Last week, the committee of the Maine Legislature in charge of vetting Sen. Barry Hobbins’ proposed legislation regarding the future of the Maine Energy Recovery Company’s incinerator license, possible sale and odor issues.

According to those in attendance, even though it was a work session (making it so only the legislators on the committee can speak), the audience was prompted to rise and comment.

Unfortunately for the people of the twin cities, only one municipal official, Biddeford City Councilor David Flood, decided to join the local delegation in Augusta.

No one else, not a mayor, city manager or paid agent from either community, showed up.

Today, a similar work session is planned since the Natural Resources Committee tabled the bill last week for further investigation and information. Even though the newspaper will hit the streets after the session begins at noon, we only have one hope: Our city officials decide to go to Augusta.

For decades, the battle has raged within the twin cities to rid the communities of the Lincoln Street incinerator for a number of reasons. The populace has had to deal with odor, explosions, street damage from heavy truck traffic and any number of other issues for nearly as long as the facility has existed.

Many of our public officials have made their claim upon the world fighting against Maine Energy and its parent company, Casella Waste.

Recent efforts have even brought forth, from Gov. John Baldacci’s office, a task force charged with finding either alternative uses for the facility, or a fair price to buy it and shut it down.

So, when one hears that, at the same time, legislation is being discussed by those in power and lobbyists on both sides which would further change the dynamics of the licensing and sale processes, one would imagine that those public officials who are charged with doing the will of the city and participating would be in Augusta.

Apparently, and strangely, we were “wrong.”

Now is the time for the administrations on both sides of the Saco River to be visible and active, not passive. The state is looking for guidance from those who have dealt with the situation the longest in going forward. Not being present or providing another voice other than one (and Flood should receive more at-a-boys than we can afford in this space) to show it is a bigger issue than many think.

So, to our city officials: Go to Augusta. If you have a meeting, cancel it.

Having even a silent showing of solidarity is the only way that change will ever happen, and we need it.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Publisher Drew McMullin at 282-1535, Ext. 326 or dmcmullin@gwi.net, or Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at 282-1535, Ext. 327 or cityeditor@gwi.net.

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