I would like to encourage Democrats from Farmington and Industry to support Jeremy Smith for the democratic nomination in the race to fill Janet Mills’ vacant House District 89 seat.
Although Dennis Haszko comes on strong with his claims of commitment to community development, his support of the east-west highway concept leaves me skeptical of his judgment. This proposal is a boondoggle that will render communities like Farmington simply 65-mile-per-hour scenery out the side windows of truck traffic as it hauls our resources elsewhere to add “value” to them. How can you support the local economy and community with a gigantic by-pass?
What Jeremy Smith may lack in formal credentials, he makes up for in his instincts for sincere progressive policy on fundamental issues such as the environment, energy, education, reproductive rights and health care. His emphasis on universal health care, better benefits for veterans returning from the middle east, environmental protection, and universal broadband access match my priorities. I think Jeremy would bring with him to Augusta a fresh and unencumbered commitment to sensible social policy. Wish I could vote for him!
Cyndy Stancioff
Chesterville
Ms. Stancioff,
The work I do daily is a testament to my commitment to community development, so I am disappointed by your doubts.
Regarding your question: “How can you support the local economy and community with a gigantic by-pass?” Well, this is precisely my point.
Are you aware that a very serious attempt is underway for a PRIVATE toll road crossing Maine? What do you think are the chances that a CLOSED discussion on a PRIVATE toll road ends up benefiting the small towns along the way? Unless the process is an OPEN forum with public input, we will likely become by-passed as you suggest.
Don’t believe me?
12 months ago… http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/3318
TollroadsNews.com
“Cianbro, Berger push ahead with Maine East-West tollroad – private initiative”
9 months ago…http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=179766&ac=PHbiz
Portland Press Herald
“East-west highway gaining traction?”
A new route across the state has been talked about for decades, but this time around, a number factors could make it happen. By MATT WICKENHEISER, Staff Writer April 6, 2008
My point is that we cannot just sit idly by and let things happen to us.
If those of us in Maine don’t want it, then I’m not the one to debate this with as I am only one voice at the moment.
However, I hope whomever is elected would lead the issue and not let the issue lead us!
–Dennis Haszko
Dennis,
I checked out the link you supplied – thanks.
The Cianbro project proposes a route significantly north of us and would constitute a superhighway for truck traffic that wants to pay tolls. Although it would be an alternative for 53′ semi-trucks, these are probably not major contributors to the local economy, which in fact tend to have more negative impact (quality of air, driving hassles, noise) than positive (they buy gas and coffee, and need to move on).
I do not believe that it is necessary to respond to this proposal (which has been advanced, by their account, due to insufficient public will to motivate state government action) with taking an activist approach to pursuing an east-west highway here. Again, the fears of opponents like me are based on the likelihood of increased large-truck traffic and decreased incentive for passenger cars to enter into commerce locally.
It is time that our economic development efforts turn to locally-based micro-enterprise, cottage industry, and agricultural enterprises, based on local resources and stemming from the skills and capacities of local people. The notions of big box enterprises, chain restaurants, and convenient truck travel as lucrative to the local economy need to be seriously reiviewd, with earnest consideration of future economic security, job quality, and self-sufficiency of our communites.
I hope you will consider these points when you are in the Legislature! Otherwise I will probably keep bugging you, even if you are not my Rep.
To Cindy and Dennis: Very good debate about the East-West highway. Do either of you have any statistics or related case studies on how highways affect the towns’ economies along the way? It was an interesting point to consider that the citizens of surrounding towns would not be traveling routes 2, 4 and/or 27 through town which leads to considerable input into the economy. Where exactly would that highway run and how would it affect property values?