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Thanks for the link - I'll be sure to read over it. One issue I'd have more of a problem with would be compensatory time used as a bonus vs. earned in lieu of pay. IMO, it would be reasonable to expect government workers not to be compensated for time they didn't spend working. Yes, I know this happens. .
I am pretty sure there is no such thing as Bonus's in the federal government or any government agency for that matter..
Quote:
Originally Posted by reloop
As to growing the economy, IMHO, if we don't start helping smaller businesses grow into larger ones, start "demanding" that "supply" start here, and set reasonable expectations for those who need assistance to work, one of two things is bound to happen.
Either "gubmint jobs" or social service programs are going to grow.
Agreed!
though I was trying to just "think" of what growing the economy really means. Technically when the goverment increases welfare programs with matching funds and more people move here to take advantage of those programs then our economy does grow??? I actually heard two people talking yesterday about the post office cutting sat delivery and they were complaining that "there they go again causing job loss's in a poor economy"
I doubt this is the idea of what the topic of thread was supposed to be??
This was in today's sun journal... 100 million bond to be placed on ballot in June..
Could be the cheapest and easiset way to attract businesses, would be to have reliable, clear communication with the rest of America and the world. That means high-speed internet and high-quality telephone service.
I'm a small-time entrepreneur, one of many such today who rely on the internet.
This is a deal-breaker. We are disconnecting a business line (second land line into the house) because we can't get a good connection via Fairpoint. Can't run a conference call because of connection quality and dropped calls. Fairpoint has been out here to correct "tangled up" lines and other excuses six times. We give up.
Comcast's internet connection is a joke. Every time I travel my laptop acts like it's had a Red Bull.
People work as much out-of-office as they do in-office right now. The availability and performance of communications technology is a critical success factor to economic growth.
Government red tape is also a legitimate issue (and I'm a liberal). There are way too many people in local governments here trying to NOT help people. Ever tried dealing with the city clerks in Freeport or Brunswick? OMG! It's so incredibly a "not my job, man" mentality it would send anyone FROM AWAY considering future business expansion in Maine RUNNING (AWAY).
I would also add (I'm getting brave now because this is such a long thread that I doubt anyone will read it) that Mainers are so frugal it scares retailers away. The other much and often discussed issue here on city-data is Maine's allergic reaction (think full body rash and hiives) to any signs of affluence.
Yeah....that will attract capital investment....and entrepeneurs from a diverse set of business markets. NOT.
Maine is stuck in the mud economically and the causes and contributing factors run deep.
I would also add (I'm getting brave now because this is such a long thread that I doubt anyone will read it) that Mainers are so frugal it scares retailers away. The other much and often discussed issue here on city-data is Maine's allergic reaction (think full body rash and hiives) to any signs of affluence.
Yeah....that will attract capital investment....and entrepeneurs from a diverse set of business markets. NOT.
Maine is stuck in the mud economically and the causes and contributing factors run deep.
I'm glad I read your entire post, but I think you hit on another important problem with growing Maine's economy. There is definitely that attitude (among the people, which may work its way up to the government level) that to come to Maine, you have to subscribe to the "Maine way" of doing things....that right there is going to scare off any sort of entrepreneur who almost by definition, is looking to do things differently.
I think I tried to get at this point in one of my previous posts, but you did alot better job by saying it directly....that maybe at the end of the day, its really the people of Maine who are holding up the growth of Maine's economy, in their unwillingness to change and capitalize on the "next big thing". Wind power, for example....
Originally Posted by Sunday1 This is a deal-breaker. We are disconnecting a business line (second land line into the house) because we can't get a good connection via Fairpoint. Can't run a conference call because of connection quality and dropped calls. Fairpoint has been out here to correct "tangled up" lines and other excuses six times. We give up.
I think we're all in agreement with the Fairpoint issue, it's been one hell of a mess, hence the class action law suits we all read about. It's truly sad that you moved to Maine and brought jobs with you to find such difficulties that you hadn't even thought possible.
Comcast's internet connection is a joke. Every time I travel my laptop acts like it's had a Red Bull.
People work as much out-of-office as they do in-office right now. The availability and performance of communications technology is a critical success factor to economic growth. I agree, 100%.
Government red tape is also a legitimate issue (and I'm a liberal). There are way too many people in local governments here trying to NOT help people. Ever tried dealing with the city clerks in Freeport or Brunswick? OMG! It's so incredibly a "not my job, man" mentality it would send anyone FROM AWAY considering future business expansion in Maine RUNNING (AWAY). I haven't personally deal with Freeport town clerks but have dealt with the Brunswick town office many times, as well as Harpswell. I agree with your assessment and feel that there are too many people working in those positions that have been there too long. People be come complacent in these small town positions. Often times as well, when they are dealing with someone from away that knows the difference between how things should run and when called on it, they take offense to it personally, which then becomes a you vs. them issue. You would never win said battle when dealing with some small minds in some small towns. Have you considered discussing your thoughts with the town mgr? I'm not saying it will resolve anything, but in my mind the town mgr needs to know that his staff isn't performing up to normal standards.
I would also add (I'm getting brave now because this is such a long thread that I doubt anyone will read it) I'm reading it! that Mainers are so frugal it scares retailers away. The other much and often discussed issue here on city-data is Maine's allergic reaction (think full body rash and hiives) to any signs of affluence. I call it class consciousness. While some people are afflicted, not all have been infected. I would suggest you seek other venues rather than reading this forum for reference.
Yeah....that will attract capital investment....and entrepreneurs from a diverse set of business markets. NOT. Your point is valid.
Maine is stuck in the mud economically and the causes and contributing factors run deep. Agreed.
Yeah....that will attract capital investment....and entrepeneurs from a diverse set of business markets. NOT.
Maine is stuck in the mud economically and the causes and contributing factors run deep.[/quote]
I'm sorry that you feel like you made a bad decision by moving to Maine as I was one that encouraged you to do so. You had no idea that the location in which you chose to live, being so remote from the rest of town would hinder your ability to successfully operate your husbands company. Luckily you were savvy enough to chose to rent first to figure out where you'd like to live rather than buy. Your lease will be up soon and I assume you won't renew, understood. Have you considered Portland where things operate a little more differently or have you given up on the entire state? Portland would allow you more of the things you are looking for and still allow you to remain close enough to the one thing that means the most to you.
Originally Posted by Sunday1 This is a deal-breaker. We are disconnecting a business line (second land line into the house) because we can't get a good connection via Fairpoint. Can't run a conference call because of connection quality and dropped calls. Fairpoint has been out here to correct "tangled up" lines and other excuses six times. We give up.
I think we're all in agreement with the Fairpoint issue, it's been one hell of a mess, hence the class action law suits we all read about. It's truly sad that you moved to Maine and brought jobs with you to find such difficulties that you hadn't even thought possible.
Comcast's internet connection is a joke. Every time I travel my laptop acts like it's had a Red Bull.
People work as much out-of-office as they do in-office right now. The availability and performance of communications technology is a critical success factor to economic growth. I agree, 100%.
Government red tape is also a legitimate issue (and I'm a liberal). There are way too many people in local governments here trying to NOT help people. Ever tried dealing with the city clerks in Freeport or Brunswick? OMG! It's so incredibly a "not my job, man" mentality it would send anyone FROM AWAY considering future business expansion in Maine RUNNING (AWAY). I haven't personally deal with Freeport town clerks but have dealt with the Brunswick town office many times, as well as Harpswell. I agree with your assessment and feel that there are too many people working in those positions that have been there too long. People be come complacent in these small town positions. Often times as well, when they are dealing with someone from away that knows the difference between how things should run and when called on it, they take offense to it personally, which then becomes a you vs. them issue. You would never win said battle when dealing with some small minds in some small towns. Have you considered discussing your thoughts with the town mgr? I'm not saying it will resolve anything, but in my mind the town mgr needs to know that his staff isn't performing up to normal standards.
I would also add (I'm getting brave now because this is such a long thread that I doubt anyone will read it) I'm reading it! that Mainers are so frugal it scares retailers away. The other much and often discussed issue here on city-data is Maine's allergic reaction (think full body rash and hiives) to any signs of affluence. I call it class consciousness. While some people are afflicted, not all have been infected. I would suggest you seek other venues rather than reading this forum for reference.
Yeah....that will attract capital investment....and entrepreneurs from a diverse set of business markets. NOT. Your point is valid.
Maine is stuck in the mud economically and the causes and contributing factors run deep. Agreed.
Yeah....that will attract capital investment....and entrepeneurs from a diverse set of business markets. NOT.
Maine is stuck in the mud economically and the causes and contributing factors run deep.
I'm sorry that you feel like you made a bad decision by moving to Maine as I was one that encouraged you to do so. You had no idea that the location in which you chose to live, being so remote from the rest of town would hinder your ability to successfully operate your husbands company. Luckily you were savvy enough to chose to rent first to figure out where you'd like to live rather than buy. Your lease will be up soon and I assume you won't renew, understood. Have you considered Portland where things operate a little more differently or have you given up on the entire state? Portland would allow you more of the things you are looking for and still allow you to remain close enough to the one thing that means the most to you. [/quote]
The broadband/internet/connectivity issues aren't specific to Fairpoint and Maine. The US as a nation is WAY-BEHIND in all of these technologies when you look at other nations. The infrastructure simply has not be developed. I would say this is hurting both the growth of the national economy as well as the Maine economy...
The broadband/internet/connectivity issues aren't specific to Fairpoint and Maine. The US as a nation is WAY-BEHIND in all of these technologies when you look at other nations. The infrastructure simply has not be developed. I would say this is hurting both the growth of the national economy as well as the Maine economy...
I agree that the US is shamefully lacking in infrastructure, overall, when compared to many of the other developed countries... Finland comes to mind because we know folks there and have had discussions in this regard...
But having lived in cities, towns and out in the countryside in many places across the US, I have to say that rural Maine is frustratingly more challenging in regards to connectivity than anywhere else I have lived since the onset of Internet for typical folks. And to make matters worse, many folks don't realize, understand to take the time to research (or some combination of the above) the extent to which this can be an issue.
I could have very much been in the same boat, but instead spent 6 months looking, researching (and pulling out my hair at times) to find a place that met the non-negotiable criteria (not in an urban area, RoadRunner internet). That meant I had to do some serious bending on some of the negotiable issues (amount of land, type of domicile). I still look out and wish we had more land and more trees (... ok SOME trees! LOL) but having the ability to run my businesses, which are growing just fine here in Maine, makes that fade into the background.
In regards to building Maine's economy, I only wish that more folks -- especially those who are in a position to make things happen) realized the extent to which this is a negative. Tourism and low-impact businesses would both benefit greatly from a good, solid connectivity infrastructure across the state.
The broadband/internet/connectivity issues aren't specific to Fairpoint and Maine. The US as a nation is WAY-BEHIND in all of these technologies when you look at other nations. The infrastructure simply has not be developed. I would say this is hurting both the growth of the national economy as well as the Maine economy...
I agree with that in terms of a really macro assessment, but not in terms of Maine's competitiveness with other areas. I've only been here six months and the difference in communications technology/performance is substantial.
Thanks for the suggestions and for touching base. You should consider a candidacy in this upcoming gubnatorial election. I want first-right-of-refusal on the campaign manager's job. Two problems, one stone. We're on a roll.
I agree that the US is shamefully lacking in infrastructure, overall, when compared to many of the other developed countries... Finland comes to mind because we know folks there and have had discussions in this regard...
But having lived in cities, towns and out in the countryside in many places across the US, I have to say that rural Maine is frustratingly more challenging in regards to connectivity than anywhere else I have lived since the onset of Internet for typical folks. And to make matters worse, many folks don't realize, understand to take the time to research (or some combination of the above) the extent to which this can be an issue.
I could have very much been in the same boat, but instead spent 6 months looking, researching (and pulling out my hair at times) to find a place that met the non-negotiable criteria (not in an urban area, RoadRunner internet). That meant I had to do some serious bending on some of the negotiable issues (amount of land, type of domicile). I still look out and wish we had more land and more trees (... ok SOME trees! LOL) but having the ability to run my businesses, which are growing just fine here in Maine, makes that fade into the background.
In regards to building Maine's economy, I only wish that more folks -- especially those who are in a position to make things happen) realized the extent to which this is a negative. Tourism and low-impact businesses would both benefit greatly from a good, solid connectivity infrastructure across the state.
If I can get clear and reliable telephone communication and fast and reliable internet in Maine, 99.9% of the money my company will make would be from out of state.
And the amount of income taxes Maine would make off people like me would be substantial.
The way I see it almost no large business is going to relocate to Maine.
Climate alone argues against it: most people in the country would not want to live there.
Even down here in NYC, large companies have trouble finding employees skilled in various specialties.
In Maine those skilled specialists just don't exist, and can't be imported because those people want to live where it's warmer and where there are plenty of jobs.
Only rare, independent nuts like me who are attracted to Maine's natural beauty, colder climate, and Atlantic Ocean coast, would even think about moving their business to Maine.
Other than that, you might get some big company to open a branch call center or a natural resource company--but that's about it.
The climate is bad enough to most people--the taxation, rules, inefficient government, etc., don't make things any better.
Efficient communications with the outside world is Maine's best chance.
.The broadband/internet/connectivity issues aren't specific to Fairpoint and Maine. The US as a nation is WAY-BEHIND in all of these technologies when you look at other nations.
This agrees with my observations.
Quote:
... The infrastructure simply has not be developed. I would say this is hurting both the growth of the national economy as well as the Maine economy...
A large part of the problem is due to Federal regulations which limit broadband through-put, to set a level playing field to allow the worst broadband providers to stay in the competition.
In the US the most capable providers are forced to lower their client's through-put to matching the through-put of the worst providers.
In other nations the better providers are allowed to provide higher through-put; to fight among themselves and eventually stomp on the eggs of the dinosaurs.
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One issue I'd have more of a problem with would be compensatory time used as a bonus vs. earned in lieu of pay. IMO, it would be reasonable to expect government workers not to be compensated for time they didn't spend working. Yes, I know this happens. 
.
