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	Legislators Take up Curran Bridge Name By Susan M. Cover Kennebec Journal February 4, 2009 http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/5906222.html AUGUSTA — A public hearing on a bill to rename the Father John J. Curran Bridge drew support and scorn Tuesday, as the debate over what to call the small span made its way to the Statehouse. Rep. Patsy Crockett, D-Augusta, is the sponsor of a bill to call it the Calumet Bridge at Old Fort Western. Crockett told members of the Legislature's Transportation Committee that because of allegations that Curran sexually abused children, the bridge needs a new name. "To many people, this may seem like a small and simple bill, but I can tell you that for our community, this bill has a great deal of emotion behind it," Crockett said. Curran, who served as priest at St. Augustine Church from 1962 to 1972, was a well-respected figure in Augusta, largely for the work he did on behalf of the city's Franco-American residents. The Legislature voted in 1973 to name the bridge after him. He died in 1976. After his death, the accusations of child sexual abuse surfaced. Paul Kendrick, of Freeport, an advocate for abuse victims, worked this summer to get the names of scholarships changed and to begin the process of renaming the bridge. But for two people who testified at Tuesday's public hearing, the accusations should not lead to renaming the bridge. Ray Dostie and Ingaborg Lapointe both told the committee to leave the name alone. "When Father Curran died, he took all the criminal charges with him to the grave," Dostie said. Lapointe said he was "loved and respected by many of his parishioners." "He died 30 years ago, he can't defend himself," she said. "Father Curran has already been judged by someone much higher than us." Yet, for most who testified, it wasn't a matter of whether to rename the bridge. It was what to call it. City Council members Patrick Paradis and David Rollins said the council went through a thorough process to choose a new name. Both said the Calumet Bridge at Old Fort Western is a good fit for the city. "This is an extremely sensitive issue for many, many people in Augusta," Rollins said. "Especially for people at St. Augustine Church." Paradis read aloud a letter from July from Bishop Richard Malone of the Diocese of Portland. City officials had asked the church to weigh-in on whether it was appropriate to rename the bridge. Malone said the diocese supported the change. "Were Father Curran alive today, I would remove him from ministry pending a further investigation into the allegations that have been made," Malone wrote. "Although Father Curran did much to improve the condition and the perception of the Franco-American community in Augusta, it is also evident that he inflicted much harm upon some of the most vulnerable among us." Others who testified said they favor a different name. Donald Tuttle suggested "The Franco-American Bridge." Patricia Marvin, a descendant of Daniel Cony, said she thinks the bridge should be named after Cony. She suggested the "Cony Street Bridge" or "Cony Ballard Bridge," which also honors the memory of midwife Martha Ballard. Mary Mayo-Wescott said she too would like to honor Cony, but told the committee to do more research on the history of the city before making a decision. "I'm wondering if we've thought this through very carefully," she said. For Donna Strickler, taking Curran's name off the bridge is an important way to honor victims of abuse. Strickler is the executive director of the Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center. "I understand that this is difficult for those that admired Father Curran, that he did many good things in the community," she said. "However, how can we possibly go on honoring someone that has done such harm?" Legislators on the Transportation Committee are scheduled to take a vote on Crockett's bill Feb. 10. A Democrat and Republican on the committee both said the name will be changed, but the discussion will focus on what to call the bridge. "That's what we're going to have to wrestle with," said Rep. Edward Mazurek, D-Rockland. "We're not emotionally tied to it. We're looking at it from a logistic or clearer viewpoint." Rep. William Browne, R-Vassalboro, said he's likely to honor the city's wishes. "If they went through the process, I don't think you can argue with that," he said. Susan Cover — 620-7015 scover@centralmaine.com
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