By Dan Aceto

Staff Writer

As the newly appointed secretary of state, Scarborough resident Charlie Summers has kept busy the past two weeks.
“Things ramped up very quickly, it went from 0 to 60 very fast,” Summers said.

Summers, a Republican elected by the Legislature over Democratic incumbent Matthew Dunlap, was sworn into office Jan. 6.

Summers said the Secretary of State is responsible for overseeing the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions, as well as the state archives. He said the position has a unique role in state government.

“You touch every citizen in the state of Maine with this office,” Summers said. “Whether you’re buying a motor vehicle, getting a driver’s license, registering to vote, or staying in business, you’re almost in touch with every person in the state of Maine.”

Although the position is a large responsibility, Summers said it is one he’s excited to have. 

“I think we can have a positive effect not just on state government but here in the office as well,” Summers said. 

Summers said when he was elected he asked the Legislature to consider several statutory changes to regulatory reform that will help small businesses throughout the state.

Among those changes, Summers said he would like to move the Regulatory Fairness Board from the state planning office to the Secretary of State’s office. The board hears testimony and reports to the Legislature and governor on regulatory and statutory changes necessary to enhance the state’s business climate.

“Up until now the board was closeted and very much not in use. I would like to put it in use in the Secretary of State office,” Summers said.

Summers said he would like to become an active member on the board to help oversee and implement changes that affect small businesses in Maine.

He also said he would like to enact what is known as “stop-action authority.”

“If a small business feels any new regulation, law or rule is particularly onerous, I want them to be able to petition to stop the enforcement of that rule or regulation until time is given to look at the issue,” Summers said. “Whether it should be kept or repealed or amended, I think it is a very key element of reform to give a series of checks and balances that could last for a long time as a Legislature change that would always be there for small businesses.”

Summers said he would like to create a position that advocates for small business owners.

“This would be someone that a business could go to plead their case and then decide whether to bring their issue to the fairness board or ask for a recommendation on whether stop-action authority would be necessary,” Summers said. 

Summers said he also would like an amendment passed to enforce compliance with several changes to the Administrative Procedure Act, which would require state agencies to publish proposed agency rule-making or regulatory changes prior to a public hearing. 

Summers grew up in Danville, Ill., or as he put, “a small farm town.” 

He said he always had an interest in politics, even in high school where he was elected class officer, vice president of student council and class vice president.

His father served on the school board and one of his first introductions to the world of politics came at the family-run hotel in Illinois where his father hosted political functions in the ballroom. It was there he met George Bush Sr. and Sen. Everett McKinley Dirksen.

“I remember meeting him as a boy and from that moment forward I always learned about him and studied him,” Summers said.

Although Summers said he always was fascinated by politics, it never occurred to him to pursue a career in the field.

“I was always around it. I always had an interest, but I never knew I was going to get involved when I did. There was no grand design. I was just able to be in the right place at the right time and it worked well,” he said.

That time came shortly after Summers moved to Maine in December 1982.
“My intention was to visit for a week or so and I never left,” Summers said.

Summers’ political career began in 1990 when he was elected to serve Maine State Senate District 1 (Scarborough, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Dayton), where he remained for four years. 

Once elected, Summers knew the path was for him.

“Once you’re involved in the process, if you like it, it’s always there,” Summers said.

“One of the things I’ve always found personally gratifying is the small things, relatively speaking. Not the huge issues that are debated, but when you do something that has a positive effect on someone’s life,” Summers said. “In the Senate that may mean getting someone a business license, something that is important to an individual and huge in their life, although in the political process it may not be. It’s very gratifying to know that you’re able to assist someone and be there for them at a time that may be very trying in their life.”

Summers later worked as state director for Sen. Olympia Snowe from 1995 to 2004 before President George Bush in 2005 appointed him New England regional administrator of the Small Business Administration.

Summers, who is an officer in the Navy Reserve, was forced to leave the position when called to active duty in Iraq in 2007. 

While away, his wife, Ruth, helped him campaign for a position in Congress in 2008 against Chellie Pingree. Although he lost, Summers said the leadership his wife exhibited was unparalleled. 

“It’s like drinking from a fire hose. It was the first time she had ever done anything like that and she did really well. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better than her,” Summers said.

Upon returning from Iraq, Summers did government consulting work before he was called in 2010 to work as public affairs officer to Joint Chief of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen at the Pentagon.

Summers, who has been a naval officer since 1996, also was called to active duty following the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks and more recently returned in October from a short tour in Afghanistan. 

He said his time in the military and business experience as manager of the Bangor Motor Inn have proved invaluable in other facets of life as well.

“All those experiences, including my time in small business in Bangor and South Portland, combine and give me a depth and breadth of experience that I can bring to this position,” Summers said. “I look at these issues not simply as an administrator, but someone that has run a small business and been in a leadership position in the military, especially in conflict, and it’s invaluable.”

Summers already has plans to institute one practice from the military: Khaki calls.
  “When senior officers go through the day, they have quick five to 10-minute meeting reports on what they’re doing,” Summers said. “So everyone’s having to learn some Navy parlance,” he said with a laugh.

Summers said he has had the chance to visit the state archives and was taken aback when he saw such items as the original Maine Constitution and documents from the Civil War.

“It was almost a sentimental moment,” Summers said. “To see those documents and some of the records we have is really something you have to come and see. It was awesome and I don’t necessarily use that word much.”

Summers has lived in Scarborough since 1988 and both his older children, Patricia and Chas, are Scarborough High School graduates. He also recently welcomed a son to the family, Thomas, who is now 17 months old. 

“Scarborough is a town I’ve always truly enjoyed, starting from when I was in the Legislature. It’s always been high on my radar, as are all towns,” Summers said. 

Although he had to take a leave of absence for a large portion of his campaign this year because he was working in the Pentagon, Summers said it was an exhilarating experience. 

“When it became apparent Republicans had gained control of the Legislature that night of the election, it became a very different campaign because you have limited constituency if you will, as far as people that are able to vote and elect you into office; there are 186 legislators that you have to contact and win support and luckily I was able to do so,” he said.

Summers said he’s grateful for the support he has been given.

“It was a very fast and furious campaign, just about three weeks,” Summers said. “I’m very gratified by the confidence given by the Legislature and I’m happy to be given the responsibility. We have a terrific staff both here and at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Everyone is incredibly talented and will serve this office and state very well.”

Staff Writer Dan Aceto can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237.