MORNING SENTINEL • October 11, 2022
Neither former Republican Gov. Paul LePage nor independent candidate Sam Hunkler favors removing the Shawmut Dam in Fairfield, a controversial proposal some environmental advocates say may be necessary for endangered salmon to travel upriver to spawn. The dam was one topic the candidates addressed Tuesday at a gubernatorial forum held at Thomas College. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills was unable to attend the event as she was meeting with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. LePage accused the Mills administration of working behind the scenes to “shut the dams down,” even though Mills has said she “would not allow” the mill to close over the issue and that it’s not necessary to remove the Shawmut Dam in order to allow fish to pass through.