Unanimous vote passes ban on aerial spraying in Coplin, Maine
Subject: Unanimous vote passes ban on aerial spraying in Coplin, Maine
Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2001 12:15:30 -0400
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
Director, State of
California, Department of Pesticide Regulation
cc: Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov
Dear Mr. Helliker and a few "aerial applicators" I thought you might like to read an 10/10/01article entitled: Unanimous vote passes ban on aerial spraying in Coplin, Maine - It's not over... decision may be referred to Superior Court - Janet LeClair.
COPLIN PLANTATION -- On Tuesday, Oct. 2, Coplin residents passed an ordinance, voting 26 to zero, against aerial spraying, stating: "Coplin Plantation prohibits the aerial spraying and/or mechanical application of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides etc. in Coplin Plantation." Exceptions to this ban were manual applications along utility lines and manual applications to one acre or less, per individual landowner, per year.
Visibly absent were Coplin's selectpersons and clerk who maintained the special meeting and ordinance were illegal as advised by the Maine Municipal Association and Attorney Flewelling in a Sept. 18 letter. International Paper (IP) representatives did not attend even though they had previously requested a location change from Coplin's old schoolhouse to a larger facility.
Sheriff Dennis Pike led a salute to the flag and John Dill was chosen to moderate the meeting. Harriet Powers was sworn in as temporary clerk and recorded the minutes.
During the discussion period Coplin resident, Barbara Moyer, asked, "Is this legal?" Whereupon Sheriff Pike replied, "I believe the matter will be referred to Superior Court as to whether or not it meets criteria and the final decision will be made by a judge." Sheriff Pike proclaimed that he was proud to live in the United States and that, "Town meetings are the purest form of democracy."
John (Cochese) Karchenas interjected, "We're taking a stand here, making a moral judgment saying we don't want to be sprayed on." Basil Powers said he believes the warrant will become a legal ordinance and expects the next discussion on the matter will be at the yearly town meeting in March.
Powers asked everyone to attend the March meeting and make their views known. A motion for Australian (secret) ballot passed and the 26 unanimous votes for the ban were counted by two non-residents.
According to the warrant the ordinance will take effect, "When affirmatively voted at town meeting, and shall remain in effect until terminated or amended by majority vote of a town meeting."
The State Board of Herbicides and Pesticides, which had previously been notified of Coplin's intent to vote on this issue, will now be advised that the meeting has been held and presented with a Notice of Vote.
Source url; http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=282&NewsID=190986&CategoryID=7676&on=0
Well Gentlemen, It seems to me that more and more people are saying: "We're taking a stand here, making a moral judgment saying we don't want to be sprayed on." Why do you consider it your "duty" to continue to POISON them for their own "protection"?
Respectfully, Stephen L. Tvedten
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