Passamaquoddy tribal leader killed in crash
AMHERST - The tribal governor of Maine's Passamaquoddy Indians at Pleasant Point was killed Thursday night in a head-on collision involving his pickup truck and a tanker truck on Route 9.
Melvin Francis, 60, died instantly in the accident near a bridge over the Union River on the wilderness highway known as the Airline.
Francis was alone in the pickup and was returning to the Pleasant Point reservation from Indian Island, where he participated in the signing of an agreement by Venezuelan-owned Citgo Petroleum Corp. to donate heating oil to four Maine tribes.
Earlier in the day, Francis addressed Democratic members of the House of Representatives in Augusta, as the Legislature considers a tribal call for a June referendum in Washington County on legalizing slot machines there.
Troopers said Francis was headed east when he lost control of the pickup on black ice at the bottom of a hill. The vehicle then swerved into the path of the tanker truck, which was empty.
The truck driver, Scott Colcord of Monroe, and his passenger, Daren Holmes of Bucksport, were not injured. Both were employees of R.H. Foster of Hampden, the truck's owner.
Route 9 was closed for three hours while state police investigated the crash.
Gov. John Baldacci issued a statement Friday extending his sympathies to Francis' widow and pledging "a statewide remembrance" of Francis. "He did so much for his people," Baldacci said. "He understood that improving the conditions of his people would improve the conditions for all Mainers. He will be sorely missed."
Legislators also praised Francis Friday. House Majority Leader Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, said members of the House Democratic caucus were impressed with the "kind, thoughtful, straightforward presentation" he made to them Thursday, before he left the State House for the heating-oil event on Indian Island.
"While I didn't know him personally, I knew him to be a respected leader of his people," said House Minority Leader David Bowles, R-Sanford. "He was extremely diligent in trying to improve conditions for the Passamaquoddys and the native people of Maine."
"It's a big loss for the Passamaquoddys, the Wabanaki coalition and the whole state of Maine," said Rep. Rosaire Paradis, D-Frenchville, who said Francis impressed him as a knowledgeable man whose demeanor conveyed calmness and wisdom.
Francis' four-year term as governor was set to expire this year. Craig Francis, a lawyer for the tribe, said Melvin Francis had not decided whether to run again. He had held the post for at least one previous term.
''People referred to him as a peacemaker,'' said Craig Francis, who grew up on the reservation and was a close friend of the governor, but not a relative. ''He was an amazing advocate for his people. He was a really kind person, extremely considerate.''
Francis was a strong supporter of a proposal by an Oklahoma energy developer to build a liquefied natural gas terminal on tribal land at Pleasant Point.
Baldacci said he will order flags across the state lowered to half staff in honor of Francis, although it was not immediately clear when he will take such action.
Portland Press Herald and wire reports
As a resident of Maine and a friend to the Indian nations, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of the late Governor Francis and to all who knew and loved him in the community.
His passing, is a great loss to the native community and the State of Maine.
More Information on The Late Governor Francis
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January 2006 Reports
Last updated on January 13, 2006