Heritage Center a boon to Down East region

On behalf of many like-minded residents in Calais, I wish to elaborate on your paper’s recent scant coverage of the groundbreaking ceremony held here on Aug. 5 for the Downeast Heritage Center. A brief article on the State Page, county edition referring to it as “hoopla” was at once both demeaning and rude to the many, many people who have worked so tirelessly to make something positive happen in this area.

This ceremony was mentioned only in passing in the admittedly wonderful news concerning the third bridge and that story was certainly worthy of your coverage; however, of equal importance for our community was news of the actual beginning of construction of what we hope will be one step toward increasing economic development in Washington County, and a beginning of the long, slow climb from the abyss of economic stagnation.

The entire economic community will forever be indebted to local, state, federal, tribal and international politicians who collectively displayed a world class cooperative effort toward such a positive common goal. The centerpiece of this will be the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the first European settlement in North America north of Florida by Samuel de Champlain and company in 1604 but also a central display of the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of our International Community of Washington and Charlotte Counties.

First to thank among a list too numerous to mention individually is Sen. Susan Collins, our tireless and devoted member of the U.S. Senate. She nearly single handedly trumpeted our cause in Washington for six years, resulting in $3.1 million in federal funding coming to us toward this worthy project. We all, regardless of our political persuasion owe her an enormous debt of gratitude and congratulations for such dedicated service to her constituents. The contributions of project coordinator Jean Flahive, acting Calais City Manager Jim Porter and the Sunrise County Regional Economic Council rank equally with those of our beloved senator in sheer determination and effort toward this end.

Other national politicians who worked cooperatively on the project were Sen. Olympia Snowe and Congressman John Baldacci, who steered funding through the House of Representatives.

Gov. Angus King, State Senate President Michael Michaud and the entire Washington County Delegation of Kevin Shorey, John Morrision, Martha Bagley and George Bunker (the honorable member from Kossuth) succeeded in obtaining $1 million in state funds. This bi-partisan effort does not go unrecognized by us and we thank you one and all.

Both Passamaquoddy Tribal governors and Rep. Donald Soctomah contributed greatly of their time, wisdom and knowledge to make tribal culture and history an essential element of this project. All of us look forward to continued cooperation with the Passamaquoddy Community toward increasing tourism opportunity for everyone.

Beyond the Herculean political effort to secure public funding were the selfless contributions of local citizens, businessmen, banks and others who answered the persistent call of Jean Flahive, to give now so the community can reap the benefit later. They all did and we are within sight of the estimated $6 million total required.

The purpose of this letter is to inform the entire state that local effort by local people can and will make a difference in our economic lives. Anytime the citizens of Calais can host an event attended by a U.S. Senator, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, the governor of the state of Maine, both governors of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, president of the Maine State Senate, members of the Maine House of Representatives, a member of the Parliament of Canada, dignitaries and leaders of Calais, Pleasant Point, Indian Township, Baileyville, Eastport, and Saint Stephen, St. Andrews, St. George and other Canadian communities, it is worthy of far more coverage than that which was affordable by the Bangor Daily News – a paper usually so kind to us.

Please help us celebrate our good fortune by giving this event the recognition it deserves and notify the entire state and beyond that we are engaged in the business of helping ourselves and are proud of it.

John A. Mitchell is an attorney in Calais.