A Gov. Janet Mills supporter has started a petition to put Maine’s “The Way Life Should Be” sign back up.
Richard Lations’ father-in-law came up with the slogan “The Way Life Should Be,” and it’s been on the sign since 1987.
“My father-in-law came up with the slogan, ‘The Way Life Should Be.’ Since it first appeared in 1987, it’s been embraced across our great state and reused, repurposed and cherished by many in slogans for local businesses and in our conversations with friends and family,” Lations said.
Mills had her predecessor’s “Open for Business” highway sign replaced with one that reads: “Maine Welcome Home.”
[Maine changes ‘Open for Business’ sign to ‘Welcome Home’]
“I am a proud supporter of Governor Mills, and I am not opposed to the ‘Welcome Home’ message. I’m happy to see it written on the ceiling of the jet bridge when I step off the plane at PWM. It’s a happy reminder of home. But I cannot support removing the slogan that means so much to so many of us from our borders,” Lations said.
The sign is part of the Democratic governor’s push to attract newcomers, including immigrants and young people, to the aging, rural state. Her office says the sign was installed Thursday on the Maine turnpike in Kittery.
“If you must make your own mark, then add ‘Welcome Home’ alongside it. But please do not take this cherished part of our home away from us,” Lations said.
The previous sign greeting drivers entering the state read: “Welcome to Maine The Way Life Should Be,” above a smaller, attached sign that read: “Open for Business.”
Republican Gov. Paul LePage put up the “Open for Business” sign shortly after taking office.
“I was upset to see LePage modify the sign at the entrance to our state that’s stood as a landmark for so many. To me, it seemed unnecessary, and diminished the real message of the sign. I’m even sadder to see our new governor, Janet Mills, has replaced it,” Lations said.
Mills’ office says that installation costs were minimal and that the sign was due for replacement. The new sign is made of recycled aluminum from previous signs.