Millinocket region millworkers’ woes unite ‘2 Maines’

PORTLAND – Belying the notion of “the two Maines,” businesses and municipalities in the southern part of the state will be putting on a weekend bash to help needy workers idled by the Great Northern Paper shutdown.

The fund-raising event Sunday at the Portland Expo has already raised $44,000, prompting organizers to raise their initial goal from $25,000 to $50,000.

Proceeds from “The One Maine Community Party” will be used to pay for food, home heating oil and other assistance for families struggling to get by after the Millinocket and East Millinocket mills closed in December and filed for bankruptcy protection the following month.

The idea of helping needy people 200 miles north of Portland came about when City Councilor Karen Geraghty, who regularly lobbies at the State House on Portland’s behalf, heard northern Maine legislators tell of the woes afflicting the Katahdin Region.

The former mayor started talking to southern Maine businesses and lined up support for the party. Donors included some of the area’s biggest employers, including Bath Iron Works, L.L. Bean, National Semiconductor and UnumProvident.

Other municipalities, including Lewiston, Freeport, South Portland and Westbrook, were among the hundreds of other sponsors.

During the three-week planning stage, individuals and businesses have come forward with offers to help.

“Everything from baking a tray of cookies to providing a sound system,” said Peter DeWitt, communications director for the city. “It’s been an amazing response.”

Millinocket Town Manager Eugene Conlogue said U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, himself a former Great Northern worker, and local legislators will be among the people from the area who plan to attend.

“As important as it is to have the funds, I think it’s the title [Geraghty] put to this – ‘One Maine’ – that says it all,” Conlogue said. “We are grateful that there’s such an outpouring of support from around the state.”

The two-hour party will feature music by Maine House speaker Pat Colwell and his band, the Soul Sensations, along with the Ed Lester band, Shrine clowns and refreshments.

“Our goal is to have 300 people there,” DeWitt said, noting that donations of any amount will be accepted at the door. “It’s a chance for families to come in and have some fun and do some good at the same time.”