Bangor Daily News

City Prepares for Increased Traffic, Parking Needs of Hollywood Slots

BANGOR - City officials expect an influx of traffic this week along Main Street with the opening of Hollywood Slots at Bangor, but not the near-gridlock that accompanied last month's opening of the Parkade mall on Stillwater Avenue. "We'll watch it and, if necessary, we'll jump in and direct traffic," Bangor Police Chief Don Winslow said Monday about today's private opening of the slot machine facility and the public opening set for Friday.

State Landfill Capacity Near Limit Task Force Studying Management Policy

AUGUSTA - If nothing changes, the state will run out of room at its trash disposal facilities in roughly 51/2 years, a state waste management official said Tuesday. George MacDonald, director of waste management and recycling for the State Planning Office, provided information to members of a task force that is reviewing the state's solid waste management policy.

Poll: Law, Gay Union Not Linked Discrimination Issue Splits Voters

Most Mainers don't believe the state's new gay rights law will lead to same-sex marriage, as the law's opponents contend, according to a poll released Tuesday. The poll, conducted by Strategic Marketing Services of Portland, found that 62 percent of those surveyed believe the new law prohibiting discrimination against gays and lesbians would not result in same-sex unions, such as those allowed in Massachusetts.

Correcting the Record

A story on Tuesday's Page One about a Canadian woman sentenced on charges of trying to smuggle a man and two teenage females into the country requires clarification. U.S. District Judge John Woodcock raised questions about whether Savita Singh-Murray, 39, of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, was involved in human trafficking. Prosecutors charged her with alien smuggling. --

Catholic Churches Leafleted On Question 1

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland released a statement this week saying that cars in Catholic church parking lots throughout the state were improperly leafleted with "Vote Yes on referendum Question 1" material last weekend. The leaflets, the statement said, do not reflect the official position of the Portland diocese, which had remained neutral on the issue.

Maine Gas Prices Drop Back to Summer Levels

The weather over the past few days is not the only thing in eastern Maine that bears some semblance to summertime. Temperatures may not yet have dropped significantly, but gas prices have since they soared at the end of August.

No On Question 1

"Do you want to reject the new law that would protect people from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations and credit based on their sexual orientation?" With the rest of New England and nearly half the country's population covered by similar laws, the doomsday warnings of what will happen in Maine if this law stands should have been vanquished by now. Instead, this small step toward equality again has become a major cultural fight and again Maine voters should ...

Yes On Question 2

"Do you favor a $33,100,000 bond issue for improvements to highways and bridges; airports; public transit improvements; state- owned ferry vessels and ferry and port facilities including port and harbor structures; and statewide bicycle trail and pedestrian improvements that makes the State eligible for over $158,000,000 in matching funds?" It is no secret that many of Maine's roads are in bad shape. This bond will help with some large projects and many more small ones while also creating job...

First-Class Stamp Rate to Rise to 39 Cents

WASHINGTON - A 2-cent boost in the price of a postage stamp was approved Tuesday by the independent Postal Rate Commission. Under the recommendation, which now goes to the Postal Service's Board of Governors for final action, the cost of a first-class stamp will go from 37 cents to 39 cents and the postcard rate will rise a penny to 24 cents. The Postal Service requested the increase last April. It is expected to go into effect in January.

Candidates and Issues

With elections coming up shortly the citizens of Bangor are most fortunate in having a choice for the vacancies in the school committee as well as those in the city council. With the novelty of a write-in candidate on the council it is difficult to predict a winner. Not having a choice invites malaise and voters are less likely to go to the polls to make these crucial selections this year. We have many issue choices on bond issues and we need to give thoughts to every selection, keeping in mi...

Brewer Softball Values

In response to the front-page article, "Brewer coach accused of abuse" (BDN, Oct. 22-23), we would like to present to those readers not familiar with Brewer softball our perceptions of the program as parents of a first-year player. Brewer softball promotes the growth of these young women far beyond the confines of the softball diamond. Coach Kelly Cookson is clearly passionate about softball, but it is even more clear that her true passion is about her family of girls developing into producti...

Lifelong Learning Bond

Please vote for bond Question 6 so that Maine's Senior Colleges may continue to offer courses for "us guys" over 50, 60, 70 and 80. The state's community colleges will also benefit. Downeast Senior College has its headquarters at the Hancock County Higher Education Center at the Mill Mall in Ellsworth. The center provides administrative assistance, an office with phone and classroom space.

Rezoning Questions

The best viewing last month on TV was a live broadcast from Bangor City Council chambers on the Judson Grant proposal for rezoning a large parcel of landon the corner of Griffin Road and Broadway. Kudos to Linda Hunter, Dr. Geoff Gratwick and others for asking two tough questions of the developers: 1. What type of building will be constructed on the rezoned 40 acres facing Griffin Road?

Attacks Get Personal Vandals Strike Plum Creek Linked Properties in Oakland, Fairfield, Greenville

Vandals terrorized the family of a Plum Creek Timber Co. employee Monday night and defaced the company's local headquarters and a private real estate firm, leaving behind splattered paint and animal guts. Four windows were broken in the Oakland home of Jim Lehner, Plum Creek's Northeast Division general manager, and vandals bombarded his house with orange paint, police said.