Do we live in a dying municipality or do we see what the pioneers saw? Promise in the settlement they called Houlton.
“When proprietors decided to settle this land, everything seemed against them: climate, ice, snow, long winters, short summers, Indians and wild beasts. In due time, all these were overcome, new homes were built, good soil was cultivated, crops were planted, families reared, and a strong foundation was laid for a thriving town of the future. These settlers were a confident and independent people. It was well that this was so, for they not only needed a strong will, but strong bodies as well, to withstand the great toil of developing a land …,” wrote Cora Putnam in “The Story of Houlton.”
That thriving land has been eroded away a bit at a time through a shift in what our forefathers envisioned. Now, the Houlton community faces its biggest challenge yet — rebuilding hope and dreams.
A group of around 25 people gathered April 9 at the Gentle Memorial Building to discuss those very topics.
“The model we are using tonight is to build a community discussion about how you all envision your community in Houlton and the greater surrounding area and what your aspirations and hopes are for the community,” said by Jan Grieco, facilitator.
“It will be a simple dialogue that honors all perspectives and considers all ideas … giving respect to the wildest flight of fantasy,” she added. “We will consider how the pieces fit together; in some ways you are talking about putting together a jig-saw puzzle. You cannot build the richness of the puzzle without working with every single piece. One piece left out of it and it loses the promise of potential and beauty.”
“Your Voice, Our Future” was a community-wide conversation as part of the “Let’s Talk Local,” a statewide program supported by the Maine Humanities Council, encouraging citizens to talk about important issues facing their towns.
“Let’s Talk Local” is offered through a partnership with Cary Library, RSU 29/70 Adult Education, the town of Houlton and the Houlton Chamber of Commerce. It is being held in 10 communities across the state in 2014.
The first question Grieco posed was “Is there division in this community?”
“There are those who are apathetic, who feel no energy and hope; then there are those, who are just driven to bring it back to life,” explained Lori Weston, town economic/community development director. Fighting the apathy, which usually has tendency to encroach heavily on optimism of others, can be a liability when sparking new ideas.
“But, you do not shun them, you listen,” added Andy Mooers, a local real estate broker and community member. “I may not agree with the reasoning, but it is telling you what is holding them back. You cannot discount or push them to the side. They are on the same team. They have talents and they are here for a reason. Some are apathetic. Some dreamers. And, some in-between. But, we need them all.”
Grieco asked how do you develop a common vision, while building those bridges that are positive?
“You need to remind people, especially us who are not from Houlton, what a wonderful jewel our communities really are,” said Iva Sussman. “People have no idea, often, what they have in their own backyard. I personally keep reminding people, you don’t know how lucky you are to be able to live in a safe community where people care about each other and people are always there to help you if you need it.”
“We have to continue to provide opportunities for people to get together to push ideas forward,” added Linda Faucher, Cary librarian. “We may think people are not listening, but they may be listening and not doing anything with the information.”
People took time out of a busy schedule to attend the open-forum discussion because “We love our town,” said Mooers. “We want to improve it.”
“We are committed to being here,” added Kristen Wells.
But with improvement and progress comes identifying troubles that exist within the community such as drug addiction, high taxes, lack of economic development and shortsightedness. And, sometimes the problem does not lie with anything more than just “evolving change” in the world.
The Shiretown for all of its obvious flaws is and what it was intended to be — a place where a person could make an honest living, raise a family and expect a simpler way of life — maybe not to change its values, but to build on them.
“I heard all of my life, this is a great place to raise a family,” said Wells. “I was gone for 15 years and my husband has no ties to The County. But, we wanted to focus on our family and slow things down. I love the city. It feels like home to me. But, we wanted something quieter and safer, along with a place to be more innovative.”
As photographs of earlier days in Houlton flashed across the screen, those images invoked the senses of small-town living and the initial hope of those who settled here.
“When [the slideshow] showed the Market Square picture, it is not going to be like it used to be,” said Charles Taylor. “You have to accept change.”
Along with that, Jane Torres, Houlton Chamber of Commerce director added, “You have to have optimism, too.”
“The hardest job of all in any community is staying positive,” said Weston. “Since getting in economic/community development, the old adage I have heard is ‘the proof is in the pudding.’ I am not going to join until you prove to me it is going to work. Slowly, but surely, we are making inroads that way.”
Houlton is not alone in its efforts.
“What are your feelings, memories, hopes, needs and wildest ambitions for this place called home,” asked Grieco, who admitted she read fatalism, hopelessness and as she said, “I dare say, a small bit of fear,” in the audience.
The future may appear bleak for tomorrow, but those who walked here first, stepped out and took a risk.
“All of a sudden, we are they,” said Weston. “We are the ones in place, but who is coming behind us and who is showing them the way?”
Otis Smith, director of SAD 29/70 Adult Education chimed in, “We need to empower our youth and encourage mentors.”
“What is the next step,” asked Grieco. “Can you see beyond the turn with a little faith?”
