In 1805, the legislature of Massachussetts gave permission for Bowdoinham residents to build a bridge across the Cathance.  Tolls would range from one to ten cents, with everything from pleasure carriages to swine accounted for.

 

At that time, Mainers were fed up with their state being owned by just a few wealthy people from Massachussetts.  As Colin Woodard writes in The Lobster Coast, Democrats warned that the "emerging aristocrats had to be reined in," or else "they would replace the tyranny of the English monarchy with one of their own."

 

Yet today, Maine's economy is still bound tightly to that of Massachussetts.  As the eternal poorer cousins, we must work together, like the 1805 bridge-builders of Bowdoinham.  We must build bridges to a stronger Maine.

 

Bowdoinham, Richmond and Bowdoin today are home to many outstanding businesses.  Many are members of the Merrymeeting Bay Business Association (www.merrymeetingbay.com), an excellent organization whose members plan a candidates' forum in the fall.  Taken as a group, these businesses use local talent and/or materials, are locally owned, provide competitive wages and benefits, and provide the strongest possible foundation for Maine's economic future.  These businesses also know the importance of tomorrow's workers and leaders.  For this reason, they are increasingly reaching out to the local schools.  Efforts such as the REDbook (link from www.link75.org), or "Regional Enrichment Directory," are our best hope to cultivate tomorrow's talent today.

 

Small, locally-owned businesses are Maine's forte.  Tourism, well-managed fisheries and hunting grounds, forward-thinking health care and land conservation initiatives, strong schools, energy efficiency, small, high-tech production, shipbuilding, sustainable farming and forestry technique, research and development:  these are just some of the ingredients we have to work with close at hand.  We must also examine our tax and fee structure closely, and consider whether a model such as New Hampshire's business tax system would serve us better.

 

As our ancestors knew, building bridges to a strong economy is hard work.  With the right leadership, Mainers like the Bowdoinham bridge builders have proven we can survive and thrive.