McGowan Turns in Clean Elections Qualifying Contributions

Candidate is the quickest to collect the 3,250 checks necessary to qualify for Clean Elections Funding

March 30, 2010

(HALLOWELL) – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Patrick McGowan has submitted the necessary number of checks to qualify for Clean Elections funding. Earlier today, McGowan submitted more than 3,250 $5 qualifying contributions from Maine voters and has also collected more than $40,000 in seed money contributions of up to $100 from Maine voters, surpassing the necessary benchmarks to receive public financing under the Clean Elections law. Having announced his campaign on January 5, the qualifying submissions make McGowan the quickest candidate to have reached the Clean Elections threshold, gathering more than 3,250 checks and $40,000 in seed money contributions in just 84 days.

“This campaign has shown unbelievable momentum in less than three months time,” McGowan said. “We continue to gain steam with an unprecedented statewide grassroots effort, bringing supporters together from Aroostook to York County. I am proud that we have qualified in such a short amount of time, and now I look forward to continuing to meet with voters from all sixteen counties to discuss issues that are important to the people of Maine – job growth, green jobs, health care, and education.”

McGowan announced his run for governor in January, holding the first of three announcements in Fort Kent. Since then, he has collected signatures and contributions from Mainers in 220 Maine cities and towns, covering all of Maine’s sixteen counties. McGowan said that surpassing the number of checks needed in record time also requires a strong volunteer effort.

“We were faced with the daunting task of gathering more than 3,250 $5 contributions in less than three months time,” McGowan said. “Without a strong group of volunteers, we never could have met this goal. The quick turnaround time is indicative of the solid levels of support that our campaign is seeing in every part of this state. My heartfelt thanks goes out to our core group of volunteers and all of the hard working Mainers who have supported our campaign.”

Born in Bangor and raised in Somerset County, Pat McGowan has worked both in the private sector as a former small businesses owner, and in the public sector as a State Representative, regional director of the Small Business Administration, and Commissioner of the Dept. of Conservation. During his tenure with the Dept. of Conservation, he has overseen the conservation of more than a million acres of Maine land, including the Katahdin Lake project, which completed Gov. Percival Baxter’s original plan for the state park.

“Our campaign will now be able to focus solely on talking with Mainers about the issues,” McGowan said. “Our country is in the midst of a challenging economic time. I have the experience in the public and private sector necessary to help put Maine people back to work while investing in the areas that will help Maine grow. I look forward to furthering this conversation with the people of Maine.”

More information can be found on McGowan’s campaign website, www.mcgowanformaine.com.

McGowan Announces Great Maine Forest Initiative

(ORONO) – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Patrick McGowan today formally announced his plans for the Great Maine Forest Initiative. The plan, part of McGowan’s 2020 Vision for Maine’s Economy, was announced at the University of Maine Pulp & Paper Processing Center in Orono.

“Today, Maine has a unique and timely opportunity to maintain public access and recreational opportunities, to sustain environmental values, and to grow our economy,” McGowan said. “We can do this by providing Maine people and industry with low-cost, home grown renewable energy, a stable and sustainable wood supply, and unparalleled recreational opportunities.”

McGowan’s Great Maine Forest Initiative will encourage production of clean renewable energy, such as wind, biomass, and biofuels. The result of the initiative will ensure that domestic manufacturers have cheap, sustainable power to run their plants.

“Many people across the country still see environmental protection and land conservation as anti-business or anti-growth. That’s wrong,” McGowan said. “We in Maine know better. A healthy, sustainable forest is a critical part of Maine’s future prosperity.”

McGowan said that Maine’s two largest economic contributors – tourism and forest products manufacturing – both depend on responsible environmental stewardship. McGowan said that his plan will conserve working forests for wildlife, recreation, and economic development.

“We need to reconnect our land base with our manufacturing facilities,” McGowan said. “We can use government policy to encourage landowners to have long term firm fiber supply and energy contracts with Maine mills. We can turn wood into high value products or critically needed energy right here in Maine.”

The Great Maine Forest Initiative will also implement conservation programs that will make Maine forests green certified, allowing for the production and exportation of value-added green certified lumber, pulp and paper across the country and around the world. McGowan pointed to an Old Town business as an example of a Maine mill that has adjusted to succeed in the current global environment.

“Just up the road, Old Town Fuel & Fiber is now producing bio jet fuel and employing 200 people,” McGowan said. “Those are the green jobs of the future that the Great Maine Forest Initiative is based on.”

McGowan announced the initiative on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. At the original Earth Day, Maine’s Ed Muskie spoke to more than 50,000 people about his vision for a cleaner, safer world. Former Maine Governor Percival Baxter also pushed for increased conservation of Maine lands during his time in office. During McGowan’s time as Commissioner of the Department of Conservation, he worked to secure Katahdin Lake for Maine people, completing Gov. Baxter’s original vision for Baxter State Park. Buzz Caverly, who worked with McGowan on that project and worked at Baxter State Park for 46 years, including 24 as the director of the park, said that McGowan’s conservation efforts extend beyond his public service.

“Pat has not only demonstrated his ability as a conservationist during his time as a legislator and commissioner, but during his personal time leading tours, taking trips and stressing the importance of the 4,000 acres that comprise Katahdin Lake,” said Caverly, who knew Gov. Baxter as well. “In all of my personal and professional experience with Pat I respect and applaud him for his efforts and consider him a great advocate for the lands and waters of the State of Maine, and I’ve always considered it a privilege to work with him on these projects.”In addition to the Great Maine Forest Initiative, McGowan’s 2020 Vision for Maine’s Economy calls for an added focus on Maine’s natural resources. McGowan’s plan calls for expanding the research, development and commercialization of wood composites and wood byproducts; and promoting sustainable farming, fishing, and aquaculture.

“Our farming, fishing, and aquaculture sectors are the backbone of the Maine economy,” McGowan said. “It is incumbent upon us to invest in them, modernize them, and promote them. We have not given these industries proper attention and it’s time that we do so.”

McGowan’s 2020 Vision for the Maine Economy also calls for increased investments in the future through higher education, workforce development, and the green economy; as well as advanced support for small businesses and the self-employed through increased access to affordable capital and a continued reduction of Maine’s tax burden.

Pat McGowan plans to release further details of his 2020 Vision for Maine’s future in the coming weeks.

For more information on the McGowan for Maine campaign, visit www.mcgowanformaine.com.

City of Old Town Unveils Stay & Play Packages

Several “Paddle Adventures” offer Guided Trips through Old Town-area Waterways

(OLD TOWN)- The City of Old Town today unveiled an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to experience the great outdoors in Maine’s Canoe City.

“Stay & Play Paddle Adventures” allow participants to paddle hassle-free on some of the area’s most scenic waterways in an Old Town Canoe. Participants can choose from one of seven guided Paddle Adventures, with varied experience levels and routes, allowing for relaxing to moderate paddles while enjoying Maine’s great outdoors.

“The collaboration involved in the ‘Stay & Play Paddle Adventures’ has been tremendous,” said Old Town Mayor David Mahan. “This idea became a reality simply because of the cooperation of everyone involved. Old Town is a beautiful place with gorgeous waterways, and I am thrilled that they are now a little more accessible for visitors to the area.”

The City partnered with various businesses, communities, and organizations in the Old Town area to make the packages available to the public. Old Town Canoe, Johnson Outdoors, Black Bear Inn, the University of Maine, Penobscot Nation, Cyr Bus Line, Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Old Town Trading Post have all contributed energy and services to make the project a success.

“This is a great opportunity for any outdoor enthusiast because they are able to paddle along our beautiful waterways in world class kayaks and canoes,” said Tim Magoon from Old Town Canoe. “Participants are also able to learn about the city that Old Town Canoe has called home for more than 100 years.”

The Stay & Play packages will run during specific weekends starting in June and through the end of August. All packages include equipment, ground transportation and guides. Participants can chose from half or full-day Paddle Adventures, which start as low as $39.95 per person, or overnight Stay & Play packages starting at $141.95 per person.

“The Stay & Play package offers an opportunity for a healthy outdoor experience in Maine,” said Becky Cyr of Cyr Bus. “The great thing about it is you can enjoy the great outdoors without having to worry about the hassle of transporting or storing your gear. All the equipment you need will be at the location for you when you arrive on a Cyr Bus.”

For more information about the City of Old Town’s Stay & Play Paddle Adventure packages, please visit the website at www.old-town.org/play or call Irene at 207.827.3965.

McGowan Unveils Official Campaign Song

April 26, 2010

(BANGOR) – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Patrick McGowan today unveiled his official campaign song. “Back in Maine” was written by Mark Miller and Wayne Hendsbee in 2007, and is performed by Mark Miller. McGowan says that Mark Miller’s name is synonymous in Maine with the arts and great music.

“When you hear the name ‘Mark Miller’ in Maine, the first thing that comes to mind is a brilliant musician,” McGowan said. “He is a true ambassador for the arts in our state and he is a great friend. What’s more, his song, ‘Back in Maine’ puts so many positive memories that are held by so many Mainers to music. I am proud that we are able to use this song for our campaign. I look forward to exposing more Mainers to this piece of music as we continue to further the discussion about our beautiful state throughout this campaign.”

Mark Miller has been playing guitar since he was six-years-old. A native of Houlton and currently living in East Millinocket, Mark Miller has opened for some of the top blues musicians in the country. Mark has recorded several albums and continues performing nearly every week of the year throughout the State of Maine

McGowan, a guitar player, also announced a series of musically-themed campaign stops during the event. McGowan said that he encourages people to come to the campaign stops to hear local music and to talk about the issues that are facing the state.

“People have always been brought together by music and this campaign is about bringing people together” McGowan said. “We’ll be making a few stops on this campaign that will be built around an evening of music. I’ll have my guitar with me, we’ll have some local musicians with us, and I would encourage people who want to hear good music and have a good conversation about my ideas for this state to join us for one of these special events.”

Specific dates and times for the musically-themed campaign stops will be announced soon. For more information, visit www.mcgowanformaine.com.

For more information about Mark Miller, visit www.markguitarmiller.com.