Alex Hammer for Maine Governor (Independent)

Big Marketing, Political Guns Flock to our Attorney General Windpower Post Below

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:03:00 +0000

Windgate? My Letter to Attorney Generals Janet Mills and Andrew Cuomo on windpower issues in Maine

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:23:00 +0000

Updates (4/22/10)
1. Ongoing discussions with both AG's offices
2. http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/141729.html
"Ex-PUC head enriched by wind company"

Alex blog post note: I am not anti-windpower, I am only anti conflict of interest.
And of course I would be against any corruption as well.
Also, why are Maine's top political figures acting as followers, if not enablers, rather than leaders, in regard to protecting Maine's integrity (just for starters).
Let me know what you think.
Thank you.
Alex

Note: Below does not contain final few edits (grammar, punctuation, etc.) of letter mailed to AG Andrew Cuomo.

23rd February 2010

Hampden Mitchell
------------------
------------------
------------------

Alex Hammer
Hammer For Governor
P.O. Box 2113
Bangor, ME 04402
(207) 945 5240

Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224-0341

Dear Attorney General Cuomo,

The subject of this letter is a concern we have that there is a lack of transparency and disclosure of financial interests between elected officials and others in Maine and the wind energy company First Wind from Newton, Massachusetts. We are aware that your office requested wind energy companies sign an ethical code of conduct governing the development of wind energy in New York State.

Background

On Friday April 11th, 2008, the Maine legislature by a unanimous vote of 139-0 in the House and 34-0 in the Senate, voted for final enactment of “An Act to Implement Recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on Wind Power Development” (LD2283).

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_123rd/billtexts/SP090801.asp
http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/windpower/members_list.shtml

The bill called for developing at least 2,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power in Maine by 2015 and at least 3,000 MW by 2020. http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=2331

Sec. A-2. 35-A MRSA §3402, sub-§2 of the bill modified the regulatory process for siting wind energy projects to expedite them in de-organized and unorganized territories and, at the same time, recognized that adverse environmental and ecological effects might be present and should be taken into account before permitting a project. In addition, the bill stated that the development of wind energy resources in Maine should ensure that significant tangible benefits accrue to the people of Maine, including, but not limited to, the residents of communities that host wind energy projects.

To date, First Wind has received permission for four projects in the Northern part of the State of Maine: Mars Hill, Stetson 1 and 2 near Danforth, and Oakfield. There are many more sites planned by First Wind and other developers. Contrary to what officials from First Wind claim none of the projects have gained the full support of the people in these communities nor have they involved transparent processes of public involvement in permitting.

Mars Hills residents videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp31TWPC5tc Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpFLsNiXE0g Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBPHKWR-wTM Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sutK3bCPrY

In fact, citizens have, and are now organizing, and become vocal in opposition to the development of Wind Energy in the State, forming groups, holding press conferences, protesting, writing op-eds in newspapers, drawing up local ordinances, going to court,

http://mainebusiness.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=314278

and using the internet, radio and blogs to make their opposition to the development of wind energy in Maine known.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suFNf-BGgVY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jgLs_NbW0U

A call for a moratorium on the development of wind energy by a grassroots organization, the Citizens Task Force on Wind Power, was made on Feb 19th 2010 at the Hall of Flags, Augusta, Maine.

http://www.windtaskforce.org/

The Citizens Task Force has been involved in a number of initiatives aimed at fighting Industrial Wind in Maine attempting to persuade the legislature to introduce legislation to protect both the environment from degradation and the health of residents from the noise effects of wind turbines when located close to homes.

I, Hampden Mitchell, write this letter concerning a conflict of interest that has not surfaced before in the public domain. The Portland Press Herald recently ran a story by Tux Turkel that touched on the issue.

http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/02/01/wind-backers-decry-conflict-of-interest-claims/

This was followed by an article by another candidate for Governor, Lynne Williams Esq.

http://www.lynnewilliams2010.org/just-because-its-not-illegal-doesnt-mean-its-ethical

Late last year Ira Stoll on his blog summarized some important background:

http://www.futureofcapitalism.com/2009/09/clean-energy-ii

A case of Conflict of Interest in Wind Energy in Maine

I, Hampden Mitchell, have recently discovered that my elected representative, Everret Mcleod of Lee and his wife, who were on the guest list at the private opening of the Stetson 1 wind project by Maine Governor Baldacci near Danforth, Maine, shortly after this opening, signed a lease agreement with First Wind energy on a parcel of land he owns with an option for placement of wind turbines on his land. This agreement was made on 12/05/08. The information is publicly available in the Penobscot register of deeds.

http://penobscotdeeds.com/

See attachment for outline information with book pages and dates of contracts.

Please note also that Mr Everett Mcleod is a member of the State of Maine's Government Oversight Committee. http://www.maine.gov/legis/opega/About_GOC.html

Shortly after this land lease agreement was signed, Mr Everett McLeod and his wife took out a series of mortgages with HSH Nordbank [Details again in the Penobscot registry of Deeds], a German tax payer bailed out bank, that capitalized First Wind Energy company. http://cleantech.com/news/4738/first-wind-brings-191m-financing

This appears to be similar to the type of behavior that encouraged you to investigate and draw up a Code of Conduct for Wind development in New York State and to consequently subpoena the same company First Wind.

I have been unable to persuade Attorney General Janet Mills in Maine to introduce a code of conduct for wind energy. When Stetson 1 was opened by Governor Baldacci, in unorganized territory, just outside the organized territory of Danforth in which I live, I went with my wife to what I thought was an open celebration of the project. We were refused entry by a wind company employee because we were not on the guest list. Danforth, Maine, a small remote village, has a population of around 620, many who would have been unable to celebrate this opening because they were at work. My wife and I were surprised that the opening of the project was by invitation and not open to the public.

Subsequently, I filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request with the Governors office for the guest list of the event and was told by Karla Black, Assistant Legal Advisor to the Governor, that I would have to go to First Wind to find out who was on the list. That was when I did some research on the Internet about First Wind and found out that your office had drawn up a code of conduct for wind energy companies in New York State and that there had been many complaints from citizens about the behavior of employees of First Wind, even some involving intimidation. Obviously, I was not going to single my wife and I out for retribution so I contacted the Attorney General Janet Mills' office in Maine to find out why there was not a code of conduct governing wind companies in Maine. I was told to ask the relevant regulatory departments in Maine who replied that they certainly didn't expect Wind company officials to behave poorly but that there were no plans for a particular code of conduct governing wind. The Attorney Generals office did not reply to an e-mail I sent a few days later asking again if they were going to help me.

Some time later I engaged Representative James R. Martin of Bangor who was sympathetic to New York State's code of conduct to contact Maine Attorney General's office on my behalf. I was informed by Assistant Attorney General Jerry Reid that as my complaint was the only one that they received they did not feel it was necessary to do anything but that they would monitor the situation. I was also informed that there were already laws on the Maine statute that covered conflicts of interest by elected officials. Green Gubernatorial candidate, Lynne Williams, has since said to me that she complained both before and after my contact with the Attorney General's Office about the behavior of First Wind.
.
Wind turbines for Stetson 2, close to Stetson 1, another project in the same unorganized territory, also just a few miles from Danforth, were on site before the project was permitted and there were no public meetings, that I am aware of, held about this project. Again a private guest list was drawn up for the “celebratory” opening, the list made up of invited supporters and residents of the area, some of whom I suspect have and will be gaining from the companies largess. Curious, I went to the entrance of the project again and was joined by other residents who were also upset with the behavior of this company.

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/130697.html

Senator Kevin Raye, minority leader, was present that day and entertained, with wind officials and the Press, by the owners of Settlers lodge a business that provides accommodation and guide services in the area.

http://alice.euroinvestor.fr/print/printnewsstory.aspx?storyid=10751028

Mr and Mrs Eldridge Cleaves, of the lodge, supported both projects providing the media with stories of how good the projects were. Mrs Cleaves stated to the press that she didn't know why the protesters outside the gate were unhappy because from the million dollar view where her lodge is located, about 6 miles away, the wind turbines looked wonderful.

I am not certain who will eventually receive funds from a grant that was made to The Forest service by First Wind but Mr Eldridge Cleaves who is the President of The Woodie Wheaton Trust

http://www.woodiewheaton.org/WWLTCurrNEWS.htm

praised First Wind for helping the area out in a press release put out by First Wind:
“I am pleased by the opportunities offered by this Fund. The people of Washington County and in particular those who live within the confines of the Baskahegan River Watershed value the outdoors as an essential part of their daily lives,” said Elbridge Cleaves, an area resident and business owner. “People who live here know how important our woods and waters are to our quality of life and economic well being.”

http://www.firstwind.com/aboutFirstWind/news.cfm?ID=162c66a0-3d8c-4511-af5e-d4dbf35cba1e&test

I filed two more Freedom of Information requests to the Governors office. One for all communication between the Governor and First Wind's CEO Paul Gaynor on the subject of Stetson 1 of which I received three documents. Only one document contained information that I considered interesting.

A sentence in a January 17th 2008 letter from CEO Gaynor to the Governor stood out:

"Your administration has shown the leadership necessary to create the kind of regulatory certainty that will attract investment"

I explained to Maine's Attorney general's office that I had thought that regulations were intended to protect citizens rather than the companies. First Wind received $40.4 million in stimulus from the Department of Energy. Is this the investment Mr Gaynor was referring to?

My second Freedom of Information request was for all communication between Kurt Adams, development officer at First Wind, and Governor Baldacci, since Adams started working for First Wind after leaving the Maine Public Utilities Commission (Prior to that Adams was Legal advisor to Governor Baldacci). The request turned up no documentation at all. I have to trust that Karla Black who is Governor Baldacci's legal advisor and carried out the search for the communication between the Governor and his ex legal advisor is doing her job, but it does seem odd that she is also on The Right to Know committee in Maine and my request turned up absolutely no communication between someone who had been so close to the Governor and presumably still is.

Regardless of whether a citizen supports Industrial wind energy or not as a form of power, citizens demand, and have been promised, transparency in the dealings of their elected officials. It seems we are not getting that here. It also seems evident that those friendly with the wind companies, elected officials and select citizens, gain financially from the wind companies largess whilst those that question and criticize, as is their right in a democracy, are marginalized with little course of redress. When so much public money is at stake, First Wind received stimulus monies of $40.4 million for Stetson 2, and prior to that was receiving Tax Increment Financing and also presumably receives carbon credits, must not the justice system ensure there is fair play by elected officials?

It is our belief that Rep Mcleod is just the tip of an iceberg in Maine and we have other instances that may be examined in regard to potential conflicts of interest. We are prepared to go into these in detail with you or assistants in your office. As Rep Mcleod is a member of the Maine legislature with direct involvement in wind power legislation and also on the Government Oversight Committee we find this example most disturbing.
Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Hampden L Mitchell

Alex Hammer

Attachment: Outline details record of Everret Mcleod entries in Penobscot Registry of Deeds.

c.c Maine Attorney General Janet Mills

c.c Congressman Eric Massa (D) New York State

What does Maine need to prosper? | Guest Columns | Sun Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:26:00 +0000

What does Maine need to prosper? | Guest Columns | Sun Journal

Independent for governor promises transparency - Bangor Daily News

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:25:00 +0000

Independent for governor promises transparency - Bangor Daily News

Maine Voices: State needs new focus on solutions and methods to achieve them | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:58:00 +0000

Maine Voices: State needs new focus on solutions and methods to achieve them | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

82% of Mainers support this in the Maine Governor's race

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:18:00 +0000

When I was around ten years old (that would be 34 years ago) my Mom took a few of my friends and me to McDonald’s in celebration of my birthday. On a single dollar apiece if memory serves we were each able to order a full meal (we won’t get into the nutritional aspects, that’s another topic).

A dollar literally went a long way. I had a good time with my friends and also was fed.

$5 may not sound like much today. But this is what I believe it can get you:

Democracy.

Maine is one of the very few states in the nation with public financing of legislative and Gubernatorial elections, and there are traditional monied interests, under threat from clean elections, that would like nothing better than to see it go away.

Every legislative session there are efforts to get rid of clean elections in Maine, and this last term may have been the biggest onslaught yet.

But Mainers support the Clean Election program (Link to Maine Clean Elections $5 donation page is here) in droves.

According to a major poll by Critical Insights, 82% of Mainers support public "clean elections" financing in Maine Gubernatorial elections.

That is fantastic.

Whether you agree that our campaign offers the best solutions for Maine and/or wish to register your support generally for the Maine Clean Elections program, your $5 contribution for our campaign (Alex Hammer) is very much appreciated (these $5 qualifying donations go directly to the State of Maine rather than to the campaigns)

Also, you are free to provide $5 Clean Election qualifying contributions for as many or as few election candidates as you choose.

Mainers - the people of Maine - own this state. Not because I say so. But because you, all of you, say so. While granting a certain amount of rope, voters imposed term limits when things seemed to be getting out of hand. Mainers are also, as another example, not at all afraid to use the referendum process.

We're Mainers. We want to see things get done. We hope that our elected officials will help to do them, but we're here also to watch over them, as necessary, when they fail to do so.

Special interests are in danger of ruining this country, and, as an extension of this also, can be powerful also right here in Maine.

Some people say that the Maine Clean Election Act is a waste of taxpayer money. Bad Government is, I believe, much much more expensive. And a government that is even potentially more susceptible to corruptive influences is, if you agree, more expensive still.

One or two strokes of the pen in Augusta could be more expensive than 100 Maine Clean Election Acts, in dollars and cents (and sense, if you agree).

I am hoping that each of you will wish to participate. We're off to a flying start, better than expected so thank you very very much.

As Mainers, all of us, it's our country and it's our state.

That's what the $5 signifies to me.

Is Senator Susan Collins Running for President?

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:58:00 +0000

http://bangor.maineville.com/detail/124780.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=2&sub_type=blogs&town_id=&page=
Excerpt:
"Is the country ready for President Susan Collins?

If Sarah Palin was the anti-Hillary, then Collins could be well positioned to be the anti-Palin. Palin is common touch, at times even in-your-face, while Hillary was/is the brilliant but a bit detached, almost aloof (as much as anyone of Secretary of State Clinton's stature and position in life can be). Collins is pleasant whereas Palin can be antagonizing. Collins is seen as competent while for Palin the views are all over the map.

Perhaps most importantly, Collins is practical while Palin is viewed by some as more of an ideologue."

A Maine Perspective on Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:13:00 +0000

Link to article: A Maine Perspective on Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize

Mike Tipping - Wiki For Governor

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:28:00 +0000

http://www.downeast.com/the-tipping-point/2009/october/wiki-for-governor
Wiki For Governor
Excerpt:
"Right now in Maine, the number of political journalists is declining almost as quickly as the number of gubernatorial candidates is increasing, and that's just an escalation of a trend that has been going on for decades. Apparently, years ago, Maine's newspapers had reporters dedicated to following candidates all over the state, tracking their policies and promises and keeping them honest. In more recent contests, even general election candidates have been very lucky if they can get a handful of reporters to show up to major campaign events.

Some of this coverage has been replaced by online sources. The rise of the Internet and online citizen journalism has created an environment where people interested in politics can quickly and easily disseminate information and opinions using their own blog, twitter feed or YouTube channel, and every politician who wants to win also uses these kinds of channels to attempt to reach voters outside of traditional media sources.

This amalgam of new sources has the potential to offer more and better information than even the army of ink-stained wretches of years gone by, but it has some glaring flaws as well."
Comment 1
"Wiki for Governor

Submitted by AlexHammer on Thu, 10/08/2009 - 10:14am.

I agree with what you are saying here wholeheartedly.

I believe in the collective intelligence of Mainers specifically, and people generally.

We are running our campaign on the principle that "all of us are smarter than some of us".

That doesn't mean that all opinions hold equal weight. And it doesn't mean that I (and each of us) don't hold some strong principles on which we wouldn't bend. But it does mean that we've lost too much productivity as a state (and country) by masses of individuals feeling disenfranchised from their government and left out.

I personally am tired of that.

I actually put a Wiki on our campaign website in 06 (I was in a major auto accident, from which I have fully recovered, shortly after announcing my candidacy last time which derailed the campaign). Not many used the wiki. Even on Wikipedia I've read only about 1% are contributors and 99% are readers.

It's easier just to consume, but I am also always looking for more and greater and easier ways for people also to participate.

I believe in the greatness of people to produce incredible results when empowered.

I love talking with people in person, by phone and in every format. I love new media also because it empowers some of the things that you are talking about. Interactivity. Collective action.

The world is changing quickly. Either we will constructively adapt (while keeping strong with the core of our critically important traditions) and help to successfully manage that change -- in the direction of true prosperity (financially but also broader) -- or that change will sweep over us from outside, dictated by others.

In this election our campaign is - if readers agree - leading the way on interactive processes and tools. As one example, we've created an entire exciting Maine social network; http://mainefriends.ning.com/

Thank you very much."

Senator Olympia Snowe, Healthcare and the National Press

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Washington Post - As Health Vote Nears, Fellow Lawmakers Wonder Where Snowe Will Fall
Excerpt:
"Everyone on Capitol Hill is wondering how Sen. Olympia J. Snowe will vote on the Senate Finance Committee's health-care reform bill once the big day arrives, likely within the next week.

The Maine Republican is the only member of her party considered to be a serious conversion prospect. But although Snowe supported Democrats on many key amendments during the committee's two-week debate on the legislation, she's being cryptic about her intentions -- to say the least.

"Did they get in my brain yet?" she wondered of all the speculators, during a lengthy conversation Tuesday afternoon with reporters. "They've got me voting yes, preserving my leverage. Voting no, preserving my leverage. It's all about what I'm comfortable doing at the end of the day.""

Business Week - Snowe is the woman with clout on health care
Excerpt:
"They call her "President Snowe" in the blogosphere.

Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe is the only Republican in Congress who might vote for President Barack Obama's effort to overhaul health care and extend coverage to those who lack it. And that gives the unassuming, 62-year-old lawmaker almost as much power over the bill's fate -- and that of the millions of Americans it would affect -- as the big guy himself.

Which is why Snowe's cell phone has lit up with a particular phone number at odd times over the past year, once on the Maine coast as she and her husband drove past a field near their home at Hancock Point."

By Robert Reich - Snowe can save healthcare reform by voting against it - Salon.com
Excerpt:
"How is it that a decision next week by a single senator from Maine will almost certainly determine whether America's future healthcare system is still in the hands of private for-profit insurance companies and Big Pharma or enables more Americans to get better healthcare at lower cost? Bear with me, because you need to know what's likely to happen if she signs on, and if she doesn't. The next few weeks are crucial."

Healthcare, The Gang of Six, Maine Citizens and the Public Option - By Alex Hammer

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:17:00 +0000

The healthcare debate may well be a microcosm for economic and political forces of the times.

For example, are we, as a capitalistic country, a system in which free enterprise best serves societal and individual interests in all markets or do some markets require additional safeguards, intervention or participation by government?

In the politics of national healthcare legislation a small percentage of swing legislators are bearing substantial weight in regard to what type of health care package, if any, is passed. The polarization of the healthcare debate is in line with the polarization of the electorate, and their elected representatives, on such key fundamental questions.

I agree with Senator Snowe's assertion that healthcare legislation must be bipartisan. But what does bipartisan mean? Is it chipping away at a flawed system with triggers in the hope that it will self-correct?

To my mind, a better route is the availability of both a public and private options, with meaningful competition in the healthcare field. While I am impressed with the low overhead structure of Medicare as compared to private insurers, single payer healthcare by definition ends competition.

Competition is the catalyst for innovation, which drives quality.

A public option, however, is just that. An option. Let the value of each of the options, as determined by consumers, determine which flourish and thrive.

Overregulation kills markets. Look how many health insurers have been driven out of Maine. But lack of regulation is a breeding ground for greed and corruption. See the excesses of Wall Street. Healthcare is literally a life and death business, and putting profits before people can be deadly. Witness the very worst of reported instances relative to HMO's.

The elephant in the room is special interests. A public option, despite its many benefits, has been almost excluded from the health care debate. Traditional monied interests own too much of policymaking in this country, including healthcare.

Including in Maine.

That is what doctors tell me.

A larger issue still is the notion of interest driven versus client driven healthcare. In my book, "This Great State", I devote a longer chapter to healthcare in Maine and some of the factors I believe can be involved in empowering healthcare consumers to efficiently and effectively take greater responsibility, partnering with their providers, in learning to manage their healthcare participation and needs.

Another of the larger questions in which the healthcare debate is immersed may be: Does process matter? Do better processes lead to better results? Does it matter in the final analysis whether we reached meaningful agreement in which a broad cross section of participants feel themselves to be stakeholders or does the power of the policy position or idea trump process concerns?

Where we arrive collectively in this healthcare debate may be illustrative in regard to how effective we are - or are not - in advancing relative to common divides and, importantly, the effectiveness of the processes that are reflected by such efforts.

If it is true, as they say, that we get the government that we deserve, then perhaps our government is a reflection - for better or worse - of our successes and failures overall.

Returning to the notion of client involvement in healthcare, perhaps as Maine citizens we can also collectively serve as a model in regard to intelligently influencing, as co-creators with our representatives, the type of system that on that bipartisan basis best fits our needs.

As with a growing consciousness of our being stewards of our environment (and business success as well!) so too, perhaps, the healthcare debate and how it is handled and its outcome is a sign also of the degree of our sophistication in regard to being stewards of our interactions with ourselves and defining what roles and responsibilities best fit our healthcare and overall needs.

Within that context, if it is true also that out of crisis lives opportunity, then the Gang of Six - and all of us - are clearly sitting on a prime leadership role.

Alex Hammer is an Independent candidate for Governor living in Bangor.

Note: Submitted to Portland Press Herald over two weeks ago but never heard back from them despite reminders.

Journalists and Twitter - Maine controversy goes National

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:18:00 +0000

Comment 1 http://bit.ly/b7YVH

Maine New Media Political Websites Traffic Results - As Maine Goes #1, MCMS #2

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Alex Note: I did not include the general daily newspapers websites, nor blogs associated with those daily newspaper sites, nor sites that are part of larger sites outside Maine.

1. As Maine Goes http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/asmainegoes.com Traffic Rank: 726,241

2. Magic City Morning Star http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/magic-city-news.com Traffic Rank: 1,092,609

3. Augusta Insider http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/augustainsider.us Traffic Rank: 1,677,217

4. The Maine View http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/maineview.blogspot.com Traffic Rank: 1,765,664

5. Mainepolitics.net http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/mainepolitics.net Traffic Rank: 1,892,711

6. Dirigo Blue http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dirigoblue.com Traffic Rank: 1,937,213

7. PineTreePolitics.com http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/pinetreepolitics.com 3,407,039

John Baldacci's best anagram name is LAND A CHIC JOB (No disrespect intended)

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:37:00 +0000

http://bit.ly/tYuPH
(No disrespect intended)

George Bush's best anagram name is O, HE BUGGERS
http://www.deanjackson.dj/nameanagram/index.php?n=george+bush
(No disrespect intended)

Alex Hammer's best name anagram is EH! LAME MARX http://bit.ly/DzhtQ (Doesn't reflect our political philosophy lol)

Steve Rowe's best anagram name is OVER, SWEET http://bit.ly/Deox
(No disrespect intended)

Bruce Poliquin's best anagram name is PIQUE OR IN CLUB http://bit.ly/HV5JH (No disrespect intended)

As just a few examples...

EH! LAME MARX

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:52:00 +0000

http://bit.ly/DzhtQ

(Doesn't reflect our political philosophy lol)

@Steven_Rowe

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:20:00 +0000

Follow the Money - Steven Rowe

Over 6,000 Pages of Maine News Videos Now on Hammer Campaign Website

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:50:00 +0000

Alex Hammer for Governor of Maine 2010

Follow the Money - Steven Rowe for Maine Governor 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:02:00 +0000

See also:
Steven Rowe - Cases of CYA?

As you can see from the link above, Steven Rowe has carefully crafted a reputation for fighting for the "little guy or gal" or the average Mainer.

Well, who is contributing to his campaign so far?

See the complete details for yourself: http://www.mainecampaignfinance.com/netCrystalReports/CandidateCombinedReport.aspx?Params=72480;July%202009%20Pre-Election%20Semiannual;YNYYYYYYY&GUID=public&Year=2010&MCEA=0

In the just over one month period from when Steven filed his candidacy and when he filed his first (and thus far only due) campaign report, this is how it breaks down (totals tallied rather quickly):

Contributors:

Attorneys: 78

Executives (President, CEO, VP, Director, Executive Director, Administrator): 28

State of Maine Employee/Legislator/Congressional Office Employee: 21

University or College: 9

Physician/Doctor: 5

All Other: 89 (Can include business owners, self-employed, retired and many other categories (even 1 lobbyist). Note 1: I haven't checked how many in this category are spouses or relatives of those in other categories Note 2: Includes also those listed as "Not Employed")

If we agree that Maine needs change, does this look like change to you??

It's still early, but it will also be interesting to follow how much of Steven's money comes in from out of state. Although most collected is from the state of Maine, he has also received contributions already from AZ, CA, DC, FL, MD, NJ, OR, OK, PA, TX, VA, WI and WV.

Attorneys highlighted in red because I have no problem with attorneys contributing in any campaign, but the imbalance here by numbers per category of contributors (I didn't even calculate campaign amounts) seems so obviously top heavy heavy heavy.

What do you think??

Who is Augusta Insider?

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Otherwise known only as Editor (at least on As Maine Goes, it is no secret that "Editor" is owner Scott Fish).

What do people think, is it just me or does anybody else wonder why a person would try to make a name for themselves in Maine politics (media) while refusing to in fact give their name (their true identity) for people to know who they are?

Does that make sense to anyone?

And they're rejecting comments. Their comments (whoever it is!, or if more than one) wouldn't be rejected here (as long as not obscene).

Our campaign is not afraid of interaction. We want your feedback positive and negative. Not all campaigns in their use of social media, how they are using it so far, can really say the same.

Thanks,

Alex

Steven Scharf, As Maine Goes, DailyKos and Same Sex Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:57:00 +0000

Alex: I have been prevented from participating on As Maine Goes for no valid reason. Owner modified and/or deleted posts. Incomplete/inaccurate thread told one sided story while yours truly was banned.

See also: Daily Kos/Research Maine Poll Sep 14, 2009 - Sep 16, 2009
and
The Politico (Ben Smith) - A fight in Maine
and
Alex Hammer on Same Sex Marriage in Maine

Daily KOS/Research 2000 Polling on Maine Elections and Marriage Campaign -
http://www.asmainegoes.com/content/daily-kosresearch-2000-polling-maine-elections-and-marriage-campaign

The Politico (Ben Smith) - A fight in Maine

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:00 +0000

See also: Maine Social Network expands

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0909/A_fight_in_Maine.html

Daily Kos/Research Maine Poll Sep 14, 2009 - Sep 16, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:13:00 +0000

See also: Hammer Website Moves From Fifth to Fourth in Maine Governor 2010 Web Traffic
and
Maine Social Network expands

http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/9/16/ME/376

Excerpt:
"FAVORABLE/UNFAVORABLE

VERY FAV FAV UNFAV VERY UNFAV NO OPINION
LIBBY MITCHELL 13 15 3 3 6

MICHAUD 16 21 9 7 47

ROWE 13 18 7 6 56

OTTEN 8 13 4 4 71

MILLS 5 6 2 1 86

JACOBSON 4 5 2 1 88

COLLINS 21 35 22 17 5

SNOWE 19 35 21 19 6

OBAMA 32 36 14 9 9"

Elvis Presley in Augusta Maine

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:43:00 +0000

Yeah, we've got that.

Barack Obama and Sarah Palin in Bangor?

You betcha!

Joanne Twomey in Biddeford?

Uh-huh.

And one to tell your friends.

Hammer Website Moves From Fifth to Fourth in Maine Governor 2010 Web Traffic

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Earlier Rankings (from September 14)
Current Rankings Below: Alex remains ahead of Steven Rowe, Libby Mitchell, Peter Mills, Rosa Scarcelli, etc., and now passes Bruce Poliquin.

1. Les Otten http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/lesotten.com Traffic Rank 735,299

2. Lynne Williams http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/lynnewilliams2010.org Traffic Rank 3,662,862

3. Matt Jacobson http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/jacobsonforgovernor.com Traffic Rank 4,433,013

4. Alex Hammer http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/hammer2010.com  Traffic Rank  4,730,701

5. Bruce Poliquin http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/bruceforme.com Traffic Rank 5,831,527

6. Rosa Scarcelli http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/rosaformaine.com  Traffic Rank 6,038,230

7. Patrick Quinlan http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patrickquinlan.com Traffic Rank 9,199,964

8. Dawn Hill http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/dawnhillforgovernor.com Traffic Rank 10,241,504

9. Libby Mitchell http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/libbymitchellforgovernor.com Traffic Rank 12,811,246

10. Steven Rowe http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/roweforgovernor.com Traffic Rank 12,811,263

11. Eliot Cutler http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/cutler2010.com Traffic Rank 18,592,959

12. Donna Dion http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/donnajdionforgovernor2010.com  Traffic Rank 18,593,528

13. Sam Bailey http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/joinsamme.com Traffic Rank 18,597,192

14. Peter Mills http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/millsformaine.com Traffic Rank 21,828,909

Bangor Daily News Talks of Energy Corridor as (apparent) Done Deal

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Hammer for Maine Governor) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:46:00 +0000

Summit focuses on green energy
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/120896.html

Excerpt:
"The governors and premiers, who have forged partnerships over the years, devoted this year’s annual meeting to the prospects for renewable energy and the energy corridor that will carry that power through the region."

See also: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=256333