Gubernatorial Web site has its own transition

AUGUSTA – For the first time, Maine experienced a dot-com changing of the guard in its gubernatorial office.

As Gov. John Baldacci was making his inaugural address in Augusta on Wednesday evening, staff members at InforME were preparing to dismantle former Gov. Angus King’s site and replace it with Baldacci’s.

“The site will continue to grow and build as [Baldacci’s] administration does,” InforME general manager Carrie Gott said Wednesday evening.

InforME was set up by the Legislature in 1998 to manage the state’s official Web site, found online at www.maine.gov. King’s site was designed by Via, a Portland-based design firm, and was put online by InforME about two years ago, according to Gott.

“[Baldacci’s] site is as fresh as his administration,” Gott said.

The main goal of the new governor’s site is to create an online site through which Maine residents can get to know their governor. It includes Baldacci’s inaugural speech and biography, as well as information about his appointees and Cabinet members. Plans also are under way to make the address available in audio and video forms on the site in the near future, Gott said.

Baldacci also hopes it will serve as a venue where Mainers can offer ideas and suggestions about the budget deficit, Gott said. Information about the deficit will be loaded onto the site later this month.

“It’s all about participation and the whole e-democracy concept and accessibility,” she said.