News Update:

03.28.07 - Bangor Savings Bank vs. Katahdin Community Center, LLC; complaint to foreclose the Katahdin Cultural Center. On May 25, 2005, S. Guilds Hollowell executed a promissory note in the amount of $119,700. On March 15, 2007, S. Guilds Hollowell owes $119,500.48 (principal) plus $2,959.22 (interest) and is accruing $21.29 per day in interest on the Newberry building. Copy of the Complaint is here.

03.26.07 - This project has once again been slated to garner more of our tax dollars. This time, though, it is via the State of Maine!

The Maine State Legislature is considering LD 1683, which gives S. Guilds Hollowell and his “partner” $125,000

To quote Lisa Hayes (Pelkey) on the matter: “As you all know, the Katahdin Cultural Center currently has a Bill before the Legislature for the final infusion of cash - $125,000 - needed to bring this project to fruition.”

According to the bill itself, the request is for $125,000.00 to provide "one-time start-up funding" for the Katahdin Cultural Center.” (Locals may recall that the $30,000 the Town of Millinocket gave Mr. Hollowell two years ago was also a “one-time” donation.)

It has been referred to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, and will eventually be forwarded by this committee to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs.

Whether you agree or disagree that this project is a good thing, you may want to think twice about having it financed by the public’s tax dollars.

The contact information for the Maine State Legislature’s Appropriation Committee is here.

The contact information for the Maine State Legislature’s Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs is here.

Updated March 2007