A day after scheduling a town hall meeting in Westbrook for Wednesday, Aug. 31 at My Place Teen Center, Maine Gov. Paul LePage announced it is canceled.
LePage has been under intense criticism this week following comments made regarding the state’s drug crisis during a previous meeting in North Berwick, and a profanity-laced message that he subsequently sent to Westbrook State Rep. Drew Gattine. That message has produced calls for LePage to resign.
A press release from the Governor’s press secretary Adrienne Bennett on Tuesday only said the meeting had been canceled, but did not explain the decision further. Multiple news reports Monday night said the My Place Teen Center board voted to cancel the event due to capacity issues. The teen center utilizes a renovated church space. Donna Dwyer, the center’s executive director, did not return a call seeking comment Tuesday.
Bennett had said LePage would use the Westbrook meeting to discuss his “vision for Maine,” including reducing the income tax, reforming welfare, cutting energy costs, and addressing Maine’s high student debt burden. The meeting was scheduled to be held from 6-7 p.m. at the teen center at 755 Main St.
On Friday, following the public release of LePage’s obscene and threatening voicemail to Gattine, Westbrook officials released a joint statement condemning LePage’s actions last week, and supporting Gattine.
“Once more Governor LePage has humiliated himself and the office of the Governor,” the statement said. “He continues to again embarrass the citizens of this wonderful state.”
The statement, signed by Mayor Colleen Hilton, City Council President Brendan Rielly and School Committee Chairman Jim Violette, describes Gattine as a respected leader in the community.
“Drew Gattine is what we want in a Maine leader,” it reads.
Hilton also appeared on “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC Monday night, where she discussed the city’s strong reaction to LePage.
Reilly said Tuesday that an event, called a “Rally for Decency,” was planned for Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. in Riverbank Park – the same time the LePage meeting was originally scheduled for. A list of speakers was expected to be released Tuesday night.
“The purpose is not to engage in any more attacks, but to try to redirect everyone to a more positive, civil discussion,” Rielly said of the event. “Basically, Westbrook and Maine deserve better than what has been directed at us from the governor.”
Rielly added that they are also asking guests to consider bringing a donation for My Place Teen Center, stating that the organization was put in a “difficult spot” by LePage.
Comments are no longer available on this story