President’s message: ’Tis the season — you can smell it in the air: political season. It is time to elect state representatives, county commissioners and others for local leadership. Oh, what fun!

Over the past several years, I have been fortunate to get to know many of our elected officials. I can’t think of one of them at the personal level I dislike. As a matter of fact, I think I even agree with most of them on the “big picture” of what Maine should be like: a unique place that values quality of life while providing opportunities for its citizens to pursue life, liberty and happiness. How can anyone not want that?

So if we agree on the end statement — the big picture if you will — where does the disconnect come from on so many issues?

For me, it is often the process our elected officials take and, more damaging, the philosophy and agendas behind their decisions. That is why debates do not really give me what I need to make a decision on a particular candidate. Everyone stays at the safe, 50,000-foot level … no details there.

For example, everyone agrees something needs to be done with Maine’s health care situation. Families need health care: preventive, early detection-type health care. Weekly, I hear about Mainers that do not have insurance, or worse yet, individuals or family members that are suffering advanced illnesses because they did not have access to preventative care. I am one of the folks that believe the greatest nation in the world should not have people die of preventive diseases, period.

So how do we fix it?

Well, this is where the philosophy part comes in. Some people are fans of Dirigo; some are fans of the Affordable Care Act championed by President Obama; some are fans of neither; and many are somewhere in the middle.

While I believe it cannot be argued that Dirigo has helped people that would have otherwise been uninsured, a very valid question remains: At what cost is it being funded by the public sector? The same question goes for the Affordable Care Act at the national level. I think the data shows these exchanges will not work as advertised in the long run; “A” for effort, but very much lacking in sustainability.

So what is one thing I’m looking for in our next batch of locally elected officials? For one, I am looking for men and women that are willing to go back to the drawing board and get Maine’s budget and spending problems under control. I want them to look hard at all of the reasons why Maine seems to be at the bottom of most economic “best of …” lists. Then I want them to put together a plan. I don’t care what party puts that plan on the table. Maine needs — and deserves — better.

Furthermore, once elected, I don’t need them to talk badly about previous administrations; just move forward and do good things.

Upcoming events: The 3C Business Expo is today, from 1 to 5 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park St., Freeport. Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber, and the Greater Freeport and Yarmouth chambers of commerce have teamed up to create this networking event. It includes three free seminars and 39 business displays providing business-to-business connections. Immediately following the expo is Chamber After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. hosted by the Hilton Garden Inn.

Members in the news: SMMC welcomes B & B Locksmiths, based in Topsham, to its membership.

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