To pledge or not to pledge

A pair of Blaine House aspirants spent time this week condemning the idea of taking a “no tax” pledge.

On Monday, Rosa Scarcelli, a Portland Democrat, sent out a press release saying such pledges miss the point.

“It’s too simplistic,” Scarcelli said. “It’s pandering, and given the track record of most politicians who make a ‘no new tax pledge,’ I don’t think the public even believes it.” She added that she has no intention of raising taxes.

Scarcelli made some different pledges, promising to create 50,000 new jobs in Maine; to make sure every taxpayer dime is being spent wisely and is fully accounted for; and to shun cronyism by hiring only qualified, experienced people for her cabinet.

Later in the week, Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Abbott told Channel 6’s Pat Callaghan he was against making an “no tax” pledge, though Maine’s next governor shouldn’t raise taxes.

“I’m going to do everything I can to avoid (raising taxes), but I also don’t think that candidates should be taking pledges for any groups, whether they are friends or foes,” Abbott said. “I think that those kinds of hollow promises just heighten cynicism about politics. I think the pledge you have to take is to work hard every day for the people of Maine, and that’s what I’ll do.”

One candidate who has spent time and money broadcasting his “no tax” pledge is Les Otten of Greenwood, a Republican. He’s already run television advertisements touting the promise.

A bridge to somewhere

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, announced that the University of Maine’s “Bridge-in-a-Backpack” received an award from the American Composites Manufacturers Association for Most Creative Application.

The University of Maine’s research and development of wood composites has generated much interest, particularly for its economic development potential. Composites also are being used to build wind turbines and tidal blades.

“I have been pleased to work with the talented group at UMaine over the years to secure investments for this important homegrown project,” Michaud said in a release. “Its adoption nationwide would create jobs here in Maine, but also save our nation money on much-needed bridge construction projects.”

A second award, dubbed the Infinite Possibility Award was given to Harbor Technologies in Brunswick for its use of Hybrid Composite Beam Technology that was developed by the university to build bridge beams, according to the release.

Challenging Snowe

Though she’s not up for re-election until 2012, U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe has her first declared opponent — and he’s a fellow Republican.

Scott D’Amboise of Lisbon Falls announced his candidacy last Thursday in a press release that said he “feels the people of Maine and the nation are in jeopardy of losing their constitutional rights and liberties.”

According to his release, D’Amboise works in the health care industry as a technician, owns a small commercial cleaning business and has served in local government.