The historic vote by Britain to leave the 28-nation European Union drew mixed reactions from a pair of locals in central Maine with British citizenship.

Longtime Winslow resident Peter Garrett, a British citizen who was born in Nigeria, said Friday he was disappointed about the result of the referendum.

“The European Union was a magnificent effort to put an end to the individual states making war against each other,” Garrett said. “I’m disappointed to see them leave.”

Garrett returns to England occasionally to visit his sisters, nephews and nieces, who live in Norfolk, a county northeast of London that voted to leave the EU.

“I’ve made Winslow my home,” said Garrett, saying he has lived there for 37 years, following four years each in California and Maryland. “I’m very much involved in local issues.”

Garrett is the founder and was the first president of Kennebec Messalonskee Trails; he is also involved in the Sustain Mid Maine Coalition, promotes efforts to increase the use of solar power, and is the coordinator for the Citizens Climate Lobby.

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Meanwhile, Susan Phelps, 62, of Palermo, who works as office clerk in the Chelsea Town Office, had a different view. Phelps was born in Lewisham, which is part of London, and voted to remain in the EU. Phelps moved to Maine in November 1978.

She has followed the debate — mainly on BBC America News — over whether to leave the European Union.

“I think in the long run it’s for the better, but I think it’s going to be a tough road,” she said Friday of the decision to leave the EU. “I really do think they have to take control of immigration, and that’s why this whole thing blew up. I see what’s gone on in German and France. Now we’ve done it, other countries might follow.”

 

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams


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