Cota said there could be recreational opportunities in Redington if somebody fixed up the deteriorating Caribou Pond Road. But that's privately owned, and the manager admitted its owners could improve it on their own, regardless of annexation. He also said the dam on Caribou Pond, which supplies Sugarloaf with water for snowmaking, needs upgrading. Cota didn't explain what that might have to do with taking over Redington, since the pond is actually in Mount Abram Township.
Is Carrabassett planning to annex that, too?
If Cota and the selectmen want any shot at convincing the Legislature and the resident fools in Carrabassett (who would also have to approve annexation) that the idea isn't just a front for reviving Lee's wind-farm project, they'll have to come up with some slicker answers. Because the opposition, foolish or not, isn't going to chicken-dance off into the sunset.
"If [town officials are] dopes enough to bump up against that wall again," said Chris O'Neil, the Portland lawyer who served as chief lobbyist for the Maine Appalachian Trail Club and other opponents in the last round of legislative debate, "I'm more than ready for them."
But as Jennifer Gray, staff attorney for Maine Audubon (another opponent) put it, Lee is "pretty tenacious, a never-say-die guy."
Which may be why his company is called Endless Energy, a name that seems to have less to do with generating electricity and more to do with its owner's stubborn streak.
Only a real fool would count him out.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should note that I live in Carrabassett Valley, although not in sight of Black Nubble or Redington. If you're foolish enough to want to e-mail me, my address is aldiamon@herniahill.net.
