Maine politicians have been discussing Aroos-took County’s dwindling population for the past 40 years and especially the 15 percent drop in the past decade. It appears Gov. John Baldacci is serious in wanting to reverse the migration and I commend this devoted leadership.

For many years, I have been an advocate for Aroostook County and I believe these observations to be significant. Without any doubt, the completion of “Highway North” is the most important and urgent development we need. We must foster and provide real options for the tourist industry, safe highway and safe transportation of goods, competitive markets for manufacturers, industry, services and trucking, and we will attract new industries. Highway North will connect Aroostook County with the rest of the state and nation, and it will also increase trade and tourism with Canada.

Let us share the road to prosperity, and why two Aroostooks? Aroostook County does not end at Houlton, but rather only begins there, and its resources extend all the way to the St. John Valley and beyond. The entire county is rich with talented people, farms and agricultural businesses that produce good food, splendid winter sports opportunities, good hunting and fishing, beautiful lakes, mountains, lumber for construction and paper mills, quiet nature and relaxing resorts. Central and northern Aroostook need to be recognized diligently, fairly and with dignity. Objections to an extension of the Highway North by any citizen of the Greater Houlton area is rooted in selfishness and is without merit.

The new options being considered are: 1. Upgrade to U.S. Route 1 from Houlton north, or 2. extension of Highway North from Smyrna toward Caribou with upgraded highways to Daigle and Van Buren. The upgrade of Route 1 to Caribou is not what we need. Such an option is in some way a charade, discriminatory, not economically sound, will not provide equitable and substantial returns on investment and is simply not acceptable.

We also have well-founded reservations with regard to future upgrade routes from Caribou to Daigle and Van Buren. Is it designed to manipulate and divide our people? Will it be economically feasible and will it ever be built? These are serious questions. We have already been holding promises for decades on the extension of Highway North. Enough promises and let us finish the job.

Let us remember that the consultants and the state personnel with the present plans are indirectly working for us and we the people of central and northern Aroostook should have the final say. Let us all pull together for the future of our children, our communities, and our fair share of economic opportunity. Together, and with the support of family and friends spread throughout Maine, we are a powerful voice. Let us step forward as strong members of Maine, and the sound of unified support will be heard from all over our great state.

The time has come to defend our honest rights. To those who say this is something we may not see, I say, stop being negative, you are not helping our just cause, and please join us. It is our duty to help improve the status of our children and grandchildren.

John F. Dionne is a retired businessman from Grand Isle.