LIBERTY TV = GOOD

I recently saw and read your article "Taking News Liberty" (July 15). I enjoyed it, and would like to congratulate Sara Donnelly for highlighting this program in the Phoenix, Liberty News (www.libertynewstv.com) for creating this program, and Portland Public Access for airing it!

Thank you for shedding some light on this innovative news program available on local access channels. These access stations are a bastion for free speech and help foster democracy through these types of programs! This is the type of news program you will not see on for-profit television stations. Many of us are aware of the conflicting interests for hard-news programs versus advertiser dollars; we also know that media conglomeration is a real threat to free speech and democracy.

It is important to give kudos to those in the community working for a better world — through creative and grassroots means — especially the people involved in Liberty News and Channel 2!

Jim Morrissey, Access Coordinator, at Portland Public Access has been airing this program since its inception. Jim has done a tremendous job in obtaining new programs, and supporting local producers to get their shows aired through Portland Public Access (PPAC). I know that they are pleased to have Liberty News and the other local programs that create dialogue in our communities.

Thanks for the recent focus on this program. It is important to know that local people are leading the charge for more balanced and informed news through Liberty News and other local access programs!

Lesley M. Jones, Portland

GET THE LEAD OUT

All was not doom and gloom for progressives this year in the Democratically controlled Legislature, as suggested by the Phoenix (see "Road to Nowhere," by Lance Tapley, July 15). In fact, a significant corporate accountability bill was signed into law after being championed by Democratic leaders and supported by a broad-based coalition of public health, children’s, environmental and labor advocates.

LD 1034, sponsored by Assistant House Majority Leader Bob Duplessie (D-Westbrook), requires the paint industry to pay $2.5 million over the next five years toward lead poisoning prevention programs. Lead-based paint, which was sold in the US for 50 years after it was banned in Europe in the 1920s, still causes learning disabilities in Maine children and lead poisoning of workers who renovate older homes. This law will provide information, test kits, and training to parents, landlords, and contractors to prevent exposure to the highly toxic metal dust. LD 1034 holds the industry that knowingly sold a hazardous product financially responsible, not the taxpayer. With passage of this legislation, Maine becomes only the second state in the country to make polluters pay to prevent lead poisoning.

Democratic leaders, including Senator Michael Brennan (D-Portland) and Representative Glenn Cummings (D-Portland), spoke passionately on the floor of the Legislature in favor of protecting children’s health and holding paint corporations accountable. And despite opposition from national paint industry lobbyists, every single Democrat in the Legislature except one (Representative Charles Crosby, D-Topsham) voted in favor of LD 1034. The bill also gained the support of many moderate Republicans in both the House and Senate, proving bipartisan support for addressing a serious health hazard.

And to his credit, Governor Baldacci ignored the threats of the paint industry and their plea to veto the bill. In signing LD 1034 into law, the Governor took a major step toward fulfilling his campaign pledge to end childhood lead poisoning in Maine by 2010.

It’s easy to criticize Democratic legislators and the Governor for missed opportunities. But when they favor public health over corporate power, it shouldn’t be so hard to give credit where credit is due.

Michael Belliveau

Executive Director

Environmental Health Strategy Center

Bangor and Portland

CORRECTION

In Lance Tapley’s story, "Road to Nowhere," in the July 15 paper, we mistakenly implied that Green Representative John Eder did not attend the public hearing for his bill LD 1474, "An Act to Require That Corporations Be Operated in a Manner That Does Not Adversely Affect the Public Interest," writing: "A sweeping bill, LD 1474, sponsored by Portland’s Green Independent Representative John Eder, was summarily shot down in the Judiciary Committee after Eder neglected to go to its hearing." We were referring to an earlier piece we had written, "Acting (or not) in the Public Interest," by Sara Donnelly, on June 3, which described a Judiciary Committee work session that Representative Eder did not attend on May 27 where committee members decided not to consider LD 1474. It is not uncommon for legislators to introduce a bill for a constituent at a public hearing, which Eder did in the case of LD 1474, and then decide not to follow through on the bill at work sessions. We regret any confusion this may have caused.