I feel for the people in the most remote towns in the state. Today's economic landscape makes it almost impossible for anyone but the financially independent to live in these areas.

On trips to Maine, which normally take us there about every 6 years or so, we always and naturally head to the coastal regions. First on the agenda. Why, we just look at each other's beak's in the car and wonder why, when this question comes up. Although we head into and through Calais, we stop and eat at local restaurants, and then head on to Saint John, New Brunswick for a few days; then head back out west taking the highway through Canada, to Vancouver, then down into California from there. We take our time and enjoy the trip as always.

However, some of my family hails from Calais and Milltown area. Agnes Preston, Foster Preston; long-time residents (well-passed on now), Ruth Brogan of Calais; worked for many years for the City of Calais (whereabouts not known now) and other folks long-passed ito obscurity. I remember the parades in downtown Calais in the early 1940's and 1950's, as I watched from the purch of one of the downtown hotels, and the time some radio station had an announcer throw out .50-cent pieces to the crowd. I came home with $1.50!

I think this recession has struck everyplace. Sorry to see some businesses in Calais are also affected. We wish everyone the best through these difficult financial times, and hang in there, folks! It's 'gotta get better!!

The new border law is what is killing the economy the most. This law is terrible and doesn't even provide a false sense of security. If terrorists are going to cross the border:

A - They probably aren't going to come across one of the legal points of entry - there are thousands upon thousands of miles of unguarded wilderness between the US and Canada.

B - If they DO come across the border, they are probably well-financed enough to be able to fake an ID.

Repeal the damn thing already - the only people it's hurting are the taxpayers it's supposed to protect.

I really hope it does get better but I don't hear from anyone that it is. I'm in contact with people everywheres and it doesn't look good. People I speak to who work with the general public say they are in contact with irrate customers. They are angry and trying to keep as much money in there pocket as they can.

Where are the new jobs we were promised? The middle man is really taking a hard hit.

Get use to it in Calais and all over Maine and the Country! Here in Maine with the poor choices that our Rep's. in Augusta have made this state has been gong down hill for years. And now with the new sales tax laws they just put in Small cities like Calais are going lose lose more Businesses and jobs. Baldacci and his Cohorts in Augusta have done no good for Maine. And soon after Cap and Trade and the Trillions that are going to be spent on Health Care. small buisnesses are going to be the main victims of the rape of our future. Millions of jobs are going to be lost across this Country. And 10's of 1000's will be lost here in Maine. Please write call or even go to the Offices of Snowe and Collins and ask them to help stop this maddness that is killing this Country. I would say go to Michaud's office but he will do what his leader in crime tells him to do. His Queen Nancy! He could careless about what is right for the people of Maine! Oh by the way I go to Calais and shop all the time as I do like keeping my money in the area around where I live. But over the 4th I went to Houlton. It had been a few years since I had been there. I was shocked at the down town area there at midnight madness. Houlton is clearly feeling the same pain as Calais! Border towns Your Government has screwed you. Look for it to get worse!

'Turnip'...guess what? You came so close to the truth in your comment it is scary.

In 2001, some of those terrorists that went on to destroy the World Trade Centers in NYC, actually DID come through the Calais/Saint Stephen, NB border, from New Brunswick.

They drove down I-95, through Bangor and on to either Portland, or possibly could have stayed overnight in Bangor. My recollections are incomplete, but that much I do know.

It is no wonder that border security is tight. The times my wife, son and I traveled through this border, either coming into Canada or coming back into the US, we had to get out of the car and allow the border guards to do a quick search and ask to see our purchases and passports if we had them. We always carry passports, anyway, and we were both cleared. My wife is not from the US and is obviously a foreigner, which could be the reason for the search and suspicion.

Calais is a border town. Border towns, all of us, are dependent on tourism and folks crossing the border into or out of the US. Since crossing the border has become so difficult especially coming into our country, maybe St. Stephen and Calais can partner in making this easier for everyone. Maybe some businesses can offer additional services of simply providing coffee and hospitality for those stuck in the long lines. Help people crossing over to Canada be sure their paperwork will be good in both directions which will streamline some of the time at the border. Those businesses with a visual of both sides of the Ferry Bridge can provide callers with an estimate on current lines. Maybe a consolidated coalition of Main St business could have a collaborative in the Old Urban Moose. Souvenirs, Ice cream, food from Carmenz and Borderz, as well as someone to be sure everyone is aware of the new rules and will be able to navigate back and forth. I can think of a lot of ways to implement such a service that would allow some collaboration of all of the business to work together and still be competitive in a cooperative way with each other. Then we work to get St Stephen to do the same. They need the business as much as we do. Instead of being a border town in crisis, let's make border crossing OUR BUSINESS, and let those travelling great distances from the US to Nova Scotia and PEI know that we want to help them and in so doing, we will keep money in Calais. I have some time to VOLUNTEER helping get a working alliance up and running prior to the city celebration at the end of this month and international festival next month.

Those with motor homes do not want to spend hours waiting to get across the border. With simple services such as calling their cell phones as they eat or shop at area establishments when the line for the bridge has made the wait shorter, we can be service minded and keep some money in the area. It can be a win-win situation. And the more creative the better!

Even creative signage at the third bridge can make sure folks are aware of all this area has to offer before folks cross to Canada or head the other direction, which has potential for relocating or expanding existing businesses. There is a Main Street everywhere in the country, let's make ours HOME.

Calais and just about all the communities in Washington County are dieing on the vine. Of every 100 H.S. graduates, we are lucky to retain 10. The border situation doesn't help matters nor does the rediculous price gouging the Oil Companies have practiced in Calais over the years. Add to that we have a WalMart that seems to be the biggest attraction for Canadians sucking more from downtown. There is NOTHING in downtown Calais that would attract tourists at the moment other than the fact that they have to cross into Canada there. This too will be cut drastically when they start using the new bridge.

RIP.

Main street USA has been dieing a slow death forr a long time. Walmart is like a black hole sitting out there sucking up all the small bussiness and we the the consumer have let it happen.

THANK YOU MR. BUSH

harley07 Bush did hit Calais hard Obama will bury them! Along with the rest of this Country.

Cre8RoyalPalm: Better go back and research your comments, as it was "initially" speculated that the terrorist entered into the US via Canada, but it was found that they actually had been in the US under student Visas and living in FL. The passport problem for small border towns is the cost. Folks can not afford the $75 per passport card, so just decide not to travel to Canada or from Canada to the US. As it is, Ontario and Quebec have smart IDs as their licenses, but none of the Maritime provinces have them as of yet. But what really frustrates me is that Passport cards should be free to US residents... Sorry, but for what we pay for taxes, we should be able to get a passport for little to no money, and not have it be a restrictive issue due to cost.

Calais storefronts have been vacant for many years. The recent economic downturn has not had anything to do with that. My Favorite Things and The Urban Moose are new and I'm sure they feel the strain, but to blame the way the Main Street storefront vacancies on this recent economic downfall is not accurate.

Correction; words omitted . . . . . .to blame the way the Main Street store vacancies exist on this recent . . .

What's really killing us is all of the people that don't work and suck the people that actually do, meaning Social Security!! So, while all of you that have nothing better to do than comment on all of these articles, I will go off to work so I can support your sorry asses.

CRH has had 37.5 hours as full time for years...Nothing new there...

People who have been blaming the new passport law are leaving out information and making up other info. It does not cost 75 dollars. You can get photos taken for about 8 dollars at any retail store that takes passport photos and then get a passport card for 45.00. When waiting for your passport to come back, you can use the paperwork and receipt from the United States Postal Service to get across the border in the meantime. Also, it would be next to impossible to fake a US Passport or US Passport card. Don't try insulting our great US Customs and Border Patrol Agents with that statement.

The economy has always been bad in Calais and the rest of Washington County due to 30 + years of incompetence in Augusta, and the voters keep electing the same type of tax and spend liberals each election cycle.

Chris1943- Calais Hospital did cut its 40 hour emplyees to 37.5 hours per week last week and it did affect a lot of people ..... it was not expected and it does negatively effect the local economy. These are tough times for sure............

To Cre8Royal Palm-Ruth Brogan passed away about 10 years ago and donated her house and estate to the Catholic Church...the chuch turned it into a food pantry and called it the Irene Chadborune food pantry....unbelievable after Ruth had made the church and the city of Calais her life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How's all that hope and change working out for all you Obama worshipers? The national deficit hit $1 trillion dollars yesterday and is projected to rise to $2 trillion by the end of the year. Furthermore, small businesses all over the country will be forced to close if Obama gets his way on national healthcare. My heart goes out to the folks in Calais because the city will become a ghost town if Domtar closes and the economy keeps sliding. This is no longer a Democrat or Republican issue- if we don't take our country back from the crooks in Washington this nation is doomed.

I am in no way saying that the deficit doesn't matter because of course it does.... BUT... once we hit $1TRILLION does it really matter if it goes HIGHER? It's a TRILLION DOLLARS for goodness sake! Might as well be a GAZILLION really. Geez, I guess we should just keep everything the way it is... no change, more jobs going into the toilet, people unable to access affordable healthcare. JUST so that we can keep it under $2 Trillion. *big huge eyeroll*

Nurse54 you are right. It is the fault of all the majority of our politicians. The large companies and their lobbiests. Bush, Obama, Barney Frank, Clinton with his spend , spend, buy on credit, invest in stocks for retirement, Dobbs, Pelosi, Walmart. The oil companies....This country is doomed. The illigeal immigrants that are flooding some states that we educate for free and give free medical care. The tree huggers who have so much power that they have stopped agriculture in California that have un-employed 80,000 workers. The list goes on and on and it is getting worse.

I for one have stopped shopping in Calais because the last two years they have had the streets torn up working on piping infrastructure. It's been an absolute disaster. It seems almost every street is a mess with the construction. You sometimes sit for twenty minutes before traffic moves. The city council should be proud of their flawed plan to do this work. I do my shopping in Machias now.

harley07 I hate to tell you but this is NOT the fault of George W. Bush!!!!!!! Obama constantly blames his predecesor but he needs to grow up and take responsibility for the fact that the dying economy is HIS. He has spent more in 6 months than Bush spent in 8 years and he's still spending, driving us deeper and deeper in debt. His reckless policies have made him a laughing stock in Europe and Putin is clapping his hands in glee as the US economy slips ever closer to collapse. This administration is the most inept collection of fumbling idiots this country has ever seen. cccbcc

Nurse54, do you really, honestly believe this is all Obama's fault!? Bush was in office for nearly a decade...do the math.

The Bush Depression has finished this country. Over 6.7 million jobs have been lost since Bush took over. Sad very sad.

Nurse54 does not have to defend herself...Obama has spent more in his few months in office than Bush did. We are talking trillions upon trillions into failed companies and programs. We'll be lucky if we can recover from this.

berquis- You just don't get it! Obama's healthcare will bankrupt small business and the net result will be the lost of THOUSANDS of jobs. He keeps talking about "taxing the rich" but it's not the rich who will suffer, it's the poor small business owner. Lynn Tilton, CEO of Patriarchy Partners and owner of the mill in Old Town, has said this same thing. "Once we hit a trillion what does it matter?" It matters a great deal because at some point China and Saudi Arabia are going to say "no more" and refuse to loan us any more money. Tax cheat Tim Geitner is overseas right now trying to calm the Chinese nerves but the time is fast approaching when such pleas will fall on deaf ears. At that point, the US economy will totally collapse and you will understand that another trillion or two or three matter very much.

In 2001, some of those terrorists that went on to destroy the World Trade Centers in NYC, actually DID come through the Calais/Saint Stephen, NB border, from New Brunswick. -- Cre8RoyalPalm

Not true. This is a persistent myth, but a myth.

TURNIP IS RIGHT !!! REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT FOR A PASSPORT...

IT IS A STUPID BUSH FEAR MONGER LEGACY..............

IT HURTS EVERYONE IN MAINE AND CANADA..............

MY HEALTH PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING A CAMPAIGN -

TO CALL OUR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS.......!!!!!!

nurse54, I do understand what you are saying but you're right I guess, because I just don't get it. Everyone preaches to the high heavens about what all of our officials (particularly Obama) are doing without taking into account that what we WERE doing is NOT WORKING, hasn't worked in quite some time. At this point, I may be the minority but I feel that CHANGE is something we need. You cannot expect that after just 8 months all will be great and fine and Obama will have cleaned up all this country's mess. Yes, I realize that many feel that he is creating bigger problems but bigger than what? I repeat $1 TRILLION!! Obama said it would get worse before it gets better. He never said it was going to be an instant fix. All of you can continue to whine cry moan and boo hoo about what Obama does but quite frankly I think that NO MATTER WHO the president is there would be much of the same "I don't like it, he's not helping us" attitude.

HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT HISTORICAL OBAMA VOTE FOR CHANGE NOW? THE GUY DOESNT EVEN HAVE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND YOU ELECT HIM! ALL OF YOU WHO VOTED DEMOCRAT, SERVES YOU RIGHT!

Job losses in 2008...1.2 million

Job losses since February over 2 million

Where are the "shovel ready jobs"?

You have some places in the US where unemplyment is close to 20%...

November of 2006. That is when the Democrats took majority control of Congress and the Senate. These 2 bodies are what runs the country, NOT the president. The legislative bodies write bills, vote on bills, and pass or fail bills. The only power the president has is to veto or allow them into law. That is all. The sownhill slide began in 2006.

Now you have this party in total control (no filibusters) of both houses. A leader that is pushing a socialist agenda, health care reform bill that will put most small business out of business so that the government can compete with the private insurance companies. You cannot compete with the government because the government can print more money to out bid you. So there's another million or 2 jobs lost. Congress and the Senate have been passing bills that MEMBERS HAVE NEVER READ OR EVEN LOOKED AT. Believe me, you haven't seen anything yet.

I am generally an optimistic person and I look for the bright side of things. Unfortunately there really is no hope here. It will get a lot worse before it gets better. And when and if it does recover, it will not be the same United States of America.

Canada and the U.S. need to work together on national security so that the border between our two countries can be more open. Have streamlined and strict requirements for getting into both countries, but once you're in one, make it easy to travel to the other. We are both each other's largest trading partners and we need to work together to maintain the economic benefits but keep all of us (Canadians and Americans) safe.

Add Town Manager Diane Barnes to the list of problems that the town of Calais is facing.

Dear Internet Friends:

This story made me sad. Well, perhaps I am sad to begin with, and it only reminded me of my own inner feelings.

This is the story of Calais, Maine, which is well know to all people who head up the coast to Canada.

It is a story of the US, which found itself caught up in economic madness during the '90s with the stock bubble, hurt by cheating Enron and the bursting bubble, only to fool itself with the housing bubble, with Bernie Madoff as it's poster child. Meanwhile, more Americans work part time with no health or retirement benefits, cash in their 401K plans, and send jobs overseas, via Wal-Mart (a favorite shopping destination here for me in rural Maine). What have we all done to our country? Us baby boomers, those in the upper classes, had it extra good? Time to refocus our values and become human beings again. Rog.

Well it seems a lot of you folks like to moan and groan and use any topic at all to throw blame because you don't agree with the government or whatever. The article was about downtown Calais. I have a business in downtown Calais. I'm not getting rich by it...been doing it for 15 years in Washington County but I love what I do. Now to comment on things in this article.....my sales were down from last year during April and May, but June they were way up. I have noticed more tourists and shoppers a bit earlier this year and I think it is possibly related to two things...first the weather has been lousy. When the weather is lousy in the summer in Maine...people tend to shop and visit the downtowns more. And also the gas prices are down so people can travel easier without fear of bankruptcy. Yes there is a shop going out of business...because she wants to really retire this year at 72 and bless her for it! Yes times are a bit tougher but using a bit of creativity..staying cheerful...using the time to do some great deals to increase the volume of business...we all can work through this. Empty storefronts? Yes as there has been in Calais for the past several years on and off. Waiting for that "promised"job to come floating into your dock? Maybe a new business in one of those store fronts could work for you...there are opportunities to explore if one is willing. I have quite a few Canadian customers and yes the passport issue has put a crimp in some peoples lives but really its been coming for about two years and the cost is no more than a night out...a new do at the hair salon...a new pair of sneakers, and Iif one wants to get one...it's not that hard. In fact get your kids full passports....one of the greatest educations you can give them for not so much money is the opportunity to visit other parts of our world. But now I diverse...and I could go on about other things but I just thought some positive input was needed here to point out that if I had not read the headlines of this article, I would not have had a clue an economic storm had hit Calais...huh? where have I been?

"In 2001, some of those terrorists that went on to destroy the World Trade Centers in NYC, actually DID come through the Calais/Saint Stephen, NB border, from New Brunswick. -- "

This a myth that is actully irks Canadians - The terrorists went to a flight school in florida

Also I have talked to a couple who went through Calais twice . The first time they were not a minute inside the USA and they were caught in the middle of a gun fight . The second time they were almost the victims of road rage because some nutjob went ballistic over them being in the wrong lane and from Canada . He ignored the school bus going through a red light .

Its these two incidents , the low Canadian dollar , the terrorist myth , and the rude U.S border guards . that treat Canadians as "Criminals" (I cannot say the passport thing is all that bad) .

As for the United States debt its not 1 trillion dollar its more than 10 trillion dollars . If George W. Bush did not go to

On 7/15/09 at 3:32 AM, Cre8RoyalPalm wrote:

"In 2001, some of those terrorists that went on to destroy the World Trade Centers in NYC, actually DID come through the Calais/Saint Stephen, NB border, from New Brunswick. "

Amazing people still believe that line of crap.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38816-2005Apr8.html

Educate yourself please!

Our own lax border policies (which Obama is making worse not better) allowed the 9-11 terrorist to do their job.

How do we reward them?

By punishing our people and making the problem worse.

We are accomplishing their mission for them..

The idiots at the border crossing or more federal welfare workers making things worse while they secure their own paychecks off our backs. The idea that you can cause a decrease in traffic of almost 17% without causing more harm to the local economy is just insane.

Opps I push the wrong button

As for the United States debt its not 1 trillion dollars its more than 10 trillion dollars .If you watch your CBC and current TV documentaries you would learn a lot about the USA If George W. Bush did not go to Iraq that had NOTHING to do with 9/11 .10 Billion dollars a mouth for that war when the terrorist came from Afganistan . That would over long ago. As for Obama he has to clean up the mess George created . Then the economy went down the tiolet because of Goerge as well.

Not that I don't think that terrorists are an issue and concern, they are but we are doing a great job of allowing this country to be destroyed. The twin towers in a strange way imploded from within. Very symbolic of what is happening in this country. Greed and immorality are strong enough factors in destroy this country from within. That is what is happening.

Lets not forget the Laptop detaining too

Damm, so it's Terrorist that have knocked down the Calais economy?

Amazing how a few false leads can send a story spinning

Elizabethann You are a little wrong Obama has not spent more then Bush in 6 months. Obama has spent more then Bush and all of the other presidents combind in 6 months! I WEEP FOR AMERICA!!!

LOL, Elizabethann, zatwoods Companies all over America are celebrating that you two are not accountants.

Maine...doesn't take an accountant to figure out you don't spend more money than you have. Might as well take out the monopoly game and starting using play money.

Why don't we get rid of all border crossings and just sit a "czar" on a throne and he can decide who crosses and who doesn't. Appointing "czars" seems to be the trend in this country. Will I be booted out again BND?

Just a little poll for own interest... How many of you complained just as loud during previous presidents' terms?

Spend more than you bring in... LOL... that's a real knee-slapper from a Bush supporter.

berquis: I agree with you. re 10:02 AM And I can just about guarantee you.....a few here never liked our current President (even before he was elected) and will find fault with everything. No doubt.

RogerNamVet makes some good points. People (many many people) in this country lived beyond their means (credit cards,etc. ) and now this country and its citizens are reaping what they sowed. That is a big part of it.......Greed! Greed on the part of many, from the wealthy on down. It is time to accept some responsibility for that,among other things, and not just blame Bush or Obama. It is a much bigger problem than that....so stop looking for one scapegoat!!

berquis: re 2:09 PM.....I will conduct my little poll right now (ha ha) The answer to your question there....NONE!!!!!

Just imagine the economic boon that 2 LNG terminals would bring to the St. Croix valley. Tourism has already proven that it is not the answer to our local economy, all one has to do is look at the heritage center. Remember when all the constuction workers were here to build the pipeline? every business in the area prospered. Well we can have that again if we all support LNG and welcome their efforts to build new lifeblood into this economical depressed area.

'Washcogal' - thank you for the update on Ruth Brogan. She was a very wonderful person and I remember her distinct manner of speaking. She was related to the Prestons and of my mother's side of the family, who relocated to Bangor in the early 1900's. She was my mom's first cousin. The entire family were Irish descent. They were close. Ruth never married, as she was professionally attached to Calais, and the operations of the City. Yes, she made the church and the City of Calais her life. Next time I run through Calais, I will surely drop in to the Pantry. How come the church called the life-long home of Ruth the Irene Chadbourne Food Pantry? I guess I will drop a nice letter to the church (Catholic) in Calais soon.

'tomgroening', I could be absolutely wrong on this, but the BDN DID report that the terrorists came through New Brunswick, across the border (and stated where, but I completely think it said Calais). Maybe someone can check in the BDN archives on this. Should not be too hard to find. I'll look into it too. Sorry if I posted a comment out of conjecture, but we can find the real-deal, I'm sure. But one fact is positive; they DID come in from New Brunswick or Canada across the border into the USA in rented automobiles. Yes, 'patycat' they did attend a flight school in Florida and the owner of the flight school reported suspiciousness in the character of the (terrorists) maneuvers these people were initiating. As a pilot myself, under no circumstances do you point the aircraft at a ground target and keep heading for it. Against all rules of FAA flight rules.

'newportres', I will check up on that web site. I was not in Maine residing there at that time, so, as I said, I was not sure or the actual route taken. I have to recheck the BDN archives as well. There may be conflicting reports. Maybe the FBI initiated a report, but I can check that out, also.

Funny, though, that a family of three, myself, my wife (from Dubai, and a 24-year USA citizen and attorney herself) and my son, get stopped crossing the border coming in from Canada in our 1998 Cadillac, (with California license plates and inspection/registration sticker valid) in June of 1998, have to get out of the car, open the trunk, open the hood, have mirrors-on-a-stick floated under the chassis of our vehicle, and an internal search made of the interior of the car, glove box, consoles front and back, and have a drug-sniffing dog smell the car. Yup, border guard idiots. Maybe their boss was there that day when we crossed over. But did they do this to those grosbeaks who ran planes into the fields of Maryland, into the Pentagon and into the WTC? I would doubt it much!

'chersully2000', you are correct about the downfall - in a large part - of the US economical structure. However, people have tendencies, for the most part, to bite off more than they can financially chew sometimes. Not all of us do this. But, combine that with failures of jobs and manufacturing interests in America, and you get the beginning of a gigantic landslide.

'mereston', thank you for your report on Calais. wished BDN caught you in on this article before they printed it.

meweston: Really strange.....I thought I wrote a comment to you but do not see it! I applauded your positive outlook and attitude. I think you will do just fine. I think we need more people who think as you do sometimes. i recall being in Calais quite a number of yrs ago , and there were plenty of empty storefronts then, as well. All the best, and good luck with your business!

Yes, Cre8RoyalPalm, I believe you are quite correct re the "route" of the terrorists (from Canada). Also, about the flight school in Fla. So chilling to think of all of that.

Cre8RoyalPalm - In response to your terrorist theory, they didn't come through Calais. That is rumor and bordering on slander. I know this for a fact. Don't spread fear through lies or misinformation.

The WHITI requirements make more sense on the S. Border; I agree - but they are here to stay. My question is why the State hasn't stood up to help elderly and low income people obtain such a document, or for the State to adopt the enhanced d/l?

ohreally just remember some day you will be a sorry bottom also.

The Canadian dollar is bad right now... but for us in the U.S., it's a bittersweet thing. The lower thier dollar in comparison to ours, the better... that means our dollar is getting stronger. If the Canadian dollar is worth more, then our dollar is losing value.... though on the other hand, when thier dollar is high, they spend more. It's kind of a double edged sword.

I think I figured out the key to turning around the economy. It's brilliantly simple. Buy stuff. That's it. Just buy stuff. If money is tight then don't buy things you don't need. Don't splurge unless you can. If you can, why not. If people learn to become more responsible with their limited supplies of cash, there wouldn't be too much issue. We don't need tourists to fathom economical success. You just need a good community that's willing to work together. There's a lot of people out there who, (i'm speaking in a general sense) don't help at all. These same people say they hate money, forget money, don't need money, and live a free life, but what they don't realize, or perhaps deny is that someone is still paying for their supplies. So you know, if people just STOP spending money because of 'hard times' then yea... the economy is going to fail because those businesses aren't going to recieve their natural income. It seems like all a big scheme to me. I don't have a lot of money, but i have what i need, and i proudly support local businesses. Say, the grocery store bought food is cheaper by the bulk, but why not go downtown and support your local pizza shop? Or instead of stealing lilacs from your neighbors bush for your wife buy some lillies? It takes support from the people to keep the economy alive. It takes money to make money. If everyone is hoarding it, it's going to dry up.

Unispun you are correct....Spend the money you don't have....

I drove through Calais last month, Machias looks 10 times better than Calais.

The whole city needs rebuilt.

MaineExpatriat Look it up it is a fact!

I believe that there are some local stores in Calais doing well. I know those in the frozen turkey and milk business are doing fine! But the reality and the basis for this story is that it's not just one thing that has hit the local market. It's a combination of many. Urban Moose and My Favorite Things, as well as the whole string of downtown stores are an asset to the commnuity. They all sponsor summer events that are enjoyed by lots of people (concerts, festivals, etc..). So before you hit the order button on your keyboard next time you are planning a purchase, why not check to see if you can purchase it local. These are the business that donate to all the school and benefits that take place all the time. They spend countless hours donating their time to local groups. The internet companies offer nothing to the community.

And the subject of the 911 terrorist entering from Canada, per Michael Wilson, Canada ambassador to the US: "As the 9-11 commission reported in 2004, all of the 9-11 terrorists arrived in the United States from outside North America. They flew to major U.S. airports. They entered the U.S. with documents issued by the United States government and no 9-11 terrorists came from Canada." http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2009/04/21/9193606-cp.html

So my mother in law just called me from Virginia after reading this story and was all worried ready to open her house to our family thinking that things in Calais were not good at all. Of course I set her straight and gave her the REAL story. Yes I understand that My Favorite things might be having a moment of tough times and I too have been there many times but personally my business has been doing great. We too have had many moments when we thought we would close up shop but last months sales alone were up 11% over last year. I know it doesn't seem like much but when everyone is talking about how bad it is this makes me feel differently. We have also had a lot of tourists coming in. I also decided to take a meander up Main Street and look at all these supposed empty storefronts and I only found 4 soon to be 5 empty spots one of which has been empty for probably 15 years another has been empty for 20 or more years one didn't close up shop but relocated and another is closing not because of poor economy but because of retirement. There are a few more empty spots but they are currently in the process of being renovated so time will tell. As a friend said earlier today we need not be looking at all the negative but focusing on the positive and start finding ways to bring more NEW businesses to town.

Hopefully everyone who is finding it tough will decide to stick it out and see it through. I know we will.

The bush tax cuts worked . They had the highest taxes revenues in history in 2005,2006. how ever he spent like a democrate. Vote conservative not republican or democrate.

maineboy? what?

The Bush tax cuts were a disaster, they only helped the wealthy. Trickle down is a farce. Think about it, if you give a rich person more money,for nothing, he hoards it, he doesn't turn it into more jobs. The only time he creates more jobs is when there is more of a demand for his product and by more people creating his product he makes more money. If! the demand for his product is level and you hand him more money, he is not going to lower his net revenue by making his product less valuable by overproducing and having to lower the price. Trickle Down Economics, isn't viable and now FINALLY dang near every reputable Economist in the world agrees. Catch up.

Conservative isn't a party but good luck finding it on the ballot.

And I have no idea what I posted on this thread that I have to look up and no interest to go back and find it.

I do believe Bush did cut taxes...

Maybe I'm wrong....

Meweston...thumbs up to you. I wish I would have read your comment first then I wouldn't have had to post. Keep up the good work.

I would like to personally thank all of those who came out today to support My Favorite Things. Without you, our loyal customers, there would never be hope. Today I was able to see first hand what happens when people come together to lend a helping hand. We hope and pray that we will remain in business in the Calais Area, for years to come.

Thank you for everything you all have done, and remember to please shop locally.

Meredith Royer - My Favorite Things

telefunk? and who got the biggest tax break under Bush? And no I don't mean dollars (although it was that too) I mean percentage.

Though it sounds WRONG as heck... it makes sense to give the breaks to the rich. Why? Because the rich have money. They will be the ones who stimulate the economy, by purchasing big things, like businesses, to employ the rest of us. 2005-2006 was great for my small investments... so I agree in part that things were pretty good then... But since then I have consistantly lost money, until last quarter... so there may be hope. Things seem to be looking up a little bit... empahsis on little.

But it doesn't work that way HippyKicker. The rich already have the "big" things. Furthermore it's a select group that make the outrageous luxury items so the money tends to stay in a very small circle. Trickle down was inaccurate, it was more an ocassional drop from the ocean.

One minor thing that certainly did NOT help Calais was ruining the town some years back!

Try to convince me that a big old open space on Main St. look so much better than a beautiful granite Historical Post Office!

Let the old historical buildings on Main St. fall into disrepair, but stick a bench out on the sidewalk & that will sure draw people!

Oh, did I mention that on Saturday evenings there were so many people out on the sidewalks that it was hard to get around? I wonder if that is happening now days?

My, oh my, how could I overlook the "savior" of Calais!! None other that the Down East Heritage Center.. Boy has that place improved the area! It draws more of a crowd than stink on @%$*.. And it only cost us a a small fortune, so what a great buy we all got on this one!

Yes, the ID requirement certainly does not help. But it can be made a much bigger item than it really is, as it is a great excuse for all that ails us..

And on the complaints about the local politics, don't we vote them in, or do they just appoint themselves? Give me a break!

Calais CAN be brought back to it's former Glory, but not without more help and less bickering....

Just my 2 sense..

I will jump in here to say something....The terrorists actually DID come into Calais, how do I know this you ask? I had them come to the store i was working at and was asking directions to the Portland jetport, and I had to write it down on paper to give directions...there were 3 men, all wearing turbans, they stood out like sore thumbs, and the lady who was working with me actually has a son who works with the Boston FBI, she called him, after 9/11 happened...we had no clue beforehand that they were who they were....yes, it's a scary thought that I actually talked to them, not knowing what was about to happen, but whoda' thunk?

Main street had a good thing going until it decided to close up Fashion Bug, and tear down the buildings for the museum, I remember when Main street was a booming place, before all that took place, so actually, Calais did it to themselves...not Obama or Bush, but Calais....and for what?????????

MaineExpatriat, if one works in the private sector they have never been employed by a poor man.

the top 10% earners pay 79% of the tax burden. yeah the rich get the most back because they pay the most in. 50% of americans do not pay taxes.

"The problem with Socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples money" Margaret Thatcher

I agree with AVoiceofReason -- When the Post Office was torn down, that definitely helped kill downtown Calais. Of course, there are other factors, but for the City Manager to say that the City has done whatever they could to help downtown is a falsehood. When was the last time you saw her or any city council shopping in downtown Calais? When was the last time you saw any members of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce shopping in downtown Calais?

My husband and I shop locally all the time....our last 4 vehicles were bought in Calais...we eat at all restaurants, we shop at all the stores downtown....

Oh, ....And my husband is on Council......so "downeastgoddess" when are you running for council to try and make a difference.

I am PROUD to call Calais my home and I do what I can to support this area and stay positive......LETS work together on this!!!

Sincerely,

The Council Man's Wife

Step right up for your "Mark of the Beast" - stand in line and pay for your passport chip to hold in your Hand. You won't be able to buy or sell, and the businesses will suffer the same. Rev:18:11 The merchants of the world will weep and mourn for her, for there is no one left to buy their goods. ... 17 In a single moment all the wealth of the city is gone!”

jazzyshell - You are so full of it. Stop spreading fear through lies and misinformation. They were wearing turbins huh... did they pull up on camels too? Loser.

JoeCentral - you don't have to cross the border, or get a passport... who's forcing the mark the beast on you? I know the passage, and I don't think this is "it." If anything, the mark of the beast is your credit report attached to your credit cards. Or even your social security #...

That's right, make references to the Canadian CBC NEWS, or as I call it the Communist Broadcasting System. Well, it is a socialist country, anyway, in regard to SOME of the 911 hijackers, anwer this: why did they begin their flight way up in central/southern Maine? Why would you start your assault from such a northern point? Why would you risk being detected by changing flights (boarding, unboarding, being scrutinized) so many times? I'll tell you why, because they did indeed begin their journey from northern Maine via Canada. In Canada, they just show up from any country, cry hardship, are detained briefly, scolded, and then released to dissapear into Canada's Muslim community. Sorry, thats just the way it is. How do I know this? I'm Canadian.

On 7/15/09 at 1:55 PM, Elizabethann wrote: Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Maine...doesn't take an accountant to figure out you don't spend more money than you have. Might as well take out the monopoly game and starting using play money.

News flash.. this country has been spending money it didn't have for ages !!! What hole did you have your head in>???

When I first moved here to calais as a teen there was a reason to go down to mainstreet. Shops of every variety lined both sides of the street. What ever you needed you could get it down there with the exception of groceries. We have had some great stores come and sadly watched them go to. Not that long ago mainstreet was still a crowded place, right up until the powers that be came up with the brain storm of the Heritage Center... Those loons actually thought that was going to bring Calais back to life!!! So to build it they made businesses relocate, made a few even leave, constructed this ugly building that supposedly houses our heritage that we have to pay and outrageous sum to be a member of and go in to view its contents, as a rule I have yet to bother with the place...The place was a failure from the get go and for that mainstreet became a ghost town. This city worried so much about beautifying downtown they forgot to realize there is no point in beautifying something if there is no one bothering to go see it.

As for the passports being the problem it really isn't .... Mainstreet on both sides of the border have been struggling for a few years now. I work in a shop in calais and actually I see more canadian customers in the run of a week than I do americans. It hasn't slowed them down any.. But when Domtar had closed that is when the american customers dwindled. Alot I had talked to that didn't even work for domtar were elaving their jobs and heading out west, they were tired of the never ending struggle here and saw no point in staying. So to blame the passport issue for what is happening to the Calais economy stupid we were in trouble long before that.

cre8 ~~ They named it after Irene because she had been running the local food pantry for the last hundred years..lol up until she passed away a few years ago.

Seems to me the whole state is in a slump!! From the top to the bottom!!

Downeastgoddess, please do not generalize a group. I am on the board of the Chamber and have been in 9 stores or restaurants in downtown Calais in the past 6 weeks.

Congratulations and hands up to downeastergal and littletree for shopping local. If you reread my post, you will see that it was a question.

And Downeastgoddess...if you re read my post and downeastergal's post you would see it was the answer.......

I think that my question about the shopping habits of Calais' city fathers and mothers triggered angry comments of defensiveness. I'm not really surprised. I think many people know (whether they are willing to admit it or not) that one of the reasons that Calais is in bad shape on the retail level (and has been for many years) is that most people that make their money in Calais and Washington County spend it somewhere else. They go online or to Bangor or to big chain stores where the money is deposited in bank accounts many miles away, thus creating jobs many miles away. The real problem is right here in this area, not Augusta, not Washington, D.C. As this practice (or habit) continues, there will be even less money for Calais businesses. When the Canadian dollar was at par recently, Canadians virtually bypassed Calais to shop in Bangor and points beyond. Some businesses in Calais probably did a little bit better at this time with sales, but most of this Canadian money was spent elsewhere. Many people say there is nothing to shop for in Calais. I personally disagree, but that is merely my opinion. Everyone's tastes are different. When the third bridge opens, a lot of businesses will be in even more trouble because it will make it easier for Canadians to get to Bangor and elsewhere to shop and it will make it easier for people traveling to Canada for vacation to bypass us. It will also make it easier for people who live just across the border to get to Calais to shop. They save so much more money shopping for certain items in the U.S. that the cost of a passport will be minimal in comparison.

The truth hurts

I remember the old post office in Calais. We used to sit on it and hang out when we were kids. I moved from Calais years ago and I honestly cant say I miss living there. It seemed the older I got the more Main St shrank. I remember Newberrys,The Boston Shoe store, Big L , The levis store (I cant remember the name now) Johnsons (it burnt) and Grants and Steego auto and the old A&P, Angelholms, Mr Paperback (showing my age here) Then it all changed and a new group came in and it was the new theater, Fasion Bug, Carmenz, A furniture store,,a couple actualy, a skateboard shop, there was alot there,,more than I have typed. I dont think there is 1/2 of what used to be there.

I remember when there was no walmart, but there was Mammoth Mart,LOL. Alot has changed over the years but one thing is for certain Main st is shrinking. I see it every time I go to Calais. I remember when the talk was of Urban Sprawl, and how the stores downtown were worried about it. I cant blame them it looks like its happening. I see so many new buildings popping up along North st , away from the downtown area. Couple that with the economy and new bridge and it hurts.

I left in search of a job that would pay me enough to pay my bills,,and I was lucky enough to do just that. I would not be making as much in Calais doing what im doing now. I believe the same job in Calais pays 11.00 per hour, and I make almost 16 and I dont see a big difference in the cost of living between there and here. Living in Calais can be difficult, but it taught me the value of a dollar.