Electing to do the right thing
I happened to share a meal recently with two colleagues who both spent some time working for newspapers after graduating from Georgetown University several decades ago. I mentioned the fun of working election night and their eyes glazed over and wide grins spread across their faces. Although it's been a good 35 years since they immersed themselves in election night chaos, they started laughing and recounting stories around the madness of compiling returns for local, county, state and federal races on deadline.
I, too, share those memories. It wasn't that long ago when reporters were dispatched to municipals halls throughout the state to copy down by hand election returns that were posted on bulletin boards by weary town clerks. Then it was off to find a pay phone to call in the returns. Then back to the newsroom to file a story on the winners, losers and the inevitable too-close-to-call races. (On a somewhat somber note, Mal Leary, our Capitol Update columnist and widely regarded as the dean of State House reporters, will miss working his first election night since 1974 due to illness. Godspeed, Mal.)
Most journalists I know feel this way about elections. It's not just the thrill of racing against deadline, but also our involvement as practitioners and protectors of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We see ourselves as the foot soldiers of democracy. Being a watchdog of public rights is all for naught, though, if people don't exercise those rights. This is my long-winded way of saying, "Go vote," Nov. 6. And if you need more motivation, check out the video messages we taped from an array of Maine CEOs with something to tell Washington. They're fired up. You can find them all week long in our Daily Report enewsletter. (If you're not a subscriber, go to mainebiz.biz/enews to sign up.)
Speaking of fired up, I got a kick out of meeting John Hanson, the subject of our cover story, "Sea Change," this summer. Maybe it was the juxtaposition of his theology degree and his salty language. Or perhaps the unbridled enthusiasm he expresses around his company's new division that offers Web-based guidance services to the sea-faring public. The way John sees it, USHarbors.com is just the next iteration of his print publication Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors. Both lure wealthy out-of-staters to Maine, where they hopefully will spend a lot of money. John soon expects the Web service to generate more revenue than the magazine. Read why.
We also take a look at innovators in the building trades. Wyman & Simpson is carving out a niche in the bridge-building market using composites, as Staff Writer Matt Dodge explores in "Spanning the ages," starting on page 28. And Senior Writer Jim McCarthy reveals a trend in converting old schools into new homes in his piece, "Homeroom, redefined," on the cover. We also talk with the new head of the AGC, in "Construction blueprint," on page 24. All are part of this issue's focus on real estate, construction and design.
And all get my vote for good work. Carol Coultas
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