News

Maine Wildlife Park money: where did it go?
Rep. Austin looks into the issue

Dear Folks,

The state budget that was enacted in 2003 required the transfer of funds in certain dedicated accounts, the Gray Wildlife Park being one of many accounts in the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that had money diverted to the General Fund.

A total of $20,787 was transferred from the Wildlife Park account to the General Fund. When Joe Jones, a long time Park volunteer called with this information, I contacted Assistant Commissioner Paul Jacques to confirm the details.Right, a Lynx, one of the many animals cared for at the Maine WIldlife Park. MWP photo.

Jacques validated that the funds had been taken from the IF&W account. He was in the legislature in the early 90's when the negotiated agreement between the State and the Friends of the Park had been reached. Jacques said that the following language, "Not withstanding any other provision of law" is applied and other language goes away for that budget, including language that specifies dedication to certain Departments.

On January 27th I sent a letter to Governor Baldacci explaining the unique Park history and agreement by the Friends to work to becoming self- supportive; a goal they had reached this last year. I waited for a reply or some word from the Governor's administration. After two weeks with no response, on Thursday, February 10, I requested a meeting with Governor Baldacci and received one.

When I met with the Governor I handed him a second copy of my letter which he read. I shared that I was afraid that non taxed dollars had been taken that were brought in to the Park by the volunteer's efforts. He said that he hadn't been aware of what Greg Lagerquist was referring to regarding the Park funds when Greg interviewed him. He said to me, "we'll get you an answer."

He then took me to the Press Secretary's Office to get the answer that had been prepared for the Governor as to why these funds had been transferred from the Park to the General Fund. He told me that it was the law. I asked if these funds could be reinstituted similar to the Loon Funds that had been taken and then returned…Governor Baldacci repeated "it was the law", and then added, "it would not happen again". I asked how we could be sure when at some late hour or in some supplemental budget that language could be slapped on and the Park Funds would disappear again…the following is the information read to me by the Governor which I asked him to copy:

"The state budget that was enacted in 2003 required the transfer of funds in certain dedicated accounts (the Gray wildlife park being one of many in the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) to the General fund.
This law required that $12,802 in FY 2004 and $7,985 in FY 2005 be transferred from the wildlife park account to the General Fund. The amounts transferred were a result of savings in health insurance, increased attrition rates, and extending the amortization schedule of the unfunded liability in the retirement system.

In 2004, legislation was enacted to exempt the loon license plate fund from that law, but no other dedicated accounts were exempted."

I respectfully suggest to people who may wish to share their feelings about the Park funds to write, call or e-mail Governor Baldacci.

The Honorable John E. Baldacci, Governor of Maine, 1 State House Station, Augusta, Me 04333
E-mail: governor@maine.gov
Telephone #: 287-3531

Sincerely,

Susan W. Austin
State Representative, #109
Portions of Gray, North Yarmouth & Pownal

---

Here is the Text of Rep. Austin's letter to Governor Baldacci:

January 27, 2005

Dear Governor Baldacci,

I write today to share a piece of information that has come to my attention by a citizen of my home community of Gray. This person is a loyal volunteer of the Maine Wild Life Park in Gray. As you may recall in the early 90's the state wanted to close the then "Gray Game Farm." Citizens of our region organized and negotiated an agreement with the state that the Friends of the Park would work toward the facility becoming self-sufficient through their many hours of volunteering, through fees taken at the gate and through donations given for the sole purpose of keeping this landmark open. After years of hard work and dedication by so many caring people the Park became self-sufficient in its operation in 2004.

What I have learned is that $8000 was swept from their account in this budget leaving the volunteers angry, frustrated, and disillusioned. Through legislation, effective on July 1, 1991, all dollars generated by The Maine Wild Life Park were dedicated for the operation and maintenance of the facility. I have confirmed with IF & W Assistant Commissioner Jacques that these monies were in fact taken into the General Fund to help cover the budget.
The Park currently attracts some 90,000 visitors annually from all across Maine and beyond! It is a grand example of Eco-tourism and plays a significant role in the multiplier effect to our local economy of Gray-New Gloucester.

I write today to explicitly express my strong concern that no more volunteer raised monies that go to keeping our Wild Life Park open and running successfully, the only one of its kind in our state, be absconded to make ends meet in our state budget process. This type of sweep only jeopardizes the good will of volunteers and the many donations made by those whose sole benevolence comes from the desire to see this type of valuable Maine wild life habitat showcase stay in existence for the learning experience it offers our people.

I certainly wait anxiously for your assurance that this was certainly an oversight in procedure and have your promise that this will not happen again on your watch.

Sincerely,
Susan W. Austin

cc: Assistant Commissioner Paul Jacques
Park Superintendent Henry Hamilton
Mr. Joe Jones