AUGUSTA, Maine — The Legislature’s Transportation Committee heard emotional testimony Tuesday from family and friends of Amy Lake who are attempting to have the state name two Harmony bridges in her honor.
Sen. Douglas Thomas, R-Ripley, presented a bill at a hearing to have bridges on Route 150 and Route 154 named as a reminder of the problem of domestic violence.
Amy Lake and her two children, Coty and Monica, were murdered by her estranged husband, Steven Lake, on June 13, 2011. Steven previously had been charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and domestic violence criminal threatening against his wife.
Thomas attempted to paint a picture of Amy’s life leading up to the murders.
“Amy and the kids moved four times that year trying to stay away from her husband,” said Thomas. “Think about what that must have been like to live with. Think about it for a second.
“By naming these bridges, we will raise awareness and remind people of what can happen and also remind all of us that we can’t drop the ball. We need to make sure we can protect families like this,” said Thomas.
Amy’s parents, Ralph and Linda Bagley, urged the committee to name the bridges in her honor. Both cried during their testimony, as did other family members in the audience.
Ralph Bagley showed several awards with his daughter’s name on them. He started to cry when he held up Amy’s valedictorian certificate.
“She didn’t want her name put on her gravestone. Steven Lake put it there. So let’s work hard and show we care and put her name on the bridge,” he said.
Amy’s mother spoke of her memories of her daughter and grandchildren. She started to cry during her speech when she brought up the topic of Christmas cards.
“This year I didn’t think I could do a Christmas card. And it got close to Christmas and I said, ‘Amy would not want this,’” said Linda Bagley. “I had always sent Christmas cards. I got to looking for pictures. And I knew I couldn’t put ‘Merry Christmas’ on them. … It wouldn’t be a very merry one for us.”
Maine Department of Transportation spokeswoman Nina Fisher said the two bridges, numbered 5846 and 5126, have no names.
Under the legislation, the bridge on State Route 150 in Harmony, known locally as the Higgins Stream Bridge, would be renamed the Amy, Coty and Monica Bagley Bridge. Amy’s maiden name was Bagley.
“We wanted to remove the word ‘Lake’ altogether,” said Thomas.
The bridge on State Route 154 that crosses the Sebasticook River in Harmony would be renamed the Remember Me Bridge, as a reminder of domestic violence.
Ronald Collins, R-Wells, the committee’s Senate chairman, said the bill, LD 1615, will be discussed in a work session.
“I’m sure it will pass unanimously,” said Collins.
Jonathan Nass, senior policy adviser on transportation to Gov. Paul LePage, also spoke at the hearing. He said LePage supports the bill.
“Gov. LePage was a victim of domestic violence growing up,” said Nass. “He, as an 11-year-old boy, showed up in the hospital having been beaten severely by his father. He spent the rest of his childhood not returning to his home. Domestic violence is serious. Governor LePage has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence.
“I think this legislation helps with that effort, one by honoring the victims, but also raising awareness throughout the state, and particularly in this community,” added Nass. “Gov. LePage welcomes this bill coming to his desk and he looks forward to signing it.”
Fisher said the Department of Transportation typically doesn’t have a position on the renaming of structures.
“However, we, as well as Gov. LePage’s entire administration, stand strongly in opposition against domestic violence and support measures to try to raise awareness,” she said.
Rep. Kimberley Rosen, R-Bucksport, a member of the committee, said she brought a bill before the Legislature last year that would have required domestic violence abusers to wear ankle bracelets so the victim had time to get away if the perpetrator got within a certain distance.
“It was such a new bill and it didn’t pass because it would cost a lot of money,” she said. “After my bill did not pass, this tragedy happened and it was very upsetting.”
She then announced that she would introduce the bill again. The audience at the hearing applauded.
Sad though it may be for all involved that the family had this loss, it not appropriate to start naming public edifices after murder victims. There are far to many of them and the loss is, ultimately, a private one.
This is, unfortunately, yet another attempt by headline seeking pols to exploit a sensational event for their own gain. Sad in so many ways.
This is not reason enough to name a bridge or any other public place after someone — as tragic as this situation was, it was what it was — stupid cold-blooded murder and not a reason to place a name. Perhaps the family could get a group together to provide a childrens’ playground in the names of these victims.
What does it matter? If it brings the family peace, don’t overthink it, just do it!
You are right, they shouldn’t name the bridges after them… They should erect statues and place them in front of every police station, every courthouse, and every building at State House Station…
Your personel reasons behind this don’t effect me.. I didn’t know them,, My brother was a vietnam vet, when he died and I had to bury him, I didn’t see you there… I guess you didn’t care much about him nor did you ask to name a bridge after him.. and he served his country and never came back the same person…
Yea… Vietnam was over before I was born so, sorry i missed that one, but you will have to yell at my parents for it. The vets of that war have a huge memorial in their honor so we don’t forget them, and the lessons learned about fighting an unwinable war. I don’t really expect the statues, my point was those agencies are there to serve and protect. The judges protection order in this case was a piece of paper, and it crumpled just as easily because there was no “protection” to the protection order. Your brother answered a call, you should be proud of him, and the sad part is there should be a statue in his honor if he didn’t come back the same person. The military should have learned their lessons about returning soldiers. Some homeless statistics put veterans as the highest percentage of the homeless and many have mental illnesses. Judging by the story about the returning vet who killed 5 homeless people, it is painfully obvious the military hasn’t learned their lesson.
Amen! And when a man is convicted for domestic violence, or a woman for that matter, their sentence should be to scrub the bird poop off the statues! Love it!
….
What did they do?? I vote no.
….
Why not name it for the Child who brings the paper to the elderly neighbors everyday, out of kindness…
….
Why was she political correct??
….
Rational left this comment section when someone stated it was a good idea.
I think something should be done to remember this poor mother and children but I am not sure if this is what is best. It almost seems a little too weak for my liking. I think whatever it is that is done should be something that discourages domestic violence and acts as a reminder to all that domestic violence will not be tolerated. I am not sure a plaque on a bridge does that. It is good to know that peoples hearts are in the right place though.
I want a bridge named after me!!!!!
Are you really jealous of a mother and two children who were gunned down by the one man in their lives who should have been there to protect them? You are very bitter.
No I am not bitter, I will admit that I am honest about stupidity and am not worried about PC or feelings when it comes to people being lead astray by emotions.
Emotions are not necessarily bad. It puts the humanity in humans.
I don’t think the real truth will ever come out about this sad story.
Where have you been? The sad truth is Steven couldn’t control Amy anymore and he wasn’t able to handle it . Being the monster he was he killed his own children. No other truth will ever excuse him for what he did.
The family should be remembered in a very special way, no doubt. However, naming this bridge will open up a huge can of worms.Firefighters, policemen, boys lost in battle also deserve this type of special recognition. How will other families feel when they are turned down for such a request? Honoring this beautiful family might be better handled on the local level. Perhaps a recreational pathway/bikeway, a sports field, or gym might be appropriate. It will most likely pass, as there is no political upside for our state legislators to vote against it.
I beg to differ with you. Amy was a very special person. As a retired Superintendent of Schools, she was one of the best teachers in my district. She was special to many children who were fortunate to be in her classroom over the years she taught in MSAD # 46. She was also special to her family, coworkers, and all who knew her. What happened to her and her children was unwarranted. Had the judicial system worked, she and the children would be alive today and she would be continuing to educate our future generation. You sound more like the the bully Goliath than the humble David. May your family never have to experience such violence to a loved one.
NO Period.
An honor such as this should be reserved for someone who did something special. This was a tragedy but the fact is that they did nothing special. They were victims. This request shows how frivolous and out of touch with what is really important
Someone who deserved to have a major bridge named after him was Medal of Honor winner Gary Gordon of Lincoln Maine. But that’s right, our glorious democratic legislature at the time didn’t think his sacrifice measured up….
I do think something should be done so that people remember to take very seriously the signs of domestic violence. Honestly I don’t think the bridge can accomplish that and I personally would like to see something more appropriate in their honor and in the honor of every victim of domestic violence. I don’t know… maybe erect a bronze statue in a park or children’s park in the area of their home dedicated to victims of domestic violence. Or maybe name the library or a wing in the school she worked for… this is something I see as a stronger and more suitable reminder of what Amy and her children lost their lives to. As far as a bridge… it just doesn’t work for me. No one knows the name of many bridges nor would anyone notice if the bridge carried a message about domestic violence. That’s the message that needs to be the legacy for this family.
Trust me, most people with at least 6 years of college would not want to work for the real hourly wage of a school Superintendent. They work year round, attend dances, plays, sports events,concerts parades, etc. The attend endless school board meetings and argue with city councils for ever tightening budgets.By the way, the average retired school super in Maine is not getting 72k a year, plus unlimted benies. Take that eductation to the private sector and one would double their salary. It’s become such an undesirable position that cities and towns are having a fairly hard time finding qualified candidiates to accept these jobs. You can disagree with stgeoger all day long, but put yourself in her place as Ms.lakes former colleague. Everyone’s opinion matters, even yours.
Thank you for your support. You are correct that we certainly do not get 72K a year plus unlimited benefits. Many nights I did not leave the office or schools until past 10:oo and was back there at 7:30 the next morning. The only thing you had incorrect is that I am a him not a her but I have been called worse over the years. Again, thank you for your post.
Sorry for the gender error. I was a public school teacher for three years out of College. A stint on the district contract committe convinced me go before I had too much invested. That was 32 years ago. I have the utmost respect for those of you who stayed. My only regret is that I’m still working and many of my friends are now retired on those “big fat” pensions. The public has no idea.
No problem. As I said in the earlier post, I have been called worse over the years. :-) I spent 32 years in education and it was good to me for the most part. Am now retired and spend most of the year in Florida but come back home each summer.
Instead of a bridge they should name a law after them. A law that would keep a monster who held them at GUNPOINT in jail. The system failed this lovely lady and her children by letting a killer out of jail who had repeatedly stalked them and held them hostage overnight. Where is the outcry for tough laws that will try to prevent this in the future.
….
Being murdered is not exactly an “achievement” deserving of a public bridge or building to be named in your honor, no matter what the circumstances of the crime.
I’m afraid, though, that emotions will rule the day amid fears that rejecting this legislation would somehow be disrespecting the victims.
Turning back this legislation would not be in the least disrespectful. It’s simply not appropriate.
What happened to this women and her children was horrific and should not have happened. The police, the court system, and Mr Lake’s family all had a part of this tragedy. However, I don’t think it warrants naming of a bridge. Public structures or facilities should be named after people who have made contributions in that field. I.E. naming a footbasll field after a legendary coach, a police barracks a patrolmen etc. Along those lines I think that any domestic abuse facility or law would be a nice rememberance for Amy and the children. Leave bridges to fallen law enforcement, firefighters, or service members.
More DV propaganda using one case which no one even knows the whole truth about. This article says the family is asking for this but earlier articles suggested it was a women’s DV group who wanted the bridge names. How about we dedicate bridges and monuments to all the innocent children that are murdered overwhelmingly by their mothers (according to all DHHS studies). You never hear about THAT “Domestic Violence” from the radical feminist DV industry.
Erect statues of them..Like the one of the young girl who wrote Gorbachev a letter, presumably helping to end the cold war…at least thats what it says on the plaque. On the State Capitol grounds. There the Legislators will have a constant reminder of how important it is to protect our most vulnerable
The best way to remember and honor is for Augusta pass a strict law protecting people from domestic abuse. Name the law after these people. Steven Lake should have been kept in jail until his trial.
For your information, I am not trying to treat adults like school kids,I have much more respect for school kids than I do for many adults. I think you, as an adult, are a bully. Most school kids are not bullies. Kids tend to get a bad rap from society. I wish I got 6K a month pension and a boatload of benefits. If you knew what you were talking about you would know that retired educators and state employees did not get an increase in our pensions this year and will not for at least a couple more years. As a person who was in education for 32 years I enjoyed my job even when I was not respected. What I did, I did for kids and if I had it to do over I would do it again. Maybe you should thank a teacher for your ability to communicate and share your wisdom with the world.