Brian, washington is corrupt. thats a sad statement. but just look at the number of politicians that don't pay taxes, don't represent their constituents, that are voting our country into bankruptcy with no regard for the working man, that don't vote for the rights of the unborn. mike michaud has sadly fallen for the washington machine and serves washington. I'm not sure his head would fit through the trusses on the bridge in kittery if we brought him home.

Jack, its exactly this kind of hysteria and crying wolf that people are fed up with. "goodbye wildlife"? If the green movement is going to have any credibility they need to stick to the facts and stop fear mongering. Its the need for power that drives the search for alternative energy. may i suggest you try living without electricity for a few weeks. then come back and see if your perspective has changed. something tells me that you like electricity which powers your lights, furnace, and appliances. i work in development. the negative affects of clear cutting are vastly over-stated.

Mr. McDuff: I always made straight time working in a movie theater at Christmas, because I was in high school and college. Please don't "help" a high school student by pricing away his/her job.

Mr. Gagnon: would Dixmont prefer a nuclear power plant, or is the production of electricity just "someone else's problem"?

Jack Gagnon..

I agree with everything that you wrote. Also , there is a lot of concrete that goes into the gigantic holes to hole 40 story high turbines. Then there is an area around the turbines that has to be cleared , then pesiticides are used which goes into the ground water. There is a reason the animals leave the area of land based wind farms. Then , in ME, because the New England Grid was at capacity before the first wind farm was built. ..there has to be acres and acres of trees cleared for the transmission lines to send the power to places like Mass. who will use a lot of electricity.

In the case of the Stetson Mt windfarm..NStar in Mass was going to sell their power for a 7% higher rate.Had to get the laws changed. Power is lost for every mile it is sent down a transmission line. Wind energy is not reliable. It cannot be stored . It has to be located away from the general population as it has debilitating health effects. Has been compared to Nazi torture techniques.

One might ask , are our legislators out of their minds? The real money is in selling renewable carbon credits. NY is already making money off of them. They are being sued. But breaking the law and changing the law seems really easy when it comes to wind farms. Stetson Mt wind farm is selling these carbon credits illegally as they are not online. Larry Summers has had an interest in First Wind. Was supposed to have gotten out last year. I think it is like Dick Cheney getting out of Halliburton. Sweetheart deals and no bid contracts. Breaking the law with impunity. Same as First Wind.

No newspaper in ME will print the truth. This kind of thing has been going on for years. First Wind had to get all the bases covered. ...as in a compliant AG ,DEP, and LURC. Must have taken a lot of money for "fees." Carbon credits were supposed to be sold between countries. Don't think that happened in Copenhagen as planned. France will not sell carbon credits or build land based wind farms. Sad , how corrupt this country has gotten. France is ahead of us in protecting it's people and the environment.

Brian Hanish: I can't wait to vote against the useless Congressman that is Mike Michaud!

On 12/29 Rep Fittso said in his opinion piece that wind power would go a long way to reducing our carbon footprint and that it would keep Maine a livable place for many years.

That kind of statment wil be addressed with the following FITTSO FACTS:

1. Wind power will send electricity rates through the roof, due to the high cost of wind and the mammoth new transmission lines it would require

2. Both the 400' tall wind turbines and the monster 345 kV power lines scar the Maine countryside

3. The turbines create incredible noise. Watch the Vinalhaven Video and listen to what the former wind proponents are saying, having realized they were sold a bill of goods: http://www.youtube.com/user/windactionorg

4. The turbines create nauseating deep vibrations - read what the Vinalhaven former wind supporters are saying now: http://www.workingwaterfront.com/online-exclusives/Opinion/13571/ . For example, "...in-your-face noise, like jet engines roaring combined with a grinding and pulsating sound that echoes in your head, keeps you awake at night, and beats on your house like a drum".

5. NONE of those things will keep Maine a livable place Representative Fittso.

6. Maybe what Fittso meant to say was that wind power would keep Maine livable for himself.

7. Despite the fact that carbon crusader Fittso's official government website (http://www.maine.gov/legis/house_gop/members/fitts.htm) describes him as a "self employed consultant", he in fact employed by Kleinschmidt Associates, a company that is heavily involved with.....drum roll... WIND POWER!

8. In fact, his company's website states: ""we have been very active in the development of state regulations in Maine, where one of Kleinschmidt's engineers is a member of the Governor's Ocean Energy Task Force". http://www.kassociates.com/MarineRenewable/default.htm

9. Fittso is listed as a member of the Governor's Ocean Energy Task Force http://www.maine.gov/spo/specialprojects/OETF/members.htm

10. Fittso is also listed as a member of the Governor's Task Force on Wind Power Development http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/windpower/members_list.shtml

11. In the Totalitarian Takeover move of the year - 2009, Fittso sponsored LD 199, "An Act To Facilitate Wind Power Siting", which would preclude local ordinances in many areas of Maine and give state regulators authority over siting and design of large wind farms". "Committee members quickly rejected the bill, however, in a unanimous "ought not to pass" vote". http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/101906.html

12. Fittso attended the big American Wind Energy Association wind power conference last year representing Kleinschmidt http://www.awea3.org/source/Meetings/cMeetingRosterList_AWEA.cfm?Section=Online_Registration&Meeting=OSWPW09

13. In addition to ocean wind, Kleinschmidt is also very interested in hydro to complement inland wind - given that wind power is wholly intermittent and undependable.

Fittso called Carolyn Dodge "disingenuous" in this newspaper. It would seem that carbon crusader Fittso is the poster boy for that word.

Oink, oink - let me at that subsidy trough.

Bruce,

Mike Michaud is the right person for Maine. You can not blame him for the roads. (State problem, Interstate-Mike's business--is one of the smoothest in the north, I've driven many of them.) High-unemployment-talk to the big banks and the other party who wanted the banking industry to be deregulate. High Debt - both parties. After 9/11, everyone business that had a lobbyist in DC was lining up at the 'trough'. (It is amazing how many programs and earmarks fell under 'natonal security' heading)

Mike's blue-collar background is needed in a city that notoriously prides itself on being 'uppity' and dropping Ivy League school names. He works hard, is sincere, and dedicated. His staff is professional , cordial, and courteous.

A couple of concerns I have with Mike are; he needs to e-mail (or blog) more often so we know what he is up to in the House and he needs to be more assertive for the citizens of main street.

Heidi Plante, are you crazy? I have all I can do to maintain my own property. The city needs to be responsible for the sidewalks.

On 1/1/10 at 11:11 PM, mpt1964 wrote: Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Bruce,

Mike Michaud is the right person for Maine.

Are you not aware that this man and his counter part "Pingreen" voted for a bill that mandates people of this nation OBTAIN health insurance by penalty of prison and or fined? NEVER in the history of the United States has that ever happened. Mike Michaud Is the wrong person for this country and this state as well as Pingreen. I cant even comment on that other drivel I need sleep so I can get up on go to work to pay for your welfare dAonSkeSy

Brian Hanish....Way ahead of ya ..... I voted for Frary....Michaud has become pretty darned fat and happy as a "career politician" in Washington.....Time to cut him loose along with his counterparts in the House and Senate.

I cant wait to vote democrat again

Tired of Mike Michaud? Tired of Pelosi? Jason Levesque is the only candidate to, so far, mount a campaign for Congress to unseat Mr. Michaud. Here's a link to his webpage:

http://www.levesqueforcongress.com/home

I'm working my town for Levesque! No more whining. Michaud can be defeated if ordinary citizens work their towns. Michaud will have the labor unions and Levesque will have the people.

zatwoodz, Brian Hanish, Joe Doe, Lady Slipper: PLEASE, work for to defeat Mike Michaud, to defeat Nancy Pelosi, for whom Michaud voted for Speaker of the House. If he wants to elect an anti-American Marxist, like her, to a Constitutional office, then everything else he says or does in Washington is meaningless. Frankly, I think she's stupid. She has no sense of the limits of big government. She doesn't understand history or the Constitution. She's a liar.

JASON LEVESQUE from Lewiston/Auburn is the only candidate challenging Mike Michaud. He has already raised more in small campaign contributions than John Frary and Mark D'Amboise (previous Michaud challengers) combined. We need to work for Levesque in our towns and cities. Michaud and Pelosi can be defeated.

http://www.levesqueforcongress.com/home

Michaud, one of us???? How absurd! He will get voted back in, as Maine's voting block is packed with Maine state workers. On the outside chance he doesn't get voted in, he will never experience the typical Maine lifestyle. He will be handed a cushy job by one of his "friends".

freedomlover, Nancy Pelosi is more than a liar, she is a corrupt disgrace.

.

thanks for the link. I so ready for CHANGE that WE Conservatives can believe in.

.

From the "Hill".

Dem recruits continue to head for exits

By Aaron Blake - 12/31/09 10:55 AM ET

Democrats have lost yet another touted recruit, this time in Kansas.

State Sen. Laura Kelly (D) just announced her withdrawal from the race to face Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.). She becomes the fifth formidable recruit to bow out in recent weeks.

“I have been forced to make a decision between honoring the pledge I made to the people in my Senate district and my firm conviction that the people of the 2nd congressional district deserve a truly independent voice in Congress," Kelly said in a statement.

“This has been a very hard decision, but it is the right one.”

Kelly joins several recent dropouts, including businessman Jack McDonald, a well-funded challenger to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) who announced last week that he wouldn't run. The others are Ohio state Rep. Todd Book, who was running against Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio); former Tennessee Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers, who was running for Rep. Zach Wamp's (R-Tenn.) seat; and Solana Beach City Councilman Dave Roberts, who was running against Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.).

Both McDonald and Kelly were cited in a late October memo from DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) that touted the committee's recruiting successes.

On top of that, Democrats have lost four incumbents in vulnerable districts to retirement recently. It has been a distinct shift, taking five seats off the map on offense and adding four on defense.

.....

ConnieD... never forget that the SEIU, the "Service Employees International Union, Local 1989" IS the Maine State Employees' Association. The SEIU is part of ACORN and ACORN is part of the SEIU. Both were started by Wade Rathke. Check it out.

Michaud will have the support of the Maine State Employees' Assocation, the SEIU. Levesque will have the support of the people, the taxpayers! Levesque can defeat Michaud, Pelosi, the SEIU, ACORN if Maine people come together and work for him.

The SEIU (Maine State Employees' Association) and ACORN:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/05/AR2009100503585.html

http://theunionnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/npr-exposes-acorn-seiu-connection.html

Heidi Plante: So, if someone slips and falls on an icy sidewalk, who gets sued? I think the legal industry would love it.

The single biggest problem in American politics today is that a vocal minority truly, sincerely believes that the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives is "an anti-American Marxist," and is not at all embarrassed about publicly proclaiming such nonsense. You can't have a rational discussion with irrational people.

Here's to more civil discourse in the New Year.

Being a mothy old fart who isn't beyond writing or e-mailing our representatives in DC. I have been mildly surprised that Mike Michaud has never responded to any e-mail I have sent him. Snow and Collins almost never fail to respond. I think the mill guy needs to start responding to his constuents if he wants to be re-elected.

Come on Dems we should be able to find someone to beat him in the primaries.

Thanks, Hank Williams. I remember all the civil discourse during the Bush presidency. I truly believe that Pelosi is a Marxist. I truly believe she has no commonsense. I truly believe she despises freedom for everyone except her and her cadre of Democrat elitists.

It's most civil of YOU to label me as "irrational". Pot. Kettle. Black.

"We are Americans. We have a right to debate and to disagree with this administration or ANY administration. Power to the people!"

Hank Williams... as an added thought, WHY is it a problem if it's a vocal minority? Why is that a problem? If I'm part of a minority, why is that a problem? Is it a big enough problem that I need to be silenced? Is it a big enough problem that a member of a minority is labeled as irrational?

I thought we had freedom of speech and freedom of thought in this country? I thought that a minority could work to become a majority? Isn't that the way of participatory democracy? Isn't that the way it works?

The single biggest problem in American politics today, in my opinion, isn't what people like me think of Pelosi. The single biggest problem today is that so many people in our country are now dependent on governments, federal and state, that are fiscally bankrupt. There are more people riding the wagon than there are pulling it.

Margaret Thatcher was so correct when she pointed out that "Socialism is great, but eventually you run out of other people's money." We are there already: out of money.

freedomlover .... yes we are out of money so the Dems in all their brilliance come up with their health care reform bill specifically designed to thin the herd of national liabilities.

Sidewalk management isn't just something New Jerseyian are doing. This is something that is spreading across the country including NEW ENGLAND in states like Massachusetts and Rhode Island. I like living in Bangor but I know of a lot of people here that love to complain but do nothing to help a problem. I'm sure the editorial was aimed towards residents who live in residential parts of Bangor, not rural areas. By the way, if someone falls in Jersey in front of your house they can sue you. Why can't a resident sue the city if they fall on an icy sidewalk or broken sidewalk? I don't think as a general practice residents are going to fall on purpose just to have a lawsuit. I'm sure most lawsuits based on falling on a sidewalk are probably thrown out.

I'm sickened by Maine's EXTREME and BLATANT corruption, conflicts of interest and apparent conflicts of interest. Limiting myself to just a FEW of the examples I've come across in the field of land development:

1) Until the fact became public, Plum Creek CEO, President and Executive Director, Rick R. Holley, sat on the board of Maine's largest newspaper group, Blethen Corporation. He did not disclose this until he was found out. At the time Blethen owned The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, The Kennebec Journal (Augusta), The Morning Sentinel (Waterville) as well as other media products in Maine. (It's interesting to note that Blethen was bought by a group of investors which includes Robert Baldacci, our Governor's older brother. The group approached the Maine Public Employees Retirement System to try to convince them to invest Maine pension funds in the deal.)

2) According to their website, "The Maine Freedom of Information Coalition is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation representing individuals and organizations committed to open access to public information in print, electronic and digital formats. The Coalition involves media representatives, attorneys, librarians, state and local government officials, educators and others who care about transparency in government, information access and the role of an informed citizenry in a democracy". The President of the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition is Mal Leary. Is it just a coincidence that Leary also runs the press service that the Governor uses (http://www.mainecapitolnews.com/)?

3) The Executive V.P. and Chief Development Officer of First Wind is Kurt Adams. The same Kurt Adams who used to be Chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the State's primary utilities regulator. Prior to that, he was Governor John Baldacci’s chief legal counsel.

4) Governor Baldacci appointed former Governor Angus King to the Wind Power Task Force. He's also one of the two partners in Independence Wind LLC.

5) First Wind's Vice President for Mergers and Acquisitions is Angus King. No, not the former Governor. His son! A Vice President at First Wind has a father on the Governor's Wind Power Task Force and in the wind business!

6) Ernie Hilton testified for the CMP power line upgrade on 12/10/09. That upgrade will allow the industrial wind power developers to sell electricity out of state. His wife is LURC commissioner Gwen Hilton. (http://www.hyltunfarm.com/contact/contact.php and http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=lurcstaff&id=8260&v=tplcombio)

7) Marcia Spencer-Famous, the Senior Planner at LURC who oversees industrial Wind Project approvals is married to biologist Norm Famous. Norm Famous is, well, infamous for stating that they "found no bats on Vinalhaven" (Downeast Magazine). Famous helped clear the way for the Vinalhaven wind turbines that are now torturing the poor residents?

8) Barry Hobbins co-chairs the Right to Know Advisory Committee and the Commission to Study Energy Infrastructure. He is also a member of the Governor’s Ocean Energy Task Force. (http://www.mainesenate.org/hobbins/bio.htm)

9) The Governor's Wind Power Task Force produced Public Law 661, best known as the expedited Wind Permit Statute. Portland Rep. John Hinck, House chair of the Energy Committee, helped ram the Expedited Wind Permit statute into law as "Emergency" legislation. His wife, Juliet Browne is a member of the Task Force that wrote it.

10) The Governor's legal adviser, Karla Black, sits on the State of Maine Right to Know Committee (http://www.mfoic.org/index.asp?mid=71).

11) The Director of Maine's Center for Disease Control, Dora Mills, refuses to acknowledge peer reviewed evidence of wind turbines' negative effects on human health. Her sister is Maine's Attorney General Janet Mills. AG Mills refuses to ask the wind developers to sign a Code of Conduct the way her counterpart in NY, AG Andrew Cuomo did.

12) Stacy Fitts is a member of both the Governor's Wind Task Force and his Ocean Energy Task Force. He's also Senior Engineer at energy consultant Kleinschmidt Associates, a company that is extremely interested in wind subsidies and prides itself in the fact that it has someone on the inside in the Ocean Energy Task Force. In fact, on their website (http://www.kleinschmidtusa.com/MarineRenewable/default.htm) Kleinschmidt Associates boasts "we have been very active in the development of state regulations in Maine, where one of Kleinschmidt’s engineers is a member of the Governor’s Ocean Energy Task Force."

13) Maine State Representative for District 11 is Everett McLeod Sr. Among the towns he represents are: Burlington, Lee, Winn and Mattawamkeag. According to documents recorded, Rep McLeod is leasing some of his land to First Wind for their Rollins Project. The Rollins Project includes Burlington, Lee, Winn and Mattawamkeag. State Rep McLeod also represents the unorganized territories that are now home to First Wind's Stetson Mtn and Jimmey/Owl Mtn Projects. But wait, there's more! He also represents Carroll Plantation where First Wind is planning to put turbines on Bowers Mtn.

Citizens of Maine: WAKE UP !

The story of "governments" in general (including ours) is to maintain support, they need to "buy" 51% of us. The bills that pass congress are designed to "gather" voters. The health care /health insurance reform being debated is a mess of "gifts" for insurance companies (Connecticut, Nebraska, and New Jersey) Health care providers (nurses union, medical schools, and HCA in Los Angles.) and lawyers (Trial lawyers association) all mostly Democratic leaning organizations. BUT the Republicans do the same thing when they are in office they feed defense contractors, police unions, and the religious right (Faith based initiative)

Our best hope is that people vote against the incumbant regardless of party. it takes office holders at least two years to learn how to steal well.

William McDuff

It is hard to believe, but Maine used to make employers pay for holiday hiring. THE PEOPLE OF MAINE discarded this law as well as the one where employers couldn't make employees work on Sunday. Maine folks believe every one else (excepting them) has an easy job.

William McDuff - how horridly hypercritical of you! You say "it's terrible to have to work on Christmas" and yet you fully expect the cinema to be open for your own pleasure. You probably expect to be able to eat in a restaurant and shop at the convenience store on Christmas also. And by doing so YOU are the one making someone work on Christmas. Criticizing the lack of time and a half pay does not absolve you from demanding that people to work on Christmas. If you really did not want to see people have to work - you would stay home.

longtermthinker - my wish, for this year is that members of LURC and the Baldacci administration be brought to justice. Actually, make that my goal.

longtermthinker and jaygee, that is a sickening list for sure. longtime...thanks for printing it. What a network !!!!!!

2 Anne's are better than 1...

Has to be........

Are you French Mr. derevere..

I like the French....

Heidi Plante - Shame on you expecting people to take responsibility for things. What do you think the government is for? You know, there are actually people that think that way. It's a shame. Seriously, Heidi, great letter and a wonderful idea.

William McDuff - Agree that anyone working on holidays should get extra pay. Unfortunately, that's why so many companies hire part-time people, so they won't have to pay them extra. Full-timers take the holidays or get paid at least time-and-a-half.

Jack Gagnon - All the windmills should be pushed over. America should drill-baby-drill and build nuclear power plants. We don't need no stinking windmills.

longtermthinker..have no idea what you are talking about...you need to shorten the message and get to the point.

re: sidewalk cleaning...don't want to do the work yourself, don't complain about your taxes.

Michaud: waste of breath for both liberals and conservatives

Pelosi a Marxist...more fear mongering among those of you that just cannot stand access to health care for all people.

How about the road in front of the house, Ms Plante? Why stop at the sidewalk? That would really cut costs to the city.

Everyone should be required to own a plow truck with a sander. No exceptions.

Oh what a wonderful world it would be then for the people walking their pets.

You sound like someone who owns neither a house or a car.

Expecting me to maintain city property without compensation and at my expense? I thought slavery went out of style long ago.

I think that Heidi's idea is a good one if participation is voluntary, but of course the city would still have to eventually come around and clean up the spots that aren't in front of anyone's house, or for people who were unable to shovel for various reasons. We all maintain the portion of our front lawns that is owned by the city (for most city lawns, that's the 10' or so closest to the road) during the summer so I'm not sure what's controversial about shoveling the sidewalk in front of your house in the winter. It shouldn't be a law that you have to do it so there would be no liability issues, but it would be nice if people had the sort of community spirit so that a law wasn't necessary.

Jeffrey,

People do have that "community spirit". It's called property taxes. Homeowners pitch in and pay people (creating jobs with benefits) to clean snow from the sidewalks.

Even money Ms. Heidi is a liberal bereft with guilt about glob...climate change who voted for Mr. Obama.

Cheeta's right - all people should have access to health care. And they can pay for it. I'd even be happy to contribute a few bucks to help those that have a hard time paying. I just don't want the government telling me that I have to pay for it and I don't want my own hard-earned benefits reduced because some well intentioned but dim-witted thickie thinks I have some sort of "Cadillac" plan.

Pelosi is no marxist - she's a power-hungry pol who's a multi-millionaire and the "f" ing poster child for bureaucratic collectivism.

I happen to know Ms. Plante, she owns both a car and a house in town as do I. I think her idea is a good one. The city has been responsible for maintaining the sidewalks for years now, and incase you haven't noticed the sidewalks around town are in terrible condition. They are cracked, broken, some have huge chunks missing. I have fallen more than once while walking my dogs at night and that is when the weather was fair. The city has had to cut back (as have we all) because of the economic situtation. At the present time I believe that they are only able to repair about 3 miles of sidewalk a year, in a city that has approximately 150 miles of sidewalk. If you do the math you will see that many of us will be waiting a good long time before we see any sidewalk repairs in our neighborhoods. Why is simply shoveling and salting our walkways such an outrageous idea?