CAMDEN — Town reports are usually annually dedicated to an individual in the community who has long served or helped accomplish one or more great feats. This year, Camden selected a group of individuals, the Ragged Mountain Redevelopment Committee, to dedicate its 2014 Town Report to, including original committee members Rick Knowlton (co-chairman), Bob Gordon (co-chairman), Don Gross, Frank Morong, Molly Mulhern, John Scholz, Mort Strom, Jeff Kuller and Beth Ward.

The Camden Select Board, at the request of members of the community, formed the Ragged Mountain Redevelopment Committee in 2007 and charged it with developing a plan to improve the Snow Bowl facilities, increase year-round usage and build long-term financial stability for Ragged Mountain.

The dedication printed in the town report reads in part: "Accomplishing their assignment involved planning, design, community education and money. The RMRA Committee enlisted the help of a Capital Campaign Committee and the Parks & Recreation Committee and got to work designing a four-season recreation area with improved ski lift, snow making and grooming equipment, a new lodge and site improvements. They also took on the challenge of raising a significant amount of money: $6.5 million. Of that, $4.5 million would be raised in private funds. Once they reached the private fundraising goal, the Town would ask voters to approve a $2 million bond issue."

The committee, which had grown to include Tom Albertson, John Anders, Sam Appleton, Scott Dickerson, Landon Fake, Bill Fitzcharles, Peter Gross, Donna Janville, Bob Levine, Fran Moore, Brian Robinson, Joe Ryan, Doug Sensenig and Ian Stewart was assisted by Capital Campaign Committee co-chairmen Erin Flanagan and Mort Strom and its members Ann Montgomery (honorary chairman), Tom Amory, Sam Appleton, John Christie, Cate Cronin, Bob Gordon, Maureen Gordon, Peter Gross, Patrick Jones, Jeff Kuller, Jill Lang, Caroline Morong, Dave Ridley, Wendy Weiler, Oliver Wilder and George Mueller.

Bolstering those committees' works were members of the Parks & Recreation Committee, including Ray Andresen (chairman), Pete Brown, David Olivas, Brian Robinson, Ed Libby, Casey Heard, Emily McDevin, Mully Mulhern, Ann Bex, Jack Williams, Mark Haskell, David Conover, Sharon Gilbert and Barbara Goos.

The campaign that was to take a few years stretched on longer due to the economic downtown, and then the toughest challenge was the tragic loss of two of the group's leading forces: Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Kuller and Building Committee Chairman Don Gross.

Moving through their collective grief and loss, and with renewed resolve to finish what Kuller and Gross were instrumental in helping start, the groups comprising the RMRA Committee persevered and exceeded the $6.5 million fundraising goal in September 2013.

"As promised, on Nov. 5, 2013, Camden voters also exceeded expectations and approved the $2 million bond issue by nearly 5 to 1 (1124 to 239)," said Select Board Chairman Martin Cates Tuesday night in a prepared dedication.

"Without a moment to spare, site work for the redevelopment project started on March 17, the day after the Snow Bowl closed for the season. Next winter, skiing at the Snow Bowl will be a totally new experience thanks to your efforts," said Cates.

Cates also noted the various slogans the Committee came up with during the fundraising campaign, including "Gift a Lift" and "A Mountain of Possibilities."

Cates then said, "You all took a mountain of obstacles and showed the community possibilities and this sure did give us a lift. So back at you. As another way to say thank you and recognize you for all you have done for our community, we are going to give you a lift and dedicate a chair in your honor. We know that you will enjoy the ride! Thank you all – and congratulations!"

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.