MACHIASPORT, Maine (AP) - Washington County residents are speaking out against the proposed closure of the Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport.
Gov. Paul LePage announced last month that he wants to close the minimum security state prison, which has about 150 beds.
At a public meeting Sunday, area residents worried about the loss of more than 50 jobs, as well as some of the other peripheral benefits of the prison.
State Rep. Katherine Cassidy tells WABI-TV (https://bit.ly/1dp8YB7 ) that many of the inmates work with area towns, nonprofits and churches, taking care of projects they could not afford themselves.
The Lubec Democrat says she invited the Republican governor to Sunday’s meeting, but he never responded.
LePage has said he won’t close the prison until new jobs are created to replace jobs lost.
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Information from: WABI-TV, https://www.wabi.tv
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