WESTBROOK – Gov. Paul LePage received a gracious welcome when he brought his “Capitol for a Day” program to a town hall-style meeting in Westbrook’s Performing Arts Center Friday night.

But most of those people who welcomed him so warmly were not local residents.

More than 100 people from Cumberland County and beyond attended the meeting, which was a revival of a program former Gov. John McKernan started after his election in 1986.

Westbrook School District Superintendent Dr. Reza Namin said he appreciated that the event was held in the Performing Arts Center at Westbrook Middle School. He said Westbrook has done a lot to consolidate resources, which is something LePage should look to do in Augusta.

Laughter and applause punctuated the governor’s responses to a wide variety of pre-selected questions on topics like the budget, welfare reform and education. Those in attendance had to submit their questions beforehand and were called to the microphone to raise their concerns with the governor and members of his Cabinet.

Adrienne Bennett, LePage’s press secretary, said the format was intended to allow for as many questions as possible within the event’s 90 minutes. Questions people wrote down were sorted into categories – education, social services, transportation, regulatory reform, jobs/economic development and the budget.

“We chose that format to ensure each category was represented and the governor and each Commissioner had a chance to offer an answer,” Bennett said in an e-mail.

People from nearby communities like Cape Elizabeth and Windham were selected to ask questions, as were people from as far away as Lisbon Falls and Jefferson. It was rare to see a Westbrook resident at the microphone, and twice that resident was City Councilor Mike Foley.

Mayor Colleen Hilton said she was pleased Westbrook was asked to host the event. She was surprised how far people traveled to attend – and how few locals showed up. Aside from elected officials and staff from the city and school district, Hilton estimated only about a dozen Westbrook residents were on hand.

“It was a pro-LePage crowd,” she said. “I’m surprised there were not more provocative questions.”

The budget was a popular topic, and LePage warned the crowd times would be tough for everyone while he looks for ways to deal with the state’s $12.6 billion debt.

“Everyone is going to feel the pinch in this budget,” he said. “If somebody flat-funded me this year, I’d be jumping for joy.”

Foley voiced the concerns of municipal officials who worry state reductions in revenue sharing and other cuts could make life tough for Maine’s cities and towns.

“I don’t have an answer for that,” LePage said, adding his goal is to ensure education costs do not result in property tax hikes.

“That’s the best we can do in this biennium,” he said.

Foley said he was satisfied with the governor’s answer because it indicated adjustments to education aid could help offset some additional burden on taxpayers.

Foley, the president of the Greater Portland Transit District’s board of directors, was also able to ask about legislation that would allow advertising on bus shelters. He said Maine’s billboard law designed to prevent large billboards prohibits advertising on bus shelters as well.

Foley said he was “excited to hear” LePage express support for advertising on bus shelters.

LePage has made headlines for some of his public statements in the past, but the crowd on Friday night appreciated his jocularity and frankness.

“I liked it all,” said local resident Tony Bessey. “It’s about time we have someone who’s going to tell it like it is.”

Bessey, a self-described conservative libertarian, said LePage was not his first choice, but added, “He’s won me over since the primary.”

Bessey said he appreciated LePage’s commitment to keep gas tax revenue within the Department of Transportation and his long-term plan to eliminate the Maine Turnpike Authority.

“It’s apparent to me that he’s aware we have a tough road ahead, but he’s also pragmatic,” he said.

There were some who were concerned deregulation could hurt the environment, but Bessey agreed with LePage’s statements that regulatory reform does not mean rescinding every environmental law in the books.

LePage said those concerns were unwarranted and the result of liberals trying to confuse the issue.

“Around the country, Maine has a very adversarial reputation,” he said. “We need to get the word out that we’re open for business.”

Bessey said that LePage did not shy away from his convictions to please the crowd, and that “not everybody heard what they wanted to hear, but everyone got a response.”

Hilton said LePage appeared comfortable in front of the crowd, and that she was happy she was able to set up a future meeting with the governor to talk about some issues.

“He’s certainly confident in his convictions,” she said. “He has some good ideas. Some will be met with more resistance (than at the town hall meeting).”

Gov. Paul LePage answers a question during a town hall meeting held in Westbrook Friday as part of his “Capitol for a Day” program.
Staff photo by Joey Cresta