic stimulus payment deposit should have been transmitted to your bank account by no later than May 2;

• If the last two digits of your Social Security number are 21 through 75, your economic stimulus payment deposit should be transmitted to your bank account by no later than May 9;

• If the last two digits of your Social Security number are 76 through 99, your economic stimulus payment deposit should be transmitted to your bank account by May 16.

Paper checks will also go out based on the last two digits of the Social Security number on your 2007 tax return. For joint filers, the payments will go out based on the person listed first on the return.

• For Social Security numbers ending in 00 through 09, the paper checks should be mailed no later than May 16.

• For Social Security numbers ending in 10 through 18, the paper checks should be mailed no later than May 23.

• For Social Security numbers ending in 19 through 25, the paper checks should be mailed no later than May 30.

• For Social Security numbers ending in 26 through 38, the paper checks should be mailed no later than June 6.

• For Social Security numbers ending in 39 through 51, the paper checks should be mailed no later than June 13.

• For Social Security numbers ending in 52 through 63, the paper checks should be mailed no later than June 20.

• For Social Security numbers ending in 64 through 75, the paper checks should be mailed no later than June 27.

• For Social Security numbers ending in 76 through 87, the paper checks should be mailed no later than July 4.

• For Social Security numbers ending in 88 through 99, the paper checks should be mailed no later than July 11.

Some taxpayers may receive smaller economic stimulus payments than they anticipated. By law, the stimulus payments are offset to satisfy past-due taxes, student loans, child support and certain other debts.

The IRS is sending notices to taxpayers who have already filed a 2007 tax return and who are eligible for an economic stimulus payment. The IRS says that notice will serve as an important recordkeeping document and should be retained by taxpayers. By keeping people informed, the IRS hopes to reduce calls to customer service representatives who are still busy helping taxpayers complete tax returns.

For more specific information on the economic stimulus payments, go to http://www.irs.gov.

Sen. Collins’ Staff to Hold Military Academy Seminar May 13 in Bangor

U.S. Senator Susan Collins has announced that her staff will hold a Military Academy Seminar for students, parents and guidance counselors interested in the application process for U.S. Military at West Point, Naval, Air Force and Merchant Marine academies, as well as private military colleges and the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs.

The seminar is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel conference room, 308 Godfrey Drive, Bangor.

There will be a short presentation by representatives from the various organizations followed by an opportunity to collect applications/brochures and speak with the individual representatives. Also, congressional aides from Senator Collins’ office and other congressional offices will be on hand to answer any questions.

Those who would like to participate can register by calling the Maine Maritime Academy at 1-800-227-8465. Additionally, questions can be directed to Senator Collins’ Bangor office at 945-0417.

DOT Working on I-295 South of Topsham

According to Maine Department of Transportation, approximately four miles of I-295 Southbound, south of Topsham, will have one lane closed to traffic for the next five weeks. Over the next two weeks, it will be the passing lane, followed by three weeks of the travel lane. The work will include improvements to guardrails and bridges, as well as paving. Though crews will be working during daylight hours, the lane closures will be in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because the closed lane will not be passable.

Remember the Important Things

— by Annie Kiermaier

I used to have a wonderful, rambunctious cocker spaniel named Leia who was loving and enthusiastic about everything, which she showed by wagging her tail. Actually, the wag would start at her tail, but after a couple of wags, her whole body would be wiggling back and forth, her long ears would be bouncing and she’d be smiling with anticipation. I jokingly said that Leia often told me to “remember the important things.” In her simple world there were really only three important things: love, food and walks. She was full of “puppy kisses,” would eat practically anything (including trying to grab things off the dining table when I turned my back for a moment) and came running when I called “car!” which to her meant we were going for a walk or a hike. Her boundless enthusiasm for life helped me remember my own “important things,” which actually are not too much more complicated than love, food and walks.

On the wall of my office I have a small card given to me by a co-worker that lists “Ten Things Every Child Needs.” In my work as a clinical social worker, I have tried to help families cope with many types of problems, but all the advice and guidance I’ve given can mostly be boiled down to these ten things:

• Interaction: watch, smile, respond

• Loving touch: cradle, hug, comfort

• Stable Relationship: calm, responsive, consistent

• Safe, Healthy Environment: cover outlets, block stairs

• Self-Esteem: pay attention, praise, “I can do it!”

• Quality Child Care: trust, teach, care

• Communication: talk to me, copy my noises

• Play: peekaboo, laugh, pat-a-cake

• Music: play music, sing, tap drums

• Reading: storytelling, picture books

I invite you to copy these ten things onto a card and put it on your fridge with a magnet. Look at it every day. Stop and ask yourself if you’ve given these ten things first to yourself and then to a child in your life. For these ten things really are the “food” that feeds our souls and can help our children thrive and grow into healthy, happy adults. Pass it on and “remember the important things!”

Annie Kiermaier, LCSW, works at Mid-Coast Children’s Services, a program of Broadreach Family and Community Services. Broadreach is a private, nonprofit agency nurturing children and families in Waldo and Knox counties since 1983.

Trying to Make a Climbing Wall Out of a Smokestack

— by Melissa Waterman

Camden’s Zoning Board of Appeals will hear an appeal this evening, May 8, at 5 p.m. from Maine Investment Properties, owners of the Knox Mill complex, regarding denial of their application to create a rock climbing wall on the complex’s 180-foot-tall smokestack. Camden code enforcement officer and town planner Jeff Nims had denied the company’s application as noncompliant with the B-TR (Transitional River Business District) zone ordinance.

“It could be a permitted use as an outdoor recreational facility,” Nims said. “But outdoor recreational facilities are not a permitted use in that district.”

The application from Maine Investment Properties describes the proposed climbing wall as an athletic training facility. The company also argues that, in order to maintain the smokestack, some revenue must be generated by its presence or it will have to be removed.

Nims said that it’s somewhat ironic that such a use is not permitted in the B-TR zone. “The district was created in 1992 [after the mill’s closure] to support a variety of different uses. Then MBNA came in 1993 and the whole thing was used for telemarketing. Now there’s an effort to put in a multitude of uses into the mill, restaurants, a small market, retail, the condos. Someone even plans to open a tofu manufacturing business,” he said. “Given all that, having a climbing wall is not all that odd.”

The Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct an administrative review of Nims’ denial of the application. In that review, the board will look at the specific wording of permitted use definitions and the overall context of the ordinance to determine if errors occurred in the denial.

Stamps Going Up to 42¢ on May 12

The Forever Stamp, shown above, will still get your letter delivered no matter how prices may change.

The price for a one-ounce first-class stamp will increase from 41 to 42 cents on May 12 and prices for other mailing services will also change. Detailed information about all the new prices, including ways to save on Express Mail and Priority Mail, is available at usps.com/prices.

As a result of a new law the U.S. Postal Service will now adjust prices annually each May.

“We encourage Americans to buy Forever Stamps now for 41 cents, because like the name suggests, they are good forever,” said Postmaster General John Potter.

Demand for the Forever Stamp continues to increase as the May 12 stamp price change approaches. In the past several weeks, Postal Service customers have been buying Forever Stamps at a rate of about 30 million per day, bringing the amount sold to more than 6 billion since they were first offered in April 2007.

The Forever Stamp, as the name suggests, can be used to mail a one-ounce first-class mail letter at any time in the future without additional postage, regardless of when the stamps are purchased or used and no matter how prices may change. Customers who buy Forever Stamps now at the current first-class mail stamp price of 41 cents will save a penny when the price of stamps — including the Forever Stamp — increases to 42 cents on May 12.

Forever Stamps, featuring an image of the Liberty Bell, are available for purchase at post offices nationwide, online at usps.com, and by phone at 1-800-STAMP-24. They are sold in booklets of 20 and sheetlets of 18.

Deb McNeil Steps Up to Fill Vacant Rockland City Council Seat

— by Melissa Waterman

Deb McNeil and her husband Mike have lived in their house on Waldo Avenue, once owned by McNeil’s aunt, for more than 30 years. The open floor plan of the home reflects McNeil’s own personality, one honed during years serving as a state legislator and on Rockland’s school board and zoning board of appeals. McNeil is running unopposed in the June elections for the Rockland city council seat vacated by Jim Thompson in February.

“I don’t like being a politician,” McNeil said during a recent interview. “I would rather just do my civic turn.” McNeil is a field representative for Senator Olympia Snowe, a position she took after serving as Rockland’s representative in the state legislature from 1998 to 2004.

McNeil said that in the legislature she learned to understand what it’s like to be in the minority. “You learn that it’s O.K. to disagree. It’s not a negative thing,” she said. “You take your differences appropriately and remain friendly.” Many people come to the legislature planning to be a leader, McNeil noted. That’s not something that happens overnight. “You are a team player [for many years],” McNeil said, “you work with other people.”

Asked why she chose to run for the vacant council seat, McNeil said, “I don’t want to just sit back and criticize. I’ve been outspoken about taxes. I think people are angry and upset and I want to be helpful.”

Rockland’s mil rate will remain around $17.70 per $1,000 in property value this year according to the city budget released last week. The city-wide revaluation in 2004 hit many city residents, particularly the elderly, hard, said McNeil. “High taxes are changing the face of Rockland. Where to we want Rockland to go? If you want a turnover of long-time residents, keep going this way.” She acknowledged that many of the expenses borne by the city’s property taxes are required by the state, such as school costs. “We should thoroughly examine what can be done given state mandates,” she said. “We have to find the money to meet the town’s needs, such as repairing potholes and funding the fire and police departments.”

Concerning the role of zoning in shaping Rockland’s land use, McNeil said, “Very often we need to be proactive rather than reactive. It’s those with money, big businesses, that usually want the change [in zoning].” She recalled when Shaw’s came to town to propose its store adjacent to Waldo Avenue. “We fought against it,” McNeil said, referring to her neighbors. “They said it would have no effect on traffic here because they were putting that other access road in. Well, it did.” She says that her thoughts concerning the pending Walgreen’s application to change the zoning on properties on Maverick Street from residential to commercial reflect those of council member Eric Hebert. “What else can we do there that would be less distasteful?” McNeil asks. “A four-story apartment building?”

McNeil admits that she is a big fan of train travel. But she acknowledges that those residents in the Pleasant and Broad Street neighborhood are being affected by Maine Eastern Railroad’s proximity. “There’s got to be a balance. You have to approach it with care and thoughtful consideration,” McNeil said. “Is it helping the economy? Who really rides it? Is it taking cars off the road?”

She noted that Rockland bears the brunt of being the service center for Knox County with many people from surrounding towns commuting to the city each day for work, school or shopping. “Can there be some way for surrounding towns to give something [toward Rockland’s additional expenses]?” she wondered. “Perhaps there’s a mechanism, such as school consolidation or combining fire and EMS services? We could think about combining administrative actions or purchasing powers. I think we can have tax relief if we shared some common functions.”

McNeil lamented the decline in civility in politics at the national as well as local level. “It baffles me. We have lost focus on where we are as a country, I think. We want to beat each other up all the time. It’s sad really.” She doesn’t think that any one member of the legislature or the Rockland city council can possibly have all the answers to the complex problems that beset the state or the city. “I think what you have to do is go and put your best foot forward. No one thinks that they know it all.”

Broadreach Names Dan Bookham Fund-Raising, Communications Director

Broadreach Family and Community Services has announced the appointment of Dan Bookham to the newly created position of fund-raising and communications director. Bookham has worked with Broadreach as the nonprofit organization’s development coordinator since May 2007, following their merger with Youthlinks, where he had been employed in a development support role since 2003. During the past year Bookham has been responsible for the continued expansion of special events and fund-raising while also contributing to the launch of Broadreach’s re-tooled marketing and outreach strategy.

“In addition to his dedication to our mission and his commitment to children and families, Dan has demonstrated such a high degree of responsibility, initiative and leadership in his current position that he is perfectly suited for this new position,” said Broadreach executive director Ruth Southworth.

Bookham has many years of experience in both the business and nonprofit sectors, in addition to his administrative and organizational development experience. His new responsibilities consist of the leadership, management and coordination for all Broadreach fund-raising and public relations efforts across all of the agency’s programs and sites in Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties. He will be based out of Broadreach’s Youthlinks office in Rockland.

Amidon Named CRARL Director

CRARL office administrator Christine Lemay, left, animal care manager Theresa Deane and director Bill Amidon show off some new arrivals at the shelter.

William C. Amidon of Camden has been appointed director of the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League (CRARL). He will have his office in CRARL’s Sexton Shelter at 146 Camden Street in Rockport. Amidon retired last year as executive director of the Kennebec Valley Humane Society in Augusta. He had an earlier career in funds development and educational administration in Massachusetts, Virginia and North Carolina.

“Bill Amidon has the unique background this organization requires as we move forward in our mission of caring for the area’s cats and dogs who are in need of loving attention and new homes,” said CRARL board president Carolyn Marsh in announcing the appointment late last week. “We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have found Bill, and we believe his experience, ability and commitment to our mission will contribute greatly to our continued success in the years to come. We also expect that with current economic conditions, the need for our services will increase, and our board will work with Bill to ensure that we are prepared to manage these additional demands.”

Marsh also announced the appointment of shelter staffer Theresa Deane to the position of animal care manager and Christine Lemay of Belfast to the new position of office administrator. Deane has been at the shelter for 3-1/2 years and has served as an animal technician and assistant shelter manager. Lemay has an extensive and diversified background after more than 20 years in administrative roles. Most recently she worked for an executive search firm.

All are invited to stop by the shelter and meet the new staff members, as well as admire the new outside cat porches constructed by builders from Phi Home Design in Rockport with materials donated by David Hill, who adopted a puppy from the shelter last year. Shelter hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, call Marsh at 236-6776.

Board Cutting Ceremony Marks Lowe’s Opening

Above: Jaime Leo and Mikal Mazzeo receive a check for $1,000 for the Thomaston Fireman’s Association from Lowe’s store manager Bill Doehring. The check was presented last Thursday during the Grand Opening ceremonies.

The grand opening of Lowe’s store #2496, on Route 1 in Thomaston, was marked with an official Board Cutting ceremony last Thursday morning, May 1, at 10 a.m. under bright sunshine. Thomaston Town Manager Val Blastow (center with saw) successfully completed the sawing duties. The Lowe’s staff members holding the board are, left to right: Sean McCrea; Bill Doehring, the store manager; Dorothy Simpson, human resources manager; and Cindy Ackert, Lowe’s zone manager. Behind the board holders and board cutter are municipal officials from Thomaston.

The new home improvement store has 117,000 square feet of retail space, with an adjacent 30.000-square-foot garden center.

Camden National Corp. President and CEO Robert W. Daigle Announces Successor

Last week Camden National Corporation President and CEO Robert W. Daigle announced his successor, Camden National Bank President and CEO Gregory A. Dufour. Business Wire: Photo

Robert W. Daigle, president and chief executive officer of Camden National Corporation, announced last week that Gregory A. Dufour will assume the titles of president and chief executive officer of Camden National Corporation on January 1, 2009. The announcement was made during the corporation’s annual meeting in Rockport. In addition to the new responsibilities, Dufour will retain his current titles of president and chief executive officer for Camden National Bank.

After spending nearly 25 years with Fleet Bank, Daigle, a native of Fort Kent, Maine, and a graduate of the University of Maine, joined Camden National Bank as president and chief executive officer in January 1996 and was named president and chief executive officer of Camden National Corporation in May 1999. At that time the organization had 10 Camden National Bank branches and total assets were valued at $668 million. Under Daigle’s direction, the corporation expanded to 37 branches and assets grew to $2.3 billion.

“I have always considered providing for an orderly leadership transition a primary responsibility of mine, especially as it relates to Camden National Corporation’s four major constituencies — our shareholders, employees, customers and communities,” said Daigle. “When you are able to fulfill such an important assignment by appointing an individual currently in your organization, the effect of change is muted and the important business of the company is less likely to be disrupted.… I feel honored and privileged to have been a part of this great company, and I have every confidence that Greg and his team will be ready and able, in 2009, to lead Camden National to even greater successes,” said Daigle. Beginning on January 1, 2009, Daigle will serve for six months as senior executive consultant to Rendle A. Jones, Esq., chairman of the board of directors for Camden National Corporation, and will serve as senior advisor to the corporation’s executive management team.

Dufour joined Camden National Corporation in April 2001 as senior vice president of finance, principal financial officer. In January 2005, he was appointed president and chief operating officer of Camden National Bank and was named president and chief executive officer in October 2006. Under Dufour’s leadership, Camden National Bank expanded its footprint into the western and Down East Maine markets with the mergers of UnitedKingfield Bank and Union Trust Company, respectively. Prior to joining Camden National Corporation, Dufour, a native of Old Town, Maine, and graduate of the University of Maine, served as managing director of Finance for IBEX Capital Markets in Boston after holding several management positions with Fleet Financial Group.

“I’ve been fortunate to have worked closely with Bob since joining Camden National in 2001 and share Bob’s deep commitment to positioning Camden National as a national model for sustainable community banking,” said Dufour.

Camden National Corporation is the holding company for a family of two financial services companies, including Camden National Bank (CNB), a full-service community bank with a network of 37 banking offices serving coastal, western, central and eastern Maine, and Acadia Trust, N.A., with offices in Portland, Bangor and Ellsworth. Acadia Financial Consultants is a division of CNB.

Knox County Chooses New Patrol Administrator for Sheriff’s Department

Joseph F. Kieras, formerly of Spring Hill, Florida, has been offered the position of patrol administrator in the Knox County Sheriff’s Department. Kieras will begin his duties on May 24, after he attends the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s “100 hour” course, from May 12 to 23.

Kieras has years of experience in law enforcement. After working as a patrol officer in the Newtown, Connecticut, Police Department, he served on the Tampa, Florida, police force, and he has worked as an international police trainer and advisor for the U.S. Department of Justice. Kieras has an extensive background in martial arts, having trained in Shotokan karate, Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do. He has an associate of arts degree from St. Leo University in Florida.

Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Promoted

May is “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month” by proclamation of Governor John Baldacci. Dozens of representatives of United Bikers of Maine (UBM) gathered Thursday, May 1, at the Blaine House for the annual Governors Tea, hosted by Baldacci. This is an opportunity for UBM officers to talk with the governor, state police chief and other safety officials to share their thoughts on improving safety and awareness for motorcyclists and the public in general.

With the recent increase in gasoline prices there will be more and more two-wheeled vehicles on the roads, as motorcycles average 45 miles to a gallon. It is therefore more important than ever that drivers “Share the Road.”

The governor stressed the importance of everyone working together to make Maine roads safer and automobile drivers more aware of motorcycles. To this end, the Maine DOT applied for and received a $100,000 grant from the government for use in the promotion and awareness of motorcycle safety. Two officers from United Bikers of Maine were appointed to sit on the board to share their thoughts on the best use of this grant.

The United Bikers of Maine, in an effort to educate motor vehicle operators, has provided safety videos to be used by driver education programs throughout the state. The “Share the Road” program is part of an ongoing campaign to educate the public to “Look Twice, Save a Life.”