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By SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer Thursday, June 14, 2007

So much for settling in.

The Mount Vernon Democrat, elected Tuesday, had a whirlwind first day at the Statehouse that included lobbyists, a visit with the governor, a television interview and learning about the concept of "legislative time."

"When he went out the door this morning in his suit, he had a big smile on his face," said his wife, Pat.

Jones defeated Republican Penelope Morrell of Belgrade in a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Abigail Holman, R-Fayette. Holman died in April in a skiing accident.

Results certified by the Secretary of State Wednesday gave Jones the win, 1,469 to 1,180.

And while he said knocking on 3,000 doors in five weeks was hard work, Jones is joining a Legislature immersed in business. A major tax reform plan is under consideration, significant health care issues have yet to be voted on and a big highway bill is pending. Then there are the surprise issues -- debates on bills that no one expected to spark discussion.

In all, there are about 300 bills yet to be processed, with statutory adjournment set for Wednesday.

Following the election, Jones said he took a call at 1 a.m. His phone rang again at 5 a.m. and he made his way to Augusta by 8.

By noon, before he was officially a legislator, the lobbyists came a-calling.

"I've already been hit by a couple of lobbyists," he said. "They are giving me copies of bills and telling me how to vote on them."

He had expected to be sworn in sometime in the morning, but election results had to be certified.

He then thought the ceremony would be at noon, but there were too many details to be worked out. So it was put off until 2:30, which was more like 3 p.m.

Thus, the concept of legislative time.

"I'm supposed to be sworn in in three minutes," Jones said to Democratic Party Chairman Ben Dudley. "But who knows?"

Dudley replied: "You're on legislative time now."

Dudley, a former House member himself, said Jones will need to rely on others to help him through the next several days.

"He's going to have a great support system in the House Majority Office and in the Democratic caucus," he said.

When the time came, a delegation of House members walked Jones from the House chamber to the governor's office to be sworn in.

Gov. John Baldacci reached across his desk and shook Jones' hand, congratulating him on his win. He then asked Jones and his wife to stand by the state flag for the formal oaths.

"Your experiences are going to be not just yours, but your wife's and your family's," Baldacci said. "We know you appreciate the time he's going to be spending away from home."

Pat Jones said things happened so fast that neither of their adult sons could make it to the Statehouse ceremonies. With one in Chicago and another busy with a fly fishing business in Greenville, they didn't get to see their dad achieve one of his longtime goals.

"I've been coming over here for 40 years and watching the Legislature," said Jones, 68.

Rep. Janet Mills, D-Farmington, one of many Democrats who helped Jones put up signs and knock on doors, had a few words of advice for him now that he's in the Statehouse.

"Learn who to listen to," she said. "There's a lot to digest in a very short period of time. There always is."

In his first television interview as a legislator, Jones -- after chastising the station for mispronouncing his first name "De-ann" -- said he admired the work Holman did in her short time in the Legislature.

"I admired her very much," he said. "She was an excellent legislator. I want to carry on a lot of her work."

Susan Cover -- 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com

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