Bangor Daily News

Maine Firm Appeals Tourism Contract Panel Member's Ties a Potential Conflict

AUGUSTA - A Maine business is crying foul over the Maine Office of Tourism's decision to grant a $600,000 contract to a Canadian firm. Davidson-Peterson Associates-Digital Research of Kennebunk, which lost out on the tourism data contract to Longwoods International of Toronto, will seek another shot at the work Friday during an appeal hearing.

Reacting to the Record Maine Baseball Personalities Make Calls On Bonds' Feat

No matter what you think of San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, he is now the most prolific home run hitter of all time. Bonds hit No. 756 on Tuesday night, surpassing Henry Aaron.

Mbta: Maine Bridges at Risk Group Says 343 Need Attention

AUGUSTA - Maine has the 13th-worst percentage of deficient bridges in the United States, and it would take $500 million in spending to replace the worst of them, according to a transportation advocacy group. The Maine Better Transportation Association issued a statement Wednesday citing Federal Highway Administration figures on the status of bridges after the collapse of a span in Minneapolis last week.

Mental Health Provider Closing Doors in Downtown Bangor

BANGOR - A local branch of a statewide mental health clinic has announced it will close its doors at the end of September. PROTEA Behavioral Health Services, which provides outpatient mental health services, therapy, psychological testing, substance abuse treatment and medication around the state, will close its clinic and offices at 33 State St. due to lack of state funding, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Maine Meat Safe From U.K. Foot-and-Mouth Last U.S. Case Eradicated in '29

AUGUSTA - When a dairy farmer in Britain reported a case of foot- and-mouth disease last Thursday, a scare rippled across the world, including here in Maine. Dr. Don Hoenig, Maine's state veterinarian, has an up close relationship with the disease, having served for weeks in England during the 2001 eradication of more than 6 million animals.

Road Funding Revisited

A week after a highway bridge collapsed in Minneapolis, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is re-thinking his opposition to increasing Minnesota's gas tax. Tough discussions and new thinking about road funding are likely in state capitals around the country, Augusta included. Earlier this year, Gov. Pawlenty vetoed legislation to raise Minnesota's gas tax to pay for road and other transportation work. The 5-cent increase had been supported by many businesses, including trucking companies, that viewed the addi...

The Not-so-Free Festival

"Free costs $1 million" is the new mantra from organizers of the American Folk Festival. Their message is that although admission to the three-day fete of music, arts and food is free, it costs $1 million each year to stage the event. Without enough corporate, foundation, government and individual support to cover that cost, organizers will have to look at ways to either raise more revenue or reduce costs. To avoid this, area residents, businesses and others who enjoy and benefit from the fes...

Deal with Vandalism

Indeed, Bangor is looking good. Our gardens are lovely. Our town offers some fun community nights such as Thursdays, with the market and music, and Fridays, with the movies and theater. Our $12 million waterfront is something we can be proud of with the mini cruise ships and strolling activity. And with this $12 million waterfront, we have a beautiful dock, which enables the residents of our town to house their boats. It makes for a picturesque site for our community and our visitors.

A Family Welcome

The 1136th Transportation Company of the Army National Guard held a family outing at Pleasant Hill Campground in Hermon on Aug. 5 under the leadership of Dottie Pinkham, who had arranged for games, good food and recognition awards to be part of the festivities. It was a fantastic gathering on a beautiful day, with beautiful people participating in a camaraderie that was great to observe, and I truly appreciate having been invited to help. What a nice way for soldiers who have been in Iraq to ...

Risks of Pipe Smoking

It was discouraging to see the picture of the man sucking on his pipe and describing that activity as "enjoyment" (BDN, Aug. 2). Before anyone decides to try his molasses-cured tobacco, they should know that sweeteners give off a highly toxic gas when burned. I once knew a middle-aged man who usually walked around with a pipe sticking out of his mouth. He developed cancer where the stem usually rested on his lower lip. Before he died, he accused those who gave him water of spilling it on him,...

Correction

Treating Us with Disdain

I have always thought that we live in a democracy, a country where the government makes public policy based upon public opinion. So why do I feel recently that I want to overthrow our government? People don't overthrow a democracy, do they? And in a democracy, why should I have a nagging fear about even writing this? Public opinion in this country overwhelmingly supports an immediate withdrawal of our troops from Iraq. More people than voted for the current administration in Washington suppor...

Grateful for Support

My husband and I had the worst experience of our lives. Our son has mental illness and was missing for several days near Baxter State Park. Thank God that since then he has been found and did not have any life-threatening injuries. For five days the uncertainty of his whereabouts and wellbeing was unbearable. We would like to thank Troopers Snow and Meserve from the Maine State Police, Detective McCarthy and Officer Linkletter from the Millinocket police, the chief ranger and Wardens Adam Gor...