Comment

Comment by Eric A. Tuttle on July 7, 2015 at 12:38pm

Keep after them through the summer. This link should allow you to make a copy of a customizable email list of our legislators. Use it as a tool, update every election cycle or otherwise needed.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P1ZV7bYTlnHqd8-oig7L0REWAU6...

Comment by Eric A. Tuttle on July 7, 2015 at 12:22pm

I believe there are legislators in Maine that would like to stop the Pox on Maine. Dunphy & Higgins are but two. Now to put forth legislation countermanding the Baldacci disease. While working to video and compile video on the Mining Rules issue since January 8th and even back in 2014 with the BEP, (between 4 videographers) one proposal at the end was, to bring forth a bill that BANs Mining in Maine Outright.

We have suffered long enough with the destruction of Maine, met our federal requirements, and currently produce over twice as much electricity than we use. While remaining tagged as a state of heavy fossil fuel use of which 74% of the natural gas used in Maine goes to electricity. A commodity that LePage wishes to increase massivly under the guise of home heating cost reduction. This 74% of the NG/EL is a portion of the 57% of our combined energy production that is exported. To aid in justifing a continuation of new construction of these they are called a job creators for Maine. The new Fear in Augusta.... Jobs!

In the Bingham area while attending two meetings, they whined about Jobs and that there were not many to be had in the area. Something that was eliminated in the forest industry as they raped the land vs having the sense to carefully manage. Most of what will become the Bingham Farm, has been massively cut over the past 20-25 years. Cut to the point that for any serious marketable wood to be had or justified to be harvested would be a near 75-100 year wait. These jobs will never return but for a machine operator replacing what once was 500 men with careful thought as to how to preserve their future job. A (biomass) BM/EL in the name of renewable energy, has taken its toll on our forests ability to regrow in a timely fashion, as they take everything from small trees, to the nutrients and seeds generated from spring buds. Having read that the federal requirement is to pay a minimun of $5,000 per turbine to the landowner, though stated as only $4000 by one person testifying as pro-wind, (I have to wonder if the $4000 is a state requirement) the land owner is very willing to accommodate at between $5000 - $9000 per 3 acres (with no cost overhead of forest operations) while waiting for a forest to return where it may (if ever (remember the jobs?)).

Write a Bill ( or get at least one of them, your elected official (their job) to do so, with sponsors ) Banning Future Construction or relicensing current units of Wind, and Solar Farms that do not directly serve Maine by replacing our fossil fuel use first. Since we export 57% of our electricity production, this statute should serve Maine for many generations to come, and if properly written, could be lobbyist proof, never needing a tweak lest it be for better protection of Maine's environment and it's people.

A well planned Statute stands the test of time, like a Republic should only be overturned by the combined will of its citizens, not its legislators. A quick fix law is often flawed and is subjected to the tweaks allowed by democracy with another quick fix. Something that Baldacci and the then legislature did without thought of end results. A quick fix to what was thought to be an impending crisis for Maine. A Crisis that never existed in Maine, which resulted in much more than profits for others (including officials and former state employees), in that a wantoned systematic corporate control will be imposed upon our state. Come to Maine, See what nature we have left, for a Corporate controlled fee.

Comment by Monique Aniel Thurston on July 7, 2015 at 10:46am

If we consider that view and peace are collective property of the people living close to the natural world , it is time to call wind power  on Maine ridges, what it ought to be called : vandalism.

                

it is time to find the legislators who will call ridge wind power what is is : Institutionalized vandalism.

Vandalism

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Vandalism is an offense that occurs when a person destroys or defaces someone else's property without permission. Effects of vandalism may include broken windows, graffiti, damage to vehicles, and even damage or destruction of a person's website. The results of vandalism may be found on billboards, street signs, and building structures, as well as near bus stops, tunnels, cemeteries, and many other public spaces.

While vandalism may be considered "art" by some, it is nonetheless a crime against property that is punishable by jail time, monetary fines, or both.

What Constitutes Vandalism?

Vandalism is a broad category crime that is used to describe a variety of behaviors. Generally, vandalism includes any willful behavior aimed at destroying, altering, or defacing property belonging to another.

Common behaviors that may lead to a vandalism charge include:

• Spray painting another's property with the purpose of defacing;
• "Egging" someone's car or window;
• Keying (or scratching) paint off of someone's car;
• Breaking someone's windows;
• Defacing public property with graffiti and other forms of "art";
• Slashing someone's tires;
• Defacing park benches; and
• Altering or knocking down street signs;
• Kicking and damaging someone's property with your hands or feet; and several other behaviors.

In addition, a person who possesses the means to commit vandalism, including possession of a drill bit, glass cutter, or other substance, may also face vandalism charges under certain circumstances (for example, a person under eighteen who carries a can of spray paint at a park or on school grounds).

Vandalism Laws

Vandalism is covered by state statutes, and varies by state. Some states refer to vandalism as "criminal damage", "malicious trespass", "malicious mischief", or other terms. In an effort to control the impact of vandalism, many states have specific laws that may decrease certain forms of vandalism. For example, some states have local "aerosol container laws" that limit the purchase of spray paint containers or other "vandalism tools" which could be used for graffiti or vandalism purposes.

In addition, some states have laws that prohibit vandalism to certain types of property, such as autos, churches, school property, and government facilities.

Moreover, some states have laws that prohibit specific acts of vandalism, such as breaking windows, graffiti, and using man-made substances to destroy property.

Purpose of the Law

Vandalism laws exist to prevent the destruction of property and public spaces, and may also exist to protect against hate crimes and other behavior that is directed at religious or minority groups, such as ransacking a church or synagogue, writing racist or sexist graffiti on school property, or etching a swastika in a car.

Penalties and Punishment

Depending on the specific state and value of the property damage, vandalism is either a misdemeanor or felony offense. Penalties typically include fines, imprisonment in county jail, or both. In addition, a person convicted of vandalism is frequently ordered to wash, repair or replace the damaged property (known as "restitution"), and/or participate in programs to clean up graffiti and other forms of vandalism. Moreover, a parent of a minor child may be ordered to pay fines resulting from their child's vandal behavior under a "parental liability" theory.

Related Offenses

Vandalism, on its own, is often considered a non-violent crime that generally affects ones "quality of life", but may escalate to more serious crimes typically involving juveniles including theft/larceny, burglary, drug possession, disturbing the peace, and other random acts of violence.

Defenses to Vandalism

Defenses to vandalism typically include circumstances that might "mitigate" or lesson the penalties, such as indifference, accident, mischief, or creative expression. Even though vandalism is a crime that generally requires completion of the act, it does not require you to get "caught in the act". You may be charged with vandalism after the fact if there are witnesses, surveillance, or other evidence that might implicate you with the crime.

Conclusion

Vandalism has the potential to cost states millions of dollars each year in clean-up efforts and other program costs, and may cause psychological or emotional damage to property owners as well. When a person defaces, alters, or otherwise destroys someone's property, he or she may be required to clean- up, repair, or replace the damaged property or, more substantially, face criminal penalties in the form of jail time, fines, or both

Comment by Kevin Gurall on July 7, 2015 at 9:28am

I was getting off I-95 in Lincoln about 10 days ago and got caught up behind a large section of a turbine tower on the "access road".   It obviously was being transported to the P'keag site.   I was immediately saddened and thought about the significant fight that Elizabeth Johns (and friends and neighbors) had put up as opponents to this project.  Another scenic portion of Maine being converted to an industrial wasteland.  

Comment by Steve Thurston on July 7, 2015 at 8:55am

Brad, you speak eloquently and righteously for thousands of Mainers who are appalled at the ongoing destruction of their state's wild lands.  Baldacci must accept responsibility for this atrocity.  He must understand that Maine will never be, as he claimed as his legacy, a "leader in wind power".   Renewable energy will never account for more than a sliver of energy consumption in ISO-NE or elsewhere, and will never have any effect whatsoever on the climate of the earth.  Baldacci's ego and stupidity has put Maine on a disastrous course that must be corrected.  It would help immensely if he would admit his mistake and use what little influence he may have to make amends for his crime against Maine.

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