ROCKLAND, Maine — The Rockland City Council agreed unanimously Monday night to allow a downtown restaurant to use a strip of land that is part of a veterans memorial park despite the continued opposition from family members of one of the park’s namesakes.
The council voted 5-0 to lease a 10-foot wide strip of Winslow-Holbrook Memorial Park to the Brass Compass Cafe. Owner Lynn Archer will be able to place tables and chairs on the strip and serve customers from May 15 through Oct. 31.
The fee will be $1,500.
Two relatives of one of the World War I veterans for whom the park is named spoke out against the agreement. The issue has become a less contentious issue than in past years when there have been large turnouts to debate the matter.
One of the speakers Monday night was 95-year-old Roberta Holbrook Best, the sister of 2nd Lt. Albert Holbrook, who along with Pfc. Arthur Winslow, were the first two Rockland men who died in World War I.
Best said said she was saddened to see such little respect for the military by allowing the use of the park by the restaurant.
Councilors, however, disagreed strongly with her sentiment.
Councilor Valli Geiger said her father died while serving in the Air Force and that the council’s vote was not being disrespectful to the military.
Councilor Louise MacLellan-Ruf said Archer has kept the park clean and maintained it over the years.
This was the 12th straight year that the Brass Compass has been allowed to use a strip adjacent to its Main Street restaurant.