Heath says he expects to stay at Christian Civic League

AUGUSTA — Michael Heath said Monday he has agreed to stay on as executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine.

Heath said earlier this fall he was worn out by internal squabbling over the league’s finances and was headed to Washington to take a position with the Family Research Council.

In its announcement Monday, the league said its board of directors voted unanimously to ask Heath to continue in the post he has held for the past five years, and he agreed.

“While going to Washington offered some exciting possibilities, there is a lot of work to do here in Maine,” Heath said.

However, a spokeswoman at the Family Research Council said Heath was expected to begin work there in 90 days.

“He is still scheduled to come here. But we don’t want him to be distracted by legal matters in Maine, so we’re giving him more time up there,” Heather Farish said.

Heath played a leading role in this year’s successful effort to repeal a state gay rights law. Gay rights advocates voted Sunday to push the issue in the incoming Legislature, and Heath said he looked forward to representing the league in opposing such an effort.