FARMINGTON – A local business owner has been nominated to the board of directors of a national bookselling organization.
Kenny Brechner, owner of Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers, has been nominated to serve on the American Booksellers Association’s Board of Directors. One of three candidates selected by the organization’s nominating committee, Brechner is believed to be the first independent bookstore owner from Maine to be nominated for the Board of Directors. Ballots will be cast by the ABA in April.
Brechner said that he was honored to have been selected. “I really believe in independent book stores being an integral part of a health community,” he said. “I think what we have here is worth fighting for.”
Founded in 1900, the ABA is a not-for-profit organization that works to assist independent booksellers, with 2,300 members representing stores, publishers, vendors and other people related to the industry. The ABA directors make certain the organization is working toward accomplishing its goals and utilizing its resources. Directors meet in person four times a year, Brechner said, and more often via teleconferencing.
DDG Booksellers, located on Broadway, started in 1991. Brechner has been active in the community, both at his store and within the school systems, where he organizes book drives, summer reading programs and helps bring authors to meet students.
“We want vitality in our communities,” Brechner said. “This is really a chance to advocate for that.”
As part of the nomination process, Brechner wrote an essay focusing on anti-trust issues, saying that society had reached a tipping point. The decline of brick and mortar stores and the ensuing impact on the tax bases of small communities has negatively impacted small communities.
“In terms of communities and bookstores themselves, it’s a now or never situation,” Brechner said.
I vote for Kenny! Thanks for your dedication to our community.
A well deserved appointment! Congratulations Kenny!
Thank you Kenny Brechner. You are the best and we are so fortunate
Jo Josephson
Ditto what Jo said.
Congratulations, Kenny! A very well deserved honor — thanks for all you do.
Congratulations, Kenny! Long may your bookstore thrive.
Congratulations, Kenny! Thanks for all you do!
Congratulations Kenny!
Congrats, Kenny! Thanks for all you do for our schools and community!
You continue to make us proud, Kenny!! Thanks for bringing that vitality to our community!!!
congrats, Kenny. you so deserve this.
Kenny, this honor is well earned! You have given support to many in the community, especially to students and authors. You have set an example for independent book stores throughout the state of Maine.Congratulations !
Congratulations, Kenny. I celebrate that your outstanding promotion of reading and your small business entrepreneurship is being recognized far and wide.
Congratulations, Kenny, an honor very well deserved. Our little town is blessed to have you & your amazing well stocked bookstore that contributes regularly to community programs…….Thank You!
Thank you, Kenny, for your inspiring effort to promote literacy, strengthen community, and educate. We all benefit from your contributions! Best of luck with your nomination! We love collaborating with you.
Congratulations on the nomination , Fingers crossed that they vote you in. You certainly deserve it.
Well deserved Kenny !
Well deserved. Your bookstore is a boon to the community, your helpful manner a gift.
Glad to see this recognition of a great bookstore and its owner!
Congratulations! Well deserved.
Congratulations for an honor well-deserved, Kenny! DDG Booksellers is a treasure and you are the reason it shines.
How can those of us with bookish connections across the country help? We can inform our bookstore friends in Minneapolis, Boston, Indianapolis, Charleston SC and elsewhere that having Kenny Brechner on the board of the American Booksellers would be an infusion of spirit, ideas, and the drive that would benefit booksellers across the nation. Share this on Facebook with your friends. Make sure they know what those of us in Franklin County already know.
Congratulations Kenny. Sounds like an interesting essay.
Kenny has been a huge resource to RSU9 libraries during these tough economic times. He is an invaluable resource for this community!
And in addition to all this, he also has a sense of humor!