Calais mayor to get her just dessert

CALAIS – The big question Monday around the city building: Will it be a sticky lemon meringue or a rich chocolate cream?

A pie toss will take place Thursday night after a City Council meeting, and afterward the mayor is expected to get a pie in the face – by choice.

It’s all part of the aftermath of the annual Relay for Life events, which raised more than $29,000 for the fight against cancer during the weekend. Area residents paid $1 and voted for the mayor or councilor they wanted to see get whacked with a pie. Mayor Judy Alexander will receive the honor.

John Demmons of Calais will toss the pie at the mayor, and he was warming up his arm Monday night.

Demmons was a member of the Press for a Cure Team, made up of members of the city’s news media, including the Bangor Daily News, The DownEast Times, the Calais Advertiser and WQDY AM-FM

When the 18-hour fund-raiser was over Saturday, 22 teams had raised the total, and the councilors raised $1,667; $68 came from the pie in the face extravaganza.

City Clerk Theresa Porter counted the ballots Monday, and the mayor walked away with 44 votes.

A relieved Councilor Nancy Gillis trailed with 22 votes, while 19 votes were cast for Councilor Ferguson Calder and 18 votes for Councilor Billy DelMonaco.

The other councilors had votes in the single numbers, with Councilor Denis Lovely maintaining a perfect record of no votes.

City Manager Linda Pagels said she would make the pie, but declined to elaborate on what kind.

The Relay for Life brings together groups and people committed to fighting cancer. Former and current cancer patients and their families, as well as businesses, civic organizations and other supporters, participate. The money goes to the American Cancer Society.