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On the Political Front By Sharon Bard-Young 
Monday, May 23, 2005 On February 8th LSLA co-sponsored a Milfoil Forum with the Town of Gray and invited concerned citizens and waterfront homeowners to attend and learn about the extent of the infestation and details about LSLA’s management plan. It was a very well attended meeting with over 100 in attendance, including Gray’s Town Manager Mitch Berkowitz, Town Council Chairperson Pam Wilkinson, and State Representative Mark Bryant. The Lake Association disseminated information and issued a plea for volunteers and for financial help. Donations both large and small have resulted, and equally importantly on June 11 Gray’s proposed Town Budget requesting an appropriation of $10,000 for Lake Water Quality will be voted on at town meeting. While there are no guarantees at this time the exact amounts Little Sebago may receive from the appropriation, a showing of support from the membership is needed at town meeting to encourage a favorable outcome. In April, as a result of communications with Tony Plante, Windham’s Town Manager, LSLA was invited to attend a Council Budget Workshop to explain LSLA’s Milfoil Management Plan and it’s associated costs. At this meeting we were able to show detailed engineering plans for the construction of our own Suction Harvester and a proposed budget to support equipment and personnel needs. We were again very well received and assured that the Council recognizes the economic impact recreational facilities and waterfront property taxes contribute to the community. Once again a budget request is pending, but uncertainty remains over the level of giving until final budget votes in June. I have also provided frequent updates and pleas for assistance, both financial and otherwise, to our elected representatives at the state level. As a matter of fact, I attended a legislative breakfast just a short while ago where Senator Bill Diamond, and Representatives Mark Bryant and Gary Plummer encouraged citizens to share their concerns and issues so that their representatives can be watchful of legislation in support of, or potentially harmful to, the local constituency and act accordingly. Please use the contact information below and add your voice to ours encouraging action on Milfoil Mitigation - even a short message - it truly does help. One elected official told me that once he got 25 emails on a subject it made it to his priority list. There are 1200 LSLA members – if even one quarter makes this small effort - Augusta will take us very seriously!!! Elected Officials and Municipal Managers: Contact Information John E. Baldacci, Office of The Governor, 1 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330 email: govenor@maine.gov Karl Turner, Senate Dist. 11, 16 Town Landing Road, Cumberland, ME 04110 email: kwturner@yahoo.com Bill Diamond, Senate Dist. 12, 261 Windham Center Road, Windham, ME 04062 email: senbill.diamond@legislature.maine.gov Susan Austin, House Dist. 109, 136 Yarmouth Road, Gray, ME 04039 email: none listed Mark Bryant, House Dist. 110, 166 Albion Road, Windham, ME 04062 email: repmark.bryant@legislature.maine.gov Gary Plummer, House Dist. 111, 248 Gray Road, Windham, ME 04062 email: repg.plummer@legislature.maine.gov Mitch Berkowitz, Town Manager, 6 Shaker Road, Gray, ME 04039 email: townmanager@graymaine.org Tony Plante, Town Manager, 8 School Street, Windham, ME 04062 email: atplante@town.windham.me.us |
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