Category: Talk of the Towns

Live & local call-in on civic issues. Happens on the third Friday of every month from 10 – 11 AM.

Talk of the Towns 08/25/06

Host: Jill Goldthwait
Topic: Home Grown. Good Eating. (Local farms, fresh food)
What are small local farms like in Maine? The markets – consumers, CSA, WIC, restaurants, farm stands, farmer’s markets. Obstacles – regulations
Guests: Kerri Sands, Director, Farms for the Future; Jo Barrett, King Hill Farm; Chip Angell, The Brooklin Inn; Diane Lokocm, Beech Hill Farm
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Talk of the Towns 06/23/06

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Topic: Sustainable development for Maine’s Native Peoples: Four Directions Development Corporation (FDDC)
Location and population of Passamaquoddy, Penobscot Tribes, Houlton Band of Maliseets and Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians, current economic and social conditions?
When and why was the FDDC established? What are the primary goals? What are the community impacts?
Guests: Susan Hammond, Executive Director, Four Directions Development Corporation; Patricia Kontur, FDDC Business Program Director; Mark Chavaree, FDDC Advisory Board Member; Helen Scalia, Giving Winds Capital Campaign Coordinator; Tom Euell, former Executive Director, Maine Council of Churches
Resources for listeners: www.fourdirectionsmaine.org or 207-866-6545; www.mainecouncilofchurches.org or 207-772-1918

Talk of the Towns 05/26/06

Topic: Maine Legislative Review 2006
What is the work of citizenship in following complex public issues
before the Legislature?
What were some of the highlights and disappointments of this past
legislative session?
What was some of the background to legislation under consideration,
including expanded internet access for rural residents, protection of
wetlands and vernal pools, incineration of demolition and construction
waste, restrictions in licenses for elver fishing, maintenance of roads
and bridges, reimbursements to hospitals for Medicare related expenses
and assurances that Maine people don’t loose benefits due to the
Medicare Part D federal legislation on pharmeceuticals.
Guests: Senator Dennis Damon (D), Trenton Senator Richard Rosen, (R) Bucksport
Representative Hannah Pingree, (D) North HavenRepresentative Ted Koffman (D) Bar Harbor
Hosts: Ron Beard Jill Goldthwait

Talk of the Towns 04/28/06

Host Ron Beard and guest Vivian Newman (Maine Chapter Sierra Club), Walter Anderson (former Maine state geologist), Todd Burrowes (Maine State Planning office) and Mike Crocker (Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance) discuss off-shore drilling and what is at stake for Maine.

What is the background on the 20 plus year moratorium on offshore drilling?

What concerns are leading to moves in Congress to lift that moratorium?

What are the potential advantages and disadvantages to drilling/production of oil/gas reserves off Maine’s coast?

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