Chambers merge legislative committees

The Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce and the Rockland-Thomaston Area Chamber of Commerce have decided to merge their legislative committees.

By combining forces, the committee now represents 1,400 members, the largest regional constituency in the state, Chamber officials said. The boards of both chambers hope to become a more powerful lobbying force by combining.

The new committee is called the Joint Government Affairs Committee. The committee met Thursday and voted to name Chris Shrum of Northeast Health Inc. its chairman, and Richard Benner of the Yankee Stripper as vice chairman. Other members include: Sheree Craig of Allen Van Alstine Insurance, Craig Dahlberg of First National Bank of Damariscotta, Jill Goodwin of Monroe and Goodwin, Martha Johnston-Nash of Crowning Touch Embroidery, Bill Lannon of the Midcoast Review, Erik Laustsen of Danica Candleworks, Jim Raye of Raye Insurance, Connie Russell of the Samoset Resort, and Pete Cella of Central Maine Power.