STATE SENATE PETITIONS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO KEEP COMMISSARY OPEN

Posted: April 27, 2011 | Senator Gerzofsky, Senator Goodall

AUGUSTA— Senator Seth Goodall of Richmond sponsored a resolution today in the Maine Legislature petitioning the United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to keep the Commissary and Exchange open at the Brunswick Naval Air Station (BNAS). The Joint Resolution passed unanimously in the Senate and is now headed to the Department of Defense to be presented to Defense Secretary Gates.

The Commissary is currently located at the Topsham Annex and the Exchange at BNAS, and the Department of Defense is currently considering whether to keep these facilities open.

“The commissary provides a crucial benefit for our retired and active military families,” said Senator Goodall. “It is important that we do whatever we can to improve the quality of life for the men and women who have and are making enormous sacrifices on our behalf.”

The commissary provides, on average, a savings of $4,000 annually for military families. According to the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System data, there are more than 11,000 eligible patrons that reside within 20 miles of the Brunswick site.

With the closure of the base, the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA) currently oversees and implements the reuse master plan for BNAS and the Topsham Annex.

 

“Keeping the commissary open continues the mission of redevelopment and reuse while not forgetting its past,” said Senator Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick. “Military families and retirees are important to the fabric of our community. Let’s give them another reason to stay in the midcoast.”

Sales at the exchange are projected to increase once the Armed Forces Reserve Center opens in 2012.

Maine’s entire Congressional Delegation has also been working together to keep open these facilities.