The evening began with John Frary stating that Peter Mills is usually the smartest guy in the room… except when Frary is present.

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Excerpts from Mills’ speech:

“We as the Republican Party need to be standing for things that are affirmative. We need to look forward to ways in which we can grow.” Mills then enthusiastically described Fletcher Kittredge’s “Three Ring Binder” broadband loop. “We need to get broadband up into the woods. It will change how we do business. It’s as exciting as the announcement of the Maine turnpike.” In his discussion of growth Mills also explained his Fund of Funds bill to attract venture capital.

In detailing the need for accountability in the delivery of human services Mills said:

“Baldacci just cut ten percent off everything instead of knowing what’s working and what isn’t.”

He was then asked how he would change Maine’s welfare system:

“Right now if someone comes in for assistance of some sort we sign them up for anything and everything, but I would approach it exactly the opposite. I would say, ‘Okay, here are the food stamps which you obviously qualify for, now what can we do to get you off them?’ A governor can change that mindset.”