I can conclude, after the meeting in East Millinocket with U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin and attending last month’s meeting in Orono, where Sen. Angus King invited National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis to hear from Maine people about the potential national monument in the Katahdin region, that support for a park is tremendous. I decided to go to this meeting, not just because I support what I hope will be a step toward a national park and national recreation area, but because I wanted to see what would happen. I saw an article last fall saying nearly 14,000 petitions of support were delivered to our congressional delegation.

Moreover, bringing national attention to a region of the state that features a unique set of characteristics not seen in other national areas gives the impression of an obvious draw. Should we be so quick to slap down this proposal of a landowner wanting to give America thousands of acres and a massive endowment to help pay for the costs of managing that land? The national monument will maintain guaranteed snowmobile and hunting access on part of the property and, like all national parks, provide an economic engine to drive the entire state.

Before the Orono meeting, I knew some of the facts. I have read information provided by proponents and opponents. I knew there was statewide support. The one thing I didn’t know was how much support existed in the Katahdin region itself, as I heard some towns’ early straw polls were low.

I am grateful to hear people from Patten, Mount Chase, Millinocket and other towns in the Katahdin region express their support. Now that Sen. King and Rep. Poliquin have seen the backing from every part of the state, it is my hope that they will represent us and collaborate with the president to make this happen.

Sam Mullen

Augusta