Letters to the Editor

Sangerville’s RBO: One year later

To the Editor:
    On Sept. 18, 2013, Sangerville passed a Community Rights Based Ordinance banning private and public private transportation and distribution corridors.

    The purpose of the RBO was to prevent the construction of Cianbro’s proposed East/West Corridor that threatened to bisect the town.
    At the 2013 Sangerville annual town meeting the voters of Sangerville voted unanimously to adopt a moratorium to temporarily prevent the construction of the corridor through the town and look for a solution to the proposed threat.
    A group of concerned citizens contacted the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund and with their help wrote a Rights Based Ordinance [RBO] which later passed by a vote of 86-40.
    The Sangerville RBO affirms the community’s right to clean air and water, the scenic beauty of their town and the preservation of the ecosystem where they live. It asserts the community’s right to self-governance as conveyed through the U.S. and Maine State constitutions. Who better than the local people to decide what kinds of development are appropriate in their town?
    At the time, the opponents of the RBO warned that it could be used by one neighbor to sue another neighbor. They said that the RBO would prevent people from building woods roads and driveways, and it would interfere with utility easements. Local businesses would be harmed, and the town would be sued.
    It is my observation that, now one year later, no one has been sued because of the RBO. Life has gone on in Sangerville just as it always has, with no negative consequences from the passage of the RBO.
    The East/West Corridor is still a threat, but Sangerville has demonstrated that small communities, when they find their collective voice, can assert their rights and say “No” to unwanted corporate projects. Bravo Sangerville!

Eric A. Tuttle
Guilford

Local select chair resigning for ‘residual harmony’

To the Editor:
    In response to a want of change from the Board, I am resigning from the Sangerville Select Board, as the chair, effective immediately.
    Although normal protocol is for the chair to hold that position for the duration of election by the Board, and in spite of the fact I have just six months left in my term, there is some wonder by myself as to this change at this time.
    I will, for the sake of residual harmony, withdraw from my seat as chairman.
    I wish to thank the past and present board members and town managers I have worked with and wish the best to my successor.
    It has been a pleasure and an honor to have served in this capacity for my Town of Sangerville. To close, I quote the historian Thucydides, circa 400 B.C. “Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.”

Thomas F. Carone
Sangerville

Supports second National Park in Maine

To the Editor:
    This summer I explored on a mountain bike, along with other Aroostook County residents, a small part of the 150,000-acre Katahdin Woods & Waters Recreation Area, the land proposed to become Maine’s second National Park and National Recreation Area.
    There are many features of this land that would enhance the National Park System, but to me the most important is that it is connected to other conservation lands, such as Baxter State Park. Research has determined that wildlife, including moose, bear, lynx, and pine marten, do not follow the narrow “wildlife corridors” established by humans between wilderness areas. Maine’s iconic mammals require large, contiguous plots of land to maintain healthy populations.
    Furthermore, I believe that the proposal would complement Baxter State Park. Baxter is beloved by residents of Aroostook County and others, but the intentionally primitive and wild nature of the roads and overnight facilities, while appealing to many of us, are unsuitable and/or inaccessible for others.
    With national park designation, hiking, white and flat-water paddling, fishing, cycling, cross-country skiing, and wildlife observation would be enjoyed by a more diverse population from around the country and world.
    As we who live in The County know, many Mainers have never ventured north of Bangor. An alternative outdoors experience, just east of our very special state park would augment appreciation of the ecosystem of the North Maine Woods give us the opportunity to introduce new visitors to the four-season events and activities in the Crown of Maine.
    I strongly encourage you to ask our congressional representatives to support the acceptance of this amazing gift offered by Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. to the United States and to Maine.

Bonnie S. Wood
Professor emerita of biology
Presque Isle