Volume III Issue 3
July 2019
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Editor's UpdateIn this issue of Kennebunk@Work we cover some past, present and future happenings. We welcome Steve Adams back for some nostalgic news about the Civil War Statue on the corner of Main and Fletcher Street. Town Manager Michael Pardue provides background information on Brian Doyle, the Town’s Economic Development Director. Ever wonder which company in Town has the largest work force? Joel Downs, Finance Director, put together some “Kennebunk By The Numbers” data. From Tabetha Barden, in the Town Clerk’s Office, we have a listing of twelve new businesses that have opened since our last newsletter. Lastly... What if you made a $600,000 mistake? Find out how one boss worked it out. Editor: Steve Hrehovcik
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 Civil War Soldiers Monument
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Civil War Statue on Main and Fletcher StreetsI was out walking a few days ago. The sun was shining and there was a bit of a breeze, so I stopped to admire the Civil War Soldier who guards the upper square and started really looking at “him.”
Every Memorial Day since I was a Boy Scout, I have stopped in front of that statue to pay him honor. I guess I just took him for granted and assumed he was just like every other statue honoring our Civil War dead that are located all over our state. However - what if he was unique to Kennebunk?
I did some checking at the Brick Store Museum and discovered that “he” dates from 1908. In 1908 storekeepers, Littlefield and Webber, decided to move their business across Main Street to the building situated on the corner of Dane and Main Streets. Mr. & Mrs. Henry Parsons (think Kennebunk Free Library) promptly bought the lot and gave it to the town for a Civil War Soldiers Monument. The finest granite that Barre, VT could supply was purchased and shipped to the sculptor, George Morrison of Biddeford, to be used in the 21’ monument. The funding for this was a joint effort with $500 coming from Kennebunk’s own Women’s Relief Corp and the Kennebunk taxpayers contributing $2,000. The balance of $1,500 in funding came from Webber Post, Grand Army of the Republic, Kennebunk. At the dedication on October 24, 1908, the monument was covered with Stars and Stripes and unveiled by Miss Blanche Littlefield. The dedicatory parade included Veterans groups from Biddeford, Saco, Wells, Sanford, and of course, Kennebunk. Kennebunk’s school children contributed by singing “America” for the crowd assembled. John G. Smith from Saco gave the dedicatory address.
I think “he” would have approved.
Contributed by Steve Adams, who grew up in Kennebunk. In 1970 he became the youngest Real Estate Broker in Kennebunk, and one of the youngest in Maine. Today he is semi-retired at Downing Real Estate in Kennebunk. |
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Meet Brian Doyle – New Economic Development Director
On May 3, 2019, Kennebunk Town Manager Michael Pardue announced that he has contracted with Brian Doyle to serve as the Town’s Economic Development Director.
“Brian brings significant experience to the Economic Development Director position. He was employed at the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for 13 years and held numerous roles during that time.” said Pardue. “As one of four Governor’s Account Executives, Brian’s overall responsibilities were focused on the creation and retention of jobs and the promotion of economic development opportunities across our state.
For the past four years, Doyle has served on the Board of Trustees of Saco Main Street, Saco’s downtown organization. He sits on the Economic Vitality Committee, is the current Chair of the Annual Harvest Festival, and actively volunteers at numerous SMS events. Doyle is a Youth Leader at the First Parish Congregational Church where he worships with his wife Jennifer and their two children.
“Mr. Doyle also served as a Business Ombudsman, Business Information Specialist, and Business Development Specialist, which provided him with additional ‘boots on the ground’ experiences. He focused on bringing solutions to challenges on behalf of Maine businesses and entrepreneurs,” Pardue added. “Brian covered 9 counties while employed with DECD. He’s developed and maintained an extensive network of colleagues, acquired significant knowledge of state and federal incentive programs and brings a wealth of business development experience to the Town of Kennebunk. His background, coupled with his desire to have an immediate positive impact in Kennebunk will be instrumental in retaining and growing our business community,”
Doyle began his contracted service to the Town on Monday, May 6th, as the voters had not yet had an opportunity to vote on the proposed FY 19-20 Town budget, which included a full-time Economic Development Director. "Since his start date, the voters did approve the proposed budget and in doing so approved the hiring of a full-time Economic Development Director. This position will be filled through the Town’s prescribed hiring procedures,” said Pardue.
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Kennebunk “By the Numbers”
The following list shows the number of employees for businesses and organizations in Kennebunk. We’re pleased to share this information to show the economic strength of the Town. Numbers are approximate, due to the rotation of employees joining and leaving a position. |
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Information provided by Joel Downs, Finance Director, Town of Kennebunk
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The $600,000 Business Lesson
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Did you hear the story about the young business executive who joined a large company right out of college?
Since she showed such great promise, her boss picked her to run an important program to introduce a new product.
It would take six months to launch the product and the young executive was given an operating budget of $600,000.
Six months later, the product appeared on the market. In spite of all her hard work and innovative ideas, the company realized no one wanted to buy the product. It was a total failure.
The young executive went into her boss’s office and said, “Since I messed up getting the new product into the marketplace, I guess you’re going to fire me.”
The boss said, “Why would I fire you? I just spent $600,000 training you." |
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Welcome to new business activities…
Kennebunk became a “Certified Business-Friendly Community” from Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development in 2013. The Town continues to welcome new businesses and help existing businesses provide valued services and products to our residents and visitors.
We are pleased to welcome the following businesses that have opened since our last newsletter:
Ink & Thistle Press- 185 Port Road, Suite B, Stationary studio, retail shop.
Owner: Jamie Garrison
Live Cafe, LLC- 169 Port Road, Cafe. Owner: Fred Forsley
Lively Accents- 180 Port Road, Unit 1, Handcrafted jewelry and gifts.
Owner: Cathy Murphy
Maine Northmen Lacrosse- 234 Cat Mousam Road, Semi-professional sports organization. Owner Kyle Baker
Mike’s All Day Breakfast (formerly All-Day Breakfast, recently sold) - 51 Western Avenue, Restaurant. Owner: Michael D’Amico
Seacoast Soundings- 99 York Street, Unit 5, Research, education, non-profit multi-media publishing company. Owner: Nancy Ford
Staffmark Investment LLC- 2 Alfred Road, Temporary staffing. Owner: Frank Schiavone
Sweetfern Center For Wellbeing- 58 Portland Road, Unit 4, Reiki therapy/wellness/salt therapy. Owner: Tammy Traniello
Sweetgrass Kennebunk- Maine Art Hill #4; 5 Chase Hill Road, Retail tasting & shop.
Owner: Keith & Constance Bodine
The Cheesy Baguette- 15 Western Avenue, Food Trailer. Owner: Helen Thorgalsen
The Daily Sweat LLC- 65 Portland Road, Yoga & barre studio. Owner: Tiffany Lathrop
Wilson Consulting- 35 Middle Road, Educational Consulting to School Districts, Colleges & Universities. Owner: Dr. Roxanne Wilson
Compiled by: Tabetha Barden, Town Clerk’s Office
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The EDC meets the first Thursday of each month at 5 PM in the Town Hall, with the exception of July when there is no meeting. Meetings are open to the public and we welcome your participation. Let us know your concerns and suggestions to help make Kennebunk a great place to live, raise family and do business. |
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