ICYMI Video of the November 18 Meeting | Consumer-owned Utility Update

The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) held its monthly meeting on November 18, 2021, via Zoom.

Rep. Seth Berry (D-Bowdoinham) provided an update on Our Power’s initiative asking voters to replace Maine’s two investor-owned corporate utilities, Central Maine Power and Versant, with a new nonprofit consumer-owned utility called the Pine Tree Power Company. You may download a copy of the presentation here but the video of Seth’s talk adds the context you’ll need to get the most out of them along with some Q&A.

Rep. Charlotte Warren (D-Hallowell) also shared some information about another citizen initiative that would eliminate foreign influence and big money corruption in Maine elections: https://www.protectmaineelections.com/.

Note that the video has been edited to show only the guest speakers’ presentations and answers to questions from the audience. The questioners’ identities were removed and any LCDC business is not included in this recording.

The next meeting will take place on December 16!

Notes and Resources Shared During the Meeting

From Rep. Seth Berry:
For all details about the Pine Tree Power initiative: https://ourpowermaine.org/
If you want to collect signatures, sign up here for training and to volunteer: https://ourpowermaine.org/take-action/ or contact Marty Fox, one of our Lincoln County organizers (see below).

Future places to sign, especially at Transfer Stations, can be found here: bit.ly/dumpcmp

From Marty Fox:
I am a volunteer hub for Our Power with Jill Linzee. I have Our Power petitions that you can obtain and/or sign. We will be at Sherman’s Damariscotta tomorrow from 1-2:30 PM. My contact information is 207-737-9753, martythyle@hotmail.com, 36 Hidden Pasture Lane Wiscasset.

From Katie Huntington:
And for Newcastle and Damariscotta residents, I will be in Skidompha library from 11:45 – 12:45 tomorrow with Our Power petitions to sign. Please look for me (light blue sweater). 207-380-4170

From Charlotte Warren:
Protect Maine Elections is asking you, as members of your County Committee, to join our grassroots powered campaign
Maine is not for sale to foreign governments or wealthy campaign contributors. Maine belongs to the Maine people. We invite you to learn about our groundbreaking, grassroots campaign to eliminate foreign influence and corruption in Maine elections.

We all have a responsibility to protect our democracy and make Maine a better place for our children and grandchildren. Whether you can collect 5 signatures or 500 signatures, we need you to do your part to protect Maine elections.

You can learn more – and sign up to volunteer – on our website:
https://www.protectmaineelections.com/

From Kelli Whitlock Burton:
You can also follow Protect Maine Elections on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/protectmaineelections

Resources about Broadband in Maine were shared:
Maine Connectivity Authority has newly been formed: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-swears-maine-connectivity-authority-board-members-2021-07-20

From Marianne Pinkham:
Nobleboro residents please contact the Town office and select-board members and let them know that you would like to see a portion of the Town’s ARPA funds used to develop a plan for Broadband Connectivity and to purchase and install the technology needed for remote access to public board and committee meetings. Thank you
Nobleboro’s Broadband Committee Chair Peter Gabbe can be reached by emailing him at nobleborobroadband@gmail.com

From Evan Goodkowsky:
Any Damariscotta and Newcastle residents can contact me about current broadband actions at egoodkowsky@gmail.com (Evan is on the Wiscasset Broadband Committee)

Chair Chris Johnson offers to share what he knows about community efforts toward broadband if you contact him at chair@lincolncountydemocrats.com

Announcements

Our next meeting will be Thursday, Dec 16. 6:30/7 PM. There will be no guest speaker. This will be a short business meeting to vote on our budget and some bylaws amendments. Voting members, please watch your email for the details that you should review before we vote! So please join us for these few business items as well as a chance to chat with our officers and Executive Committee members about the organization, ask them questions, and find out how you can help in our work!

Don’t forget! Voting members are encouraged to share relevant information or thoughts that might appeal to the LCDC membership by emailing members@lincolncountydemocrats.com. Please add the address into the BCC line to eliminate the unnecessary “reply all” tsunami!