Governor’s workshop on Job Creation at UMF Aug. 15
FARMINGTON - Governor Paul LePage is coming to Farmington to host a workshop for business leaders titled, Engaging with Maine's Forestry, Land Use & Outdoor Recreation Industries, to be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 15 at the University of Maine at Farmington.
This is designed to be a true working session to share your experiences and challenges regarding job creation in Maine with Gov. LePage, state officials and fellow business leaders with a goal to improve Maine's economy.
Of interest is discussing additional steps state government can take to make Maine an even better place to create jobs. These are intended to be true working sessions where you can speak freely about improving Maine's economy.
The workshop will focus on improving Maine's forestry industries, land use, and outdoor recreation.
The governor will be making opening remarks, then breakout sessions within topic areas will be held, and then closing remarks with a brief review of the information accumulated.
No fee but those attending need be confirmed by RSVP; space is very limited.
Deadline to RSVP is August 13th online at www.maine.gov/governor or call Lauren LePage in the Office of the Governor for more information at 207-287-3538.
Confirmation Numbers are required and will be provided after registration.
This is the final industry-specific workshop that will be held this summer.
Entries(RSS)
Here's your chance.
The stated deadline on the signup page is actually the 10th.
Perhaps instead of hosting the workshop, Gov. LePage can ask George smith to speak, And the Guv can listen and take some notes. Maybe he will learn that he should not be saying (falsely, mind you) "I don't care where you go in this country -- if you come from Maine, you're looked down upon now." Way to promote Maine business, guv.
As George Smith said in a recent article, our governor should be a cheerleader for Maine, a proud promoter of all things Maine. He should be our top business recruiter, the guy who spreads the word worldwide about our awesome natural environment, our amazing, smart and hardworking people, our "life the way it should be." And in the high tourist season, it's especially important that LePage welcome our summer visitors with a positive message and make sure their Maine experience is all that it should be. He should take pride in our kids, not tear them down. Telling them they are looked down upon all over the country -- well, shame on him. I wonder if he knows that his government spends $9 million per year to convince people to visit Maine? And that his constant and consistent negativity is not helping to attract tourists, or in any other way. Stop with the "Woe is ME." Go with the "Wow is ME!"
Here's the message our head marketer (Gov. LePage) has been telling the world for the past several months: Our people are lazy and won't work; our state employees are corrupt; everyone thinks our kids are stupid. I'm sure Mardens wouldn't let its chief marketing officer publicly tear down its brand like this.
Even if those things were true, why would we pay someone to advertise it? And since they're not true, why pay someone to slander us? Bring a pen, Paul, and do try to keep your anger in check.
I agree with Stan - wow is Maine, not woe is Maine.
Are there issues and concerns, yes. Will the governor's abusive ways help, no.
While attending a family reunion out of state recently, I was asked about "what kind of governor did you all vote for?" We all know so many outstanding students in this and other communities across the state who go on to outstanding colleges and trade schools (UMF being one) and post graduate schools leading to great and impressive careers.
I am angered for all students (and teachers) who are continuously subjected to his verbal, emotional and educational abuse. His rendering of that specific education report is one-sided and does not tell the complete story. Maine is a great state and I am proud to have lived, worked and raised a family here. (BTW, my kids are all leading very productive, meaningful lives having attended colleges both in-state and out of state.)
Badly done, once again, Mr. LePage, badly done. It is you that the rest of the country is looking down upon.
All of his 'abusive' remarks aside though, he has been pushing for better and more jobs, better communication and even collaboration between workplaces and schools; he brings passion to the table. As an individual that grew up in Maine schools I agree with LePage to most extents. I had many times where I was underchallenged, had a teacher who was incompetent, and was taught a curriculum that was not applicable in real life. On the other hand I have had teachers that had made up for that, but the majority of my learning came from college and not public schools. The fact of the matter is that schools are inconsistent, both sides will always be right until this is remedied.
All of the remarks aside, not one person can deny that he hasnt motivated Maine; rather it be to prove him wrong or to agree that we need to work harder to achieve our goals. He is a fellow mainer who is just as stubborn and hard working as the rest of us. By engaging LePage with one's own hostility you are only being just like him: American. We all have our voices and opinions; agreeing or disagreeing with one does not make it 'abusive'. We built our nation on hard work that is outmatched by the rest of the world. We no longer have that work ethic across the board and it needs to be addressed. Actions will always speak louder than words; this is something that seems to be forgotten sometimes.
@Not Concerned - Actually I can and do deny that he has motivated Maine. Embarrassed Maine? Yes. Denigrated Maine? Certainly. Entice economic development in Maine? Very unlikely. Bring or grow jobs and opportunity to Maine? Nope.
When pressed for clarification or some kid of evidence to back the Angry Guv's comments Adrienne Bennett, a spokeswoman for the governor said it’s from his life experience of talking to people,” Bennett told the Bangor Daily News on Monday. “While it’s anecdotal, he believes it.” Believing it so does not make it so, Governor.
LePage's projecting of his own horrible upbringing and feelings of inferiority do nothing to inspire and motivate. Publicly proclaiming (with nothing to back it up) that Mainers are looked down upon does not generate jobs. It does not inspire businesses to flock to the state. It has the opposite effect. And he knows (or should know) better.
He was a businessman. He had better understand the effect his public rants has on the State's business climate bottom. Motivating? Yes. Motivating those (like this former Republican) who want to ensure he's a one-term-and-done governor.
It's nothing new (and to be expected) for people to indignantly complain when they are told "there is a problem in here".
It just sounds like a bunch no holds barred,,nah nah nah nah, we wont hear it cause we dont like what you said.
It does not matter what or where people go to school,,,if they are driven to succeed, they will do it IN SPITE of barriers (like tachers with 'tude).
When this man who is not all PC (FINALLY!!!),,got elected I said "This is just what our beloved state needs.
HONESTY,
I'm proud of this man for overcoming his environment. It's inspirational.
Better than some arrogant academic who cant see past the bs the Education "System" has been handing out for years now .
The system is broke,,Get Over It.
If you think you have the market for being a "Mainer",,you dont.
I am a proud Mainer who is proud of our Gov for having the fortitude to stand up to the decades of corruption and bloated systems to make the much needed changes.
He is unique that's for sure. Not many have his courage.
Sorry if your thin skin prefers political correctness over honesty.
I think the man needs a few terms just to make sure everyone gets the message.
He's far from alone in his opinions.
If anyone from away says anything about it,,,You can tuck your pc tail away if you want to but I have no problem standing beside Gov Lepages ideals.
I am a proud Mainer.
And I have a right to this opinion.
I'll second that @Thin Skins. Thank God that this state finally has a no nonsense governor. If he decides to run again he has my vote.
Signed,
"Another Proud Mainer"