BETHEL – Gov. John Baldacci was the featured speaker and ribbon-cutter at the Bethel Airport Authority’s Runway Expansion Celebration on April 25. The governor, who made frequent use of the Bethel Regional Airport during his eight years in Congress, congratulated the team effort involving local, state and federal governments, plus private business in making the improvements a reality.

Rep. Michael Michaud offered congratulations and remarks and emphasized his interest in economic development and transportation infrastructure as a member of the Transportation Committee. Letters of congratulations from U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins were read by Authority Chairman Eric Wight.

Les Otten, resident of the Bethel area for 32 years and, in his capacity as chief executive officer of American Skiing Co. in the 1990’s, a key benefactor of the runway project, spoke of the importance of this investment in the future of the area. Otten, now associated with the Boston Red Sox, quipped that his next plane would have a baseball, rather than a snowball on the tail.

Harry Dresser, chairman of the Bethel Board of Selectmen, served as master of ceremonies, and announced the plans for further improvements at the airport, including hangar construction this summer.

Attendees included Maine’s Commissioner of Transportation David Cole and several department staff members, David Dargie and William Gerrish of Dufresne Henry Engineering, Darryl Brown of Main Land Development, state Sen. Bruce Bryant, Representatives Arlan Jodrey, Sawin Millett and John Patrick, town officials from Newry, Hanover and Bethel, and more than 200 area residents. The event took place in the hangar owned by Brian and Vicki Cleary, with music provided by the 25-member Gould Academy Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Jim McLaughlin.

Additional copies of the commemorative tabloid publication on the History of the Airport are available at no charge at the Bethel Town Office and at the Pilots Building at the airport.