Complex border situation at golf course still not resolved

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Canadian and American golfers can continue their 80-year tradition of crossing the Canada-United States border to play golf at Aroostook Valley Country Club (AVCC), but the long-term future of the facility remains in doubt if the United States Border Patrol goes ahead with their intention to eventually close Russell Road to Canadian traffic.

It was standing-room only at a town hall meeting called by the border patrol in Fort Fairfield June 16, and both Canadians and Americans listened to the border patrol talk about the security concerns at Russell Road and the golf course. Joseph Mellia, chief patrol agent, stated that the U.S. Border Patrol remains extremely concerned about the security issues at the location. With 30 additional Border Patrol agents scheduled to start patrolling the Maine-New Brunswick border in upcoming months, the possibility that the Canadian golf club could be cut off from direct traffic is definitely looming.

"All I am asking is that (Canadian) folks, who want to access the golf course, go through the (U.S. Fort Fairfield) port of entry. That provides that level of trust that you have been inspected at the port of entry and reduces the concern," Agent Mellia stated. "I am talking to those Canadian nationals and citizens that want to play golf."

But the prospect of having to report to an American customs officer to play golf on a Canadian course did not sit well with some golfers, including at least one American who pointed out that he was technically breaking the law when he crossed the border to play golf and did not report to a U.S. customs port after leaving the course.

"The threat I see coming from the pedestrian traffic on the golf course is not my main concern. My main concern is the vehicle traffic."

For 80 years Canadians and Americans have been technically making illegal entries into both countries to play golf. Canadian golfers and their suppliers and vendors at the golf course have traditionally travelled from Brown Road at the Canada-U.S. border to Russell Road, which is in the United States, to reach the golf course. Once at the parking lot the golfers walk back across the road to play golf at the championship 18-hole course in Canada. Golfers retracing their steps must check into a Canada Border Service Agency port of the entry back on Brown Road before returning to Canada.

American golfers drive their vehicle onto Russell Road to the American parking lot at AVCC and walk back into the United States when they finish their round of golf.

"The (U.S.) border patrol is responsible for everything that happens between the ports of entry ... We want to know what is coming and going through the ports of entry."

Mellia said the Border Patrol's national strategy is to gain operational control on the border. While fences are not being considered on the northern border similar to the Mexican border, manpower and technology will be used to apprehend terrorists and terrorist weapons illegally entering the US, apprehending illegal entries and detect, apprehend and deter smugglers of humans, drugs and other contraband and reduce crime in border communities.

Mellia stressed that Canada "has been our ally and friend since 1812," but cited evidence that terrorists, including Al Queda, Hezbollah, Hamas and Tamil extremists live and operate in Canada. He also pointed out that a Caribou man was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison earlier this year after he pleaded guilty to smuggling Oxycodone pills through the border at AVCC.

"We have a big drug problem with illegal use of prescription narcotics here. He got 15 months but, if he knows about it, other criminals know about it. He is not the only criminal out there," Mellia stated. "There is the possibility of other illegal smuggling going on in that area."

A resident asked the border patrol agent why the United States does not construct a port of entry at Russell Road. Mellia replied that the local U.S. Customs and Border Protection had recommended a new port be constructed in the area, but the idea was rejected at a higher level.

"Would that solve the problem if there was a customs port there?" one golfer asked.

"I know you have folks crossing back and forth on the golf course. I am not too worried about that threat. The big threat is vehicles coming into United States and down that road that are not stopping at the golf course ... If there was a port of entry there it would take care of the biggest threat that I see," Mellia replied.

Dave Ricker, golf club president, suggested the U.S. Customs install a temporary port similar to the Canadian office. Customs officials said they have met with their superiors to discuss the issue and have also had meetings with local politicians. But the U.S. Customs officials do not have the funds or manpower to set up an additional customs port only two miles from the present Fort Fairfield office.

"If you do not like what you are hearing from me tonight, you certainly have the right to take up the issue with local politicians.

"Would it be cheaper for you to convince them to put a port of entry there than to have your border patrol agents go up and down that road, set up outside the golf course, have helicopters fly over once or twice a day, planes fly over once or twice a day, would it be cheaper to set a port up there and man it?"

Border officials told the crowd it might cost more than $1 million to even put a temporary port of entry on the scene, a comment that drew laughter from the crowd.

In response to a question from the audience Agent Mellia said the Russell Road situation is unique and complex with Canadian and American authorities, the International Boundary Commission, treaty issues and other agencies needing to be consulted before any permanent, long-lasting decision is made on the road. But he did state the border patrol has recently hired 30 agents from Maine who, after completing training and probation, will be returning to the northern border.

"I'm not going to tell you how many numbers (new agents) we will be seeing in the next few years, but you will be seeing more agents and more technology. You will be seeing a lot more of us in areas that you never see," Mellia stated. "We haven't had the manpower to do a lot of things we are doing now. But we are getting it, and that's why we are having this meeting."

Mellia pledged to continue meeting with golf course officials and others before the level of enforcement changes.

"We are glad to hear you will meet with us and discuss that issue. But the last meeting we had, we were told that as soon as you had the manpower, that the (Russell) road would be closed," Dave Ricker stated. "Our question is would we receive one day, one week, one-month notice, or six months, we could not get an answer. We have lots of vendors coming through that route. We are hoping this (closure) won't happen, but we would like adequate notice."

Agent Mellia replied that he could not provide a time frame because it was an operational security issue.

"It's probably basically going to be the same thing that you have now for while, That's probably the best answer you will get from me," he replied.

Ricker responded that "clearly if you close that road without giving us a good notice, that would be wrong, wrong, wrong."

Officials did promise to process any vendors who used the Fort Fairfield port of entry without interruption of service.

"Chub" Clark, an American citizen who lives at the end of Russell Road, also spoke up at the meeting.

"When I step out of my door-yard, I am in Canada. If that road is closed I can't get out of there ... If you block the road off I can't get out and the fire and ambulance can't get in," Clark said. "It's very important I get down to the liquor store once in a while."

The agent stated, "Again, before we pull the trigger, we have sent letters to residents trying to give them a head's up. We will be in contact with residents before any Jersey barriers (concrete barricades) are installed."

Representatives for Maine, Senators Susan M. Collins and Olympia J. Snowe as well as Congressman Mike Michaud, addressed the audience. The politicians are "very aware of the issue."

"The best thing that you can do is let us know what your concerns are," one representative stated. "We need to hear from you."

The representatives urged concerned golfers and residents to write or call their political offices to express their concerns.

"Putting up a temporary port of entry would cost less than a permanent port like Easton or Bridgewater. The Canadians seem to have solved the problem," one frustrated golfer told officials. "Their borders are the same distance apart, and they have a temporary port on the Brown Road. Why can't we?"