On April 17, the Belfast City Council, despite overwhelming opposition, approved in lockstep a zoning change for a massive monoculture salmon farm placed tight against the beloved Little River Trail, paving the way to clear-cut a de facto forested greenbelt.

Not privy to the months of backroom sessions, it appears I missed the Kool-Aid. The public was told in a series of council speeches that we were ill informed. Their applicant’s information was “facts.” The public’s questions – “fears.”

They told us to trust them that this largest-ever never-built-before industrial feedlot would cut taxes and have few risks. It would provide 60 million pounds of glorious, tortured, pen-confined flesh for us to feed our kids.

Council and staff behaved as advocates for industry at a supposed “public hearing.” Their minds appeared made up before coming. Our new mayor, Samantha Paradis, intimidated speakers and corralled the rubber stamp – particularly troubling, as I had supported her campaign.

The obvious was missing. That monocultures are the antithesis of sustainability – there is no ecological free lunch. That local organic economies recycle dollars in the community. Outside corporations send dollars out of the community and often don’t pay their way, as economist Michael Shuman’s research shows. That democracy means involvement of citizens in big decisions, not backroom deals.

And, to the $240,000 industry subsidy the City Council has promised Nordic Aquafarms? Shame on you, Belfast. I’d rather see a discussion on how to spend this money – removing dams, protecting habitat and water and returning wild fish stocks. We could create a Little River Greenbelt and grow organic fruits and vegetables on the already-cleared land. My guess is that you now have a fight on your hands like the “thanks but no tank” of Searsport. This is our town, Belfast – remember?

James Merkel

Belfast