AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has nominated acting Commissioner Patrick Keliher of the Department of Marine Resources to take the job on a permanent basis.

Keliher took over on an acting basis in July after Norman Olsen resigned in a public dustup in which he said he didn’t have the governor’s full support.

Today, LePage praised Keliher’s efforts, saying Keliher has demonstrated an ability to work with the fishing industry on contentious issues and to work to find the proper balance between the need to protect jobs and to protect natural resources.

The Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources will review the governor’s nomination. If approved, Keliher’s nomination would go to the Senate for confirmation.


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