Maine School of Science and Mathematics Executive Director Luke Shorty energizes the crowd at Aroostook Day at the Legislature. In the background are, from left, APP President Bob Dorsey and LEAD Executive Director Ryan Pelletier.

    AUGUSTA - Another LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development sponsored Aroostook Day at the Legislature is in the books and organizers hope the 14 lawmakers and more than 60 people in attendance now have a better understanding of some of the issues facing Aroostook County.

    The event held Wednesday evening at the Senator Inn in Augusta marked the 27th year for Aroostook Day and during that time issues have ranged from education funding to transportation projects. This year the potential for mining at Bald Mountain and the Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) were the focus.

    "We were very impressed with the large turnout of Aroostook County based business and organizations as well as other folks interested in Aroostook County's development from other parts of Maine," said LEAD Executive Director Ryan Pelletier. "Not only did we have a great showing from our own County Delegation, but we had several legislators from various parts of Maine who serve on the Labor, Natural Resources or Education Committees. We hope the legislators gained a better understanding of the need to balance economic development with our natural resource based economy, and understand the connection that education to industry has with our business interests in Aroostook County."

    Following a social hour and meal, Bob Dorsey, president of the Aroostook Partnership for Progress and Luke Shorty, executive director of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, served as the featured speakers.

    "I think Aroostook Day at the Legislature is extremely effective," said Dorsey. "We get a chance to talk formally and informally, and it is a chance to build relationships."

    During the mining presentation, Dorsey emphasized the modern technologies that are available to conduct responsible mining and protect the environment and the exemplary safety record achieved across the border in New Brunswick over the last 15 years. He also discussed how the a mining operation, if done correctly, would be a tremendous boost to the region's economy, and would also need highly skilled workers, which may attract people to Aroostook or retain some of the region's best and brightest, which led into the presentation from Shorty, who attended his first ever Aroostook Day.

    "I wanted to show the folks here the number of people the Limestone based school attracts to Aroostook County on annual basis and also highlight some of the programs we have that make us a forerunner in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in the state," he said.

    Shorty, himself a graduate of MSSM, also discussed how the school is also helping train educators from around the state on how to incorporate STEM education into their respective classrooms.

    Another tradition at Aroostook Day is following the formal presentation everyone in attendance has a chance to introduce themselves and bring up issues of importance to The County. Northern Maine Community College President Tim Crowley wanted the lawmakers to be aware of the need to help identify and train people to work in the Maine woods. He noted that forestry is one of the state's greatest assets and steps need to be taken to have a trained workforce.

    Jim Bennett, Presque Isle city manager, voiced concerns over state cuts to revenue sharing. He said the cuts are disproportionate to Aroostook and other rural counties and urged the lawmakers for assistance.

    "Advocacy is part of the fundamental reason for our [LEAD] reasoning for being," said LEAD President Jim Davis. "This event is our way of being able to meet with our elected representatives and inform them very directly what our issues, concerns and our ideas are. We do not expect them here in Augusta to necessarily be the solution. We like to bring ideas to them as well."