Former Maine senator fights for Fla. bases

LEWISTON – Former Maine senator and Defense Secretary William Cohen is fighting to block military base closings – in Florida.

Cohen, now a Washington-based consultant, is working with a group of lobbyists hired to keep all 21 of Florida’s bases open as the latest round of base closings approaches.

Others working on Florida’s behalf include Dick Armey, former majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, and retired Adm. Robert Natter, former commander of the Atlantic Fleet.

The base closing process has raised concerns in Maine about the future of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Brunswick Naval Air Station.

Cohen was a past champion of the two bases, advocating on their behalf during the early 1990s while he served in the Senate.

“We wish he were working with us,” said Richard Tetrev, who heads a task force trying to preserve the Brunswick base.

But Tetrev said it’s tough to gauge the impact that Cohen would have on the process.

“Nobody knows,” he said. “We’re flying by the seat of our pants.”

Cohen, who could not be reached for comment, served as secretary of defense under President Clinton from 1997 to 2001. He then created The Cohen Group, which helps companies work overseas.

Retired Navy Capt. William McDonough, who is working on the effort to preserve the submarine repair yard in Kittery, said his group could not afford to hire Cohen.

“His price tag is very, very high,” said McDonough, whose group has hired Cohen’s longtime military adviser, Dale Gerry, to work on the shipyard’s behalf.

Gerry said he has heard no complaints that his boss of 24 years had become a competitor.