MILLINOCKET, Maine — More than an hour of torturous debate ended when the Town Council voted Thursday not to settle a dispute with Gov. Paul LePage over $216,000 in withheld state funds.
With the vote, the council decided to not yet accept $504,000 in Sudden and Severe Impact funds, which are paid to communities to help them offset severe property tax losses. Councilors again put on hold a decision to sue the state, which they have been considering since early March.
If the measure had passed, councilors would have agreed to forego the legal pursuit of the total payment of $720,000, which LePage said he ordered withheld because he believed town officials had broken their word on a $50,000 payment to help with operations of the Dolby landfill in East Millinocket.
But confusion marked several issues. Councilors wondered whether the $720,000 payment would recur in the 2012-13 fiscal year, which begins July 1, and whether the school board would agree with dropping the proposed lawsuit. They didn’t know if town government would have to pay the schools the missing $216,000.
Council Chairman John Davis said he wants to meet with the school board and the town’s attorney, Dean Beaupain, to settle those questions before deciding whether to sue the state.
“The school board has to agree with it, because we’re fighting over school money,” Davis said after the meeting, calling a lawsuit “contingent upon a few stipulations.”
Councilor Jimmy Busque would rather see the matter dropped.
“We have beat this enough. I want to move forward,” said Busque, who with Councilor Gilda Stratton voted to accept settling for $504,000. “We don’t know how much more this will drag on, how much this will cost us.”
“I want to put this to rest,” Stratton said. “The governor didn’t do the right thing by us. I understand that, but I don’t want to spend all this on lawyer’s fees and have to come up with the money” that the schools weren’t appropriated.
Councilors Richard Angotti Jr., Michael Madore and John Raymond voted against settling for the $504,000. Davis and Councilor Bryant Davis, who are distant relatives, abstained because key issues remain unclear to them, they said.
Madore and Town Manager Eugene Conlogue said LePage violated the law in a totally unprecedented move. The governor ignored state guidelines for the distribution of the funds on the mistaken belief that town officials had overvalued the Katahdin Avenue paper mill for years before its revaluation last year created the need for Sudden and Severe Impact funds, they said.
LePage also wrongly supposed that Millinocket officials had agreed to fund landfill operations at $50,000 annually, they said. Conlogue has produced a string of correspondence with state officials that showed, he and councilors believe, that Millinocket only had agreed to a one-time payment. East Millinocket officials also said theirs is a one-time arrangement.
LePage “has traded education for a dump. Nobody is disputing the legality of that. They are disputing why nobody has called him on this,” Madore said. “If it [the $216,000] is something that belongs to the community, why don’t we pursue it?
“If we accept the $504,000 then basically we are expunging the misappropriation. I think $216,000 owed to the town is something worth fighting over,” Madore added.
Councilors also voted 7-0 Thursday to rescind the offer to the state of $50,000 for a one-time payment toward operation of the landfill, the state’s assuming ownership of which last year was a crucial element to Cate Street Capital of New Hampshire’s purchase of the two Katahdin region mills last September. Investors shied from the mills because of fears that the landfill, used for decades by the mills, was an enormous potential liability.
The mills’ purchase allowed the East Millinocket mill’s restart in October, employing about 225 workers, and Cate Street’s plans to place a torrefied wood factory at the Millinocket mill, which Cate Street representatives discussed at Thursday’s meeting.
Rep. Herb Clark, D-Millinocket, cautioned councilors against believing that paperwork state officials provided showing $720,000 in Sudden and Severe Impact funds allocated to the town next year proved the money would arrive.
“If you think that something is going to stay there from year from year, you got another thing coming,” Clark said.
Councilors need a special meeting with the school board for clarity and to ensure that the town speaks with one voice, Clark said.
“If the seven of you people don’t know what going on, then nobody knows what is going on,” Clark said.
Well looks like the 3 amigo’s are going to keep this messed stirred up some more. I think this has to do with politics than anything. It is unbelievable that one can not understand the concept of getting through this mess. On this particular vote the council is showing themselves just as responsible for this mess as the Governor. I guess the town prefers to spend as much in lawyers fees as what they would be getting. The principle of the matter is that the council and the Governor are elected figures and should be able to sit down. Some on the council are just as bull headed.
Lepage withheld the funds illegally. Why do you want the folks representing the victims of Lepage’s criminal behavior to let him get away with it?
Are you this soft on all illegal behavior?
He has the final say over rainy day funds, as to whether that is/was illegal would be a question for the courts. He could ask the state accessor to re-evaluate the mill. I would prefer them to sit down and discuss it sensibly. LePage is not the only one that made the situation what it is. Several on the council jumped the gun, in the fact they should of waited till they had a decision from the A.G. It is possible some on the council may not like to eat crow.
No. LePage IS the only one that made the situation what it is. He’s a bully, pure and simple. Every sentence he utters begins with or contains “I want…”. He has NO empathy for anyone else.
Then you have not been following the whole situation.
In addition to the principle of the matter–that the Governor punished the towns by withholding funds from a separately-administered program–the town officials must also deal with the fact that they have nobody to negotiate with over the issue. You suggest that they “should be able to sit down” with LePage to hash out a solution, but as has been the case in far too many other things, the Governor is unwilling to even negotiate. His position is that he’s right and they are wrong, and they can all come to an agreement so long as he gets everything he wants without having to concede anything.
So what are the towns to do? Pay indefinitely for a project they claim the never agreed to (and about which they have documents to back up their claims)?
Where are those documents , why hasn’t the BDN been given a copy to reprint for it’s readers ? Just saying we didn’t agree to this is just like saying we didn’t agree to yearly payments for the operation of the landfill. Either the council or the governor can prove what they’re saying or they can’t. Heresay dosen’t fly in my book. ALL politicians must be held accountable to the taxpayers.
Check out this pdf on the Town of Millinocket website: http://millinocket.org/documents/1468851b3b1b071a324bcf4847bc7892.pdf
Read them closely
One matter is that (supposedly) they would help till it was sold. The fact is also that town officials basically said this is what you are getting and that is all your getting. I am not saying the Governor is or was right in withholding that money, thought the council blew up instead of acting in a reasonable manner. All one has to do is watch the video, also read the paperwork.
Lets hope the voters in November make the right choices that will ensure that the ONE person responsible for this entire chaotic mess becomes powerless. “Lame Duck Lepage,” has a nice ring to it eh? I want this man so weak and insignificant that his daughter and brother-in-law will have more power and influence in Augusta than Paulie.
And I am sure no previouos administaration has hired relatives? We will be in just as big of mess and bigger if they elect Angus King and re-elect Obama.
do they have a case if so then sue if not take the settlement
So in the meantime, I guess Millinocket didn’t really need the funds to “survive ” That’s my perspective I welcome yours.
They do, because if they do not get the money it has to come out of the general fund. Because by law we have to fulfill the committment of the schools.
They are making it more complicated than it needs to be. Is Millinocket due the money under Maine law? I believe the answer is yes. This is not up to the school board it is the council’s job to go after the money. They are duty bound. And no, it does not matter how much they have to take out of the general fund to make up for the difference in what was budgeted to the school. Regardless of how repulsive it may be to sue the state they should let a court decide. And while they are at it they should make sure that ALL the appropriate people are named in the suit.
They may have to take almost 3/4 of million dollars out of the general fund that is more than a chunk of change. Should they spend as much or more to sue the state then it is worth?
I hear your concern over the cost vs. possible outcome problem. But what is to stop LePage from changing the terms again if they don’t stop this now? Also, the general fund will otherwise need to cough up AT LEAST $50,000/yr for a possible term of FOREVER if they simply agree to the deal they never approved in the first place.
I fear this may be yet another example of the Governor trying to “get things done” by rushing into a situation and making promises to people, and using napkin math without ever doing the real work of plan-making and negotiating agreements. So once he got back to Augusta someone probably sheepishly raised his or her hand and asked “ummm… what happens after the first year?” At which point the Governor may very well have decided he’d just bully the towns into an ongoing agreement. I certainly hope I’m wrong, but I suspect it’s probably pretty close to what took place.
The funs supposedly were to the landfill was sold. If you read the paper work, the Governor was not the only one that jumped the gun. If you were to see the meeting that night, if you push someone like that they tend to push back. When the council calls someone a bully they best look in the mirror first (some on the council that is). It is very clear in the paper work that if the Town of Millinocket did not agree to the proposal, was to call his office. From the paperwork it shows clearly the town made a resolve instead.
Bruce, Maybe not, but I don’t see another choice. We are due the funds and clearly the governor is not negotiating, just flaunting he can break the law.
The problem is Millinocket continues to be held hostage to the forest products industry. Betting solely on its future success is why Millinocket is where we are at today. The tax payers of Maine cannot continue to bolster Millinocket’s tax base thru sudden and severe funds because it refuses to develop and support a diverse economy.
Further, fear that if litigated, the governor will retaliate and not provide support for the gas line should be the least of our concerns. What is going to happen when the governor tries to dismantled the legislation that put the sudden and severe funding in place to begin with? You and I, Millinocket tax payers, will be left with a property tax bill that we can’t afford.
If we take your attitude and say just move on, won’t we just get more of the same? I say go after the money, forget about a flat budget, make cuts now and DEVELOP A PLAN FOR STABILITY.
We still do not even know if we can realy sue? How much do you want to spend to sue the state in an uphill battle. When the rainy day fun is at the Governors discretion, then they believe the mill is over evaluated. Next comes a re-evaluation of the mill which could have more disatrous effects. I know it is unpopular and people say it can not happen. I say swallow their (democrat) pride and sit down with the Governor and see if something can be salvaged from this mess which both sides are to blame. Then remember the School board has pretty much said they sue the town if they do not get their money.
Bruce, Problem is we were not privy to the meeting that they had with the lawyer or much else that has transpired behind closed doors. You are corect, it should not be a political decision it should be based on law and the facts. Perhaps Herbie is correct in that if the council does not know what is going on then nobody does.
True, though they know with the information available which direction theyh should take. This problem is taking way too many resources away from the governing the town. It is the same with the school department not having a prelimanry budget. If so much politics was not set into place, this would of been done with. We need to take care of this year, then go on to next year. The State has already set the school formula in place. Monies will not be coming from the rainy day fund.
As to your comment “The problem is Millinocket continues to be held hostage to the forest products industry.”
Actually, we’ve been raped, by Wall Street who came in here when no one was looking. Check into all the history of the past 20 years, and especially http://www.sanabe.com.
As to your comment “The tax payers of Maine cannot continue to bolster Millinocket’s tax
base thru sudden and severe funds because it refuses to develop and
support a diverse economy.’
Could you elaborate on your thinking that they have ‘REFUSED TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT A DIVERSE ECONOMY”. What facts do you have that prove the refused? Because no one wants a national park with the service sector paying jobs and the destruction of what little we have left?
Don’t forget, about all we have here is trees. Spectacular beauty, but trees. Tourism has a piece of the pie and is slowly growing in a manageable way but for the most part, tourism benefits a few business owners but as far as meaningful employment not so much.
We’ve been critisized for years for wanting some manufacturing type business to come in here and save us but maybe you can enlighten us on what else can utilize forests yet provide good employment. I hope the cutting edge plans of Cate Street materialize because it’s something like that that will give us the boost we need.
If you have some reasonable ideas on how to diversify I’m sure people are more than willing to listen.
Remove the Emotions and Get to the Facts. Who promised what to Whom with Stipulations? The Fact is the fine citizens of Millinocket will suffer and the questionably ‘legal’ corruption system will win. Fact is all the Legal Lawyers and Experts will fly in to MLT and just might require some form of aircraft service that is offered/provided by the Town. Screw ‘Em B4 they screw U… oh crap did I just say That. Yup I did. (a really BIG N TALL smile) Please see Lil Jeff for services Offered and Current pricing.
Signed,
Intheknow2long
General “lawyer advice” is to settle out of court.
It is called jumping the gun,before you know the facts.
The problem is that the Governor’s office is unwilling to negotiate in good faith. LePage has made it clear that he is unwilling to move from his position. So “settling out of court” would mean settling for nothing but what the Governor shafted them with in the first place.
Neither are willing to negotiate in good faith or this would be done with.
Good on you Mr Busque! Let common sense prevail. Don’t throw good money after bad.
glad to see the debate’s over, but the outcome isn’t exactly as desired, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zy23pvkobU
As you are so keen on complaining about the Governor, this is about Maine State Law. According to the law, The money is suppose to come to Millinocket.
Again you mistake some of the facts, it is East and Medway that do not want to consolidate the schools. East is looking at betweein 3-7 million dollars to repair Schenck High School. If you are suggesting Stearns go to Schenck, we would have to incur there significant problems as part of an Aos. It is not quite comprable to combine police and fire seeing the distance between the communities of Millinocket, East and Medway. This is not about bail out,it is about the town being due the money by State Law. As far as heating assistance and those things are paid by the Federal Gov. as with Bangor, how much does Bangor receive in School subsidies and Federal Subsidies. You should look in your own back yard.
Still barking at Millinocket I see. Keep it up and maybe they will agree to support a NP. Good luck.
First, the landfill is NOT in Millinocket. It has NEVER been operated by either Millinocket or East Millinocket.
Second, citizens of every community pays taxes, we’re all taxpayers including Millinocket. Welfare dollars are provide based on an income formula, not which community one is from, or which community pays in what.
Third, Millinocket and East were the largest per capita contributors to the State’s coffers for a more than a hundred years, they help communities across Maine when shoes, textiles, farming, shipbuilding and others left the State.
Fourth, the laborers of Millinocket, as all workers, had unemployment insurances paid into the fund based on the wages earned (its not from the general fund except if the fund runs low and then it’s paid back from the unemployment insurance fund when the economy is good).
Fifth, heating assistance goes not to specific communities but to “low income” individuals, no matter which community they live in.
Sixth, the landfill is not related to most of your rants. It seems you have other issues, which most would be solved if the State’s and regional economy was vibrant. I for one believe if the Hydro system, the waters of the region, belonging to the people of Maine, were stilled tied to the State’s granting of right-of-use of that system, as granted by the legislature – to benefit the State of Maine, not a private company that region’s economy, and in turn, the State’s would be much better. Those water right were granted to crate a local and regional economy and need to be applied as originally intended.
Seventh, I agree on co-operative agreement of communities to provide efficiency of services.
Eighth, “sue us…” When did Millinocket lose its citizenship in the State? Sue the Governor who is illegally withholding funds from a community as defined in my first point. If the Governor can withhold moneys from one community he can hold money from any community on unrelated issues, for example, Bangor, didn’t vote for me, hold the revenue sharing! Are you advocating that?
How were Millinocket and East the “largest per capita contributors” to the state’s coffers for over a hundred years? What about other paper mills in the state that have managed to reinvent themselves and keep going (though at much power capacity)?
I can’t give exact numbers but all those years the money came from about 4000 of the better paying jobs in the state. Even up to the the early 90’s it was estimated the two little towns contributed about 5% to the state coffers. It was alot for a few people as they had.
Well said.
It’s been a very long time since Millinocket was a contributor to the State’s economy. While it makes for a nice story about history, the logging industry that led to the creation of the town has changed permanently and the town is now broke, which is why it’s not able to pay its bills, afford it’s schools or follow through on the dump payments.
Thank you for posting a comment that illustrates the real problem – Millinocket is stuck in time. Thinking it’s still somehow relevant, if the right factory will just move in. Thinking that the long gone days of yore will MAGICally reappear. As long as Millinocket stays stuck in its thinking and refuses to consider a change, the rest of us will continue to pick up the tab.
They are moving forward don’t you think? You tell us what you think they should do and please give us details! Please answer the question. We will all be anticipating your answer.
Eco-tourism.
Eco-Extemism
Thanks For biting. There you have it folks, this is how the pro NP people work. All the insults, putdowns and discrimination passed on by you to the people in the Millinocket area is all because Millinocket does not support a NP, we all know why you were doing this anyway but it’s nice for you to confirm.
Change you say, oh like a gambling casino that attracts those that don’t have the money so the State can spend more money on them.
Millinocket is taking on Le Page. No other community has. Certainly not the wimpy Legislature.
Charlie you know the rainy day fun is discretionary by the Governor? How many workers are from Millinocket, the State did a major thing in helping get Cate street in here. Are you now saying that we should have nothing to do with the landfill?
I am always at such a disadvantage here because I’m not on enough to know all the players by their on-line-post names, but let me try to share what little I believe I know.
Thanks for bring the Rainy Day Fund up. I was one of the sponsors establishing the Rainy Day Fund in 1985. It is now called the Budget Stabilization Fund. It is still an account to set aside revenues that come in over budget that a group of us Democrats established in the robust economy of the mid 80’s setting revenues aside for periods of less productivity. We had established it requiring a 2/3 vote of the Legislature to use those funds. (State budgets were all passed by a 2/3 vote back in those days)
It is not a Governor’s discretionary account. The power of the purse, as described by our constitution, lies with the legislature. That puts it into the legislative process, which requires at least a majority of legislators of each House and the Governor’s signature the same as any budget, or an over-ride of a Governor’s objection.The funds the Governor is currently refusing to release to Millinocket are un-related to the funds for the landfill. It’s like someone saying I’m not going to pay my phone bill because my TV cable provider is not giving me the TV programs I want. Government is more monolithic, but its various functions, responsibilities, and obligations are not, in most instances, inter-related. I do not know enough to express a detailed opinion on what roll “we,” the town, should have with the landfill. I know waste disposal is a significant issue and a very profitable one for a number of private businesses. Nation wide, its more that a trillion dollar enterprise, and we, American, are very much a throw-away society. I know the landfill is important to any industry and it is a benefit to the region. But…., with all benefits, there are headaches too.
The Governor still has to sign off the money, though the Legislature could overrule him which would seem unlikely. This is also a 1 year problem they are talking about suing. The State did go to great length to Cate Street in here, should we not help in someway?
Hey Bangorian-I see your council whining about and the welfare problem in your town. Just wait till Lepage cuts your funding an we see how your propety tax goes throught the roof.
That Paulie offered a 1/3rd ‘settlement tells me that he knows he’s ‘done’ and, more importantly, that someone in State Gov’t, is seeing the writing on the wall. No settlement can, responsibly and with competent legal advice, be offered unless the entire amount is on-hand and available for use in the settlement process. That mean that Maine has got the enitre $ 720 K set aside in a ‘escrow’ type account, just in case this does go to court, and The Court tells the State that they are gonna lose on the law, if not the agreement that The State originally made with Millinocket. Now if Paulie doesn’t like that then he’s perfectly legal in going back to Millinocket’s Town Council and try to re-negotiate that Agreement for better terms. That’s what the AG’s Office is suppossed to be doing on their civil side. But the fact that he made a settlement offer at this point tells me that he’s getting squeezed by someone that ‘s getting more than a little uncomfortable with this whole mess being kept out in the public eye.
And as far as Clark goes, Sir, I would seriously suggest that you quit trying to do the 2 step between the Town and the State. You were elected to represent the voter’s, not 2 branch’s of Gov’t. It’s time to make a decision. Given the current situation, well, the quicker, and more openly done, the better it’s going to be. Any type of subtle wordgames or political maneuvering is going to be seen as just another type of political smoke-and-mirror’s-up-the-skirt dog and pony show. Given LePage’s current political problem, Clark needs to ask the inevitable question now, not later. Is political loyalty to Paulie, and his ‘offer’s’ really worth what’s clearly being seen, now, as coming down the road in November ?
After all the work Herbie has done on the town’s behalf regarding this issue, Jimmy Busque’s willingness to pick up the soap is indicative of his political leanings outside of town politics, and an insult to our elected legislator Mr. Clark. Busque’s unrequited love for LePage means that he would sell out his town instead of acting on a matter of principle which in this instance means representing the town’s best interest, not Busque’s.
Mr Pray is correct, we are not only fighting for what Millinocket rightly deserves with these funds, but are setting precedent. If we let LePage dictate the amount of Sudden Impact Funds given to any community based on LePage’s petty demagoguery, then we open the door for the rest of Maine’s communities to receive the same slap across the face we are now experiencing.
Herbie Clark has gone to bat for Millinocket in a big way at the State House and Busque’s and Stratton’s decision to roll over and beg for scraps from this Governor are disgusting and cowardly.
I’m willing to bet that if Millinocket set up a Legal Defense Fund that anyone could contribute to, most Mainers would be more than happy to help.
You forget how much work Doug Thomas has worked on this too. You could also equate Raymonds, and Madore’s disdain for the Governor as part of the overall problem. Not to mention how many on the Council are Democrats? I beg to differ on begging for them begging for scraps. There is more to this than meets the eye. THis is not a matter of selling out the town, it is a matter of acting respectable and coming above pettiness.
and what, exactly, has Mr. Thomas done?
Just as much as Mr. Clark has done, though he prefers to stay out of the limelight.
Doug Thomas informed me by email that he was a true LePage loyalist Bruce, that he would follow the party line regardless of the possible outcome from the next election. This message was delivered on another subject, but his meaning was clear as saran wrap, he’s going to back LePage no matter what. If anything, Thomas would be looking out for Skowvegas or wherever it is he lives, not Mlkt. Doug Thomas is not our friend. And Democrats disagreeing with an illegal move by this Governor is wrong, why?? Doesn’t matter what political affiliation as long as they have the town’s back and want to fight for what is right. Siding with LePage on this issue if you are on the Town Council either means you are a beaten cur dog, or you agree with him in the first place.
It matters that a few on the council are so staunch on the Demacratic party it would not matter what LePage said. What I am saying a few of them went well overboard (titanic proportions) when this initially came out. Have you read the papers on Millinocket’s site? I am not siding with LePage, are you willing to sue no matter the cost. If they had waited for an opinion before going on a political tirade, they may have had the answer a few months ago.
I wonder if you actually follow what goes on in the state house. Did you know Sen. Thomas was the only Republican to not want the Workmens comp bill to come to the floor and the demacrats did an about face and passed it. So your foray into him being a LePage Loyalist does not hold watter. You should of been at the council meeting and see if the question was answered by Herbie? You really need to read the papers. You also should know Doug did a lot of the leg work on this issue, and he is in the area several times, he travels his whole district.
Simple solution: Next election, Replace LePage…!!!
you made the offer now move on. the hell with them…
Madore and Town Manager Eugene Conlogue said LePage violated the law in a totally unprecedented move. The governor ignored state guidelines for the distribution of the funds on the mistaken belief that town officials had undervalued the Katahdin Avenue paper mill for years before its revaluation last year created the need for Sudden and Severe Impact funds, they said.
Nick, Don”t you mean “overvalued” ?
Yes, I did. It should read “overvalued.” Just wrote the correction for it. Thanks for catching the error.
Fighting seems to be what men enjoy the most. I wonder what they will be fighting over tomorrow. Rest assure, they WILL be fighting.
I’m just tickled pink that our fine upstanding leader has chosen to crap on, just like he has done to the whole state, some of his biggest supporters from rural locations. Pretty soon we will all be put on display in holding cells in one of Maine’s finest “retail outlets” as slave labor available for purchase…should have got us when you saw us…ha-ha
////
November? I rejected him long ago. Happily, I’m fortunate enough to not be affected by anything that blowhard says or does. But since he has more holes in his armour than one made of swiss cheese, I can’t resist picking on him…it is just so darned easy.
sudden and severe impact funds. How long does a town get to collect welfare? Do they figure it in to their regular budget?
Is this the same area who continues to vote for Democrats even through the Democrats have almost regulated them out of business??
Questions they should ask themselves.
How have the unions protected your jobs again. Oh thats right they elected Democrats to regulate you out of work…
Keep Up the Good Work unions…..
The law is clearly on the towns side of this issue. Lepage has no standing to withhold school money.
If the town wins a law suit they will likely get all their legal costs refunded as well.
The money they are talking about is the Rainy day fun, which is discretionary on the Governor’s authority.
Lepage has said he thinks the town lied about the tax evaluation and yet he will pay them the full amount if they help fund a dump that isn’t even in Millinocket.
I do not recall seeing that exact quotation in any of the articles?
I don’t think it matters where the money comes from, it should go by the rules pertaining to Sudden and Severe that should take precidince.
Very well may be, but that money is not necessarily S&S if it comes from that fund.
I’m glad that Millinocket’s town manager and councilors have dug in, and are prepared to stand their ground against King Paul.
Here’s an opportunity for Mainers, opposed to totalitarianism and feel they are unable to unseat him through recall, to do something positive.
A dollar or two from all concerned Mainers to fight this man’s ideological agenda could pump up a legal fund for the town to fight this issue.
He refuses to negotiate on any item. Unless welfare funds for the needy are cut, he’ll close schools, he states. He will do anything he wants to do – and the wimpy State Legislature just cringes in its boots.
Now we have a very proud and beautiful Maine community composed of hard working people, who dare to take on this man. We should support the town and its people.
I believe the town manager made the town’s case very clear.
very well said!
I’m sending ten bucks to the Town Manager in hopes that other oppressed Mainers will join in.
Unfortunately, we do not have the legal power to recall this King. The best we can do is weaken his tea at the Polls, come November. But, here we have a a Maine town which dares to draw a line in the sand against this overbearing feudal monarch.
The Wimps in Augusta cower before this scary individual.
We should support Millinocket and its people for having the courage to stand fast against oppression. Wisconsinites are working hard to oust their Koch brother-sponsored governor Scott Walker via way of Recall. We do not have that provision. But Millinocket’s stand presents an opportunity to fight back and make Le Page face the court.
Millinocket will lose this battle…
Bruce could you bring back the book of answers and please no corrections!!! Just admit it Lepage is wrong and that is it….CPray told you how and why the Democrats set up the SnS funds listen and learn!!!
Bruce you always want to read something into this that isn’t there…….this all boils down to the Gov took 214,000 away from the SnS monies that school was suppose to get, monies that had been budgeted ($720,000) after we were told and shown that we were to get this monies, now the Gov just takes out 214,000 leaving us short that amount. And now you want us to believe that they wont do it again well then you have apparently never heard of the saying “Fool me once, shame on you…..but fool me twice shame on Me”. So next year they do the same….now thats $428,000 and again $642,000 a pretty CHUNK OF CHANGE like you say……we as a council did everything the LePage Admin asked us to do…..but the Gov was fast to turn that around on us in a hurry……we left $50,000 offer for the landfill on the table for over a month or two and they never even took us up on the deal so who is not trying to get along……if this doesn’t stop with Millinocket then no other town or city will be safe…..so if Gov LePage would get off the couch and release the $214,000 that is OWED then we can put this behind us. If Gov Baldachi had done this you would be screaming bloddy murder but then again no other Gov has broken the law like this one has……………………………………..