Legislators to screen applicants

AUGUSTA – Leaders of the Maine House and Senate plan to interview five candidates next week in hopes of filling the soon to be vacant post of executive director of the Legislative Council, according to the chief of the screening panel.

The current executive director, James Clair, who serves as the top management officer of the Legislature, announced in late June that he would be resigning to go to work for the Maine-based Waldron Group.

Clair is slated to leave state service Sept. 15.

House Speaker Michael Saxl said Thursday five ranking lawmakers who make up the Legislative Council’s personnel committee are scheduled to conduct a first round of interviews on Aug. 23.

Saxl said the personnel panel will try to bring a hiring recommendation before the full 10-member council by Sept. 6.

The Legislative Council is made up of Democratic and Republican House and Senate leaders.

Personnel committee members met Thursday with a group of State House staff members to discuss the upcoming hiring.

“So far everything’s been done by unanimous vote,” said Saxl, D-Portland, who serves as chairman of both the Legislative Council and its personnel committee.

Clair assumed the post of acting executive director last August, succeeding long-term incumbent Sarah Tubbesing. Previously, he had served on the staff of and as director of the Legislature’s Office of Fiscal and Program Review.

Clair was made executive director on a permanent basis in December.

Saxl said Thursday that four finalists from a nationwide search last year that produced a large number of applicants agreed to resubmit applications this time around. He said a fifth candidate also came forward.