Maine

Editorial: Vote yes on Question 3 to invest in Maine’s past, and future

Published

1 year ago

October 16, 2024

Editorial: Vote yes on Question 3 to invest in Maine’s past, and future

The BDN Editorial Board operates independently from the newsroom, and does not set policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com.

Do you favor a $10 million bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25 percent local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?

Treasured pieces of Maine’s history are on the ballot this election. And no, we’re not referring to the debate around replacing Maine’s flag.

Question 3 would approve a $10 million bond to help restore historic government and nonprofit buildings across the state. The question requires a 25 percent local match from either private or nonprofit sources.

These are structures and sites like old meeting houses, town halls, public libraries, museums, grange buildings, old forts, homesteads, and other sites that might otherwise fade into memory without restoration efforts.

The government entities or nonprofits responsible for these buildings might not have the resources available to prioritize this needed work. Some funding through the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and other organizations is meant to aid these valuable projects, which help ensure that Maine’s history remains an active part of our future. Though survey results from the people doing this work indicate that consistent state funding that matches the statewide need has been elusive.

Passing Question 3 would help address this, even a one-time infusion of $10 million represents just part of the statewide need. A previous bond of this type was passed back in 1985, when voters approved $2 million.

This newest iteration was proposed by two Republican state lawmakers, Rep. Sawin Millett and Sen. Rick Bennett. Its original amount of $25 million was paired back when the bond question was reviewed and approved by the Legislature.

Though the amount matches neither the original proposal nor the existing preservation needs across the state, it remains a sensible down payment to protect parts of Maine’s history. The Maine Historic Preservation will oversee the award of funding to various projects with this funding, as it has before, in a process that can safeguard Maine’s past while also supporting current community cohesion and economic activity.

“Studies show that investment in historic preservation supports small business and good paying jobs, improves property values, keeps money circulating in local economies, and catalyzes additional investment,” said Tara Kelly, executive director of the nonprofit Maine Preservation, and Sarah Hansen, the executive director of Greater Portland Landmarks, in testimony before the Legislature last year. “The rehabilitation of historic buildings can be labor intensive, creating high-paying jobs. In a soon-to-be-finalized economic impact analysis of historic preservation in Portland, it is estimated that these projects create 218 direct jobs and an additional 217 indirect and induced jobs every year.”

While we would prefer to see increased and consistent support for these preservation efforts built into the state budget rather than be subject to bonding — and the interest that comes with it — the unfortunate fact remains that such a consistent funding source has yet to materialize. In its absence, this bond is a prudent if insufficient public investment. The longer some of these projects wait for support, the more likely that these structures and sites degrade beyond repair.

Julia Gray, the executive director of the Wilson Museum in Castine, offered strong rationale for supporting this bond question in legislative testimony last year.

“Maine’s historic buildings are an irreplaceable part of our civic infrastructure,” Gray said. “They are often part of a community’s identity, a highly visible symbol of local history, places of memory that span generations.”

We agree, and we hope Maine voters will too. Question 3 deserves a yes vote.

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Maine

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

Published

4 minutes ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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Maine

Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner

Published

12 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.

Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”

“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.

Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.

However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.

Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.

READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate

Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.

Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.

“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.

Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.

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Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue.

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Maine

Building Hope: A Community Film Event to End Homelessness

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Building Hope: A Community Film Event to End Homelessness

On March 2, Spurwink will join community partners for a special viewing of Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine at the University of Southern Maine’s McGoldrick Hall.

Directed by Richard Kane and produced by Melody Lewis-Kane, the film shines a compassionate light on the realities of Maine’s homelessness crisis. Through deeply personal stories, Building Hope explores the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and families, while highlighting the hope that emerges when communities come together to create solutions. It’s been praised for its honesty, dignity, and inspiring message: change is possible when we work together.

Following the screening, a panel of local leaders and advocates will discuss the film and the ongoing effort in Maine to end homelessness. Panelists will include Katherine Rodney, Director of Spurwink’s Living Room Crisis Center; Cullen Ryan, Chief Strategic Officer at 3Rivers; Donna Wampole, Assistant Professor of Social Work at USM; and Preble Street staff. Catherine Ryder, Spurwink’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, will bring her expertise in trauma-informed care and community collaboration to the panel as the moderator.

This event is free and open to the public.

McGoldrick Center, USM Portland campus

05:00 PM – 07:30 PM on Mon, 2 Mar 2026

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