Gov’s on board

On Tuesday, state lawmakers and area officials joined with Gov. John Baldacci in the governor’s office to ink legislation authorizing a study of an old railroad line through the Lakes Region.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bill Diamond, funds a $100,000 study which will investigate the feasibility of reviving the Mountain Division rail line. The bill does not fund the full restoration project, which could cost millions. Nevertheless, this initial move is a breath of life for the once-thriving railroad corridor from Portland to Fryeburg and into the White Mountains.

Some will say the area doesn’t need a railroad. Some will also say the government shouldn’t be in the business of funding the reintroduction of rail. These naysayers might be right. But the potential rewards that could be realized if passenger and commercial rail becomes successful would make the initial taxpayer investment worth it.

Rejuvenating the line is definitely a gamble, but with several companies west of Standish saying they would transport gravel and freight via the rail – and testifying to this at committee hearings in Augusta – it seems now is the best time to attempt this most grand of Lakes Region experiments.

Election reflection

The biggest news from the recent election has to be the removal of two incumbent Standish town councilors, Larry Simpson and Elizabeth Edwards. Their defeat may be the precursor to the defeat of the long-discussed community center, which both Simpson and Edwards championed and which may ultimately have been their downfall this election cycle. It’ll be interesting to watch newcomers Wayne Newbegin and Jeff Burgess as they try to shape policy regarding the center.

In Windham, Michael Shaughnessy, an environmentally-conscious voice on the council for the last three years, lost a close race to political newcomer Blaine Davis. Shaughnessy will likely remain active in local politics trying to improve the town’s Democrat Party, which lost every race this year. It’ll be interesting to watch as Shaughnessy attempts to regroup his and his party’s political fate.

The other contested race for council saw Donna Chapman defeat Michael Wozich in South Windham. Wozich and Chapman couldn’t be more different. Wozich, the pastor of the local Friends church, ran as a pacifist candidate. Chapman is a little more of a tiger and promises to be a voice for the little guy in town. She’s involved in many aspects of Windham and known to get fired up about taxes. With that reputation, it’ll be interesting to see how she shakes up the council.

On the school board, Tuesday was a day that was kind to incumbents. Mary Wassick and Jeffrey Vermette edged out perennial candidate Marge Govoni, who should be admired for running year after year. She got very close, losing by just 60 votes to Vermette. Maybe next year, voters will give her a chance.

Another election is in the books. Voters have done their part. Now we wait to see what kind of government we’ve elected.