HARTFORD – State Sen. Peter Mills (R-Cornville) was the featured speaker at the Sept. 13 meeting of the Oxford County Republican Committee at the Hartford Town Hall.

Mills, a candidate for governor in 2006, called for new ways of doing the people’s business in Augusta. Mills called for innovative approaches to government designed to free the Maine economy of the burden of taxation and regulation.

Mills’ remarks followed dinner served by a local church group. According to committee secretary Barbara Robinson, more than 40 were in attendance from 18 Oxford County towns.

During the business meeting, Chairman Erlon Jones of Fryeburg received a check on behalf of the committee from the Woodstock Republican Town Committee for the 2006 election.

State Committeewoman Becky Kendall announced that she is recruiting volunteers for the Republican booth at Fryeburg Fair. Anyone wishing to volunteer should call her at 824-3196.

Jones announced that the next meeting would be on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Franklin Grange in Bryant Pond. The speaker will be Nate Walton of Bates College, chairman of the Maine College Republicans.

Among the officeholders recognized at the meeting were Rep. Roberta Muse (R-Fryeburg), Rep. Arlan Jodrey (R-Bethel), Sen. David Hastings (R-Fryeburg), Rep. Randy Hotham (R-Dixfield), Rep. Bruce Hanley (R-Paris) and Register of Probate Tom Winsor.

Two candidates for Oxford County Sheriff, Officers Alan Carr and Christopher Wainwright were in attendance.