Year in Review, Part II
JULY
Commissioners criticize
reapportionment of districts
GREENVILLE — Piscataquis County Commissioners criticized local lawmakers at their July 2 meeting in Greenville when they discovered that the new legislative reapportionment sharply changed their district boundaries. The new plan created a new 10-town district from Shirley south to Wellington, and placed incumbent commissioners Eric Ward of Greenville and Fred Trask of Milo in the same district.
Developer outlines plans
for Riverfront Project
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Arnold Development Corporation President Jonathan Arnold outlined plans for the Riverfront Redevelopment Project at a public forum held at the Center Theater. Arnold said that the former Moosehead Manufacturing plant will eventually have a restaurant and cafe, a patio overlooking the Piscataquis River, a boutique inn, 22 rental apartments, a data center, arts and crafts center, space for a farmer’s market and more.
Garland residents say ‘no’
to east-west corridor
GARLAND — Residents of Garland enacted a 180-day moratorium on any development related to the proposed east-west corridor at a special town meeting on July 10. In a non-binding straw vote, they also rejected having any portion of the limited-access highway built in their community. The moratorium was approved 88-5 and the straw vote passed 85-4.
Fire destroys Cookson farm
DOVER-FOXCROFT — A fast-moving fire destroyed the Shaw Road home and farm of Karen and Fred Cookson on July 14 as more than 100 firefighters battled the blaze for hours. According to Dover-Foxcroft Fire Chief Joe Guyotte, the farm had one of the largest and oldest barns in the area, built by the Grant family in 1914. The owners escaped uninjured, but several animals were lost in the fire.
Arno appointed
MDEA commander
BANGOR — Peter Arno of Dover-Foxcroft, a retired chief deputy for the Bangor Police Department, was appointed commander of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency on July 17. He had previously served as the field office supervisor in the Bangor MDEA office. Arno succeeded Darrell O. Crandall Jr., who was named chief deputy for the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department.
AUGUST
Hampden physician acquires FBO at Greenville airport
GREENVILLE — A Hampden physician who has been flying for more than 17 years announced plans to buy the fixed-base operation (FBO) at Greenville Municipal Airport from Max Folsom. Dr. Peter Thompson said that he will buy Folsom’s hangar at the airport, a house on the property, 10 tie-downs and the low-lead gasoline pumps. Folsom will continue to give flight instructions and assist Thompson.
Shooting, beating and dog attack investigated in Guilford
GUILFORD — Local law enforcement agencies and state police investigated a shooting, beating and alleged dog attack that sent four residents of Guilford to Mayo Regional Hospital on Aug. 12. According to the sheriff’s office, one person was hospitalized with a gunshot wound, one for a broken arm, one with serious injuries as the result of being hit with a baseball bat and dog bites, and the fourth for dog bites.
Hannon announces resignation as Mayo CEO
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Edward J. Hannon announced that he’ll step down as president and CEO of Mayo Regional Hospital at the end of August. Hannon, who was hired on Sept. 17, 2012, said he was leaving for personal and family reasons and had accepted another position out-of-state.
Simko returns as Greenville town manager
GREENVILLE — The Greenville Board of Selectmen voted to hire John Simko as town manager, returning him to a position he held from 2000 to 2010. Simko, who is also Greenville’s fire chief, was director of business development for Pepin Associates. He will succeed Gary Lamb, who left to become town manager of Waterboro in York County.
SEPTEMBER
40th Annual Seaplane Fly-In draws huge crowd
GREENVILLE – The 40th anniversary of the International Seaplane Fly-In drew hundreds of people along with an estimated 300 aircraft to Greenville on Sept. 7-8. This year, Jack Hofbauer, one of the event founders, organized a “fly-by” tribute over Moosehead Lake for two close friends who passed away recently: Louis Hilton of Greenville and Alton Bouchard of Lincoln.
BikeMaine cycling rolled through county
DOVER-FOXCROFT — BikeMaine, a seven-day, 400-mile bicycle ride celebrating people, places, and culture of Maine rolled through the state from Sept. 7-14 with an overnight stop in Dover-Foxcroft on Sept. 8. Many of the more than 200 riders stopped for lunch at the Milo American Legion, made a rest stop in Sebec Village and then camped at Kiwanis Park in Dover-Foxcroft.
Grant application approved
to assist Brownville business
BROWNVILLE — An application to the state’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program was submitted by the town of Brownville on behalf of Mocs Power Sports and Rentals, following approval at a special town meeting on Sept. 11. Piscataquis County Economic Development Council Community Development Director Dr. Ken Woodbury Jr. explained the $45,000 will be used by Mocs Power Sports owner Mike Washburn for his start-up costs.
Dexter rec director’s resignation sparks questions
DEXTER — The recent resignation of Dexter Recreation Director Jimmy Bell prompted a big turnout at the Sept. 12 Town Council meeting where several of Bell’s supporters questioned the circumstances of his departure. But town officials declined to say much about Bell’s decision to leave the post, citing statutes requiring confidentiality on personnel matters.
Sangerville passes rights-based ordinance, 86-40
SANGERVILLE — The town of Sangerville made history on Sept. 18 by becoming the first Maine community to enact a rights-based ordinance (RBO) aimed squarely at the proposed east-west highway. Those who favored the RBO said that residents needed to chart their own destiny, and that individual rights should take priority over corporate interests. Opponents said they were concerned that the RBO wouldn’t withstand a legal challenge and that some of the language was ambiguous.
OCTOBER
King Foundation awards $15,000 grant
to Willimantic Library
WILLIMANTIC — The tiny Willimantic Library received a big gift that will help beautify and preserve the former schoolhouse and make it more energy efficient. The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to the library which will pay for insulation, interior painting, a new heating system, combination storm windows and more books.
Addition OK’d for Central Hall
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Another step was taken in the process to renovate Central Hall as the Dover-Foxcroft Planning Board approved a site plan for an addition to the west side of the building during an Oct. 3 meeting. The approval was granted pending an agreement between those involved with the Central Hall project and the neighboring Dover-Foxcroft United Methodist Church on parking issues. The 12-foot wide addition will provide space for an upper-level kitchen, fire escape and elevator.
FA teen receives WLBZ
‘Teens Who Care’ award
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Foxcroft Academy freshman Mason Merrill was honored by Bangor television station WLBZ with a ‘Teens Who Care’ award at a surprise ceremony on Oct. 10 following a school assembly. Merrill’s volunteer efforts include preparing and serving food at the annual Maine Maple Sunday Breakfast, working at the Shiretown Homecoming Halloween and assisting with the events at Homecoming Week in August.
Milo Safe Streets project and business park completed
MILO — Town Manager Dave Maynard reported that most of the major work is completed on various construction projects in Milo as well as the Piscataquis Business Park. Under the $368,000 Safe Streets project, sections of West Main, Park and Pleasant streets were fixed up with new pavement and underground drainage, sidewalks and safer intersections. Maynard also applied for a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant for lighting and landscape improvements.
Valley Grange continues
‘Words for Thirds’ tradition
GUILFORD — For the 12th consecutive year, Valley Grange of Guilford put “Words for Thirds” into the hands of Piscataquis Community Elementary School (PCES) on Dictionary Day. The Grange has distributed more than 1,200 dictionaries over the life of the program to SAD 4, SAD 41, SAD 68 and home-schooled students, according to program director Walter Boomsma.
NOVEMBER
Republican primary looming for Senate District 4
Two popular Republican lawmakers announced their intentions to run for Senate District 4, covering most of Piscataquis County. State Sen. Doug Thomas of Ripley filed his intentions with the Secretary of State to seek a third term on Friday, Nov. 1, the same day that State Rep. Paul Davis of Sangerville said he was also running for the seat. A third candidate, Joe Legere of Milo, jumped in the race a month later.
Dexter voters elect three new councilors
DEXTER — Voters in Dexter sent a strong message to the town council at the municipal election as three new members were elected and two incumbents defeated, including Chairman Peter Haskell, the longest-serving member. Sharon Grant led the six-way race with 373 votes, followed by Mark Robichaud with 344 and Ronald Apel with 306. Incumbent Alan Wintle received 275 votes, David Palmer finished with 256 and Haskell garnered 211.
SAD 41 asks for review
of school ‘closing’
MILO — The Maine Department of Education apparently thought SAD 41 had closed the Marion C. Cook School in LaGrange, even though the facility now houses an alternate high school and behavioral program. The DOE told the district that in order for a school to remain open, however, they have to provide “regular instruction.” The district and its legal counsel disagree, saying that there is no such statute. The school remains in operation.
LePage threatens court action
if budget isn’t balanced
DEXTER — Gov. Paul LePage told the Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis Club on Nov. 15 that he’s running out of patience trying to balance the state budget, which is reportedly facing a $75 million deficit. “I’m going to insist that the budget be balanced. The constitution of the state of Maine requires it and it hasn’t been balanced since I’ve been governor,” Le Page said. “In January, I’m going to urge them (Appropriations Committee) to balance it; and if they don’t, I’m going to sue them in Supreme Court …”
Highview Christian Academy purchases Parkman school
PARKMAN — Highview Christian Academy announced the purchase of the former Carroll L. McKusick Elementary School in Parkman. The new building will be known as Highview Christian Academy North Campus and will offer pre-school and child care for youngsters age 3-5, according to Headmaster Jay Philbrick. The academy bought the Parkman school building from Scott and Annie Wilhite of Guilford.
DECEMBER
Watson begins duties
as Dexter town manager
DEXTER — Town Clerk Shelley L. Watson began her duties as Dexter town manager on Dec. 1. She had worked in the town office since 1987 and for the last 17 years as town clerk. She was the unanimous choice of the town council following the departure of Linda-Jean Briggs. Even though she’s worked for six different administrators, dating back to Steve Whitesel in the 1980s, Watson said that she had never applied for the town manager’s job before.
Dennis Green honored
with Myrick Award
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) presented the annual Pete Myrick Community Service Award to Dennis Green of Brownville at its annual meeting. Green served on the Board of Selectmen for over 30 years, was a volunteer fireman and a past master of the Pleasant River Masonic Lodge.
Land donated for Atkinson
veterans’ memorial
ATKINSON — The Crowell family donated a plot of land next to the Atkinson town office to the local cemetery committee on Dec. 7 for the purpose of building a new, permanent veterans’ memorial. The current wooden memorial has the names of every known Atkinson veterans from the Revolutionary War to the current war on terrorism.
SeDoMoCha will switch from trimesters to quarters
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The ranking periods of SeDoMoCha Middle School will switch to quarters instead of trimesters for the 2014-15 school year, following action by the SAD 68 Board of Directors. Students will be graded over an 8-week time frame instead of 12, with a progress report halfway through.
Plans for shoe industry revival in Dexter unveiled
DEXTER — A group of Dexter businessmen announced that they were working on plans to restart a hand-sewing operation in the community, using the talents and experience of former Dexter Shoe employees. Organizers noted the resurgence of American-made products and increased demand for high quality footwear.