Support our tribes
Thirty-five years after the Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act, the state is attempting to wrest control of the Penobscot River from the people who have aboriginal title to it. This shouldn’t be.
Back in the 1970s, those opposed to legitimate tribal claims spread fear among non-Indians that some some sort of gigantic “taking” was under way. It wasn’t true. We shouldn’t fear tribal control of the Penobscot River today. Their interests are protecting the natural environment, and that’s something most Mainers support.
But our stubborn state government isn’t buying, even though the state’s position appears to put it at odds with the federal government, which has told the state to upgrade water quality. Shouldn’t the state and the tribes be working together for this goal? Clearly the tribe should have jurisdiction over this waterway, and I see no reason to mistrust their commitment to a cleaner river.
The state should put away its legal guns and try talking with the tribes. Then the Penobscot Nation could also drop legal action, and perhaps both sides could find common ground.
I hope that we all want a sustainable resource that runs clear and free. The history of non-Indian pollution of the Penobscot River is irrefutable and shameful. We turned it into a sewer. There is no reason not to raise the river to the highest standard possible. That’s good for the tribe, it’s good for fishermen and tourism, it’s good for all of us. The Penobscot people are our friends and neighbors, as our all Native American people in Maine. Let’s treat them that way.
Steve Cartwright
Waldoboro
Divest from oil
Recently, we sold the oil industry stocks we inherited. We believe it is no longer acceptable for us to profit from ownership in companies actively working against effective policies to reduce the catastrophic results of climate change.
Regulation of carbon emissions is inevitable as the world comes to grips with climate change. Oil companies are behaving irresponsibly by spending large amounts of money to lobby against needed regulation of carbon emissions.
We applaud the colleges, municipalities, and churches (400 to date) and local organizations such as our own Washington Hancock Community Agency that have begun, or are seriously considering, divestment of oil industry stocks. Their leadership is greatly appreciated.
Fred and Anne Stocking
Lamoine
Trickle-down fairy
Our governor believes in pixie dust. That’s the only explanation for the “tax reform” package he’s selling: massive income tax cuts for the wealthy, scraps for the slobs at the bottom, end revenue-sharing to towns and tax the charities. Then the trickle-down fairy will come, wealth will flow and charities will be awash in donations from the grateful rich.
Tell it to the retirees who’ve finally paid off the mortgage and now live on Social Security. Tell it to the working stiff who will now pay higher sales tax and can’t always get to work because the town can’t afford to plow the street.
Ronald Reagan tried this. He created the biggest national debt increase in history. Kansas is doing it now. The governor there pushed through this kind of “reform” to great fanfare about the economic revival it would create. It’s been a disaster: revenues crashed, the reserve fund is exhausted, next year’s budget shortfall looks like more than $600 million, public education’s decimated, highway and pension funds are about to be raided to plug the gap, and the state’s credit rating has been downgraded.
This doesn’t work. Let’s do something better..
George Fricke
Bangor
Invasive species alert
The general public is usually the initial discoverer of invasive non-native animals and plants. Someone notices a tree doesn’t look healthy and bark is falling off. An unusual aquatic plant floats where they fish or swim. They contact a person or organization and another invasive and non-native organism is eradicated before it can spread further and do horrific damage. This is why public outreach programs are created by scientists. They exist to create and bolster an aware and informed general public.
During this year of 2015, the last week of February is National Invasive Species Awareness Week and the third week of May is Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week. April has also been designated Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month. The benefit from all this publicity will be to “get the word out” to as many people as possible.
Billions of dollars in damage could impact the lumber, maple syrup, nursery and tourism industries. Water and air quality, wild plant and animal habitats will be at risk.
Since there is so much at stake, there are opportunities for people to help. There are education kits available for teachers and others conducting outreach about the Asian longhorned beetle and the emerald ash borer. If interested in borrowing a kit, email bugwatchme.agr@maine.gov. In the months ahead there will be free materials and free workshops offered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Division of Animal and Plant Health. Contact: Lorraine Taft, Coordinator for the Forest Pest Outreach Project atlorraine.taft@gmail.com or 1-207-832-6241. Individual efforts can make a difference.
Karen E. Holmes
Cooper
Cell phones and driving
Let’s face it – deep down inside we all know that using a hand–held cell phone while we are driving is dangerous. The scientific evidence is in and the verdict is unanimous.
The practice is the equivalent of driving with a .08 blood alcohol content in terms of our ability to concentrate. In Maine alone, accident reports show that over 2,000 collisions last year involved driver distraction – primarily cell phones. Yet we continue to use them.
I am one of the worst offenders. But collectively, we must look in the mirror and agree to stop. Too many people are being hurt and even killed by the practice.
On Friday at 9 a.m., the Legislature’s Transportation Committee will consider my bill to prohibit this and make it a traffic infraction. I hope many people will consider appearing and voicing their opinion.
Roger Katz
Maine Senate
Augusta