Madawaska's Future Hinges On Mill Dispute Union Members to Vote Monday On Fraser Papers Inc. Contract

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MADAWASKA - Jeff Albert loves diversifying his own economy. The owner of 23 18-wheel trucks, a freight brokerage and a perfume bottling factory, he is among the town's top 10 taxpayers, employs 60 workers and is always looking for new ventures to get into, he says proudly.

But ask Albert to describe what would happen to his livelihood, his town and the St. John Valley if the Fraser Papers Inc. mill closes, and he uses the word town officials, residents and other businesspeople use: disaster.

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Madawaska's Future Hinges On Mill Dispute Union Members to Vote Monday On Fraser Papers Inc. Contract

"Although they [Fraser] contribute directly to 40 percent of our sales, indirectly they affect 80 percent," Albert said Friday. "If they close, about 75 percent of my business is gone. There would just be shells of the companies left."

Town leaders would have to slash government education services to replace the millions in taxes Fraser, the town's top taxpayer, pays...

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