Maine family council chief steps down

AUGUSTA (AP) — Michael Heath, who for more than 15 years headed the conservative Christian Civic League of Maine and its successor organization, the Maine Family Policy Council, has resigned to become a private consultant.

Known statewide for his outspokenness on such issues as gay rights, abortion and casino gambling, Heath said there was no single factor that led to his resignation from the 112-year-old organization. The policy council has long been active in State House politics and referendum campaigns.

The council's board accepted 48-year-old Heath's resignation Monday, according to its newsletter, The Record. It said the board "expressed unanimous and strong support" for Heath, who pledged his full support to the organization.

The council and Heath have stood on the sidelines during the state's current debate over whether voters should repeal Maine's newly enacted same-sex marriage law in a Nov. 3 referendum. Some of those involved in the campaign to repeal the law felt Heath would have brought too harsh a tone to the campaign.

In 2004, the league suspended Heath from his duties for a month for sending an e-mail newsletter that sought information about Maine lawmakers who might be gay. The league's board said his action "crossed a line of ethical behavior into a realm of sinful gossip."

Under Heath, the council led a campaign to repeal Maine's gay rights law last year, but it was abandoned for lack of funding, volunteers and voter support. Efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to outlaw gay marriage have also fallen short.

But Heath was credited by the council for helping to successfully lead opposition to a casino in Calais in a 2007 referendum.

Heath acknowledged his silence in the current gay marriage debate but did not say why he has stayed out of it.

"I can't comment on that because I'm more interested in the success of the campaign (to repeal gay marriage) than discussing minutiae," Heath said.

"It's no one thing. A combination of many factors led to my decision," said Heath. He said the decision to step down was his, adding "They did not want me to resign." A message left with council officials was not immediately returned.

The director of the campaign to keep Maine's same-sex marriage law intact, Jesse Connolly, released a statement saying Heath represented an image problem for repeal proponents "so they've kicked (him) to the sidelines."

Heath started with the civic league in 1989 as administrative assistant and was appointed executive director in January 1994. The council's board has not selected a replacement but is starting a search process.

Heath said he hopes to consult for nonprofits.