LIMESTONE - The Base Realignment and Closure commission's decision Thursday to keep the Defense Finance and Accounting Services office open and to make it bigger breathed new life into Aroostook County. Within minutes, telephones were ringing in state Sen. John L. Martin's office as people sought information about the new jobs.

The BRAC commission voted 7-0 to streamline DFAS, reducing it from 26 to five centers and adding some 250 jobs to the Limestone operation's current 353. In their decision, the commissioners noted the work ethic of those employed in Limestone and the facility's capacity to handle more work.

The decision confirmed the reputation of DFAS Limestone workers, believed by many - including those in the Department of Defense - to be among the best in the DFAS operation.

Mark Durinski, president of the union local, realizes two more aye votes are needed, one from President George W. Bush and another from Congress, but meanwhile, workers can breath easier.

" It was tough in the office in the days and weeks before the decision," he said on the weekend. "Although we knew the kind of work we were doing, it was pretty tense.

" On Friday, it was a totally different atmosphere," he said. "I am cautiously ecstatic, but it's not a done deal until the next two votes are done. We are on pretty sound footing, but there is still that outside chance."

For Durinski, who turned 54 on the day the BRAC decision was made, "it was the best present the Department of Defense could give me. I have never had such a good present in all of my 54 years.
" Thinking of all the people out there [at Limestone] being rewarded this way," Durinski said, "that's a big victory."

Troy Whitehead, a nine-year veteran of DFAS, said the BRAC vote was "public recognition" of the work being done at Limestone. Whitehead and his wife Ann, who also works at DFAS, are looking to the future.

While the new jobs may not be available until a year or more has passed, both Durinski and Whitehead say the jobs will come and Aroostook County will be a better place.

" This brings confidence to the people of Aroostook County," Martin said. "A lot ofpeople - maybe as many as 100 people could come here from other centers - but there will be new jobs still left for people living here or for former residents who are looking for a way back to Aroostook County.

" There are people out there who want an opportunity to come back home," he said. "It's like wow, a shot in the arm for Aroostook County, and what a difference it can make. "

The Whiteheads came to DFAS Limestone from DFAS Denver, one of the centers marked for closure by the BRAC decision. Ann Whitehead has been with DFAS 12 years, and Troy joined DFAS after serving 10 years in the U.S. Air Force.

" We came here to raise our son," he said. "That was one of the deciding factors to come here."

Durinski and Whitehead both believed the Limestone operation's reputation for customer service was always an asset. They believed the Aroostook County work ethic and the way DFAS Limestone supports the military were important.

Governor John Baldacci felt the same way.

" If this decision rests on the work force, it's a slam dunk," he said Thursday morning, hours before BRAC made its decision."

Aroostook County needed this decision, because the county has not even fully recovered from the last BRAC decision to close Loring," Durinski said. "This decision will put $10 million a year into the Aroostook County economy. This is very positive for Aroostook County. Gaining 250 civil service jobs is a blessing. A lot of prayers went into this."

Durinski advised people who may want the jobs they have a year to bone up on their skills and polish their resumes.