Multi-Millionaire Aims For Controversial Village Green, Town Center

Roxanne Quimby, who recently sold her Burt's Bees empire for $175 Million, has a vision for a world-class village green in one of Maine's most picturesque harbors.

1 minute read

September 1, 2005, 12:00 PM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

In Winter Harbor, Maine, Roxanne Quimby wants to build a town center on land she recently purchased next to her store. She also wants the townsfolk to help her design it. Through one of her charitable foundations, she'll even build it and maintain it - at no cost whatsoever to the town. Yet, despite her philanthropic efforts, Quimby's idea has been met by plenty of local opposition. Allan Smallidge, who served as Winter Harbor's town manager from 1984-97 says that philanthropy has changed in his small town."It used to be that Big Bucks would come into town and the town would say, 'We need something,'and then the Big Bucks would say, 'OK, we'll do it.' "And now?"This is different," Smallidge said. "This is a case of Big Bucks saying, 'This is what the town needs' and then doing it.' "

Thanks to Mike Lydon

FULL STORY: A village green for free, yet may cost too much

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 in Portland Press Herald

Community / Economic Development Maine

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