Public discourse over the fate of Sears Island intensified in recent months, as a state-run planning initiative began and a group of organizations released a new report outlining several economic development scenarios. Conservationists and transportation interests clashed anew at the first open meeting of the state-led Sears Island Planning Initiative on May 30 at the
State, coastal towns ponder Route 1’s future
Screaming matches, protests, people chaining themselves to trees — it wasn’t a pretty picture when the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) came to Warren to widen a stretch of Route 1 two years ago. The conflict left deep scars on both sides and garnered national press coverage. It’s not a situation either MDOT or coastal
What Passes for Discussion
State officials have to stick their heads in the lion’s mouth from time to time; it goes with their jobs. This month we report on two such times, both involving the Department of Transportation. One is an effort by the DOT to plan the future of coastal Route 1 in hopes of avoiding community dust-ups
Gary Parsons, 1941-2006 A Fisherman’s Life that was an Example to All
Gary Parsons of Bar Harbor died unexpectedly at his home on June 2, 2006, at the age of 65. Fishing was not only in his blood, it was his life. He started fishing in 1961 and 45 years later, until the week of his death, he was one of the first ones down at the
Correction
“Less is Better” (WWF June 06) incorrectly stated the state’s recommendations for a buffer between cultivated areas and water. The recommended buffer is 8 to 15 feet, not 8 to 15 inches.
Calling all Hamiltons!
Chebeague Island, home of the extended Hamilton clan for 250 years, will host a Hamilton family reunion on July 15. “If you have ever wondered if you have a Chebeague connection,” says local historian (and Hamilton descendant) Donna Miller Damon, “this is the time to find out!” Hamilton descendants carry hundreds of different surnames and
The Long View: What is the Creative Economy?
More than 30 years ago after moving to the remote eastern coast of Maine, a visiting friend wanted to know if Washington County supported an active traditional music scene. Amid all the evident privations of life thereabouts, she evidently conjured up a cultural brew of guitar and banjo pickers like those of rural Appalachia or
From the Deck: Look, Daddy, A Pirate Ship!
The replica of HMS Bounty lies on the railway at Boothbay Harbor. To any child and to many who should know better, any square rigged ship is a “pirate ship” with its romantic associations of the tropical seas, secret hideaways, and swaggering rascals, patch on eye, wooden leg, cutlass and rum bottle in hand. Actually,
FLYING HIGH Penobscot Island Air thrives in a difficult environment
As time flies, so grows the story of Penobscot Island Air. Only two years ago last dead of winter, the tale of this feisty new airline began with more chutzpah than capital, more spirit than spreadsheet. Kevin Waters, the former manager of Maine Atlantic Aviation, put up his home and 401K plan as collateral, qualifying
Airstrips: insurance, length, availability
The $555,000 Small Community Air Service Development Program grant not only subsidizes passenger tickets; it pays the $8,000 per year tab for liability insurance, covering the hodgepodge of island airstrips, many of them privately owned, where PIA routinely lands. PIA still cannot fly passengers to North Haven — the Witherspoon strip, the only available airstrip