ONE STEP FURTHER

I read with great interest your article in the Phoenix about the Portland Tenants Union "A more perfect Union." Overall it was extremely well done. However , the paragraph concerning the ‘low point’ of the group, the anonymous emailer and his accusation, was something that should have been further investigated rather than summarily dismissed. I was the anonymous email poster; my ‘accusation’ against longtime anti-gay activist Karen Evans, one of the founders of P.O.W.E.R., could have been easily substantiated. Ms. Evans ran for office against Robin Lambert in 1990 with anti-gay activist Carolyn Cosby as her campaign manager. During that run for office, Ms. Cosby and Paul Volle were accused of sending out flyers to potential voters ‘outing’ Robin Lambert and warning against a ‘homosexual’ in political office. Ms. Evans was very vocal in that campaign about her disdain for homosexuals. She even appeared at a Portland City Council meeting, when civil rights measures were being debated, and warned that Portland would become another ‘San Francisco’ rife with AIDS if gays were granted civil rights protection. These facts are easily proven. I even sent an article about these events from the Portland Press Herald to a member of P.O.W.E.R. after he demanded proof of my claims. I never heard from the gentleman again. It’s wonderful that a tenants union is forming. As a low-income resident of Portland I know how desperately this group is needed. But I also want such a group to represent the interests of all Portlanders, especially groups often discriminated against in housing such as gay men and lesbian women. Please don’t inadvertently trivialize that concern because of enthusiasm for a group that is much needed here in Portland.

Heidi J. Hart

Windham, ME

NOT SO FAST

Last week, Anne Coyle of Brunswick wrote a long letter criticizing the Green Party, including the Maine Independent Greens. In part, her letter said, “the Greens are too busy alienating themselves from the American public . . . to strategize how to offer viable candidates . . . and ultimately, how to remain engaged in the political process. ”

It appears Ms. Coyle is misinformed. In the past year and a half, the Maine Independent Green Party has more than tripled its membership. In May of 2000, there were approximately 2500 registered Greens in the State of Maine. Currently, there are some 9000 registered Greens in Maine.

In addition, Greens won three local elections last Tuesday. Here in Portland, Ben Meiklejohn won an at-large seat on the School Board. In Topsham, Jane Scease won a seat on the Board of Selectmen. And in Ms. Coyle’s own town of Brunswick, Nancy Randolph won a seat on the Town Council.

It’s hard to argue with success. Three winning candidates in the most recent elections. A membership that has more than tripled. At least in Maine, it is clear the Greens are not only remaining engaged in the political process, they are fielding viable and attractive candidates, and their message is reaching the voting public.

Patrick Quinlan

Portland

OUTRAGEOUS

I am writing to express my outrage and dismay at the underhanded and yes, racist, tactics of the Maine NOW board (this just in: “Coup ousts Berry-Huffman from Maine NOW position,” 10/26/01). I have had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Berry-Huffman and have been both awed and inspired by her dedication and perseverance in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles. Ms. Berry-Huffman expressed her frustration at the lack of involvement in and concern for pro-feminist politics, but I had no idea that those who claim to espouse a progressive philosophy could be so blatantly hypocritical.

Maine NOW gives Maine feminists a bad name. JoAnne Dauphinee hit the nail on the head with her statement about being the racist white women on the board of Maine NOW. As a white woman who is proud to call herself a feminist, I am ashamed of the actions of these women who claim to support us. If there was a problem with Renee’s leadership, the honorable course of action would have been to discuss it with her, rather than plan ways to kick her out behind her back. Clearly this shows us that men don’t even have to oppress women, we do a fine job of it ourselves.

Heidi J. Hart

Windham, ME

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