A Christmas miracle and poem, too. Wherever you are, this is my gift to you

It is a Christmas miracle. For the first time in years — if ever — Gov. LePage attended a meeting of the Senate Democrats. Why? Simple: he was invited.

Much was made of Paul Richard LePage’s frosty relationship with the former legislative Democratic leadership of Mark Eves and Justin Alfond. But with new front people leading the House and Senate caucuses, it seems like Democrats have learned how to have productive, constructive conversations.

The kicker? It has happened before, and I was fortunate enough to see it firsthand. A few years back, there were requests made to Maine law enforcement agencies for a list of all concealed carry permit holders. A bill from Rep. Corey Wilson, R-Augusta, that would make that information confidential had been filed, but was stuck in the committee process.

So what happened? Gov. LePage and now-Senate President Mike Thibodeau agreed the information should be withheld, but Democrats held majorities and a Freedom of Access Act request was pending. It seemed like there was nothing to be done…or was there?

In homage to so many Christmas poems, I’ll offer the tale in verse. Hopefully this shining example of bipartisanship — even if it irked the press — can serve as a Star of Bethlehem for the 128th Maine Legislature, guiding the way to a productive, cooperative session.

Mike Thibodeau, left, and Troy Jackson. Thibodeau, a Republican from Winterport, is now Senate President. Jackson, an Allagash Democrat, is now the Senate minority leader. Photos by Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Mike Thibodeau, left, and Troy Jackson. Thibodeau, a Republican from Winterport, is now Senate President. Jackson, an Allagash Democrat, is now the Senate minority leader. Photos by Troy R. Bennett | BDN

A February day in Two Thousand-One-Three,

The Bangor Daily News (who else would it be?)

Sent in a request for the permits in places

Where Mainers owned guns, but they wouldn’t share faces.

Instead, they proclaimed, it was to help spread the news,

And inform the debate on gun control views.

They would not map the homes where gun owners lived

Like sketchy reporters in New York State did.

But Mainers got mad they would make such requests,

And lodged with officials their official protest.

“My home is my own, and a permit’s no crime

So you go to hell; my gun is mine.”

So what did we see and what did they do?

Augusta moved quickly, yes it’s quite true.

Michael from Waldo and The County’s own Troy

Sought a solution they could posthaste employ.

And your author, dear friends, briskly did write

A bill which would shield the permits from sight.

Paul Richard was called from out on the road

That word from Augusta soon could be told.

A deal in the house where state laws are made

Fast came together as part of a trade

LePage, with his power, would directly submit

A bill, if Jackson could be the sponsor of it.

Some on the left did not want to act

Not caring if gun owners were tracked.

But Troy would work hard to get the law passed

Leaving a few of his allies downcast

No reference, no hearing would cause a delay.

When the gavel brought close to the lawmaking day

The bill was engrossed and enacted forthwith

And signed by the Governor, quickly and swift.

The permits were private, public no more

And police across Maine showed reporters the door.

Because LePage and Mike T. and Troy Jackson, too

All found agreement on the right thing to do.

So as we wait to start Twenty-One-Seven

And welcome the Word Incarnate from Heaven

There is hope the future will bring back the past

With Augusta at work, at long and at last.

Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year, too.

Gun rights activists wave flags and signs in front of the Bangor Daily News in February 2013 in response to the paper's recent FOAA request for the names and addresses of all concealed weapons permit holders in Maine. Brian Feulner | BDN

Gun rights activists wave flags and signs in front of the Bangor Daily News in February 2013 in response to the paper’s recent FOAA request for the names and addresses of all concealed weapons permit holders in Maine. Brian Feulner | BDN

Michael Cianchette

About Michael Cianchette

Michael Cianchette was the chief counsel to Gov. Paul LePage from 2012-2013 and deputy counsel from 2011-2012. A Navy reservist, he was deployed to Afghanistan from 2013-2014 as a trainer and adviser to the Afghan National Police. He is an alumnus of the Leadership Maine program and holds a BA in economics and political science from Boston College along with a JD and an MBA from Suffolk University. He works as in-house counsel and financial manager for a number of affiliated companies in southern Maine.