It is becoming quite apparent that Governor John Baldacci and his current cast of players live in a world all unto themselves. I believe they think they are the ultimate authority to make decisions about anything they so chose while at the same time showing absolute disregard for the people of Maine.
The latest in the continuing saga of Baldacci secret dealings comes from Wiscasset. The details are too complicated for me to list in this blog but if you go over to the Lincoln County News and read Greg Foster’s article, he pretty well explains everything.
At issue is part of a settlement plan involving the Maine Yankee, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Chewonki Foundation – in addition to the Chewonki Foundation, it appears that other conservation groups will benefit from the secret negotiations.
A settlement was reached allowing the Chewonki Foundation to purchase some land from Maine Yankee.
In addition to the $150,000 to acquire the parcel on Birch Point, Chewonki is supposed to receive $55,000 to acquire Berry Island and add it to the Maine Island Trail, and $100,000 to be matched with federal funds to remove lower Montsweag Brook dam. Maine Yankee is contributing a total $930,000 in combined funding for various projects.
�Nearly $1 million will go to private entities, and the state for various projects, many of which are outside the Town of Wiscasset, while the taxpayers of Wiscasset, Woolwich and Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties stand to lose more taxable valuation,� the letter to the DEP states.
According to the damages settlement agreement, there are six projects, three of which are in Wiscasset. The other three are in Alna, Coopers Mills and Newcastle.
What has gotten Wiscasset officials in an uproar, and justifiably so, is that all of these wheelings and dealings were done without involving the towns in which the taxed property exists.
The deal is part of the Natural Resources Damages Settlement Agreement, the process of which the DEP administers.
�Assumptions and decisions were made in a vacuum, and we are now invited to �comment� after the deal was struck,� the letter states.
That fits the MO of Baldacci, always behind the backs of those who stand to lose and always negotiating with those who want to lock Maine up through acts of preservation. To complicate matters even further, which one could easily take as a tactic of Baldacci’s to force his secret plans through, a public comment period of 30 days has been scheduled after the fact and during the holiday period.
The comment period is only 30 days currently and allows for very little time for the town to assess things, according to the board, particularly since it only received a draft of the agreement. The agreement lists other stakeholders who will benefit, such as Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, Trout Unlimited, Inc. and the State Planning Office. The board complained that neither Wiscasset nor Woolwich was part of the negotiation process.
Public comments are due by Jan. 5, which the board considers very poor timing in light of the holiday season.
Why does this administration feel it is above the citizens of Maine? Why do they continue to operate in such a fashion that it appears the regular “Joes” are getting the shaft and the “good ole boys” on Baldacci’s “payroll” are reaping the benefits of his re-election?
Unfortunately for Maine, they voted for four more years of the same and also increased the strangle-hold the Democrats have in Congress. It looks like not only will this modus operandi continue but there are very few left in Congress who will make any waves against it.
To the citizens of Maine, hang on to your hats because no longer are you just the most taxed state in the Union you are going to be a state with nothing left by the time this administration is done. It appears that Baldacci’s goal is to give every conceivable piece of land, both public and private, over to preservationists. How does this benefit all of Maine?
Tom Remington
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