Budgets and saber rattling
For Peaks, Monday hearing revives nuanced debate
‘It’s not brain surgery, it’s more like a colonoscopy’
See Bob Higgins on page 4
See Curtis Robinson’s column on page 4
See Heidi Wendel’s serial novel on page 5
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2011
VOL. 3 NO. 48
PORTLAND, ME
PORTLAND’S DAILY NEWSPAPER
699-5801
FREE
Mural spawns public art debate Radio host: LePage won’t return mural BY MATT DODGE THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
A conservative radio personality became a de facto spokesperson for Gov. Paul LePage Friday, announcing that the governor has told him that a controversial labor mural would not be returned unless a court orders it returned. Ray Richardson, the right-leaning WLOB news radio morning host, made his comments during a public forum at the Portland Museum of Art that focused on ownership and control of public art. Richardson stated that Gov. Paul LePge would not return to mural to the Department of Labor, “unless he is ordered by the court to do so.” When asked is he was simply stating his opinion of the governor’s intention, Richardson said, “Well, I heard it from him.” Dan Demeritt, communications director for LePage, said that he see MURAL page 11
Artist Judy Taylor, conservative talk radio host Ray Richardson, Colby College museum director Sharon Corwin, Maine College of Art professor Christina Bechstein and Portland Museum of Art director Mark Bessire participated in a panel discussion yesterday at the PMA to debate the role and appropriateness of public art in the wake of Gov. Paul LePage’s decision to remove Taylor’s controversial labor mural from the state’s Department of Labor building in Augusta. (MATT DODGE PHOTO)
Ski areas slalom into late April BY MARTY BASCH SPECIAL TO THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
Skiing in Maine in May? That’s the way it’s looking with Sugarloaf looking to go mid-way into that month, and Saddleback gunning for May as well. “We’re going for May 1 and then planning to go weekends through May 15 as the snow allows,” said Sugarloaf communications director Ethan Austin. Traditionally, Sugarloaf drops its rates after the reggae weekend, scheduled for April 14-17 with eight bands and thousands of party-goers. Austin said the base depth continues to be good and there have been only a few minor warm-ups that haven’t had much impact on the snow depth. “But you never know,” he said. “You get a week of 65 or 70 degrees and the snow
can go pretty quick. We’ve got a good base to make it into May.” The season pass holder barbecue is scheduled for April 24. It should be interesting at the Loaf May 15 with skiing and the 29th annual Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K. Rangeley’s Saddleback is open weekends into May. The season pass holder barbecue is set for April 17. “We are planning on a very exciting and snow covered spring,” said Saddleback’s JoAnne Taylor. If they sell 500 tickets on April 23, each ticket purchaser gets a ski free voucher valid through Jan. 13, 2012, excluding holiday periods. There’s a planned Easter egg hunt on April 23 while April 30 is the Hawaiian see SKIING page 10
A skate skier tackles the slopes at Sunday River in Newry, which announced that it’s closing for the winter season following the last day of skiing and riding scheduled for Sunday, April 24, weather permitting. (Photo courtesy of Sunday River)