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June 27, 2013
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FMM Community Congress Results 2013 Panelists
INNOVATIVE MIDCOAST INITIATIVES
 
On Tuesday, June 11 at the elegant 1812 Farm in Bristol, almost 50 people gathered to learn about innovative and replicable Midcoast initiatives in community collaborations, community development, economic development, local farms and foods, our aging communities and strengthening the village center.  Six panelists from the Midcoast region shared their experiences. 
  

The panelists spoke about Community Collaborations (Mary Kate Reny of the Twin Villages Alliance), Creative Economic Development (Brian Hodges, Camden Economic Development Director), Aging Issues for Communities (Carla Dickstein, Coastal Enterprises Inc.), Innovative Community Development Strategies (David Whittlesey, Bowdoinham Community Development Initiative), Local Farms and Foods (Jan Anderson of Coastal Farms and Foods) and Strengthening the Village Center (Rosey Gerry of Lincolnville Center).

Participants heard descriptions of these grassroots and community efforts and learned new strategies, collaborations and tools they can share with their own communities. One participant noted that "this was the most positive and empowering meeting I have attended in many years" and praised the work of these communities and Friends of Midcoast Maine.

To read the presenters biographies visit Community Congress Panelist Bios

 

We are developing a resource list on each of these subjects.  If you would like to be included as a resource or have an interest in these topics or want to be part of further discussion and workshops on these topics, please e-mail [email protected] with your contact information.

 

A summary of the presentations and group discussions will be available soon.

 

LOCAL HEROES AWARDS 
2013 Heroes
Jane Lafleur, Don White, Karen Kleinkopf, Michael Tomko, and Stephen Ryan
Three local heroes honored!

At the Friends of Midcoast Maine Annual Meeting, three Community Heroes awards were given to individuals who have made a difference in their communities. Nominated by community members and reviewed and approved by the FMM board of Trustees, these recipients were honored at an elegant Community Congress in Bristol.

 

The award recipients were Karen Kleinkopf of Damariscotta, Don White of Camden and Michael Tomko of Boothbay Harbor. The prestigious Smart Growth Awards are an annual event at FMM's meeting but this year they honored the unsung heroes and change-makers in our communities.

FMM Executive Director Jane Lafleur noted "This year we launched our Community Ambassador Program in an effort to get closer to our communities, to learn about what is happening on the ground level, and to give our Ambassadors a "behind the scenes" understanding of FMM. Through our Community Ambassadors Program, we realized it is only fitting to recognize the Local Heroes in our communities, people who are the change-makers, the zealous nuts, the sparks who ignite the productive fires in their communities, the optimists and the people who are making a clear difference for the greater good."

To read more about these Local Heroes visit Local Heroes Awards

Also visit Tomko Wins Local Hero Award for the Boothbay Harbor edition.

 

 

A Brand for Knox and Waldo Counties Midcoast Magnet  

Thriving communities and regions know that developing a brand is one of the keys to attracting and retaining people and jobs.  Friends of Midcoast Maine has been working with Midcoast Magnet to develop a brand for the Knox and Waldo Counties. We need your help!

 

The first step of developing a brand is to identify the most widely held community values. From those values a brand will be developed that can be used in promoting, identifying and bringing cohesion to the region. 

 

The goal is to create a regional brand useful to myriad sectors to attract, connect and retain talented people to the region. To date, community input has focused the region's uniqueness into three broad categories: quality of place, cultural heritage and economic development. This is your opportunity to tell us what's important to you about the Knox/Waldo region. If you live in Knox or Waldo counties, or you work or recreate here, please take the Midcoast Magnet survey.

 

Midcoast Magnet's mission is to develop leaders in support of innovative projects that foster creativity, livability and economic vitality. Midcoast Magnet is  a non-profit organization of people dedicated to vibrant culture, entrepreneurship, and socially and professional networking. They work to attract, connect and retain people in the Midcoast so as to create economic vitality.

Midcoast Town Meetings Use FMM's Key Pad Polling   
The Towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle used electronic key pad polling to take the place of a hand help ballot at their Town Meetings in June. This is the second year for Newcastle and the first year for Damariscotta.
  
After testing the keypads with three sample questions, the voters approved the use of the keypads on the floor of town meeting. Voters found the key pads to be a fun and engaging tool, and the anonymity appealed to many. The town officials and others liked the quick accuracy of the vote tally. 
  
Many other Midcoast communities have enlisted the services of FMM's key pads to tally community preferences, responses to comprehensive plan suggestions and other community issues. FMM director noted that key pads are a great tool to take the assess participant opinions.  For more information about key pad polling and the availability for your community, e-mail [email protected].
  
  
  

 


Midcoast Transit Survey   
The towns of Rockland, Rockport, Thomaston and Camden are collaborating on  a transit study to determine the potential for a transit system serving these four towns. A survey was launched one month ago and over 600 people have taken the survey.  Friends of Midcoast Maine has been working with the Midcoast Transit Committee since its inception several years ago.
  
To read more about the study, recent presentations in Rockland and Camden, visit Midcoast Transit Study.
  
To take the study and add your opinion to the mix, visit Midcoast Transit Survey.
  
  
  

 


Rockland and Rockport Commercial Re-Envisioning Project - Rockland Workshop #6 Design Work Begins
  
Friends of Midcoast Maine has been working with Rockland and Rockport on a Re-Envisioning the Commercial Neighborhood Project.  Several properties have been selected with the property owners collaboration, to unlock the potential for these properties and find a new vision for the public spaces and places that meets the community members and the property owners vision for the long term future of this area.
  
To read the most recent E-Newsletter about the Rockland and Rockport Commercial Neighborhood Re-envisioning project, visit the Re-Envisioning Project.
  
This E-News contains the entire history of the project, including the technical assistance received by Dan Burden of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, Joe Minicozzi on the economic potential of the area, and GrowSmart Maine as well as the month to month technical planning and coordinating assistance from Friends of Midcoast Maine.
    

 

 

 

 

FMM Board of Trustees   
Rod Melanson of Newcastle and Jen Merritt of Waldoboro were reelected to three-year terms on the FMM Board of Trustees. We are looking forward to our continued work with these talented and dedicated board members. 
Jennifer Merritt
Jen Merritt
  
Board member Chip Newell stepped down from the FMM Board.  Chip noted that he "thoroughly enjoyed the experience on the FMM Board. I intend to continue my involvement with FMM."  FMM Chair Stephen Ryan noted that his guidance and direction will be missed..
  
  
  
Rod Melanson
Rod Melanson
    

 

Chip Newell
Chip Newell

 

 

 

Shared Border, Shared Vision
The Rockland and Rockport re-envisioning project  received national attention this week with this blog, written by Jane Lafleur on the Community Collaboration. Visit Shared Border, Shared Vision
  
  

 


Lafleur Featured in Orton Family Foundation Video 
  
Heart & Soul Minute: Jane Lafleur on Building a Stronger Foundation
Heart & Soul Minute: Jane Lafleur on Building a Stronger Foundation
  

 

Jane Lafleur, Executive Director
Friends of Midcoast Maine
  
From Brunswick to Bucksport,  helping midcoast communities shape their future.