The first 100 days is often used to assess a political officeholders chances of success.

Augusta Mayor David Rollins, elected to his first full three-year term last November, has performed with distinction since the election. “Big Dave,” always one of the city’s loudest cheerleaders, knows something more is needed to make Augusta a better city. His passion for progress in his city is translating into a real show of leadership. He has already tackled two major issues: the local war on drugs and the need for an economic development plan.

This mayor has taken a lead role in marshaling forces against illegal drugs in the Capitol City. Working with law enforcement officials and mayors from other cities, Rollins has been instrumental in convening well-attended local forums on how to defeat the scourge of drug addiction and death. In addition to the mayor’s work with Augusta police on enforcement, behind the scenes his wife, Jan, a school principal, leads a program called “restorative justice” that recognizes the need for help and rehabilitation.

This husband-wife team gets it. A one-two punch is now needed. Law enforcement and incarceration is no longer enough; understanding and help for victims must be added to the balance if we are to succeed in the fight against drugs.

Gov. Paul LePage also must be made to understand this, so that our Legislature is no longer impeded in acting against this menace. Mayor Rollins and the entire City Council are to be commended for placing the local war on drugs at the top of their 2016 goal-setting agenda. Additional drug detectives have been hired in a coordinated effort to stop the steady flow of drugs coming into the area from other states. New efforts are being placed on establishing centers to provide help locally and regionally to those who need it, and are willing to ask for it, in their fight against opiate addiction. Augusta and Waterville are leading the way in efforts to cleanse central Maine of the drug dealers and poison that threatens us all.

Another major need being pursued by the mayor is an overdue economic development plan. Kudos are due for naming the Mayor’s Economic and Workforce Development Committee. A recent meeting called by the mayor included several professionals in strategic planning, urban design, and economic development for service centers like Augusta. The theme of this inaugural meeting and of the mayor’s committee is to come up with “the big idea” by thinking outside the box.

For too long now, Augusta has underperformed in giving serious attention to the need for a real professional and a plan to foster economic development for our city. Matt Nazar, the excellent city planner who already has his hands full in that capacity, is designated in the dual role of development director. That is a mistake. Restrictive regulations and the attitude of some on the Planning Board who favor cosmetics over commercialism also doesn’t help.

City managers sometime feel that they are the economic development director. That never works. I am glad to see that Rollins, who has made his living in business and marketing, understands this. This mayor doesn’t plan to settle for a ceremonial role; he plans to lead on policy and ideas.

It is time for Augusta to restore the organizational chart and again hire an aggressive professional with outstanding credentials. Someone like predecessors Mike Dugay and Jean Belaire.

On Tuesday, March 29, 6 p.m. at Le Club Calumet in Augusta, Mayor David Rollins will be honored by the Pine Tree Council, Boy Scouts of America as 2016 “Augusta Area Citizen of the Year.” The dinner honoring Rollins is free. Attendees will be asked to make a voluntary contribution to the Boy Scouts.

Call Roger Pomerleau, 430-2801, or email roger.nrf@roadrunner.com for reservations.

After working for the election of Rollins, first as councilor at-large and eventually as mayor, it is rewarding to witness his growth as a leader.

Addendum: A clarification for letter-writers. In my previous column, “Shame on you, Mr. President,” the close I submitted was not published as written. I wrote: “Therefore, on his way out the door, President Obama will post a nomination — but has forfeited his right to choose the next Supreme Court justice.”

In other words, I was saying that the Constitution allows him to nominate, but by his actions, he has forfeited his moral right to personally choose the next justice.

Don Roberts, a former city councilor and former vice chairman of the Charter Commission in Augusta, is a trustee of the Greater Augusta Utility District.

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