Category: WERU News Report

WERU News Report 4/30/14

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Segment 1: It’s not unusual to hear of small businesses struggling, and eventually being forced to close, especially in this economy—but it IS unusual when a community rallies to save them. News broke earlier this month that Coastal Farm and Food in Belfast was shutting down. The local farmers and food producers who relied on them were being forced to move out. But some local residents decided they weren’t going to let that happen, at least not without a fight. Here to tell that story are two of the people most closely involved (Steve Fein and Peter Wilkinson):

Segment 2: The problem of mercury contamination in the lower Penobscot river and upper bay has been receiving a lot of attention in recent weeks, after it forced the closure of the lobster and crab fisheries in the area. State officials estimate that it will be at least 2 years before the area is re-opened. But work to expose and deal with the source of the mercury from the former Holtrachem plant started more than 20 years ago, led by a grassroots movement of concerned area residents, the Maine People’s Alliance, and other environmental groups. Over the years, the Maine People’s Alliance has pursued the issue through the court system, winning a series of rulings forcing the former owners of the Holtrachem plant, a giant corporation called Mallinkrodt, to address contamination at the site in Orrington, as well as in the river. Their next big day in court is coming up in June, and they are inviting anyone who is concerned about the issue to join them in court on the opening day, June 3rd. At a presentation in Stockton Springs Saturday, Nancy Galland, one of the plaintiffs in the case, gave some background on the issue:

WERU News Report 4/29/14

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

There’s another new development in the Searsport dredge and dump controversy to report this week. The Army Corps of Engineers- the federal agency promoting the project- has apparently failed to take into account the close proximity of a muscle farming operation. Pemaquid Muscle Farm is located just 5000 feet from the proposed dump site. This despite the fact that it is clearly shown on charts of the area. Kim Tucker, one of the attorneys that helped defeat the LPG tank proposal in Searsport, represents the Pemaquid Muscle Farm:

WERU News Report 4/23/14

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

We have the latest news on the proposed Searsport dredging and dumping project, as well as this report on efforts to clean up the shoreline, and we’ll tell you about a new way to share your WERU memories.

Segment 1: Bar Harbor resident Ron Greenberg works with the Clean Waters, Clean Shores project, mobilizing volunteers to help clean up beaches and islands downeast. They are looking for volunteers to help with a new project.

Segment 2: Elsewhere along the Maine coast, there is growing opposition to the proposal to dredge the shipping channel near Searsport and dump nearly a million cubic yards of sludge elsewhere in the bay. Supporters of the plan – a small minority judging from attendance at 2 recent public meetings–are working to sell the issue as one of regional economic development. But many who make their living fishing Penobscot Bay have been vocally opposed. Here to give us an update is Kim Tucker, pro bono attorney for many of the dredge and dump opponents:

Segment 3: As our 25th anniversary year winds down, WERU has set up a special phone line for listener memories. Jim Campbell, host of “Notes from the Electronic Cottage” and one of the station’s founders, joins us to explain

WERU News Report 4/22/14

Host: Amy Browne
Producer: Carolyn Coe

Issue: US hegemony

Program Topic: US Pivot to Asia Pacific

Key Discussion Points:

a) The US is expanding its investment militarily, economically, and diplomatically in Asia.

b) Military actions and bases in Asia have economic and social costs to the local populations.

c) US militarism has, at times, met with strong resistance overseas.

Guests:

Joseph Gerson, Director of the American Friends Service Committee’s Peace and Economic Security Program

Hyun Lee, a member of Nodutdol

Subrata Ghoshroy, research associate for MIT’s Science, Technology and Global Security Working Group

WERU News Report 4/16/14

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

As the state legislative session is coming to a close, today we take a look at the status of some of the legislation we’ve been reporting on – and that the Natural Resources Council of Maine has been tracking—with NRCM’s Senior Director of Advocacy, Pete Didisheim. FMI: www.nrcm.org

WERU News Report 4/15/14

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

As Maine’s population ages, more and more of us will find ourselves needing care and assistance. But imagine what it would be like to have a health services provider come into your home and tell you that your lifestyle is sinful. While everyone is vulnerable to some degree when in a position to need supportive services, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders are especially so, and many are struggling with a decision about going “back into the closet”. The documentary film “Gen Silent” tells the stories of six LGBT seniors as they struggle with this issue. The documentary will be shown at the Blue Hill Public Library on Friday, April 25th, at 7pm , as part of the launching of a Maine branch of a group called “SAGE” (Services and Advocacy for Gay Elders). We are joined today by one of the organizers, who was a co-founder of SAGE in New York. He has retired to this area, where he hopes to continue that work.

FMI www.sagemaine.org

WERU News Report 4/9/14 -special hour long edition

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Contributing producer: Matt Murphy

Segment 1: A standing-room-only crowd packed into an informational meeting at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast yesterday to hear details about the US Army Corps of Engineers and Maine DOT plans to dredge Searsport Harbor. The proposal is to deepen the channel near Mack Point to 40 feet, from the current 35, and to dump the sediment—nearly a million cubic yards of it — into Penobscot Bay.
Supporters say the depth needs to be expanded to 40 feet to accommodate larger ships and increase shipping traffic. Opponents have pointed out that Portland harbor is the same depth as Searsport currently, and does a great deal of business, and that there is already a deep water port in Eastport.
Most of the opponents of expansion dredging have voiced support of routine maintenance dredging, but there is concern about dumping of the sediment, which would most likely be done off the coast of Islesboro. While the ACoE recently stated that the materials are clean, and would not pose a risk to the fisheries in the bay, recent testing of the sediment near the adjacent docks has revealed a long list of heavy metals, carcinogens and endocrine disrupters – many present in levels severals times above the reportable limits.
After a slide presentation, which can be viewed on the Army Corps of Engineers website, the public was given an opportunity to direct comments and questions to representatives from the agencies at yesterday’s meeting. Today, in the special extended version of the WERU News Report, we’re bringing you some of the questions and comments, and the response from the reps from the state and federal agencies present. All but one person who spoke expressed concerns about the proposal, and the room was a sea of red shirts, worn to indicate solidarity with the lobstermen’s unions that have come out in opposition to the plan:

Segment 2: Matt Murphy with a report on efforts to raise funds for work against human trafficking – an interview with musician Peter Alexander

WERU News Report 4/8/14

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Segment 1: Nurses, social workers and economic justice activists observed the anniversary of the murder of Martin Luther King Friday, by calling for the passage of what they call a “Robin Hood tax”. They say they are carrying on King’s legacy of working to end poverty, by supporting federal legislation that would tax wealthy stock traders. A 5% tax would be levied on stock trades, a .1% tax on bonds, and a .005% on derivative speculation. Supporters say the tax would generate $350 billion dollars per year, which would be directed toward guaranteed healthcare for all, job training and living wages, taking action on climate change, ending global HIV & AIDS, sustainable manufacturing and infrastructure, quality public education , housing, child care and mass transit.
Wearing Robin Hood hats and carrying signs saying “Take It Back, Tax Wall Street” and “Heal America, Tax Wall Street”, a group of about 20 people gathered outside the Federal Building in Bangor:

Segment 2: Last week we told you about a traveling show that’s honoring the famous campaign finance reform activist, Granny D. At the showing in Blue Hill on Sunday, Senate candidate Shenna Bellows made an appearance and gave her take on money in politics: Also saying a few words at the Granny D event Sunday was WERU regular Phil Caper of Maine AllCare: