Title

"New & Issues" piece on the passage in 1999 of bill that made the position of st

Authors

Aimee L. Curl

Source

Maine Times

Date

3-30-2000

Pages

9

Abstract

"New & Issues" piece on the passage in 1999 of bill that made the position of state poet laureate largely an honorary post, without stipend and without responsibilities. The original law required the state poet laureate to provide consultation with schools and to write at least one poem a year to be presented to the governor and Legislature. The law provided no salary Former state represenative Herb Adams of Portland, who authored the original law, says that when he returns to the Legislature, he will "fix" the law to again include some public responsbilities. Those favoring the recent changes believe that it is unreasonable to expect a poet to write a poem on order and that the position ought to be purely honorary since it carries no stipend. Kate Barnes, the first poet laureate, said she was glad to perform the duties, but she agrees they should not be required. Baron Wormser, who has succeeded Barnes, said he would have accepted the position with the duties, but admits it is hard to compose a poem commerating a specific political event.

Subjects

Poets, Wormser, Baron

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