Brewer concert to cheer millworkers

BREWER – When members of the River City Salon Orchestra heard about the closure of Eastern Fine Paper Co. and its displaced workers, they wondered, “What can we do?”

The answer is pretty simple, said member Cindy Brooks-Bastide.

“We decided we wanted to help out and what we could offer was a fun evening of music to raise some funds to help them through what we hope will be a temporary shutdown,” she said.

The River City Salon Orchestra will perform a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Brewer Auditorium. The suggested donation is $5 at the door. The group is a “fun combination of a dance orchestra, a Dixieland band, and a jazz combo.” Special guest Rich Kimball will perform with the ensemble.

“My whole family worked there,” said Brooks-Bastide about Eastern. “My father worked there for years and my brother still worked there until it closed down.”

The River City Salon Orchestra is a 10-piece ensemble composed of musicians from the Bangor and Brewer area, many of whom play with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.

“It’s fun for audiences of all ages,” said Brooks-Bastide. “We’re hoping this will help get them [the displaced workers] though the shutdown. We hope a solution comes quickly.”

Eastern Fine and Lincoln Pulp and Paper Co. fall under the parent company of Eastern Pulp, whose bankruptcy status was converted to Chapter 7, or liquidation, on Feb. 4 after more than three years under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Eastern Pulp ceased to exist on that date. The two mill closings displaced 750 workers.

The cities of Bangor and Brewer started a joint food and fuel fund-raiser to help the displaced workers after the news was released. Contributions to the fund continue to roll in.

“From my perspective it has been a really strong showing,” Brewer Public Works Director Ken Hanscom said Monday. “On Friday [Feb. 13] afternoon, one of the Brewer High School teachers brought down a pickup truck full of food items and nonperishables.”

Science teacher Darrell King dropped off the food. Hanscom said the teacher was really proud of his students’ contribution.

“This is a regional event,” said Brewer Mayor Michael Celli. “At least 30 of these workers live in Brewer and the rest live in Hampden, Bangor and other communities.”

Area businesses, organizations and individuals are also stepping forward, said Brewer Economic Development Director Andrew “Drew” Sachs. As of Tuesday, donations neared $6,000.

“We’re giving $250 to the Brewer mill and $250 to Lincoln,” Disabled American Veteran member George Mathis said Tuesday. “A lot of the millworkers are veterans, so we’re trying to let people know we’re here.”

With the number of Brewer workers displaced, the need still outweighs the donations, said City Manager Bost. In January, 240 Brewer workers lost their jobs.

“We’re receiving calls all day from [displaced] workers looking for the assistance and where to get it,” he said.

PACE Local 403 union representatives are distributing the assistance to displaced workers.

Nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the following locations: Brewer Auditorium, Brewer City Hall, Bangor City Hall and Bangor Parks and Recreation department on Main Street.

Cash or check contributions may be delivered or mailed to Brewer City Hall, 80 North Main St., Brewer 04412. Any money raised during the benefit concert will be placed in the fuel fund.

Displaced millworkers may contact Jim Dinardo at 561-4016 or 862-2243, Peter Copa at 234-2096 or Manley DeBeck at 989-7508 to inquire about assistance.

Displaced workers can also obtain information about unemployment benefits by calling toll-free (800) 593-7660. For information about the MaineCare health care program, displaced workers can call (800) 432-7825.