On behalf of the Brunswick Town Council, I would like to commend Reps. Mattie Daughtry and Andrew Mason for sponsoring LD 1476, “An Act To Protect Local Input in Economic Development and Redevelopment Efforts.”

The bill adds two seats to the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority Board, providing for directly appointed representatives from the two host communities: Brunswick and Topsham.

The way forward, and the future success of redevelopment, depends on the active participation of Brunswick and Topsham. This legislation will improve redevelopment by ensuring close collaboration between the two host communities and MRRA, through its governing board. Furthermore, MRRA would benefit from the distinctive perspective that hostcommunity direct appointees would bring.

At the public hearing, people from all over our community came out to support the bill: women, men, Democrats, Republicans, business owners, current and former town councilors, artists, real estate agents and others. These people took the time to travel to Augusta and express support for a bill designed to provide a direct voice in the redevelopment process. They spoke on behalf of so many others in our community who were unable to attend.

I have heard from many constituents who are weary of Brunswick’s lack of official representation on the MRRA board. In fact, with polling, we found that 76 percent of people statewide — and 89 percent of people in the “primary impact areas” of the Brunswick Naval Air Station closure — support the concept behind LD 1476.

With such overwhelming support, it defies logic as to why Sen. Stan Gerzofsky would aggressively oppose the bill.

At the public hearing, he claimed the existing board isn’t “broke” (sic), so it doesn’t need to be fixed. The outpouring of community support for LD 1476 clearly indicates that the vast majority of our community does not agree, and believes their towns are not properly represented.

Gerzofsky also claimed that, because some residents of Brunswick currently serve as board members, there is no need for host towns to make direct appointments. We value the contributions of all the MRRA board members, wherever they happen to live. However, residency does not confer the authority to represent the municipality itself, or its taxpayers.

Gerzofsky has provided no evidence to support the notion that direct board appointments by the host communities would interfere with economic development. Nor has he given any demonstrable reason why the MRRA board should be unlike most every other base redevelopment board.

The record shows that most similar redevelopments elsewhere have recognized the distinctive relationship between “host” communities and redevelopment authorities, by codifying direct municipal appointments to the governing boards.

One of our neighbors and sometimes competitor — New Hampshire’s Pease Authority — dedicated three of seven permanent board seats to its two host communities. Newington and Portsmouth each appoint one, and the two cities jointly appoint another. It is up to the governing bodies of these towns to decide for themselves who they think best represents their critical interests.

It has worked well for Pease, and, reportedly, for every other redevelopment authority. Why should our MRRA not enjoy such an advantage?

Host communities handle many tangential issues, including public safety and infrastructure in relation to MRRA. Since the closing of the base, we have had to pick up additional responsibilities previously provided by the Navy. These include police and fire protection, emergency medical response, code enforcement and building inspections. The level of these services will only increase as redevelopment moves forward.

Brunswick provided funding for the startup of the redevelopment planning, and has been at the forefront assisting with redevelopment efforts of the base from the very beginning.

Brunswick has delivered, and will continue to provide, incentives for economic development and business coming to Brunswick Landing.

We recently enacted tax incentive programs to assist in the development of one of their premier tenants, Mölnlycke, an excellent, growth-oriented enterprise. We are able to funnel block grants and other types of financial support. We lend professional staff and other forms of assistance.

Why are the principles contained within LD 1476 important to Brunswick and Topsham? It’s simple: As host communities, we bear the brunt of the negative impacts from the base closure, especially on the economic front, while having to absorb additional obligations going forward.

Brunswick has a fiduciary responsibility to its taxpayers to have oversight over redevelopment through a direct appointment, because it is expending taxpayer dollars through municipal services and TIFs at Brunswick Landing.

We are pleased to assist when we can with business and economic growth opportunities, and we look forward to increased cooperation. As we seek to move ahead with positive energy, it is so important to take a fresh look at the structure surrounding what will continue to be a challenging environment for growth. Essentially, we must have “all hands on deck.”

The region, and the state of Maine, will benefit from the collaborative redevelopment of the base. However, in practical terms, the host communities have a unique relationship to the redevelopment efforts. It seems unfair, and counterproductive, to claim they shouldn’t be recognized as important equals in this critical endeavor.

SUZAN WILSON is chairwoman of the Brunswick Town Council.