The Inside News Rotary donations to keep children warm; New Year’s past at Walker Hall Section B
Going for a Hike
BN Index
A Christmas Eve trip to Bald Pate was nice kick off to the holiday season
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 6B Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 4B Country Living . . . 5B-6B Directory . . . . . . . . . . 4B
Page 5A
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 3B Opinions . . . . . . . 1B-4B Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 5A Student News . . . . . . . . Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 150, No. 52
12 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
December 30, 2021
Legal Notices . . . . . . . 2B
www.bridgton.com
(USPS 065-020)
95¢
Center offers safe haven
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer On Friday, Christine, a volunteer at Lakes Region Recovery Center (LRRC) stuffed her belongings into her backpack and stated that she was looking forward to going home and spending some time with her dogs. It had been a long week. Then, a couple who had just moved to the area and was in need of bus passes walked into the center. Without hesitation, Christine gave them a tour and cheerfully answered questions before providing bus tickets for the Lakes Region Explorer. “People come first,” according to LRRC Communications Specialist Candy Greenberg. “One of the first things I learned when I started working here is: People first. People walk through the doors, no matter what you are doing, you stop and welcome them. You see how they are doing.” The center, which was established in 2018, is located behind the Bridgton Hospital. It is a hub of activity during the day — with meetings occurring in one room and Reiki being offered in another room and people busy working in offices. “We are a recovery center. We are a non-clinical center. We are peer support. So, there is always someone here to listen. Always,” Greenberg said. LRRC has people working or volunteering who have been trained in peer support for people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Greenberg said. There is always a listening ear for any issue someone might be experiencing. Or someone can come to the center just to avoid being alone. “We are a community center. We are a drop-in center. Not just for people in recovery, but for everyone. You can come in watch TV, hang out, have some coffee, have CENTER, Page 3A
Funds target homelessness
The Cumberland County Commissioners has awarded more than $4.5 million toward the construction of shelters in Portland and Brunswick, and a study for emergency housing in the Lakes Region. The County Commissioners voted unanimously to direct $3 million from the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation to the city of Portland, for construction of the city’s new shelter. The Commissioners also voted unanimously to dedicate over $1.6 million in ARPA funds for two projects at Tedford Housing, a Brunswick-based organization that runs emergency shelter space and case management in the Brunswick region. One Tedford Housing project will conduct a significant study of people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity in the Lakes Region of Cumberland County, including the towns of Baldwin, Casco, Bridgton, Harrison, Naples, Raymond and Sebago. Tedford Housing will perform a needs assessment, conduct a feasibility study, and make recommendations for implementation of programs and services that address the unique needs of the region, including programming and service center space. Currently, there are limited programs in the Lakes Region that aid and support people experiencing homelessness with emergency or permanent housing, or assist those at risk of housing insecurity to successfully maintain permanent housing. Based on identified needs, the HOMELESSNESS, Page 3A
Casco backs tax write-off
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — It wasn’t the amount of the tax bill. Rather, it was that the person who owed it snuck off without paying it. Reluctantly, the members of the Casco Board of Selectmen voted to write off the back taxes owed on a mobile home that went down the road before the owners brought the balance to zero. The amount due was $499 in property tax on an unregistered mobile home that was temporarily located 509 Red Rd. in a seasonal community at Point Sebago. During its only meeting during the month of December, the board discussed what has been an on-going issue. Chairman Mary-Vienessa Fernandes recalled when the board would write off a stack of property tax bills from mobile homes that vanished in the night. “I think Point Sebago is trying to do a better job. This has been like this as far back as I can remember, 10 years ago, constantly writing off, writing off, writing off taxes,” she said. On Dec. 14, the board voted to write it off, 3-1, with Eugene Connolly opposing. Holly Hancock was not present. Selectman Robert MacDonald went on record, voicing why he made the motion and voted in favor of the write off. “I am making the motion in support of our town staff,” he said, adding that the negative balance would no longer be carried on the books. WRITE-OFF, Page 3A
COMMUNITY SHOWS ITS HEART — Some donors and family members gathered last Friday at Macdonald Motors where Melissa Scammon and fiancé Kevin Benoit were presented a Jeep Compass following a fundraising effort. Melissa was the victim of an attack while walking to work on Route 302 early one morning. Michelle Mowatt and Mark Lopez started a fund drive to buy her a vehicle. (Rivet Photos)
A gift from the heart
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Kevin Benoit knew Bridgton is a special place, but the former Massachusetts resident has discovered what a huge heart the community truly has. “This town is incredible,” Benoit said. “For what people have done for Melissa is unbelievable. We’re very grateful.” Melissa Scammon is Kevin’s fiancé. She was the victim of a brutal early morning attack while walking to work. She suffered serious injury, but is slowly on the road to recovery. Shocked by the brutality, area residents responded by donating over $30,000 to a GoFundMe drive to assist Melissa in her recovery. Michelle Mowatt and Mark Lopez wanted to do more. To give Melissa peace of mind and security, Mowatt and Lopez found themselves on the same page — let’s raise money to buy Melissa a car. “For my birthday this year, I’d like to raise money for a local woman that had a horrific experience walking GIFT, Page 6A
HAPPY MOMENT — Melissa Scammon of Bridgton accepts the keys to a Jeep Compass from Bill Macdonald of Macdonald Motors last Friday. Melissa is pictured with fiancé Kevin Benoit.
What’s ahead in 2022 for auto inventory, sales? By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer When Bill Macdonald started searching for the “perfect” vehicle for Melissa Scammon, as part of a local fundraiser, he ultimately found the right car right in front of him. “Once we got to what can we find for a vehicle — based on what we had raised and what we planned to contribute — we were looking at vehicles with high mileage and older based on
the current market, which is rough right now because everything is expensive,” he said. “Daily, I would walk the lot and see what was out there. What has been sitting here too long. What has just come in on trade. Eventually, I walked around the lot and I looked and I saw this Jeep Compass. It wasn’t listed in the inventory. It was in the rental fleet. It is actually getting ready to come out of rental. So, I checked to see where we
stood on this one. Because it went into rental service a couple of years ago, it is now ready to come out, it’s been well maintained, it is relatively new (2018), it only had 34,000 miles, it is exactly the vehicle, that in my mind, I was looking for.” Melissa and fiancé Kevin Benoit had visited Macdonald Motors, unbeknownst to the fundraising effort that was underway, and talked to a salesman. CAR SALES, Page 4A
Little kindness goes long way By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Kindness, Sydney O’Connell recently proved, can go a long way in making a difference in someone’s life. Age doesn’t figure into the equation — all one needs is a big heart and a plan. The 12-year-old, who lives in Bridgton and Newburyport, Mass., is described as “one of the most caring and kind children I know,” says Laura McCabe, who operates Community Help in Bridgton. “I have known Sydney for going on four years now. She always leaves me with joy in my heart from her kindness and willingness to always help others.”
In October, Sydney helped put together Halloween Bags for kids at Bridge Crossings. “Understanding children need people in our community to help ensure they experience the same things as other children that don’t live in a group home, Sydney and her family and a friend collected items to add to the bags such as candy, small toys and Halloween-themed items,” McCabe said. “Each bag was packed carefully by Sydney to make sure each had the same amount of items, wanting to make sure each child felt special.” A sixth grader, Sydney decided to do a clothing drive for a school project. PROJECT, Page 2A
The Bridgton News Established 1870
ACT OF KINDNESS — Sixth grader Sydney O’Connell collected clothing for needy youngsters as part of a school project. She presented the items to Mrs. Caroline of Bridge Crossing.
P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com