To the editor:
The old expression, “Penny wise, pound foolish,” seems appropriate in describing the Houlton Town Council’s vote re the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in late January — especially in light of the generosity of the Houlton Band of extending an invitation to their beautiful grounds to Houlton youth to play football, baseball and run track.
Town Manager Eugene Conlogue and Chief Brenda Commander had come to an agreement that the payment owed by the Houlton Band in lieu of taxes (PILOT) would be cut in half, from $54,000 to $26,980. That seems fair enough to us (Houlton taxpayers) considering all the benefits that the Houlton Band brings to the Town of Houlton. What are they?
In addition to the upcoming sports opportunities for students in the Houlton public school system and the Greater Houlton Christian Academy plus past road, bridge and pipeline projects for us all, the Houlton Band employs many professional businesspersons and workmen in our area to construct buildings for housing and health. This and the payment for building materials, etc. puts millions of dollars into the Houlton economy as townspeople buy groceries, go to restaurants, clothing stores and patronize other merchants.
The Houlton Band of Maliseets extends a hand of friendship to all of us in Houlton. Every September we attend their Recognition Day Celebration (to which all are invited) and have a wonderful time. We have participated in spring clean-up days of the Meduxnekeag River organized by the Houlton Band and we all benefit from their concern/actions on behalf of our environment.
With more tax burden being shoved off from the state onto local taxpayers, it is time to appreciate the economic benefits brought to the Town of Houlton by the Houlton Band which can access funds for local improvement projects that the town cannot. Please have a chat with Town Councilors who may not yet have an understanding of these employment/financial opportunities — and recommend that the short-sighted vote in January be revisited.
Harrison and Marilyn Roper
Houlton
