To the editor:

The Times Record has again failed to include all relevant facts in its Nov. 29 edition.

“ Historic hotel changes hands” describes the details of the recent ownership change of the Captain Daniel Stone Inn, but does not mention how town politics likely played a major role in the demise.

Even though the council was warned of plunging hotel sales and demand, they lavished free land, infrastructure, and $1 million over 10 years in tax rebates to the Inn at Brunswick Station. Six months following the new inn’s opening, the Captain Daniel Stone Inn was taken over by the bank and the Parkwood Inn was sold at a price far below assessed value.

The Town Council was made aware of the pitfalls of offering this competitive advantage to the station inn, yet chose to ignore the realities.

So with a poor overall economy and decreasing hotel occupancy, the council favored the developer of the station inn (a Bowdoin College graduate) at the expense of the Captain Daniel Stone Inn and other local hotels.

The developer’s preliminary study clearly shows they planned to take Bowdoin College business from the other hotels in town. With the advantages given by the council, this goal became easier.

The recent Times Record article didn’t cover any of these relevant issues and even attempted to put a positive spin on the bank takeover of the Captain Daniel Stone Inn. Make no mistake, the former owners put their heart, soul, and life savings into renovating and operating the historic inn. The failure of this business is tragic for them, but also sends a strong message to the local community.

That message is that if you are connected to local politics and Bowdoin College, you might succeed. Otherwise you are on your own and will get no help from the powers that be.

Competition among local hotels is a reality and it’s appropriate, but only when it’s on a level playing field.

It is about time that The Times Record recognizes this reality and covers local stories more thoroughly.

Karen Klatt

Brunswick