Please stand by. --static-- We need the people of Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, Hartford, Providence and every other city and town within a days drive to get in there cars, drive to Maine and help us with the record number of lobsters invading our stores, markets and restaurants!

We have a glut of lobsters. We need to sell them. How about we appeal to our neighbors up and down the east coast and invite them to come and buy them? It may be a corny idea, but properly produced, it could be really funny and appeal to a lot of people, drawing them up to Maine for the evening, or weekend, to have some cheap lobsters, enjoy the relatively cooler weather and just have a good time.

Reduce state, county and municipal workers to a maximum 32-hour work-week, do not disturb benefits such as medical care and leave, but reqire that the employee become a part-time employee at a private-sector partner business for at least an additional 8-hours weekly. This would allow the government to lower its wage/salary costs substantially while increasing the part-time employee's exposure to new and diversified opportunities in the private sector. The government needs to step back and give a "hand-up" to private business and its employees encouraging much more private sector business taking on many of the "necessary" tasks of government at all levels. Small and medium-size business development should be the goal with the role and size of government being reduced wherever possible.

I work in the Cross Building and I think it would be great for the State Employees who have children, to be able to have a daycare facility here in the building. There are many spaces available (2nd floor rooms that are used for only half of the year). This would give people job opportunities, as there would need to be staff to care for the children. On top of the peace of mind us employees would have, having their children in the same building and being cared for by employees who are trained and licensed, it would increase productivity because less time would be taken for transportation, daycare closings etc. This should be looked into not only because of the job opportunities it presents for many but also supporting parents/employees who work the the State of Maine. Thank you!

I'd like to propose the following vision for 'Youth Inclusion' on Maine's Comprehensive Plan regarding future ongoing/systematic economic development opportunities (which, as will see, could also simultaneously include higher educational opportunities & jobs training for our youth, via using that (recently announced) $13.2 million in SSBCI funds.
I recall seeing an article (fall of 2011) that spoke of how Governor LePage had brought together State Agency Heads, along with outside Sr. Leadership entities to focus on ways to improve the business climate in Maine. Since then, I've seen some great ideas brought forth on how to not only improve the business climate in Maine; but also, assist with jobs creation. Additionally, I've been keeping up with the wide-range of transformations occurring around Maine's education system. MDOE Commissioner Steve Bowen, as been working tirelessly to accomplish and define policy pieces to support the Proficiency-based education model being promoted by MDOE beginning at the start of his tenure with MDOE. Upon reading the article entitled 'Governor's Commitment to Education Continues' posted on the Governor's web site; I now know that Governor LePage is also a supporter of the same synergistic paradigm. The Governor stated in this article, 'Our Youth reflect the future of our State; and, it's not enough to hope that our students do well. In an ever changing and increasingly competitive global economy, we must strive to improve opportunities for both students and teachers. We must take a hard look at our education system and be willing to ensure that there is on-going support and training for our educators and multiple pathways to success by way of choice for our student learners.' ... I couldn't agree more on this;* but, more importantly, Commissioner Bowen fully comprehends and supports the need for Educators to have access to professional development opportunities to refine their skills as they prepare all Learners to successfully compete in a global market via instilling in them essential critical thinking /problem solving application skills. Equally important to note is that our Educators play a major role in our local and global communities' success. Therefore, I believe it is imperitive that Educators be acknowledged as the integral partner/piece of the equation, so that they may then be allowed (over time) to negotiate their value to the big picture. This Instructional Learning concept is directly tied to jobs & jobs creation. Additionally, this collaborative culture investment will result in Educator commitment and competance, and ultimately produce a positive peer pressure culture. NOW TO ADD THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FACTOR INTO THIS PARADIGM: established Economic Development Planners would then be able to entice/acquire business to locate/ relocate to Maine - where they would/could then be guaranteed a work force trained to their customized specifications. (Again, that $13.2 million in new lending to Maine Small Businesses to help create jobs could finance, in-part, this concept, et al.}
COMPLETE PLAN WAS FAX'D TODAY TO 287-1034.
Thank you for your consideration of this vision.