Sparse Turnout for Bond Hearing in Machias as Cuts Loom Either Way

By Paul Sylvain

“It’s like what you see on TV when someone hits the Megabucks and two years later, they’re broke. The county is the same way. They got that ARPA money, and a year and a half later we’re broke.”

By Jayna Smith

The 21st Annual Classic Hits Turkey-a-Thon, held last Friday, Oct. 10, was a tremendous success, raising an impressive $39,022 by the end of the day — and with donations still coming in. The total equates to over 3,200 turkeys, ensuring that families across Washington County will have food on the table this holiday season.

By Nancy Beal

Nine Beals Islanders will come together this week to begin updating the town’s comprehensive plan. They are Frank Alley, Matt Alley, Troy Alley, Nancy Beal, Laurie Petronis, Amanda Smith, and the town’s selectmen: Glenda Beal, Daniel Davis, and Lorena Faulkingham. They will meet at the town office Friday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. They will be assisted by Patricia Tilton of the Sunrise County Economic Council.

By Paul Sylvain

The county’s current fiscal crisis is proving to be a many-tentacled beast affecting virtually every aspect of the Sunrise County’s budgeting process.

Down East Community Hospital (DECH) and Calais Community Hospital (CCH) recently had the pleasure of introducing well-respected youth speaker David Edward Garcia to more than 1,200 high school students across Washington County. Six presentations were held for students in grades 9–12 throughout the county.

By Paul Sylvain

The last thing anyone in Washington County wants is a double-digit tax increase. That’s especially true in tiny, coastal communities where devastatingly low lobster catches and blueberry harvest yields this year already threaten to make the coming winter remembered for a record number of bank repos.

By Jayna Smith

Last week, Rev. Robert S. “Bobby” Oliver Jr., of Baileyville, was presented with a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his dedicated service to both God and country. The handcrafted quilt was formally awarded by Paula Z. of the Kaleidoscope Quilters, honoring Oliver’s courage and sacrifice during his time in the United States Army.

By Paul Sylvain

The offices of Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and the acting U.S. Attorney for Maine Craig Wolff, on Oct. 7, agreed to a request by Washington County District Attorney Robert C. Granger to investigate how the county’s finances went awry over the past five years.

By Nancy Beal

The first of three public hearings aimed at discussing and answering questions about the county’s upcoming $11 million bond referendum, aimed at easing the county’s fiscal pinch, attracted about 100 citizens to Narraguagus High School’s cafeteria. 

While long on information and opinions, attendees hoping to hear about alternative plans to the bond left disappointed, as none were presented.

By Paul Sylvain

In her short time on the job as the county’s provisional treasurer, Grace Falzarano has instituted two significant policy changes in the county’s finance department, which are aimed at preventing a repeat of some of the errors contributing to the current budget shortfall.

Falzarano was appointed provisional treasurer by the county’s commissioners following the September resignation of embattled former treasurer Jill Holmes. Falzarano serves the town of Columbia Falls as its treasurer.