I think the vote on Millinocket Area Growth & Investment Council (MAGIC)
funding speaks for itself. I think the voters were well informed and waited
patiently for the opportunity to cast their vote. To imply otherwise would be an
insult to the wishes and intelligence of the voters. To me, this vote says that
the majority of voters feel that MAGIC is not doing for Millinocket what they
had hoped that it would.
When I hear of a business opening in either East Millinocket or Medway, I am
pleased and happy for them. But, even if those businesses provide jobs for
Millinocket residents, it still does not help Millinocket’s tax base as a
business located in the town would, and it does not fill the vacant buildings in
our downtown area or on the hill.
There is no doubt in Millinocket that the mill will never again provide the
jobs that it once did. But, that does not mean that our town needs to fold up
and die. It means we need to look at other options and other solutions. To date,
MAGIC has not shown the Millinocket voters results for the money and time that
have been invested. To me, that also means we need to look for a better way to
invest our economic development funding so that we can bring our town back to
life again.
I think one way to do that is to have greater citizen involvement, in unity.
We have seen that a town divided can not move forward. I think together, we can
make a difference.
I strongly feel the division in this town is our biggest roadblock and it is
destroying the town along with many families and friendships in it. Until we
decide to stop the fighting and work together, we will not move forward.
Millinocket needs more land available for business development and we need to
fill the many vacant buildings in our downtown area. I think we can all agree
that business development in the Katahdin Area is great, but it has come time
for the citizens of Millinocket to focus on Millinocket and work together to
rebuild our town.
Currently, I am in the process of forming a citizen’s committee. I hope to
see interested citizens be a part of this effort to revitalize and rebuild our
town. It is our town, and we all have thoughts and ideas about how to do this. I
believe citizen participation and unity are the key. Together, with our combined
thoughts, ideas, and experience we can find some solutions. Maybe it’s time for
us all to put our differences aside and work together for Millinocket.
I hope to have a date and location for the first meeting soon.
