Page D, The Bridgton News, September 25, 2014
Opinions
A declaration of independence for Maine?
As Scotland almost goes, so might also go Maine? That’s the line suggested by pundits who were way wrong on the Scots’ vote last week for independence from (almost not Great) Britain. Suppose it had turned out differently and Scotland had ended the union? What might have been the consequences hereabouts? Maine, the press reports, has the highest percentage in the United States of citizens with Scottish ancestry. There seems little question that the November vote for governor here would have been transformed into a referendum for independence and which of the three gubernatorial candidates would be president
of the new State of Maine. Before you doubters skip to the yard sale ads, consider the similarities: Both Scotland and Maine are mostly surrounded by rock-bound coasts, providing a rich seafood diet and a source of offshore energy (at least potentially so for Maine). Neither has much productive farmland. Scotland sells fine whiskey; Maine tries to keep up with cider, but does better with maple syrup. Although Mainers don’t wear skirts, they speak a tongue, which, like the Scots’, is almost incomprehensible to the rest of the nation. Both stand out for their tightfistedness and attractiveness for folks from away, whom the
Tree Talk
Small World by Henry Precht BN Columnist locals wish would just go away — after paying their bills, to be sure. Having established the verisimilitude of the two, let of consider the consequences and prospects for a newly independent State of Maine: First, Washington would be seized by panic that a sovereign state exists which has neither a mutual defense treaty with us nor a nukecapable base for U.S. planes or ships. We can expect the negotiators to get right down to their task. As a sweetener, how about a $3 billion grant annually? No reason why a contiguous dependency should receive less than a distant one (Israel) for the same purpose. Of course, Mainers would have to work hard to
be, at times, as ungrateful. No doubt many in Washington would be worried by the threat of Maine wetbacks crossing the international border. Quickly, work would begin to erect a fence like the one in the Southwest. That would be an inconvenience for Maine sports fans; they would need a passport to attend a Red Sox game. But, hey, the Sea Dogs haven’t been doing badly. One group that would be hurt by independence would be Maine’s elected representative in Washington. That’s an easy one. The new president could appoint them ambassadors and consuls general. (They’ve been down there so long it seems they’d rather live in the hot, crowded cit-
ies — although they might miss receiving the lobbyists’ generosity.) It won’t be easy setting up the paraphernalia of an independent sovereign state. Choosing a flag, for example. Remembering the bickering over license plates, one wonders whether the national banner would feature a loon or a lobster and, if the latter, cooked? Currency, pensions, debts and all sorts of financial conundrums would appear to pose a problem. But with the entire world is in such a mess, would any regime in Washington be looking for yet another problem, another adversary? Hardly. More likely the Feds would grumble, but cough up the bucks to keep the state afloat. And there may be other sources of external help in the offing. After Scotland’s vote, we are likely to see heightened agitation in Spain as Catalonia demands independence. Belgium will not be far behind with Flemish and French speakers opting for separate ways. The north
of Italy definitely and possible Sicily will be in the queue for independent seats in the United Nations. Kurdistan, Kashmir and other bits of India and Sri Lanka would want to stand alone — the list is endless. That would make Maine an attractive model. Mainers would happily welcome more recruits for independence — New Hampshire with its tax-free shopping and Vermont with its ancestral spirit of independence. With so much fragmentation going on and odd chunks of territory raising their own flags, there would likely be a global division between the old, established nations and the new start-ups. The latter might well form their union or federation. In such case, Maine’s link with Scotland could be made tangible and enduring. Before lining up for a celebratory parade, however, think of having to listen to all those school kids learning to play the bagpipes. Henry Precht is a retired Foreign Service Officer.
Preventative maintenance The need for the company of trees By Robert Fogg Guest Writer Many people think that trees just naturally take care of themselves and need no human intervention. That is certainly true in the wilderness, but when people build structures and roads and playgrounds around trees, it’s a good idea to take a good look at them occasionally to make sure they are healthy and safe. Trees in close proximity to homes or activity areas might benefit from a little preventative maintenance once in a while. You check your car tires to make sure they are safe, likewise you should also check your trees for the same reason. There are a number of different problems that can be taken care of before a problem occurs. Double-top trees can be cabled or removed, dead and dying trees can be removed, dead branches can be pruned and even healthy trees can be trimmed, thinned or removed simply to allow more air circulation, more sunlight and less wind resistance. Remember, you don’t need to be at the mercy of your trees. There are steps you can take ahead of time to lessen your risk. Contact a competent arborist if you find problems or have questions. Robert Fogg is general manager of Q-Team Tree Service in Naples and is also a licensed arborist. He can be reached at RobertFogg@Q-Team.com or 693-3831.
By Joyce White No matter what is happening in my life or in the chaos of the larger world, I always feel happier and healthier after a walk in the woods. From the age of nine or 10, I would escape family drama and walk — or run — through the pasture, across the brook and then, finally, into the sheltering, comforting presence of trees. Cedar, spruce and fir gave way to maple, beech and oak as the path wound upward. Those woods held secrets, a sense of mystery and possibility. Now, as an old woman, I still need — yes, it feels like a need as real as the need
Earth Notes
“Earth Notes” is an outgrowth of a deep ecology discussion group. Writers reflect a delight in and concern for the earth and are individually responsible for opinions and information. Community members are invited to submit articles. E-mail jschap@ localnet.com for details.
for shelter and sustenance — to be in the company of trees. Though my house and gardens are surrounded by a sheltering array of ash and maples, I still need frequent expeditions into wild, silent woods. Many people derive their spiritual sustenance from church but my spiritual
PUBLIC NOTICE
TOWN OF DENMARK INVITATION TO BID
Public Notice
THE TOWN OF DENMARK IS ACCEPTING BIDS FOR 3000± YARDS OF WINTER SAND
Public Hearing
Bid Specs available at Town Office. Bids are due at town office by 4:00 p.m. Sept. 29, 2014. Mark envelope “Sand Bid.” For more information contact Ken Richardson at 452-2310.
TOWN OF NAPLES The Naples Board of Appeals will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, at 7:00 p.m., at the municipal office building located at 15 Village Green Lane. On the agenda: 1.) An application for a setback reduction for property located at 69 Trickey Pond Road, submitted by Greg Stuart. 2.) An application for a setback reduction for property located at 427 State Park Road, submitted by Stephen LaPointe. 3.) An application for a setback reduction for property located at 65 Melody Lane, submitted by Thomas Mason. Public Welcome.
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TOWN OF NAPLES Roadside Tree Trimming
The Town of Naples hereby gives notice that roadside tree and brush trimming will be taking place in the month of October and/or November on the following municipal roads:
Sand Road Wiley Road Flagg Mill Road Heritage Hill Road Stoney Hill Court Middle Road Oxbow Circle River Road Mill Lane Spurs Corner Road
TOWN OF NAPLES
TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE CLOSED
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Public Notice
TOWN OF NAPLES Public Hearing
The Board of Selectpersons will hold a meeting on October 6, 201, at 7:00 p.m., at the Municipal Office Building located at 15 Village Green Lane. On the agenda: A public hearing on an application for an Agency Liquor Store License for The Umbrella Factory, submitted by David R. Allenson. Public welcome.
Any questions please contact the Naples Town Office at (207) 693-6364. 2T39 Public Notice
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TOWN OF BRIDGTON 3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009
PUBLIC NOTICE
TOWN OF NAPLES
BID REQUEST
Request for Proposals
The Town of Naples is accepting proposals for the removal of a cabin in salvageable condition from its Kent’s Landing Park located across the street from the Naples Municipal Complex. The cabin is of 1940–1950s vintage and must be completely removed from the property. Proposals must specify individuals or companies completing the removal and must provide proof of liability insurance as well as a removal timetable. The cabin must be removed from the property in its entirety by October 31, 2014 at the latest. The Town Manager will evaluate proposals based on capability to remove the cabin in a safe and timely manner as well as monetary compensation for the cabin. Please submit proposals to: Naples Town Manager, “Cabin Removal Proposal,” P.O. Box 1757, 15 Village Green Lane, Naples, Maine 04055 Proposals must be received by October 3, 2014. The Town of Naples reserves the right to accept or deny any and/or all proposals for any reason. Questions, please contact Ephrem Paraschak at eparaschak@townofnaples.org
Public Notice
The Naples Town Clerk and Tax Collector’s office will be closed on Wednesday, September 24th, and Thursday, September 25th, 2014, as staff will be at a training workshop. Their office will reopen on Friday September 26th.
Public Notice
Burnham Road Abenaki Acres Road Songo School Road Edes Falls Road Jugtown Road Ellen Drive Horace Files Road Tassel Top Acres Road Cooks Mills Road Margaret Street
The Town of Denmark reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. 2T38
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The Town of Bridgton is seeking bid proposals to certify the 23 dry hydrants that serve the Town of Bridgton have the amount of available water impoundment year round in each site at the 50year drought cycle for this area. Full Bid Specifications are available on the Town of Bridgton website at www.bridgtonmaine.org Sealed bids, clearly marked “Hydrant Survey,” must be received by the Bridgton Town Office, Three Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton ME 04009, no later than Friday, October 3, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., at which place the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud on Friday, October 3, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. The Town reserves the right to waive any informalities in the proposal process and will award the contract(s) based upon those proposals that meet and are in the best interest of the Town of Bridgton. The Town may also select any alternative proposal that is deemed to be in the best interest of the Town. Prior experience and history will be a factor in awarding the bid. The Town reserves the right to reject all bids and restart the bid process. Inquiries should be directed to Glen Garland, Fire Chief, at 207647-8814 or firechief@bridgtonmaine.org 2T39
nourishment comes from forest walks, especially in the Great Brook area of White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) in Stoneham. In maturity, I have been learning some of the reasons why woods walkers feel better after a forest excursion — and it’s not only because trees, especially mature trees, remove carbon dioxide and other impurities from the atmosphere while also sending out oxygen. In their capacity as the lungs of the earth — and contrary to previous assumptions — the larger and more mature the trees, the more oxygen goes into the surrounding air and the more carbon dioxide is stored, a process called carbon sequestration. But, important as that oxygenated air is to our feeling of wellbeing, there are other things going on that I have only recently learned of. Stephen Buhner in his recent book, Plant Intelligence (Bear and Company, 2014), explains that plants, including trees, “possess highly sophisticated neural systems and while it does not look like our brain, it really is, in actuality, a brain.” And those plant brains are their roots! Thus, those trees around my house and those in WMNF are conscious beings with their control centers in the earth — in their root “brains.” Plant brains work much like ours to analyze incoming data and make sophisticated responses. Trees have large root systems with miles of
rootlets covered with root hairs. Every rootlet and root hair, Buhner says, ends at a root apex, which acts as a neuronal organ in the root system. When you look at the interconnected network of tree roots and mycorrhizal mycelia in any ecosystem, you are looking at a neural network much larger than any individual human brain. Within that system all plants are continually communicating with each other, sending chemical messages along the mycelial network to other plants, a biological Internet of ancient origin. “If plants in the system detect that another plant in the mycelial network is ill, unique compounds are generated by the plants most able to do so and sent through the mycelial network to where they are needed.” So trees and other plants in a forest ecosystem communicate and cooperate as humans, at their best, do. In my understanding, humans are part of this interconnected web of life, not separate from it as our Western culture has taught. This interconnectedness was known to our Native ancestors, (as well as to indigenous peoples everywhere) though not the scientific terminology. Chief Seattle is said to have responded to the U.S. government’s request to buy Indian land in an impassioned letter which includes these words: Every part of this earth is sacred to my people…We are part of the earth and it is part of us…This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.” My lifelong connection with trees, added to this new knowledge, are all part of my distress at the U.S. Forest TREES, Page D
TOWN OF BRIDGTON 3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009
PUBLIC NOTICE
BID REQUEST The Town of Bridgton is seeking bid proposals for the replacement of an oil-fired furnace with a new propane-fired furnace at the West Bridgton Fire Station. Full bid specifications are available on the Town of Bridgton web site at www.bridgtonmaine.org There will be a mandatory prebid meeting on Friday, October 3, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. at the West Bridgton Fire Station, 923 North High Street, Bridgton, Maine 04009. This will give possible bidders the opportunity to ask questions regarding the bid package as well as seek information that may assist in developing their bid. Sealed bids, clearly marked “Fire Station Furnace” must be received by the Bridgton Town Office, Three Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton ME 04009, no later than Friday, October 17, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., at which place and time all proposals shall be opened and read aloud. The Town reserves the right to waive any informalities in the proposal process and will award the contract(s) based upon those proposals that meet and are in the best interest of the Town of Bridgton. The Town may also select any alternative proposal that is deemed to be in the best interest of the Town. Prior experience and history will be a factor in awarding the bid. The Town reserves the right to reject all bids and restart the bid process. Inquiries should be directed to Robert A. Peabody, Town Manager at 207-647-8786. 2T39