It was an amazing testimony to the form of government that we have in the United States. A little more than a week ago the Legislative Committee on State and Local Government voted down the secession movement with a 10-3 vote. The work that Islanders Steve Comley, Greg Tedford and Ernie Wrzesinsky did in communicating our secession story to the 151 Representatives and 35 Senators this week was the key to the successful reversal of the Committee vote. David Emery, the consultant assisting the Island in the secession movement, was an important part of the process. He did an outstanding job of making sure that we followed the necessary steps and in keeping us connected to key individuals. An article appeared in Saturday's Portland Herald paper describing the Senate vote.

In 1995 the Maine Legislature defined a process to be followed when a group wanted to secede from their town and for their own government. The citizens of Frye Island have diligently followed that Legislative process. They have worked with the Town of Standish over the past to years. The effort with The Town of Standish had an outstanding result. On May 13, 1997 the Town Council by more than a two-thirds vote, endorsed the Frye Island secession bill that is in the legislative process. The State and Local Government Committee on May 15, 1997 rejected all of the facts presented to them, including the documented support for secession by the town.

Just who is the Committee trying to protect? There is absolutely no harm to anyone in the State if Frye Island secedes from Standish. If Frye Island is forced to stay with the Town of Standish because of the Committee action, the residents of the Town of Standish will be harmed – their taxes will go up because of the Committee actions. The bottom line is that the rights of the Maine citizens on Frye Island are being reduced by the improper decision of the Committee. An article appeared in Friday's Portland Herald paper.

The third resolution called for the Council to support the Frye Island secession. A presentation was made by the Town Tax Assessor of the tax impact of on the Standish residents if Frye Island was to secede. The conclusion was that it cost less to let Frye Island go than it cost to keep Frye Island in Standish. The Council voted 5-2 in favor of the resolution. The Council meeting was reported in the 5/14/97 Portland Herald paper.

After Adam Mack introduced the bill to the Committee, Joe Potts gave a 35 minute presentation to the Committee. It included a short video, and a Information Package (a three-ring binder) for each Committee member. Following Joe, "Baldy" Thompson (Standish Councilman) made a brief presentation to the Committee indicating support for the bill. Andy Broaddus and Greg Tedford also made brief supporting statements.

Scott Cole, Standish Town Manager, made a presentation opposing the bill. While the Council has formally voted not to oppose secession, there were some elements of the bill the Council did not like. Amendments were presented by Adam Mack at the hearing that eliminates the elements of the bill of concern to the Council.

There were three vocal opponents to the bill. Gordon Billington (Standish Councilman) made a statement in opposition. There were some elements of his presentation that were distortions of the fact. On one occasion a Committee member called him on his exaggeration. Bruce Avery (past Standish Council chairman) make a lengthy, undocumented presentation. It seemed to ramble, and a one point was called to order by the Committee. Mr. Bolanger (an owner of a parcel of FI property not taxed by MSC) testified he wanted to stay with Standish.

The Fox TV channel 51 interviewed Adam Mack prior to the hearing. The Portland Herald paper had a reporter at the hearing and a brief article appeared in Thursday's paper.