I’m the BDN’s new rural politics reporter. Tell me what I need to know.

By Daniel O’Connor, Bangor Daily News Staff

Though I lived in the same town for most of my life, it wasn’t until I became a gas attendant that I really got to know my home.

Hebron, Connecticut, has one gas station. For a brief stint in college, I was its cashier. Just about everyone in town came in to buy a lottery ticket, a coffee or an empanada of dubious authenticity at some point. I was there to serve them.

At that counter, I met people of varied backgrounds, professions and politics. After two decades in my town, I suddenly realized it was interesting.

I began my tenure as rural government reporter at the Bangor Daily News earlier this month, and that complexity and diversity of rural life has been at the top of my mind. I’m new to Maine, but it’s clear that the state’s small towns are as complex and diverse as anywhere else and just as worthy of comprehensive news coverage.

The Bangor Daily News has long covered rural Maine whenever news stories arise. I’m now dedicated specifically to finding these stories. As we gear up to engage in more comprehensive rural coverage, we need to hear from as many people as we can across the state.

Is there a fierce and undercovered debate in your community? Are services being strained by sudden growth or decline? Are government policies affecting you? Let us know below.

I hope to see you in the field soon. (And apologies in advance if I mispronounce your town’s name. Please correct me.)