Gov. King swears in hospitalized legislator

BANGOR – Angus King may be an independent governor, but when a Democratic legislator from Machias asked for a favor, he delivered it in person.

He had to. Rep. Mary Bagley, D- Machias, insisted the governor, rather than the chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, swear her in as a member of the 120th Legislature.

Legislators were sworn in as a group Dec. 6 in the House chamber with King and Chief Justice Daniel E. Wathen presiding. King joked Thursday that Bagley could have had Wathen administer the oath, but asked for him.

“Martha said, ‘I don’t want the chief justice, I want the governor,'” said King. “She has great energy and determination. Now we need to get her back on her feet.”

The ceremony and a reception were held in a conference room at Eastern Maine Medical Center, where Bagley has been hospitalized since Nov. 26.

Dressed in a dark blue suit, wearing a red rose corsage, Bagley sat surrounded by pillows in a hospital wheelchair. She raised her right hand and repeated the same oath she took in 1998 and 1996, while local media captured what EMMC officials believe was a first for the hospital.

U.S. Rep. John Baldacci stood by Bagley’s side as two of her daughters, Kim Bagley and Wendy Schoppee, along with three grandchildren, watched the swearing-in ceremony. Nearly a dozen members of the hospital staff, including the team of caregivers who work most closely with Bagley, attended the ceremony.

“I want to say thank-you to the governor and my good friend and mentor John Baldacci,” said the newly sworn-in representative. “I also want to thank all the people in the hospital who have been so great to me, including the staff on Kelly 5. Thank you all for being so great.”

Kelly 5 is the floor where Bagley has been assigned at EMMC. It is a long-term rehabilitation area, according to hospital staff. She has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of bone cancer.

Bagley said that she hopes to be home for Christmas, but was not sure when she would be able to resume her duties in Augusta.

The president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2635 is collecting funds to help defray the cost for Bagley’s daughters to stay in Bangor near their mother. Contributions may be sent in care of Elmer Harmon, HC 69, Box 1239C, Cutler 04626.