Maine: Hamel's future with LDA unclear (Because he is a Conservative)

Bangor Daily News ^ | 11-11-04

[SheLion]

LIMESTONE - Brian Hamel, the former president and CEO of the Loring Development Authority, left the LDA last March to run for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican against Democrat Mike Michaud. He lost that race, and on Wednesday there seemed to be a question about whether he was returning to run the LDA.

"That's the subject of an executive session [after Wednesday's LDA board meeting]," LDA trustee Chairman Philip St. Peter said when asked about Hamel's future.

Later Wednesday, Hamel said, "I am on an unpaid nine-month leave of absence which ends Nov. 30. I took the extra time after the election to wrap up my campaign stuff.

"I am currently in discussions with the board about my status at the LDA. That's all I can say," Hamel said.

According to one LDA employee, who wished to remain anonymous, Hamel may be looking elsewhere for employment, having made many contacts during his recent unsuccessful run for office.

The employee also said some people feel Hamel may have lost his effectiveness because of his embracing the Republican Party in a state that voted Democratic for president.

As of later Wednesday, there was still no word from the LDA board on Hamel's status.

"They met for quite some time this morning, but they have not arrived at a final solution," Carl Flora, the president of the LDA said Wednesday afternoon. "I can't speak for the board, and I wasn't in there.

"They talked quite a long time," he said. "All I was told is that it [the situation] will require some phone calls and another meeting."

Flora said the LDA trustees were in executive session for about one hour after their regular meeting Wednesday morning. He said that the chairman, who has the authority to call special meetings, has scheduled none.

Hamel came to the LDA in June 1994, even before the U.S. Air Force vacated the base. He has been on leave of absence since March 1.

[SheLion]

Brian Hamel took a big, old, closed Air Force Base in northern Maine and got it up and humming again.

He opened business's on Loring and provided countless jobs for the local residents.

Brian ran for the House of Representatives on the Republican ticket.  He was running again Mike Michaud who has been in office for years and years.  The state of Maine is the second poorest state in the Union.  It was time for Mike to go.

With what Brian did for Loring, he could have worked wonders for the state of Maine, but since we Conservatives are STILL outnumbered in Maine, Brian lost the Election.

Now, he wants to go back to his position as head of Loring.  All he did was take an unpaid time off in order to run for office.  The fight is this:  SINCE BRIAN RAN AS A REPUBLICAN IN A DEMOCRAT STATE, HE MIGHT NOT GET HIS JOB BACK.

I for one, am outraged!  I guess Maine doesn't believe in Freedom of Speech unless the speech comes out of the mouth of a Liberal!

The 'anonymous' person hit the nail on the head:  if you are a Conservative living in the state of Maine, you better keep your mouth shut.  It might just cost you your job!

 

[SheLion]

The employee also said some people feel Hamel may have lost his effectiveness because of his embracing the Republican Party in a state that voted Democratic for president.

Lost his EFFECTIVENESS?  Can someone explain to me HOW he lost his effectiveness?  By being a Republican???!!!

[Theodore R.]

Imagine the surprise if James G. Blaine could be resurrected to find out that MS is far more conducive to "Republicanism" than ME!

[owls_man]

This is typical here in the People's Republic of Maine. Maine was once known for its rugged self sufficient independence. Now after 30 years of Democratic rule we are nothing but a high taxed, anti business, low income, welfare state.

[MrLee]

I thought Hamel was in the same boat as Olympia & Collins-RINO! I don't know anyone who thought he was a conservative, Republican yes, Conservative no.

[MrLee]

Maine has never been the same since the Dems swept the state in 1964.

[SandRat]

Easy the RATS refuse to associate with, talk to or deal with in any serious way republicans. All the good $$$$$ deals go to D'RATS. Course the locals starve kept as serfs to Communism extra lite, called rule by D'RATS.

[SheLion]

This is typical here in the People's Republic of Maine. Maine was once known for its rugged self sufficient independence. Now after 30 years of Democratic rule we are nothing but a high taxed, anti business, low income, welfare state.

Well, the Rats in Maine must have all the money then. And this is one of the reason's they want things to stay just as they are. I'm just shaking my head here.

[SheLion]

I thought Hamel was in the same boat as Olympia & Collins-RINO! I don't know anyone who thought he was a conservative, Republican yes, Conservative no.

Brian is very much a Conservative.

Maine has been in a state of funk for far too long. Mike Michaud, even though he says he is against abortion, votes FOR abortion. Just ask the newsgatherer!

Hamel took this big old empty base and got it back up and running again. He would have been wonderful for this state. But alas! It wasn't meant to be, and we are still under the same old funk.

[SheLion]

Michaud votes more with the GOP then either Collins or Snow.

Well, it's time to clean out the house, IMHO.

[Madame Dufarge]

The employee also said some people feel Hamel may have lost his effectiveness because of his embracing the Republican Party in a state that voted Democratic for president.

Wow, honesty from a Maine Democrat. You don't get that very often from the party of stupidity and arrogance.

I imagine the vassals who keep tugging their forelocks and supporting their overlords will never be aroused from their stupor.

What a tragedy for a once-proud state.

[SheLion]

I imagine the vassals who keep tugging their forelocks and supporting their overlords will never be aroused from their stupor.

So does this mean all Conservatives in the state of Maine must keep our mouths shut for fear we could lose our jobs? This is outrageous.

[newsgatherer]

Can I run this as a news article?

[SheLion]

Can I run this as a news article?

You sure can. I was hoping more people would even send a letter to the Editor. That person just about said it all........since Hamel ran on the Republican ticket, he is probably 'out of a job!' I guess all of us should keep our mouths shut, for fear of losing our jobs just because we are Conservatives? I think not!

[Leisler]

Bringing the money to Loring was good, but the work/jobs thing, well for democrats that's not so good. Better off if it was just checks, or cash, or food handouts.