The Two Maines: Volvo Line is not a Dirty Term (Portland: how much, employment)

[Acadianlion]

I have been reading through some of the posts that are currently running here and was struck by how the term "Volvo Line" is regarded defensively by some and offensively by some and some like me, use it to make a joke. The truth is "The Volvo Line", if it refers to general wealth and prosperity does exist; if it means parts of the state that have primarily an urban or at least a suburban culture as opposed to a truely rural orientation, then it exists. If it refers to a mind set that doesn't understand that not everyone lives the way that others live, then it exists. What it does not mean is that the people that live one side or another are substandard.

The newly elected legislator from this district is a person who has extensive experience in business, education, small towns and large ones. Fortunately he won election by a substantial margin, which speaks well of the local populace who recognized the qualities in this person as being those in serious need in Augusta.

After his first few weeks in Augusta, he has said that he is absolutely amazed by the composition of the legislature. According to him he was really shocked at the number of people sitting in the legislature who have NO CLUE about what the state is, how it runs, where the money comes from, or the legislative process itself. He is now also acutely aware of how much of the legislative activity is controlled by people from the counties closest to the New Hampshire line who truely do not understand the economy of the counties that lie further away....ABOVE "The Volvo Line", if you will.

His conclusion is that the reason there is so much disparity between the attitudes of many of the legislators from Cumberland and York counties, for instance, and the remainder of the state, is that many of them came here from states like Boston and Connecticut. They came here to work in companies with offices in the greater Portland area, and have little to no knowledge of daily life and times in, say Perry, or Ft. Kent.

I know that there are many here who well remember the carnage forecast for Aroostook County when Loring Air Force Base closed down. In truth, the loss of people was a serious blow to that area. But the one good thing that did happen was that Loring Air Force Base was given to the State of Maine to use and develop as it saw fit.

I was doing some business with the Loring Development Authority not very long after Loring became Maine property. What I was told by the director was that the legislature had all been invited to come to Loring to tour the facilities. As of that time...several years later...NONE had come to Loring to see what an amazing and valuable installation it was.

If economic development is the key to prosperity in the future, then Loring Air Force Base is the jewel in Maine's crown. But the legislature was and is fixated on 18th century solutions to 21st century problems. The Loring Commerce Center should be a major air hub serving the entire northeast and connected to Boston and points south by a new, high speed rail line developed by the State of Maine. Instead, the legislature is being driven by concerns mostly about things perceived as need by those in the southwestern corner of the state where the majority of the population is and where the majority of the money is.

There are very surely two entirely different Maines. The part of Maine nearest Portland is not at all like the part of Maine nearest the Canadian border. Where the attitudes of the state diverge is not based on the kind or variety of vehicle that one drives. Rather it diverges over what and how the state should be developed and modernized to provide better employment and development opportunities for the next generation of Mainers and the generations beyond that.

Here's a little exercise to perform. For chuckles and grins, why don't those of your who live in the southwestern most reaches of Maine ask your local legislator if he or she has actually been to what is not the Loring Commerce Center to tour what the opportunities there exist for Maine? And if you haven't gone yoruself, you should.

The way for Maine to grow and prosper for us and the generations to follow is for all Mainers to know what Maine is in all its varieties. Otherwise the two Maines will continue to exist and "The Volvo Line" will become reality as opposed to a kind of comical fantasy.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Post of the MONTH! Acadian Lion nails it.

The rural Maine legislators got together and formed a rural Maine caucus. Some things are not partisan. Some things just need to be done. Their caucus has had some slight positive results. Your Rep should make contact with them if he has not done so already.

[msina]

Great explanation. Thanks for taking the time to write this.

[Casper1212]

I think all of us basically understand what Acadian is talking about. The same thing happens everywhere. People in one part of the state or another sector of the work force don't understand what it's like for others. As for Volvo line thing, we all gotta do what works best for us. If that means a Volvo (often regarded as one of the safest vehicles on the road) then drive a Volvo. With what Detroit is charging for cars these day, Volvos are no longer necessarily a status symbol.

[CoastalMaine]

Acadian, I just saw the noon NECN (New England Cable News) report on tv and they showed Obama's pick for the SBA is a gal out of Brunswick. Do you know much about her? I hope he makes it a cabinet position as Clinton had it and that her abilities and influence will be able to bring some great new opportunities to Maine. Great post R~.

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaine

Acadian, I just saw the noon NECN (New England Cable News) report on tv and they showed Obama's pick for the SBA is a gal out of Brunswick. Do you know much about her? I hope he makes it a cabinet position as Clinton had it and that her abilities and influence will be able to bring some great new opportunities to Maine. Great post R~.

Lion, you absolutely nailed it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karen Mills has been BaldArchies adviser on Maine business for some time. Pretty clueless for a venture capitalist.

[forest beekeeper]

Acadian Lion - Well done!

It is too bad that some folks hear the phrase and instantly get so mad.

[AlisonL]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Acadian Lion - Well done!

It is too bad that some folks hear the phrase and instantly get so mad.

Maybe it had something to do with the way it was said before.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by AlisonL

Maybe it had something to do with the way it was said before.

Perhaps

"Volvo Line"

Is that better?

[RANGER.101ST]

good thred A/L