A recent editorial appearing in the Bangor Daily News has raised many eyebrows in our community. It concerns a tourist-based development project that is being fostered by Matt Polstein and deals with an area locally called “Hammond Ridge.”

While this may have appeared to be an excellent idea to the Bangor Daily News staff, and on the surface perhaps rightly so, to many of the local people this is clearly not the case. As for the seemingly supportive comments made by Eugene Conlogue, Millinocket’s town manager, it must be noted that this also may not necessarily be so. As part of his job responsibility, Mr. Conlogue is contracted to work with and for the members of our town council of whom Matt Polstein is a member and in such capacity must be supportive of them.

At a recent “public workshop,” Mr. Polstein commented on his perceived sense of hostility amongst our community, against his project. Should he explore further, he might find that any hostility, perceived or otherwise, may be due to the “means” he has used to attain his goal.

Past history will show that Ed Cyr, a local contractor, built a hotel on Black Cat Mountain many years ago. This later burned but was located on land adjacent to Mr. Polstein’s intended project. No public opinion was raised.

Robbie Robinson proposed a $3 to $5 million dollar expansion of the Twin Pine complex which is now owned by Matt Polstein and scheduled to be included in his development project. No public opinion was raised.

Years ago, Irwin Bacon, another contractor, proposed a ski or golf complex to be built on Hammond Ridge, the area Mr. Polstein intends to develop.

No public opposition was raised.

One then wonders why there might be local opposition now.

Mr. Polstein has aligned himself with Don McNeil, former president of Great Northern Paper, Donald Casko, president of the Katahdin Federal Credit Union, and Dean Beaupain, who is legal council for East Millinocket, Millinocket, MAGIC (our area’s “economic” development council), and Katahdin Timberlands, the largest land owner in the area. All of these people were co-founders of MAGIC, with Matt Polstein serving as president for the first three years, Don McNeil current president, Don Casko, treasurer, and Dean Beaupain, secretary and legal council. MAGIC was supposedly designed to help our economic situation by bringing JOBS to the area to replace some of those lost following the closure of the mills. Instead, it has directed much of its energy toward furthering the tourist industry which is of paramount interest to Matt Polstein’s rafting company, New England Outdoor Center, and to his anticipated development project, but will only bring low-paying jobs to the area. Through MAGIC and his town council seat he has encouraged the acceptance of a $25,000 grant from The Wilderness Society. This has caused the citizens of Millinocket to launch a successful petition effort in protest of this association, which will appear on the town’s November municipal ballot.

Millinocket is one of the smallest towns, in area, in the state of Maine, and yet Polstein, in his capacity of town councilor, has continually opposed an attempt by Millinocket to annex land which would include the location of his proposed project. Only recently has he recused himself from voting on the issue due to a “conflict of interest,” brought about by his negotiations with Katahdin Timberlands, even though they have been on going since before the demise of GNP/Inexcon.

Many citizens feel Polstein has abused the authority given to councilors by his support of issues dealing with the current Brascan Financial Group and that he has not acted with the best interests of the town of Millinocket in mind, which he was sworn to uphold when he took office. The citizens also question why Katahdin Timberlands, disregarding their long-standing refusal to sell land parcels, has now given Polstein the option to purchase 1,450 acres, while not allowing that same luxury to the local camp owners who also lease land from Katahdin Timberlands.

Hostility? Perhaps, but if so, might it not be justifiable?

Alyce Maragus is a member of the Maine Leaseholders’ Association, a part-time reporter for the Magic City Morning Star and a candidate for Millinocket Town Council.