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A Publication Featuring The Information Services Technology of Maine State Government
| Volume IV, Issue 9 | September 2001 |
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"Yes ma’am" … Jay said with a smile, when I asked for an interview in order to write this article. Harold Jay Kennedy’s speech expressions certainly do reflect his 22 years of "faithful, dedicated and honorable" service in the US Navy during his workdays at the Bureau of Information Services. Starting at the tender age of 19 on the USS Proteus (a Charleston SC based submarine tender), Jay ended his Navy career on the USS Trippe, a "very fast search and destroy BASF frigate", which was also based in Charleston. |
Throughout his Navy career, Jay was responsible for supply and stores functions on his ships, which provided perfect credentials for the State of Maine’s Stores Clerk position. Jay was initially hired by the Bureau of Information Services in August of 1997 as a temporary employee though Manpower Temporary Services. Eleven months later, Jeff Cotnoir hired Jay as a classified State employee to work with Vladimir Reneyske. Following Vlad’s retirement, Jay was promoted to Store Keeper II.
Jay and his wife Martha came "home" to Maine in 1993, when he retired, and "have been here ever since." (The couple met in 1980, while Jay’s ship was undergoing a "yard period" at the Bath Iron Works. Martha’s friends thought she would never return to Maine when Jay’s ship left, and she followed!) They have settled on Maine Avenue in Gardiner, and have started a bed and breakfast named The Kennedy’s Inn. Feel free to take a look at www.kennedysinn.com to see this establishment.
Eight guests constitute a full house, and the place is quite busy throughout the summer. The Inn is nicely furnished, and displays Martha’s talent for decorative crafts. Currently she is preparing to open a light shade making business. Martha’s shades are hand sewn, or utilize old wallpaper, postcards or vintage fabric in their design. Several Bureau of Information Services employees have purchased old jewelry boxes, which have been beautifully recovered in floral chintz fabric by Martha. She is very talented.
Jay and Martha would have to turn away paying guest if their eight children and twelve grandchildren came to visit all at once! Since only two of their children live in Maine, and the others reside in North and South Carolina, New York and Guam it would be an exceptional holiday for everyone to arrive simultaneously. Certainly arrangements would be made to accommodate them all – Jay and Martha are very gracious.
Jay says "I love my job" which entails making and documenting all the master card and online purchases for the Bureau. We all like having Jay at the Bureau of Information Services too. He is always willing to help with any problem, and is unfailingly courteous in his demeanor and speech. "Yes sir, and yes ma’am" are frequently heard phrases when Jay is in the vicinity!
