For many years, the North Woods has been pulled in different directions. Some have proposed new development, while others have tried to stop it. There have been pressures to conserve the land, while others have proposed to make it a “destination” place for rich tourists. Wish lists have included a new national park and a National Heritage Area. The local residents have yearned for decent jobs with livable wages.

Late last month, I attended a civic forum in Lewiston which discussed many of these issues. It was titled “Reimagining the North Woods: The Changing Environment of Maine” and was held at Bates College. The presentations and discussions were stimulating. There was no shortage of information and opinions.

I still left the forum frustrated, however. There didn’t seem to be a method that would regularly focus the public’s attention on the North Woods. I thought to myself, what is needed is a habitual device that would force divergent views to compete with each other for majority public support. The competing visions need to be channeled.

The future of North Woods should be debated and put to a statewide vote every four years. The North Woods needs an elected official, obligated to serve only the public. It needs a commissioner; one that would balance out the interests of development, preservation, and its rightful sense of place within the state.

Opponents might think this is unnecessary. Maine already has a governor, whose job includes making administrative appointments and working with the legislature for the future of the North Woods.

Well, that is true. But the North Woods never seems to be a statewide priority. Instead, governors focus on the immediate needs of the state, like the budget, education, health care and taxes. They rightfully concentrate on the needs of the majority of the people. This makes sense, since there are comparatively few people who either live in the North Woods or are even geographically close to it.

Another objection is there are already existing methods and organizations that publicize and lobby for their vision of the North Woods. Candidates for public office answer questionnaires. An initiative can be put on the ballot. Citizens and interest groups can pressure public agencies, such as the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC). There are many government agencies that deal with aspects of the North Woods. In short, Maine is full of dedicated people that do their best for the North Woods.

But that begs the question. What is the best for the North Woods? The answer sometimes depends on where you sit, or more precisely, where you live.

There are many people in the Portland area that would probably like to see it remain like it is; unevenly developed with huge amounts of wilderness kept intact. Others, in less urbanized areas, might prefer it to be responsibly developed and have its identity maintained as a multi-use region.

A final objection might be that the election for commissioner would be dominated by special interest money. Rational and informed public debate wouldn’t stand a chance.

That doesn’t have to happen, if all of the major candidates participated in public financing. Maine has clean elections. Why not amend the law to include candidates for North Woods Commissioner? If a candidate didn’t participate, then legitimate questions could be raised as to why they didn’t take part.

Like any new concept, the hard part is the details. What would the relationship be between the governor and the North Woods commissioner? That would have to be outlined very clearly. What are the exact boundaries of the North Woods? History, common sense and respect for existing administrative borders would have to be respected.

Does state government really need another bureaucracy? No. There would have to be a pretty significant administrative reorganization. Perhaps it could even save the state some money.

Even with these uncertainties, regular elections for a North Woods commissioner could compel focus on the region. The way it is now, every four years most of the hopes and fears of the electorate are narrowly channeled into the gubernatorial race. The result? Debate on the North Woods either gets bypassed, regionalized or addressed superficially.

The North Woods is a special place. It deserves a singular place on the ballot.

Most important, it needs a public champion.

Karl Trautman is chairperson of the social sciences department at Central Maine Community College. He received his doctorate in political science from the University of Hawaii. He can be reached at [email protected].