Excerpts and links to local articles and opinions of our tax money going to this “project” are below.

Katahdin Cultural Center - Creative Accounting?
By Alyce Maragus

Mr. Hollowell lists "proceeds from Bank Loan" as $63,418.59. Curiously on the KCC web site he listed a loan of $200,000.00, then later corrected it to $120,000.00. Now is would appear to be $63,418.59? Any thoughts?

Then there are discrepancies in the contractor's expenses; and what about the $50,000.00 for the building itself which Tom St. John, the previous owner claimed in a Community Press article had not been received?

With all this money at stake one would think "they" could keep their figures straight. Instead it would seem "something is rotten in Millinocket" especially when it concerns the KCC and some investigation should take place, after all, some of this money come from the tax-payers.

Do we dare say it looks as though someone is lying or shall we just call it "creative accounting" and perhaps "stretching the truth"? ...More.

My Heritage, My History, My Culture
By Sally Bouchard

For anyone to be a spokesman for my history or heritage or culture, they should share some of that history or culture before they take it as their own.

Before anyone can speak for the people of Millinocket, they should at least be willing to listen to what the people are saying about their history and culture.

Moving to a town, and then deciding what that town needs without even listening to the people who disagree with them, nor caring about their history or culture, but instead using that culture to make money for themselves has some of the citizens of Millinocket in an uproar, and rightfully so....More.

A Cultural Center or Parking Lot?
By Ken Anderson

MILLINOCKET -- Five days ago, a Millinocket town councilor circulated an email amongst other members of the council, suggesting an action that has been met with applause from some members of the community, and with anger from others.

In his email, Councilor Scott Gonya argued that it was time to do something about the Newberry building.

"We have allowed this undeveloped building to threaten the public healthy, safety and welfare of our citizens," Gonya wrote. "The building's present condition endangers life and property by fire and/or unsafe conditions."

He went on to suggest that the council use its power of eminent domain to take the property and demolish the building, utlizing the space to accommodate more parking, a green area, or a combination of the two....More.

Welcome to the MAGIC Town Meeting of 7/13/06
By Alyce Maragus

The regular Thursday council meeting has turned into a MAGIC meeting. If you don't believe me, just watch the farce on KAT-TV. But then again you may not be able to do that since our MAGIC "public" access TV station seems to be having difficulties. Could it be the MAGIC people have seen just how bad they look on their own telecasts?

It's no wonder Millinocket has become a laughing stock throughout the entire state.

The moment everyone was waiting for at this meeting was the town's acceptance of a $40,000 state grant for the Cultural Center. I find it difficult to imagine the state releasing $40,000 for handicapped accessibility for a building that is not even habitable for non-handicapped people. I guess the state doesn't care how they spend "your" money...More

Councilor Seeks Accountability from Cultural Center
By Ken Anderson

MILLINOCKET -- Having requested, and been denied an accounting of how public funds have been spent by the Katahdin Cultural Center, Millinocket Councilor David Cyr vows to demand financial accountability from the organization.

Guilds Hollowell, representing the Katahdin Cultural Center, received $30,000 in funds from the town's 2005 budget, which was to have been used to renovate the facade of the old Newberry's building, which has long been an eyesore in Millinocket's downtown district. This was not done, and Hollowell has thus far refused to provide a satisfactory accounting for his use of public funds...More.