Maine's Own Off-Topic Thread - Pt. 3 (Milo, Waite: tuition, businesses, driver)

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by elston

Is the sign "Milo, A Friendly Town" gone?

From what I read on one of the links msina posted, the hardware store is a goner and the sign as well. Looking at the milo webcam it doesn't look like they burned "to the ground" but that doesn't mean much. Structural damage for sure...

I think the "game spot" might have been one of the hangouts that the police tried to keep an eye on, and I know the "pub" talked about recently changed hands (rental I suspect, don't think the new folks bought it) as it had been Valerie Jean's American Bistro and I had heard talk it was changing. This is indeed a big blow to Milo; they have been trying to work on redevelopment, gaining consensus as to what the community wanted.

It's a bad blow, but hopefully there will be much good in the future as the town comes together.

Just an aside... wonder if any of the displaced folks will end up in our vacant trailer? <g>

[msina]

The hardware store burned to the ground. The Bistro had been taken over by the owners mother (Valerie) and was now serving pub style food. The buildings are a total loss.

[RMoore007]

Wow! So sorry to hear it. Looks like Trask Insurance had their webcam on at closer intervals all day too. Click on the 14th then view. Webcam Archive (http://webcams.trcmaine.org/archives/index.php - broken link)

[moughie]

Sorry to hear about your beloved town's loss, msina.
Hope no one was injured in the blaze.


Seems like we have recently entered a period of bad luck/karma....First Gustav, then Ike, then MW's robbery news, even Mermaid's comp issues. Let us all hope for a change for the better soon.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by msina

It was THAT hardware store and all the adjasant buildings. Reteraunt, pizza place, pool hall, vacant theatre and apartments. Thanks Forest, it's a lot to a small town, that was a great hardware store.

I ate a pizza in that pizza parlor!

I sat with Starwalker and kevin and my youngest son, we did.

The waitress was a cute babe, and the pizza was greasy.

What a shame.

[peachie_in_maine]

Originally Posted by msina

A good part of the town of Milo burned today.

"At this point, we know at least five businesses have been impacted and at least a third of downtown has been burned. Maine's Department of Economic and Community Development will send specialists to Milo to help the town and businesses recover," Governor Baldacci said.

ME fire marshal investigating Milo fire | NECN
Fire burns downtown buildings in n. Maine town - Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/09/14/fire_burns_downtown_buildings_in_n_maine_town/ - broken link)

This is terrible!
I haven't heard this on the news because I haven't been anywheres near a radio, tv or paper.

[mollysmiles]

oh how horrible!! I looked at the pictures through the link..... it's awful!! I hope they can clear that and get to work rebuilding soon...

[genmomto5]

I'm so sorry Msina. I hope they can rebuild fast. I know it won't ever be the same.

[elston]

I hope they don't just put up cookie cutter effiency buildings. I used to live in a little mill town in NH, the downtown only had a blinking light...not even a real traffic light....it was just a series of old wooden two story buildings......and a similar town hall.... A fire such as Milo suffered would have cleared most of the town out. No great architectural loss I can assure you.....but the heart and soul of generations of "the best little town by a dam site" would be gone.

I grieve the loss of your town Msina. Lets see what can rise pheonix like from the ashes.

[AlisonL]

Such a shame to lose those businesses. Granted the buildings were ancient and probably firetraps, but this fire will have a huge impact on the town of Milo. Thank goodness no one was killed.