MILLINOCKET (AP) -- Katahdin Paper Co. LLC says it's closing its Millinocket paper mill, putting about 208 people out of work. Fraser Paper, which operates Katahdin's mills, cited high energy prices Thursday for the indefinite closure of the Millinocket mill effective on July 29.
What is Rumford's plan if this were to happen here??
Kevin N. Saisi
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Well, before everyone hits the panic button here, I understand that New Page just posted record profits and went public with their Initial Public Offering. Maybe instead of planning for a ghost town, we should be actively working to keep the town growing and moving forward. Let’s create a great place to live that families and businesses would want to move too. I’ve already talked about that here. I’ll ask again, what would that look like?
There is no panic button. We as a single horse town need to plan for the possibility of a mill closure. That is the difference between an idealist and a realist. Unfortunately, realists are often colored as pessimists by idealists who look at things through rose colored glasses.
Last year, the Millinocket mill consumed more than 400,000 barrels of oil in the paper-making process, given the price per barrel now I believe that is what led to their demise.
New Page in Rumford I believe relies mostly on coal, wood waste, biomass and natural gas for fuel.
Last summer, New Page formed a partnership with Swedish-based Chemrec look into a plant at the Escanaba mill that would produce renewable biomass-based fuels. It would be nice if that was successful and expanded to NewPage Rumford.
New Page has also launched a new marketing campaign which as it gains recognition may change how people feel about imported pulp and paper.
http://papertellsastory.com/
When realist and idealist work together, they can often accomplish infinitely more than when working alone.
Kevin, there was no intent to color you as a pessimist. Things can happen and we do need to pay attention and plan, as is prudent. I understand your reason for posting that here.
My point is if we want the town to move forward, we need to think about what that would look like and how to make that happen. Whatever our vision is of our town (or our life) we naturally work to create. Sometimes it can be unconscious. It’s like playing basketball and visualizing the ball going through the hoop. You'll have a much better chance of making the shot.
oops! wrong topic, the issue is mill shutdown, not emergency preparedness, please delete my previous comment.
We can build a great castle, but if it is built on quicksand, it will be a waste of time. We need to have a plan in place.
There are lots of things out there that "could happen" and if we plan for all such events then there will be no time for here and now.
"if we want the town to move forward, we need to think about what that would look like and how to make that happen."...Mr. Saisi, how is what RFP said not the first step of a plan? If you have a plan, "You'll have a much better chance of making the shot". RFP is on topic.
You just don't get it. If we fail to plan, we plan to fail. We need priorities. We cannot ignore the fact that the Berlin mill is gone and the Millinockett mill is closing. We cannot ignore that one of the mills in Jay is floundering. We can plan on planting flowers another day. We need to develop a plan for what can be done to mitigate the impact of the mill closure. Part of the plan is a diversified economy, but the town needs to be able to plan for what our municipal structure will look like when we have a population of 3,000 and no significant tax revenue from the mill. We also need to look forward to when the state law kicks in eliminating our ability to tax the equipment in the mill. It is called planning ahead. All it takes is a few citizens and a couple selectmen who care. Everyone else can plan where to plant flowers.
Kevin, when I read your statements, what I hear is simply a case for making significant cuts in town services. It comes across as a scare tactic.
Am I missing your point?
"We need to develop a plan for what can be done to mitigate the impact of the mill closure. Part of the plan is a diversified economy..."
A diversified economy is extremely important. Although you may not have meant to, you make it sound like the Mill closing is a definite though.
Let’s talk about how to build a diversified economy. I’ll start a new thread.
If, after reading all I have said, you think that I am saying the mill is definately closing, you are not reading it as it is written. I said "We need to develop a plan for what can be done to mitigate the impact of the mill closure." This does not mean that it is going to, it is just a plan on how to handle it if it does.
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