Two Opposing Sides Speak Out on Baxtergate

Posted by Tom Remington

Two sides with differing views on how the late Governor Baxter viewed hunting in portions of Baxter State Park, spoke out yesterday and today. In an article by Carey Kish of MaineToday.com, he writes of the controversy and makes reference to an interview on WGAN radio yesterday morning with George Smith, executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. You can visit the article and Kish provides a link to listen to the entire interview done in mp3 format.

This morning in the Bangor Daily News, Buzz Caverly, retired director of Baxter State Park, recalls his discussions with Governor Baxter before he died and presents an entirely different view on what he believed to be the feeling of the Governor.

In essence, Smith says that Baxter changed his mind about restrictions placed on the land for hunting and trapping after realizing the impact it was having on local businesses including sporting camps.

Caverly says the complete opposite, stating that Baxter was forced into making the changes from pressure by hunting groups and that he had no intention of allowing hunting in any parts of the park.

Gov. Baxter was old, tired and he wanted these lands to complete his life’s dream. Time was running out and I remember Helon Taylor, park supervisor and a close friend of Gov. Baxter’s, saying to me, “He is a grand old gentleman. He does not have the energy to fight. They are holding a gun to his head on this issue. He either concedes or his park will remain at the present size of 193,054 acres.”

*Previous Posts on Baxtergate*

Clearing Up Two Misconceptions About Baxtergate

Putting Maine’s Wilderness In Perspective or Fighting Fire With Fire

Baxtergate Debate Continues

Millinocket Continues Its Battle

Adding a Personal Touch to Baxtergate

Many Small Percentages = One Big Percentage