American Legion opens convention in Bangor

BANGOR – The American Legion Department of Maine had a couple of pressing issues on its agenda Friday as it opened its 90th annual state convention at the Bangor Civic Center.

The first matter of concern was a resolution to balance its budget. Ron Sailor, the organization’s state adjutant, said this past year was the first in more than 10 years that the American Legion Department of Maine had seen a budget deficit.

The deficit was caused primarily by “more demand for services from state organizations,” Sailor said.

On Saturday, the convention will vote on a “resolution to mandate a balanced budget” in future years, he said.

Sailor said the key to balancing future budgets would be finding “new sources of revenue.” In particular, he said, the department plans to hold a sweepstakes to generate more revenue.

But “[we have to be] frugal on the expense side because we can only generate so much revenue,” Sailor said.

The organization also will vote on the purchase a new department headquarters building in Waterville for $400,000. Sailor said a specific building has not been identified, but he is hopeful the vote will pass.

He said the building the group now has is 1,350 square feet, but it hopes to find one with 3,000 to 5,000 square feet.

“For us, [the current building] is not large enough for what we need to do,” Sailor said.

The American Legion State Department also will vote for new officers and name delegates for the August national convention, which will be held in Phoenix, Ariz., Sailor said.

Saturday’s speakers will include Gov. John Baldacci, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud and Maine House Speaker Glenn Cummings.

On Friday, U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe issued a statement recognizing the annual state convention and vowing to work with her colleagues in Congress on behalf of veterans’ interests.

“No single issue is more worthy of our commitment and collaboration than the sacred cause of defending our veterans, who defended all of us,” said Snowe, who was unable to attend the convention because of a family funeral. “The battles we wage in Congress for veterans’ health care, education benefits, and retirement pay must be fought with your courage and sacrifice in mind, and we must never falter.”