Burnt Jacket Public Hearings
The Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) held public hearings on the rezoning application for the proposed Burnt Jacket development in Beaver Cove this past Wednesday and Thursday at the Bangor Motor Inn.

Hank McPherson’s proposal is to rezone 246 acres of land on the Burnt Jacket peninsula for a development that includes 70 house lots (in the first phase).

The hearing on February 1st began with a summary of the proposal by the LURC staff, followed by direct testimony from the applicant, cross examination by the LURC commissioners, and testimony from (and cross examination of) government agencies. The floor was opened at 6:00 p.m. for public testimony.

On February 2nd, interveners including the Moosehead Region Futures Committee, Maine RESTORE and the Natural Resource Council of Maine testified on the matter. Attorney Matt Manahan, representing a group of nine Beaver Cove residents, also acted as interveners.

LURC has added a public hearing at the Greenville High School auditorium at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7th. This Greenville session was added to the public hearings in Bangor in response to complaints from area residents and the Beaver Cove Selectmen that the placement of hearings solely in Bangor – 70 miles from the location of the proposed development – was unfair to local residents.

At the end of the public hearing in Greenville, LURC chair Bart Harvey will set a date on which the record will be closed, normally three weeks after the public hearing. The LURC staff will have 90 days after the record is closed to put together a recommendation for the LURC Commissioners.

Letter to LURC from Our Newest Coalition Member
Please welcome Steve O’Connell from Orono to the Coalition. Steve has submitted a letter to the Land Use Regulation Commission to consider when reviewing pending applications regarding development around Moosehead Lake.

His letter offers a valuable perspective on the Greenville economy over the years. We have included excerpts from Steve’s letter in this edition of the Coalition Newsletter. For the complete text of Steve’s letter, please visit our web site at www.preservegrowme.org and read the item entitled “Letter to LURC” on our Opinions page.

Here is part of what Steve had to say to LURC:

“Starting in the 1920s, my family benefited from the Greenville area. My grandfather operated woods camps in the Greenville area and eventually worked for one of the largest paper companies in the Greenville area into the 1950s. His stories, told by his daughter, my mother, were of thriving economy, which allowed him to raise 10 children and paid good wages so that his workers’ families’ could raise their families. It was a sustained economy of abundance and opportunity

Into 1970s I began to build my own observations. My family and I were consumers of the Tourism Industry and as well as benefited as business people in the Greenville economy. From skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, lodging, to dining etc. as well as making a paycheck selling products to local Greenville businesses into the 1990s it appeared to be as much of sustained economy of abundance and opportunity as my grandfather’s observations. I see a stark difference between now and then. Whether it was weekly ski trips I made with my friends and family or making sales calls to insure myself a payday from deliveries of truck loads of goods and services, I (as well as other family members and business colleagues) were in Greenville often until the 90s. Since 1990, the opportunity for ‘new business” takes me to Greenville only three to four times a year, based on the ‘lack’ of new business opportunities in the Greenville area.

Though Greenville is still as beautiful and breathtaking as ever, and is still home to some of the most industrious and as well as the friendliest people anywhere, it is my observation that today’s Greenville economic picture ‘pales’ to what it appeared to be, years ago, which was a more thriving, robust economy. From my viewpoint, as an outsider (anyone who does not live in Greenville) ‘looking in’ it appears that Greenville is just a shadow of its former self, down maybe, but far from out.

It is also my observation, that the many other Tourism areas of New England, over the years; Sunday River, Sugarloaf, the NH White Mountains, Mount Desert Island, etc., have all benefited from a sustained ‘resort’ economy. NOT Greenville though.”

“Greenville certainly has been creative and will continue to create its own version of a ‘creative economy’. Remember Greenville has lived and breathed the advantages of the Greenville ‘Wilderness” area for generations, long before many of us ‘found’ Greenville. It is their heritage as well as their birth right to take another ‘shot’ at improving on what they do today and maybe improving what they have done in the past; which is creating good jobs, via a sustainable economy that can insure a bright future for the folks of Greenville and their children and grand-children for another 100 years, as to continue to live a good Maine life! What is more basic that this?”

Viewing points will be at the starting point, on the county road near Katahdin Iron Works, and at the Brownville layover on Railroad Avenue. This year Plum Creek Timber Company has stepped forward with $5,000 for the race purse.

The race is a collaborative effort of the Towns of Greenville and Brownville along with the Moosehead Riders and Brownville Snowmobile Clubs and many land owners.

The race starts what is a larger two-week long SnoFest in Greenville. SnoFest is a celebration of winter sports showcasing and offering chances for the public to participate in both motorized and non-motorized activities. Brownville is also planning some additional winter related activities for the race weekend this year.

Volunteers are needed to handle the dog teams before the race!

For more information, contact Amy Dugan at info@mtnridge.com or Terry Knowles at mawtrk@midmaine.com, or contact the Towns of Brownville or Greenville, or the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce. For race rules and more information, go to the Three Rivers Community Web Site: www.trcmaine.org/sledrace/.

Maine Sportsman's Show
The Coalition will host a booth at the 26th annual State of Maine Sportsman's Show at the Augusta Civic Center March 31st through April 2nd. The Coalition is looking for volunteers to help man the booth. If you volunteer, you will get into the Show at no charge. Let Frances Turner know at the Coalition Information Center (1-888-702-7466) or send us an e-mail to info@preservegrowme.org if you can join us at the booth for a while.

Visit the Coalition Web Site
You can find more information about the Coalition at our web site at www.preservegrowme.org.

Coalition Information Center
Location: Community House · 6 Lakeview Street · Greenville · Maine
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 944 · Greenville · Maine · 04441
Telephone: 207-695-2264 (toll free 888-702-7466)
Web Site: www.preservegrowme.org

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. Please forward this to your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and organizations you belong to and help us spread the word. Any questions or comments may be directed to Edie Leary eleary@eatonpeabody.com or Will Gardiner wgardiner@eatonpeabody.com or by calling The Coalition Information Center at 1-888-702-7466 or (207) 695-2264.