The Maine Green Independent Party elected three new members and a new chair to its Steering Committee at its annual state convention held Saturday at the Androscoggin Grange Hall in Greene. Former Chair Anna Trevorrow of Portland did not seek re-election to her position Saturday citing her run for the legislature in District 120 as the main reason. During Trevorrow's tenure as Chair, from January 2009 to the May 2010 Convention, the party was able to increase its party enrollment, increase its county and local committee infrastructure, recruit 18 legislative candidates for 2010, and open a new party office in Portland. Trevorrow was re-elected to the Steering Committee and standing Steering Committee Member, Erin Cianchette was elected as Chair.
"I'm excited to continue working with a group whose skill set will undoubtedly launch the party forward, while focusing on my campaign for legislature," said Trevorrow who is also an elected member of the Portland Charter Commission.
The new Chair, Erin Cianchette is a student at the Muskie School of Public Service, studying management in the non-profit sector. She is running for House of Representatives in district 108, Cumberland, part of North Yarmouth, Chebeague Island, and Long Island. Cianchette served as the secretary for the Green Party this past year, and also has managed several legislative campaigns.
"I am very excited about the new Steering Committee, and I look forward to filling my new role as Chair," said Cianchette.
The newest members of the Steering Committee are Asher Platts of Gorham, Jeremy Keith Hammond of Auburn, and Nate Shea of Levant. Former Committee member David Frans was elected at the convention but stepped down due to time constraints. Shea was appointed by the new Steering Committee for the position left open by Frans.
Asher Platts is a current student at the University of Southern Maine. Platts has helped with internet outreach and campaign consulting for Green Party candidates Cindy Sheehan and Reverend Billy Talen. He has more recently been elected to serve on the Platform Committee of the United States Green Party and as a delegate to the National Committee from Maine.
"I look forward to using what I have learned with my past work to create a thriving and growing political force in the State of Maine over the next two years and into the future," said Platts.
Jeremy Keith Hammond is a graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington with a degree in International Studies and is currently employed at Good Shepherd Food-Bank in Auburn. Hammond has also served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer working jointly with Good Shepherd, Maine Commission for Community Service, and Maine Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (MVOAD).
"I'd like to thank the Maine Green Independent Party for electing me to the Steering Committee. I'm confident the new Steering Committee will set the standard as we begin a new decade of Green politics in Maine," said Hammond.
Nate Shea, a graduate from the University of Maine in Orono, has been a member of the Maine Green Independent Party Steering Committee before. Having served as a member from 2004 to 2006, Shea also brings the experience of being a Co-Chair of the Umaine Greens for many years and from working on past Green Independent legislative and gubernatorial campaigns such as Pat Lamarche's.
"I am hopeful that with the amount of candidates running for legislature this year, the Steering Committee can give the Party direction that will produce many successes both at the ballot box and in the political arena," said Shea.
Steering Committee members are elected to serve a term of two years and currently meet at least once a month.