To the Editor:

As one of the signers of the petition to the Brunswick Town Council, I was proud to witness the council’s approval of a resolution backing a constitutional amendment to reverse the Supreme Court’s decision on Citizens United.

During the discussion, several councilors expressed their reluctance to tackle an issue of national significance, believing it was beyond the purview of a town council.

After the meeting, however, I learned that this was not the first time that the council has taken a broader view of its responsibilities.

In April 2007, the Brunswick Town Council unanimously endorsed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement which, among other things, supported the 2005 Kyoto Protocol international agreement to address climate change. This resolution also committed our town to “strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities.”

Almost six years after passing this resolution, the town has taken some positive steps to become more sustainable, and to reduce its fossil fuel use. But we can do more.

Occupy Maine: Bath/Brunswick and Peace- Works is co-sponsoring a free public film and discussion about solar energy at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Curtis Memorial Library.

The film, “Here Comes The Sun,” tells how villages and towns in Germany have installed solar power on empty lands, helping build sustainable solar economy in their communities.

I invite our councilors and town manager to join local residents for the discussion, to learn how we as a community can eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels and move closer to our mutual goal of building a sustainable and healthy community.

Julie Keller Pease
Brunswick