Differences between largely rural, conservative northern Maine and the more urban and progressive southern half of the state are growing wider, with conflicts coming to a head over the preservation of Maine's famous North Woods.
Changes brought about by growth in southern Maine -- traffic congestion, sprawl and a rising cost of living -- has made the pristine North Woods an increasingly desirable target for new development. Proposed uses for the Woods have ranged from protecting them as a nature reserve or national park, to allowing life in northern Maine to continue with the freedom of the region's logging heyday.
"Part of the conflict is political. As newcomers have poured into the south from eastern Massachusetts, traditional, Republican Maine -- one of two states to vote against Franklin Roosevelt in 1936 -- has become one of the most liberal states on issues such as taxes, gay rights and the environment."
Despite Maine's diverging regional populations, experts are not giving a politician's aim to create the new state of "Northern Massachusetts" from Maine's southern half much chance for success.
FULL STORY: 2 ideas of Maine collide in woods
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