Maine Activists redefine GOP platform

Maine isn’t really the place to start with the removing of the twin RINOs. If you can tell me that you can identify people with the right conservative ideas, a sufficiently credible track record of accomplishment, a reasonable amount of charisma, debating skill, etc., I’d say great, go for it.

Maybe first it might be better to get a Conservative in as a US Rep or as Governor. There are 2 US Reps that are Democrats and a Governor that’s a Democrat. Get a Republican as a Congressman, have him contest Snowe maybe.

Maine really isn’t overflowing with political talent. Sure, Chief Justice Roberts summers about 10 miles away, but that’s not what I mean. The year round population of Maine is actually shrinking. There are less than 1.5 million people here. Michaud is a pretty popular Dem Representative in District 2, but District 2 is the more rural, Northern, Eastern of the districts, and that really should be a Republican district, or at least it would be easier to win than District 1, which contains Portland. If there’s a strong young political talent, shoot for District 2. Maybe it’s Levesque. I haven’t really paid attention.

LePage for Governor, but he isn’t the charisma machine that Palin is. He’s right on the issues though.

Was just speaking with one of the delegates. This convention had been shaping up to be a tired exercise in party politics but the conservatives energized the crowd and stomped all over the establishment.

LePage is a great candidate. Low key but has a lot of strength and a groundswell of grassroots support. Compared to him the rest of the field is out to lunch.

Maybe they can remove their RINO Senators.

Snowe has a primary opponent.

Collins has my respect in the ONLY ONE that has brought business to Maine. BIW military contracts from out gov and others, etc. If you do not know the facts of what a Senator had done for Maine then follow the Kool aid drinkers and spout the same boring rehtoric. Collins is highly respected in Maine. She will remain in office by the choice of the people of Maine (and won with a runaway majority over Allen this past election) not by some outside Hannity groupie who pretends to know about how Maine continues to survive with no help from the sitting administration in Maine--Nov will see a new governor and hopefully it will be Les Otten who actually has signed paychecks and asuccessful history of bringing thousands of jobs to Maine since the early 80's in the ski industry. [I know as was client at the beginning.] Going on to put together the ownership of the Red Sox and winning, leaving to build an energy business in Maine and now running for Governor. Collins has been most vocal against the transparency coming out of the WH on the Czars etc, she is easy to contact and communicate with.
Do I agree with everything re: Collins, No but also I have enough respect for her to know she knows more inside information than reported.

Bennett is a whole different animal...

LePage for Governor LOL

Otten has done the most for Maine over the decades. Don't believe all you read in the Kennebec J by one columnist [easily identifiable] or reporter or whatever he is subjectively googling up biased blog commentary running coincidentally a Mills banner running on top of the page where ever he may travel.

Good to check the outside posts, of the Maine news media writers when they focus on one or two individuals in the race. Seems outside their daily stories they wander off into blogs to show their real biases. Course most Maine paper, but for the local town news, are only fit for wrapping fish.

Seek and ye shall find.

We believe that English should be the official language of the State of Maine

Ayuh!...and Mainer English. 97% of Maine is white. Lowes or whatever that Home Depot competitor is (never shop there) is the only one that puts Spanish on their signs which they do across the country. Maine is made up majority of French Canadians--logical as geographical and would be helpful to our northern vacationers if any other languages were used in Lowes for instance that it be just that-French Canadian under Englsih. English being spoken in Maine is not an issue. Graduating students #1 to go on to college #2 and return to work in Maine #3 is an issue.

Presently a racist white supremacist group is actively seeking recruits in Maine. That makes me laugh as well--this is Maine not Duke country.

Most ignore the hype in the media on this group hiding under aliases contacting the local media for free advertising and the local media eating it up.

Jobs in Maine is a priority. November will see a change on the state level of decades re: Democratic control.

Obama's legacy will be to have destroyed his own party from within. Take note of Britain's recent election and we will follow suit.

Otten?

Well, Otten isn’t Mills. Mills is an out and out Liberal.
Poliquin is also awful.

But the true conservatives in Maine, the grass roots, the tea partiers, support LePage. LePage is right on the issues, has a inspiring Horatio Alger story, and successful management experience as Mayor of Waterville, where he cut taxes year in year out and as General Manager of Mardens - a successful retail chain. No failed ski resorts on his resume.

I get most of my Maine political news from As Maine Goes - which is sorta like the Free Republic of Maine.
http://www.asmainegoes.com/forums/asmainegoes-forum-index/-public-square-2010

You know nothing about me but presume that I’m a Hannity groupie (which would be uproarious if you actually knew what I think about Hannity). You have no idea what my connections with Maine are.

I know more than enough Mainers who don’t think life begins and ends with Bath Iron Works. And who don’t like the way she singlehandedly at crucial moments pulled the rug out from under her party in Congress.

But love your lady as you please. No skin off my nose.

No failed ski resorts on his resume

This might be of interest to you if you are thinking SR failed and are posting it as so.

As you know that is an outright lie..and I know for a fact. Who helped put that out there is, in part, a member of the media. I tracked his posts outside of the paper he writes for. He knows who he is.

Mardens, never go there for any reason. Reny's I may from time to time. Lewiston/Auburn (Somalia immigration news) is a depressed area and has been for decades.

And As Maine Goes there as been some very misleading info reported so spend no time in there anymore. Have heard calls into Maine morning local talk saying they are from that site with just plain lack of facts in thier comments, not worth my time. It cannot be compared to FR in anyway!

"[and I quote from their news letter & first hand knowledge:] "Otten for Governor campaign issued the following statement in response to a negative TV ad started this morning by gubernatorial candidate Bruce Poliquin:

“We are greatly disappointed with the false, negative tactics carried out by the Poliquin campaign, especially after his statements promising a positive campaign and who said, ‘there is no place for this kind of attack ad in our race’" said campaign manager, Edie Smith.

“In addition, Poliquin’s campaign ad is filled with inaccuracies. There are specifically three false statements made in the ad. The truth is: American Skiing Company (ASC) did not file for bankruptcy; the NYSE did not delist ASC for fiscal mismanagement; and, Les Otten was not forced out as CEO.”

“The biggest falsehood in Poliquin’s negative TV ad is that jobs were lost. Sunday River is thriving. And the jobs are all still there. All people have to do is look at those mountains and know what Les Otten has done for tourism and the economy of Western Maine.(as Rush is famous for saying at this time: "Right On!" Right On" ) Les Otten is a real world leader who’s created over 1,200 (plus) jobs that are still there,” she added.(end of quote)

Actually there were many more jobs within the surrounding areas from the growth over the years of SR. We are not even counting builders, services to the mountain from small start up business. Low taxes in Newry because of the success of SR, etc..the Handicap skiing program he helped start for disabled children/adult skiers. His restaurant, The Phoenix, across from South Basin on the house/lot he owned.

Maine needs someone who had contacts outside of Maine and Otten has that. There is a Peter Principle in business as well..you grow then stop and stay horizontal..living off one achievement in life. It's tougher to go on and achieve many business success stories.

Soft spoken man who will stay the course on Jobs. Jobs is the most important issue facing Maine's economy.

Les put together the group of owners for the Red Sox and they went to the championships. He then developed an energy business that put people back to work as well.

(Disclaimer: I was an owner at SR up until recently and what a great investment it was $$$$$$$$$)with thanks to Otten. He has made jobs for many families that I know. I wish I was still involved financially. Life changes..but life is good at the same time!

I have offered my support and hope for his success come Nov.

We can agree we need consevative values in Augusta but we need a leader with a strong background of buiding successful business from scratch, someone who listens, and gathers those around him that are highly successful as well.

Hannity was just a metaphor. ;)
He's probably a very nice guy personally and gives of himself financially as well to those that fight for our Freedoms..but I go back to my opening sentence.
But sometimes an unpopular stand overshadows the rest of a person's performance. No one said life began and ended with BIW. As I said the fishing industry which is an ongoing struggle as for lobesterman as well.
Perhaps another global business will be added as well-time will tell.

Otten led American Skiing to failure. Fact. In Otten's defense, he did build American Skiing from nothing over a period of years. Yes, he did build a large company. At one time, American Skiing did own a large number of ski resorts. I guess it could be said that Otten is, or was, a good entrepreneur. But he is, or was, a bad manager. Here are some links pointing to the slow selling off of ski resort's by Otten's American Skiing. http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS/70606005 This one talks about Sunday River and Sugarloaf being sold. "Otten was credited with taking Sunday River and building it into a powerhouse that later became American Skiing Co. But American Skiing suffered after it went public because of its debt load and because of several bad winters. The company's stock price fell from its initial public offering of $18 a share to less than 20 cents a share. The company was removed from the New York Stock Exchange. After being forced out as CEO in 2001, Otten remained on the American Skiing board while he and a group of investors led by John Henry bought the Red Sox for $660 million." All the people who bought stock in Otten's American Skiing lost a lot of money. Otten didn't do so bad. He's got that cash right now to buy TV ads. Les Otten should not be the Republican nominee. Obviously, he'd be better than the Democrat, but so would any Republican candidate. LePage is currently the Mayor of Waterville. Every year he cuts taxes. He is also the General Manager of Mardens - a company that still exists and has not failed miserably. It is true that LePage did not build Mardens, as Otten built American Skiing, but LePage did not destroy Mardens, Mardens is not a miserable failure, as is American Skiing. Listen, it's simple. The stock price of Otten's American Skiing went from $18 to $0.20. That's failure. When your entire resume is based on a company that performed like that, you don't run for Governor. And you don't get upset when people point out those simple facts.

Otten led American Skiing to failure.

Fact.

In Otten's defense, he did build American Skiing from nothing over a period of years. Yes, he did build a large company. At one time, American Skiing did own a large number of ski resorts.

I guess it could be said that Otten is, or was, a good entrepreneur. But he is, or was, a bad manager.

Here's a link pointing to the slow selling off of ski resorts by Otten's American Skiing.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS/70606005
This one talks about Sunday River and Sugarloaf being sold.

"Otten was credited with taking Sunday River and building it into a powerhouse that later became American Skiing Co.

But American Skiing suffered after it went public because of its debt load and because of several bad winters. The company's stock price fell from its initial public offering of $18 a share to less than 20 cents a share.

The company was removed from the New York Stock Exchange. After being forced out as CEO in 2001, Otten remained on the American Skiing board while he and a group of investors led by John Henry bought the Red Sox for $660 million."

All the people who bought stock in Otten's American Skiing lost a lot of money. Otten didn't do so bad. He's got that cash right now to buy TV ads.

Les Otten should not be the Republican nominee. Obviously, he'd be better than the Democrat, but so would any Republican candidate.

LePage is currently the Mayor of Waterville. Every year he cuts taxes. He is also the General Manager of Mardens - a company that still exists and has not failed miserably.

It is true that LePage did not build Mardens, as Otten built American Skiing, but LePage did not destroy Mardens, Mardens is not a miserable failure, as is American Skiing.

Listen, it's simple. The stock price of Otten's American Skiing went from $18 to $0.20. That's failure. When your entire resume is based on a company that performed like that, you don't run for Governor. And you don't get upset when people point out those simple facts.

The Rest of the Story:

If you need to give them a call so they might clarify that issue--instead of posting what you have which is not all the story.. I will only say Wall Street came calling..Otten and others did what Wall Street said to do, then the market took a dive/ the crash and Wall Street came back and said you are not worth what you were..(doing a brief synopsis here from Otten, he will explain in detail). Les did not agree with the other "chiefs" that had settled into the running of the business. Les wanted what the shareholders wanted to bring it back (stay whole or divide), it could not be agreed upon so he left mutual agreement--and those left in charge thought they were right and were wrong. He then put his investments elsewhere. The Red Sox, then the energy business of wood pellet furnaces. More jobs.

However who really buys a ski stock? I didn't. An IPO is not a good investment for the most part unless you have stock beforehand. No one that is a serious investor would buy a ski stock that cannot afford a loss.[but then you get to write off a loss]. Stocks going public in those times all shot out of the gate..those were fun times, but not smart times in trading decision..caught up in the euphoria of it all. I even bought some small stock in Alaska, had no history was JUST a new hyped Internet stock- bought on Friday for $2 play and by Tues the next was $22. I was lucky, not smart. Just played the game like everyone else.

Otten himself did not cause the stock to plummet. The company owned mountains all over the country so jobs were made across the country. The ski business is risky. Weather is of course a factor no matter if you have the best technology in snow making. If there is no snow in Boston then people just don't flock to the mountains "in the groove", that is why they take the snow to the city to advertise.

Should they have stayed small? When you get too many chiefs, conflict is bound to arise. I don't have to go and research, I know first hand. Plus that quote I took was also reported in the Lewiston paper which took the other candidate on for lack of facts... a candidate in the single digits. Otten has done so much more than Sunday River. You would be impressed with the family history as well on his father who VERY wealthy stell industrialist was imprisoned by Hitler (would not play ball with Hitler)-his family did escape Nazi Germany-Switzerland ( I believe ) and wound up in upstate NY with very little money. Amazing stories to be told. He knows what it is to be rich, down and rebuild again--he attributes that work ethic to his father.

Give his office a call or ask for Edie Smith. He's approachable. He is not egotistical. Quiet man really. He did try to buy SR back, as you know; but I assumed that would be too big a slap in the face of the ones that decided they knew better than Les. It was his baby--the Internet/telecom debacle effected all stocks. I did enjoy when he thumbed his nose upon leaving and built the restaurant across from the Base Lodge.

Baldacci will soon be gone!! we can agree on that!! We need someone who has contacts all over this country, not just in Maine to bring business to Maine. I am also for Dean Scontras as well. Scontras has a great future, I feel.

Some above is my take on it, so to verify go to the source Les Otten. Think I am pretty on target. Long time ago now it seems... Sorry if fragmented..but there is always more to a story and when you are in the lead those at the bottom are desperate, knowing people believe what they want to believe..dam the truth be told in its entirety. I knew all what you had written and Otten was prepared for it all.

Would add:

Instead of buying penny stock..it would have been better to buy a lot (one of the best) which we all did..scraped up $6K split 3 ways. House then was $50,000k post and beam sweat equity with some remodel of course over the years. The present owner ( prior partner ) has it selling close to a MIL. Location Location Location. Not bad. The foundation for success was laid by Otten.

We all make our own choices on how we invest for the long haul. Invest in stocks like ski areas, no matter who owns the mountain--the market is too volatile. He deserved to make money as he did. Otten took the biggest risk of all.

I really don’t think that asking Les Otten for his spin is going to get the truth. I just posted one of many articles detailing various elements of the history of American Skiing.

It did well, then it did poorly. He was on the Board until recently. The company ended up selling off most if not all of its properties.

It was a valuable company with many ski resorts, and then it became a company with almost no value. Its investors, who you seem to think of as gamblers, lost their money.

I don’t need to know every last detail of Les Ottens personal history to know that the collapse, or near collapse, of the company he built cannot be seen as a wonderful success story.

Les Otten might be pretty good at building a business. But the failure of American Skiing shows that he’s not very good at running, or managing, a large business. Since running a large organization is exactly what a Governor does, and Otten failed at doing exactly that, I can’t really think of a reason to vote for him. If he was the nominee, I would, but hopefully that doesn’t happen.

Will “American Skiing took on too much debt and then American Skiing had to sell most if not all of its ski resorts. Vote Les Otten, he’ll do the same to Maine.” be the Otten slogan?

Vote Otten - First Crushing Debt - Then Maine For Sale!

No. Otten seems to be a gambler who got lucky until he was not lucky. That is not what we want for a Governor.

We want a responsible manager with experience. Someone with a proven record of cuts. I think that’s LePage, but nothing in Otten’s record indicates that he’s anything like that.

Otten - he’s gonna take the tax receipts, go to Vegas, and put it all on red.

http://lesotten.com/blog/?id=7464667538284223392 LAUGHS AT THE VEGAS..YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING

You guys love making this stuff up, it's immature and way past ludicrous. I know is boring to read facts of someone who was there, who knew the market and how it works, remembers intricately the times that contribute to the several crashes we have had. The articles are not factual-but believe what you want to believe--freedom of choice to settle for Oz.

Off subject: A great book by Alex Cross, Reckless, I just finished is spot on the most recent economic fiasco between the real power players of the financial world and government. It is not always as it seems scenario.

Le Page is in single digits, no one around my area knows who he is in recognition-The Coast. A sign here and there

I am sure he is a good man, but not my choice as he is not strong enough to lead a state; however, be a real fact checker and call the campaign headquarters. Journalism 101. Go to the source. The real players not the ones who write about others, as they can't ever do; nor hide their envy with bias.

The Lewiston Sun stood up to the plate on the attack against Les. But then if that is all the underdog candidates can use to try to get past first..is pass on uninformed info, they are no better than the Democrats who use smear to win their seats and have stayed their downward course in Maine for decades--time to get strength in leadership. Maine is a joke in state run government (no matter which party rules), attracting BIG business, LOST JOBS, the school consolidation, DIRIGO and most importantly her highest energy rates cited (mol determining factors) in the nation. The rest of the pack have no plan, like Obama had no plan. Good luck to you, however; and as I said, am sure Le Page is a good guy, just not my choice. ;)

Dean Scontras!!!Les Otten!!!

You must be cutting and pasting this stuff. Who are these “you guys” You and me are the only 2 people here at Free Republic who have any care at all about Les Otten. When people here on Free Republic have any opinion at all about the Republican Primary in Maine, it’s a vague support of Paul LePage.

Listen. American Skiing, run by Otten had a bunch of Ski resorts. Due in part to Otten’s terrible management, American Skiing is a company that had to sell off most of its properties.

Republican voters in Maine who know the candidates know that Otten is a poor manager who would likely be a failure as Governor.

However, he was able to take a lot of $ from American Skiing while American Skiing was going down the tubes. So, I guess, good for him. The shareholders, the owners of American Skiing, lost their money, and Otten, the manager of American Skiing, has money that he took from American Skiing to run for Governor of Maine.

Are you the kind of person to say “look at Obama’s books” to find the truth about Obama.

If you aren’t, why are you pointing to Otten’s website?

There hasn’t been a poll on preferences in the Maine Republican Primary. There was a poll on name recognition. Otten has high name recognition. People may know that he’s a poor manager. That doesn’t mean that people will vote for him.

There’s a lot wrong with Otten on the policy side of things. He’s not a conservative. But there’s no reason to get into that. I think it’s sufficient to say that Otten has nothing on his resume to indicate he should be running for Governor.
No experience. If there was a job in Maine called “build a ski resort, take on a lot of debt and destroy the company” Otten would be qualified for that. But not for Governor.

LePage is the mayor of Waterville. There are more D’s than R’s in Waterville, but he keeps getting elected, and keeps cutting taxes. LePage is also the General Manager of Mardens. He didn’t build Mardens, but Mardens hasn’t had to sell all its stores, so LePage is one up on Otten in that respect.

LePage is a proven tax cutter, a proven competent manager, a proven conservative, proven to get votes from Democrats as well as Republicans.

Otten is a rich guy who can buy TV time. A good builder of ski resorts and a poor manager of ski resort companies.

Le Page is small time. I just go for first hand knowledge not "google" results. Why should I follow what other people on FR have an opinion on or a "vague opinion" on whether Otten or Le Page. I have my own opinion on Otten from my own experiences.

Le Page gets in, which I seriously doubt, nothing will change. The Repubs in are small time. I have to laugh at the rhythmic commercial re: "land" by the President of Husson U (lol)- Baldacci was small time too. Maine has stayed small time aka behind in the grand scheme of things--just a nice place to take a vacation, eat lobster and watch life pass on by.

Le Page would be taken by Libby-again more name recognition.

He should just stay where he is a general manager in a company in a ongoing depressed area of Maine. But it is commendable that he wants to seek public service. Perhaps he will bring the mills back or turn them into condos/apts. (failed) as in Empire Falls?

Enough said. I only showed the denial on the Otten page, but then everyone is lying as far as you are concerned, so cannot have an intelligent dialog with you.

The Kennebec Journal reporter gives me enjoyment-small time too.

I did not cut and paste but for a link, I do not have to on this subject for background, as you.

I will not be responding to you after this post. Time will tell. Have fun.

Maine Energy Systems, another start up company by Otten.

LePage is the current mayor of Waterville. He battles Democrats and wins, continually cutting taxes. I have no idea why you would say “wants to seek public service” about LePage. He is already Mayor, he is already a public servant, outside of the mess in Augusta.

LePage has won more straw polls around the state than all the other candidates combined. He has the support of the conservative grass roots, tea partiers. LePage is a solid conservative, a true conservative, with a proven track record of solid, responsible, conservative management.

LePage doesn’t have the war chest. Otten was able to pull down $400k a year when American Skiing’s stock was plummeting. Now he can spend that money on TV ads.

I think we could expect grand schemes from an Otten administration. Nothing “small time” from Otten. Maine would likely borrow money on something risky and fail. As Otten floats away to something else, the Maine taxpayers would be left holding the bill.

The Democrats would be worse of course, I think we agree on that.

Le Page is another political hopeful with a discount mentality. Mainers are tired of having to make ends meet through yard sales. I went through the Waterville area the other day and looks like their major “industry” is yard sales and flea markets. When you think small, you think discount. When you rise above that mentality of just getting by, take chances, quit complaining about being slave to the man( you seem to envy the rich that can pay for their own ads ), you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Education is key. But I won't go down that road, we know who will always be the worker and who will have the success story early on.

Maine has been discounted far too long. It's time to bring real business ventures to Maine besides a new Mardens on the block promoting rummage sales to those that can't afford to pay retail..why because Maine has been represented far too long by discounted thinkers—and "so Maine goes".

When many think of Sunday River, and had this discussion with another successful investor within that area the other day, who agreed on another level of success which was more than just financial gain over long term, but great memories made from the families that bought in, vacationed, built small business surrounding the area that have grown immensely— but its what money can't buy—a generation passing on great memories to the next generation to pass on to their children and continue to do so.

Menards mentality is just to feed on the less fortunate to make a buck—no memories there, its just about the money.. —you get what you pay for—cheap is cheap and will remain cheap. Workers are the less educated, single parent--decisions in life got them to where they are.

Maine deserves better than discount warehouses and casino/gambling-all in the market for the unskilled in stagnant & depressed locations.

By the way you do not know Mr Otten as many of us Mainers do for many years, you live off the rhetoric of others--he does not spin, never has and held true to his core beliefs. He's a good leader for Maine.