Once again, the Maine Legislature has acted on behalf of the coast’s beleaguered middle-income property taxpayers, particularly those with connections to the fishing industry. L.D. 299, which passed both houses unanimously, revives an idea that failed several years ago in a statewide referendum: amending the state constitution to allow “current use” taxing of property used
SCOTIA PRINCE cancels season; Portland looks for alternatives
In early April, just a few days from the start of its 2005 season, the owners of the SCOTIA PRINCE abruptly cancelled the sailing season. They cited toxic mold in Portland’s International Marine Terminal as grounds for terminating the season. The ferry, with a capacity for 1,000 passengers, has made the run between Portland, Maine,
State is negotiating to buy islands off Popham Beach
The deputy director of the state Bureau of Parks and Lands, Ralph Knoll, confirmed in April that the bureau has been seeking to acquire the Fox Islands located just off the coast of Phippsburg. Knoll reported that the two islands, totaling approximately six acres, have been a major attraction for visitors at Popham Beach State
Newfoundland crabbers strike over production quotas
Newfoundland fishermen’s anger at the provincial government’s decision to change the crab production quota system has resulted in a strike, demonstrations and a one-day blockade of oil tankers trying to enter Placentia Bay. Early in March, provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Trevor Taylor announced a new raw material shares (RMS) system for the crab fishery
Doing Good Overseas – Once you go, you can’t wait to go back
“It’s too intense to maintain for more than two weeks,” said Islesford lobsterman Ted Spurling, Jr. of his volunteer work as a translator for a medical mission. That goes for many of the people on the Maine coast who give their time to help those less fortunate. Some do their volunteering through churches, others through
How to Help
To help the Mizoram Project, send checks, eyeglasses, or good sunglasses to Wesleyan Church, Center Street, Bangor, 04401, contact Peter Leong, M.D. at 207-262-5876, or e-mail pleong@aol.com. To donate to the Souls for Christ mission, send checks to Church of God, 1021 Unionville Road, Steuben, ME 04680, c/o Bruce Portrie, call Portrie at 207-483-4124, or
Doing Good
Maine has an un-heralded corps of volunteers who head off to faraway places when they can to help other people. Their number includes medical workers, translators, builders of houses and schools, teachers, even old-fashioned missionaries. The work these do-gooders perform enriches lives in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and other parts of the Third World.
Vinalhaven’s “Southern Fried Murder” is a recipe for success
Vinalhaven High School’s drama department brought fundraising to new heights in early April with a dinner theater offering of Southern Fried Murder. The basement of the town’s Union Church was converted into the dining room of the Towering Oaks, the “finest inn in New Orleans.” The cast of eight young island women sported genteel and
Insure That Island Home? Maybe, But Bring Your Wallet
Ron Ames and partner Emily Rantala of Matinicus say they’ve solved the problem of high-priced homeowner’s insurance. They don’t carry any. “If the house burns down, we’ll just move into another one,” said Ron, a fisherman. He said soaring premiums for insurance policies led him to just hope he’ll be lucky. “I’ve been fortunate, that’s
The Long View – Island Networking
A central paradox of island life is that each island, whether in Maine or elsewhere, eagerly celebrates its differences from every other community, including other island communities, even though all islands share many common issues and interests. Whether these interests are maintaining small schools, or ferry and mail services, or emergency medical systems, the list