Stepping Up To The Plate...

Stepping up to the plate.

I was never much of a ball player. Oh, I could hit a pitch—but it was mostly in self-defense. I didn’t want that fast ball to hit me—so I knocked it out of the way with everything I had. I’ve always had a finely tuned self-preservation instinct. But--when it came to catching a line drive, or throwing with accuracy or strength, or running to beat hell--I was a dud.

Yes, I was one of the last kids picked when teams were chosen for baseball, and I was usually given the position of right or left field. That was okay. Baseball wasn’t one of my strengths, but I had others.

The one thing I learned early-on was that it took courage for me to pick up the bat and step up to the plate. I knew I was a poor player. I knew there was a good chance I’d let my team down, or embarrass myself—or both. But I wasn’t a quitter, and I had pride. If the job of playing baseball had to be done, I’d do it--whether I liked it, or not. Whether it caused a knot of dread in my stomach, or not. Whether I excelled in it, or not.

It’s what had to be done.

Right now, there’s something else which needs doing, and I’ve been amazed at how many Mainers have stepped up to the proverbial ‘plate’. Out of 20 pieces of legislation proposed by citizens in the hopes of bringing fairness and balance to the wind energy plan, and in an effort to protect Mainers’ health, quality of life, and property values--only one bill has survived.

LD1366.

Rep. Stacey Fitts, co-chair of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, proposed an amendment to this bill, after promoting the demise of the others. In an attempt to appear as though our words weren’t “falling on deaf ears”—this amendment offers to move up—from 2013 to 2012—a previously mandated study of ‘wind’.

In essence, this is a “do nothing” bill.

Hearing and responding to the concerns of his constituents, as well as the constituents of many other Legislators, Rep. Larry Dunphy, of District 88, has submitted a “minority report” version of this bill. His version of LD 1366 would establish a set-back of 1.5 miles from the base of industrial turbines to residences. On-the-ground studies have shown that at distances of over 7,500 feet, the deleterious effects of industrial wind’s unique sounds and vibrations are diminished in areas which aren’t mountainous in terrain. This setback would protect hundreds—if not thousands—of Mainers from potential health effects and reductions in real estate property values. At the same time, Rep. Dunphy’s version of the bill would grant to Mainers something which the Wind Energy Act took away. Freedom of choice. If land-owners within that 1.5 mile setback wish to opt out and petition the siting authority for a variance, they can do exactly that.

It’s a win-win, right? Additionally, the need for sound studies would be removed. Rep. Dunphy’s version of this bill will save Maine tax-payers money.

Protect the health of Mainers. Give them freedom of choice. And save them money.

What’s not to love?

Please write to the members of Maine’s House and Senate, and ask them to pass the MINORITY REPORT version of LD 1366. I am pasting in their addresses below, to make the process a little simpler. All you need to do is write a simple note asking that they support the MINORITY REPORT VERSION OF LD 1366… a bill which is NOT anti-wind, but pro-Mainers. Copy and paste the addresses into the ‘bcc’ part of your email. And click SEND.

Your voices should be heard. Your votes and opinions matter. Please support Mainers’ rights and ask that our Legislators pass Rep. Dunphy’s minority report version of LD 1366.

Thanks. You will make a difference, if you take the time to ‘have a say’.

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Emails for the Maine House of Representatives and the Maine Senate (just copy and paste)

kent23@myfairpoint.net, RepJohn.Martin@legislature.maine.gov, RepBernard.Ayotte@legislature.maine.gov, pedgecom@maine.rr.com, mikeblackbear@gmail.com, tyleraclark@msn.com, alexander.willette@gmail.com, RepJoyce.Fitzpatrick@legislature.maine.gov, rdl_chief@yahoo.com, clarkhe@beeline-online.net, jeffery.gifford@gmail.com, duchesne@midmaine.com, jdill@umext.maine.edu, RepAdam.Goode@legislature.maine.gov, cdicemom@aol.com, RepSara.Stevens@legislature.maine.gov, jparker339@roadrunner.com, emily.cain@gmail.com, djhouse20@gmail.com, texn77@aol.com, repguerin@gmail.com, richardsond@hermon.net, fwintle@gmail.com, fredlaw@myfairpoint.net, RepDavis@midmaine.com, rumridge27@gmail.com, mcfaddenh@roadrunner.com, gjmaker@gmail.com, dburnsinv@midmaine.com, dtilton@maineline.net, info@crockerhouse.com, elsie.flemings@gmail.com, wkumiega36@gmail.com, chapmanHD37@gmail.com, andre@andrecushing.com, Kurlykim40@aol.com, jgillway@yahoo.com, riouxrep@aol.com, erinherbig@gmail.com, aobrien2008@gmail.com, ryan.harmon82@yahoo.com, joanwelsh08@gmail.com, EdMazurek1@aol.com, cbkruger@myfairpoint.net, wes893@aol.com, danadow2050@yahoo.com, Jon@JonMcKane.com, deb.sanderson@hotmail.com, RepLes.Fossel@legislature.maine.gov, morissette2010@gmail.com, cotta@fairpoint.net, annadblodgett@yahoo.com, maeghanformaine@gmail.com, kdfoster@roadrunner.com, lincoln67@myfairpoint.net, kerrilprescott@gmail.com, bmacdon@roadrunner.com, HL7mike@gwi.net, cpriest1@comcast.net, kimolsendistrict64@hotmail.com, pskentz5@hotmail.com, seth@sethberry.org, mike@mikeformaine.org, bolduc74@yahoo.com, bick0585@aol.com, lajoie1@midmaine.com, mikecarey123@gmail.com, rwagner@bates.edu, mrotundo@bates.edu, Woodysnavy@gmail.com, henry.beck@gmail.com, thomas.longstaff@gmail.com, RepRobert.Nutting@legislature.maine.gov, RepSharon.Treat@legislature.maine.gov, mln@fairpoint.net, LGary.Knight@usa.net, patricksaflood@roadrunner.com, keschl@yahoo.com, jjpicc@gmail.com, jeffmccabe4me@gmail.com, pdcurtis2@hotmail.com, pegilbert@hotmail.com, lanceharvell@hotmail.com, russellblack@juno.com, jarrodscrockett@gmail.com, petersonhouse08@gmail.com, sheryljbriggs@gmail.com, terry@megalink.net, twinsor@megalink.net, jtimberlake_us@yahoo.com, rankin8076@roadrunner.com, RepPaul.Waterhouse@legislature.maine.gov, rwsarty@fairpoint.net, rep.hamp@yahoo.com, RepRich.Cebra@legislature.maine.gov, utumike@aol.com, mmcclell@maine.rr.com, dalecrafts@aol.com, RepEllie.Espling@legislature.maine.gov, dcwebster@comcast.net, melissawalshinnes@gmail.com, meredith@burgessadv.com, apg1@maine.rr.com, RepMarkBryant@yahoo.com, geplummer@aol.com, mpn3@maine.rr.com, pstuckey114@yahoo.com, steve.lovejoy@myfairpoint.net, deniseharlow@hotmail.com, annehask@maine.rr.com, votechipman@gmail.com, RepDiane.Russell@legislature.maine.gov, dillesquire@aol.com, tmorrison16@msn.com, eberleja@earthlink.net, kaenrath@gmail.com, annpeoples116@msn.com, tdrisco1@maine.rr.com, avolk@volkboxes.com, hsirocki@maine.rr.com, knappjanes09@gmail.com, lindafsanborn@gmail.com, huntforlegislature@gmail.com, RepGeorge.Hogan@legislature.maine.gov, dpilon@maine.rr.com, lmvalentino54@yahoo.com, megan.rochelo@gmail.com, acasavant@maine.rr.com, dburnsy12@gmail.com, RepWayne.Parry@legislature.maine.gov, bennettco2000@hotmail.com, sixwings@metrocast.net, RepJohn.Tuttle@legislature.maine.gov, RepJoan.Nass@legislature.maine.gov, libertymom1@msn.com, markweves@yahoo.com, kathydhchase@hotmail.com, bmoulton@localnet.com, wcw63@aol.com, RepDevin.Beliveau@legislature.maine.gov, waymitch10@hotmail.com, Sipayik@midmaine.com, mthibmyrep@aol.com, SenPhilip.Bartlett@legislature.maine.gov, cwrector@hotmail.com, RepStacey.Fitts@legislature.maine.gov, rep.hamp@yahoo.com, dacray@msn.com, skime2@roadrunner.com, RepAaron.Libby@legislature.maine.gov,RepJon.Hinck@legislature.maine.gov,
acornell@alexcornell.org, rbbeavers@comcast.net, mndion@msn.com, RepLouis.Luchini@legislature.maine.gov,


SenDawn.Hill@legislature.maine.gov,
SenRonald.Collins@legislature.maine.gov,
SenJon.Courtney@legislature.maine.gov,
SenNancy.Sullivan@legislature.maine.gov,
SenBarry.Hobbins@legislature.maine.gov,
SenLawrence.Bliss@legislature.maine.gov,
SenJohn.Patrick@legislature.maine.gov,
SenJoe.Brannigan@legislature.maine.gov,
SenStan.Gerzofsky@legislature.maine.gov,
SenRichard.Woodbury@legislature.maine.gov,
SenBill.Diamond@legislature.maine.gov,
dhastings@hastings-law.com,
SenJohn.Patrick@legislature.maine.gov,
senlois@roadrunner.com,
SenMargaret.Craven@legislature.maine.gov,
SenGarrett.Mason@legislature.maine.gov,
SenThomas.Saviello@legislature.maine.gov,
seth@sethgoodall.com,
dptrahan@roadrunner.com,
demccormick@.tds.net,
SenRoger.Katz@legislature.maine.gov,
SenThomas.Martin@legislature.maine.gov,
rodwhittemore@gmail.com,
firewood@tds.net,
SenBrian.Langley@legislature.maine.gov,
Senator@KevinRaye.com,
schneidersenate@msn.com,
rrosen113@aol.com,
nichi@aol.com,
SenDebra.Plowman@legislature.maine.gov,
SenRoger.Sherman@legislature.maine.gov,
SenTroy.Jackson@legislature.maine.gov,

Talking to Taxation

On Monday, May 9th, the Taxation Committee voted “Ought to Pass” for LD 1157, “An Act to Protect Property Tax Revenue in the Unorganized Territories”.

I wrote to the esteemed members of the Committee and thanked them for their vote, and for supporting those of us who live in UT's.

And then, "today" happened. Actually, it was yesterday. I arrived in Augusta on Thursday, prepared to attend the work session for LD 1366, "An Act to Amend the Maine Wind Energy Act..." in the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee room, and was told by Rep. Larry Dunphy that the Taxation Committee was reopening the work session for LD 1157 that very moment after being told by a member (or members) of the EUT Committee that (save Dunphy) they didn't support Taxation's stance. Since there were other concerned citizens at the EUT work session who had driven to Augusta to observe, I ran to the State House for the 're-do' work session on LD 1157. Upon arriving, the Taxation clerk, a very personable young woman, told me 1157's work session had been postponed. They would be reopening the record this morning at ten a.m.

So... back to the Cross Building... only to find that, due to a scheduled three p.m. session in the State House, the EUT's work session on LD 1366 was ALSO postponed... this time, until Tuesday, the 17th.

Today, I drove back to the Capital to attend Taxation's 're-do' work session. I witnessed Rep. Stacey Fitts lobbying the members in the hall outside the Committee room for an hour before LD 1157's work session began. I suppose that is how this works... that our Legislators make every attempt to promote their pet projects to Committee members whose votes might affect those projects. Still, it seemed unethical. The Taxation Committee had ALREADY voted... and here was a ranking member of the Legislature trying to convince them to change their votes.

To a small degree, that tactic worked. Two members who'd voted "Ought to Pass" on Monday, changed their votes. But six members chose to stand by their earlier votes, and stand by their constituents, and held fast. The Taxation Committee voted OTP, by a vote of six to three.

I've done really well in containing my emotions on this roller-coaster ride. After all, I'm a strong country woman who has faced some of the worst that life has to offer, without backing down. But, as tough as I am, I admit to tearing up when I witnessed those two Representatives giving their reasons for changing their minds. I couldn't help but wonder what argument the "Wind" supporters used to sway them. One representative claimed that he didn't think it was fair to target one industry (wind), and yet... LD2283, which became the Wind Energy Act (a.k.a. the Expedited Wind Permitting Law) gave FAVORITISM to that one industry. In my humble opinion, the corporate wind lobby can't have it both ways. End of story.

What changed my tears to a smile were the words of Rep. Knight, who said that he'd received "dozens and dozens" of emails and phone calls over the last few weeks from citizens who wanted him to support LD 1157; but he'd only heard from the wind lobbyists in the last two days... since Representatives Fitts and du Houx called for them to reconsider their "OTP" votes.

Rep. Knight, along with five other conscientious men, showed us that our voices ARE being heard, and our desires DO matter. Thank goodness.

Thank the members of the Taxation Committee!

And thank YOU, the Maine Citizens who are working so hard to 'have a say' in this important issue!

Below are the email addresses of the members of the Taxation Committee; should you wish to thank them for their vote, today.

dptrahan@roadrunner.com
dhastings@hastings-law.com
Dick.Woodbury@legislature.maine.gov
LGary.Knight@usa.net
RepPaul.Waterhouse@legislature.maine.gov
bick0585@aol.com
bennettco2000@hotmail.com
dburnsy12@gmail.com
ryan.harmon82@yahoo.com
seth@sethberry.org
RepMarkBryant@yahoo.com
elsie.flemings@gmail.com
dpilon@maine.rr.com

Disillusionment and hope.

Tears and a smile.

Yep, this is a roller-coaster ride. But I have faith that there are members of our Legislature who are truly committed to doing the right thing, no matter what pressure is exerted from a corporate lobby. All in all, there are worse ways for a country gal to spend her day off. Thank you, esteemed members of the Taxation Committee!!

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An aside... a friend informed me this afternoon that a post from Tuesday night had disappeared from this blog. It was a 'thank you' to the Taxation Committee, combined with the text of the testimony I gave before the Members on April 26th. I didn't believe him... thought he hadn't looked in the right 'spot'. But upon arriving home, I checked the archives of VOW... and that posting is gone.

Very strange. I can't imagine what happened to it. I'll re-post my testimony as soon as I'm caught up on my tasks and obligations. And we'll see what happens, this time...