AUGUSTA (AP) — A year after Gov. Paul LePage stirred outrage by saying critics of his decision to skip NAACP-sponsored Martin Luther King Day events could “kiss my butt,” he is politely declining invitations to annual breakfasts honoring the civil rights leader in Orono and Portland so he can attend one in his hometown of Waterville, his office said Thursday.

The governor received invitations from leaders of the Bangor and Portland branches chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to attend their annual breakfasts, LePage spokeswoman Adrienne Bennett said Thursday. The Bangor chapter holds its breakfast in Orono.

LePage responded that he had already planned to attend the King Day breakfast event in Waterville, which is held around the same time of day and he has attended for several years, Bennett said.

“Unfortunately, the timing of the Bangor branch’s event does conflict with the governor’s other MLK commitment that day; and therefore, the governor is unable to accept the invitation,” says an email from LePage’s scheduler, Jeanne St. Pierre, to Diane Khiel of the civil rights group’s Bangor chapter. “We thank you for your understanding,” it concludes.

A similar response was sent to Rachel Talbot Ross of the Portland branch.

Ross said that while past governors have attended or sent representatives to the Portland breakfast, that’s less important to her group than the fact that LePage is recognizing the day, as he’s doing in Waterville. LePage is also issuing a proclamation calling on Mainers to honor King by participating in community service.