Maine Rural Partners : Stengthening Our Rural Community
Strong Advancement Committee
David Adams, Businessman and Planing Board
Clyde Barker, Selectman
Milton Baston, Businessman
Jim Burrill, Selectman
Becky Croteau*, Selectwoman
Scott Dyar*, Fire Chief
Barry London, Teacher at Mt. Abram HS
Eileen Miazga*, Businesswoman and SABACA
Katie Miazga, Student at UMF
Felecia Pease, Principal of Strong School
Troy Romanoski, Businessman
Christopher Smith, Retired doctor
Jeanne Tucker, Principal of Mt. Abram HS
(* temporary executive committee)
At Large Members
Alison Hagerstrom, Greater Franklin Dev.
Tom Saviello, State Representative
Committee Duties:
- To work on Strong’s behalf with Maine Rural Partners on a two-year project to increase the town’s capacity to achieve a vital future
- To publicize and promote the process on the town’s behalf
- To make recommendations to the selectmen
Committee Timeline
- August 11, 2006: Strong Selectmen submit application to Maine Rural Partners
- August 24: Strong selected (along with Washington County) as “Harness the Wealth” pilot site
- October 5: Selectmen appoint 15-member committee to manage project
- October 23: Raylene Tolman hired as project staff (through AmeriCorps program)
- November 11: USDA and MRP staff facilitate a workshop with committee to set ground rules, establish objectives and create a purpose statement
Committee Project Ground Rules
- There are no bad ideas
- Stay focused on the agenda
- One person speaks at a time
- Be credible; be open and responsive to the community
- Avoid negativity—be constructive
- Accomplish something concrete at each meeting
- Listen to everything with “fresh ears” (as if you are hearing it for the first time); focus on the best interests of the whole community
- Cap committee at 15 members; accept resignations and nominations as needed
- Project/issue subcommittees will be created as needed