BRIDGTON – Gov. John Baldacci and Atty. Gen. Steve Rowe addressed more than 50 Democratic activists recently at the old city hall.

Town Democratic Committee Chairwoman Margaret Remier arranged the barbecue get-together. She introduced the governor and said, “Bridgton has not had a governor visit for as long as I remember.”

The governor remarked that despite federal financial cutbacks that have challenged the state, Maine is continuing to lead the way with Dirigo Health, the community college system, research and development facilities and economic zones that offer tax incentives. “Pine tree zones have 3,000 new jobs attributed to them,” he said.

Baldacci also spoke of his time in Washington as a congressman, “When I worked with President Clinton, we actually balanced the budget.” He then said that the state of Maine is financially positioned for continued growth. “When I first entered office we had a deficit of $1.2 billion, we now have a surplus of almost $75 million. Maine’s per capita income ranking has risen from 35th to 30th.”

Baldacci envisions Maine as the “way the life should be” for the rest of the nation. “I’m trying to do (in Maine) what we should be doing nationally…we can be a beacon of light.”

Regarding BRAC, Rowe thanked the governor for his tireless efforts with the congressional delegation to keep the bases fully operational.