Jim Burke of Buckfield, left, has recently retired as the Maine Civil Liberties Union board president. Christopher Branson of Falmouth, right, has been elected to take Burke’s position.

MCLU president steps down

PORTLAND – Jim Burke, the Buckfield resident who has been at the helm of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, has retired as the organization’s board president.

In his place, the board recently elected Portland attorney Christopher Branson of Falmouth.

The MCLU is a statewide non profit organization that advocates on behalf of the civil liberties guaranteed under the Constitution, and for civil rights. It has 3,500 members statewide, with an office in Portland. The board members represent diverse areas of the state, and meet regularly in Augusta to oversee and set policy for the organization.