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Air quality concerns in Maine
Invasive plant species threaten Maine waters
by Adam Morrissey
When looking for signs of summers approach, all one needs to do is notice the longer days and warmer weather. However, here in the state of Maine, these signs of summer are also signaling the start of an invasion. When one thinks of invasions during the summer time, they may think of swarms of mosquitoes and tourists who both possess the penchant to annoy them during the warmer summer months than disappear as soon as the first chill of fall rears its head. However, the invasion that truly worries many here in Maine is the rampant infiltration of aquatic plants into our states waterways.
For several years now, there have been warnings from environmental groups and agencies about the oncoming introduction of invasive plant species into Maine’s waterways. For the most part, a wide scale infiltration has been avoided, yet this may not always continue to be the case. It is that notion which has caused numerous groups and residents to set about cleaning up existing outbreaks and by establishing preventative measures.
The state is taking the threat so seriously that they have established Maine Milfoil Initiative, which will contribute $500,000 in federal aid money to prevent to spread of the invasive plant species milfoil in Maine’s waters. In the town of Oakland, this has resulted in a $13,000 dollar contribution to rid Messalonskee Lake of milfoil. The efforts to control milfoil in the lake will involve the installation of benthic barriers in high traffic areas of the lake. These barriers will rest at the bottom of the lake, preventing sunlight from reaching the milfoils root system and kill the plants.
There have also been state laws instituted to prevent the spread of these invasive species. Seaplanes landing in Maine’s lakes and ponds will now need to carry a water protection sticker. These stickers were already mandatory on all boats entering Maine waters, however the Maine legislature added seaplanes to the list after establishing the planes potential to carry invasive species into the state. The stickers will cost 20 dollars and need to be applied to the outside of each pontoon.
For more information about invasive plant species, residents can contact the Maine Bureau of Land and Water Quality. Also, there are citizen based groups such as the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program who monitor the over 6,000 lakes and ponds in Maine trying to control invasive plant species. They have produced a comprehensive report about the current state of Maine’s waterways which can be viewed here.
Measures need to be taken to stem the tide of invasive plant infestation or soon the problem will be much larger than it currently stands. The natural balance of Maine waterways rests in the balance, and as experience in other parts of the country shows, the risks of waiting for an infestation to happen are much higher than the costs involved in preventing one.
The ups and downs of going green
by Ben Magaw
With an ever increasing consensus amongst not only climate experts, but the populace as a whole, regarding the presence and potential dangers of global climate change, everyone is trying to “go green.” Burning fossil fuels like coal emit carbon dioxide or CO2 into the atmosphere, and increasing CO2 and other atmospheric gases causes a greenhouse effect. That is, these gases allow for less heat energy to reflect off of the Earth’s surface and back into space. Instead they are trapped within causing a gradual increase in Earth’s temerperature.
Here in Maine, some would welcome a little boost in temperature, but the global, long-term effects are potentially catastrophic. Damage to ecosystems and coasts is inevitable with the gradual melting of the polar ice caps. Changes in weather patterns, increased acidity in ocean waters and melting glaciers pose threats not just to obscure animal life, but to humans and life in general on Earth. Some note that eventually, if unchecked, Earth could become similar to Venus: completely devoid of life.
The solution is not simple nor is it easy. It consists of efforts in numerous fronts. Predominantly, however, energy consumption must be reduced, and it must be supplied by sources other than those that burn fossil fuels.
One strategy that is widely accepted as beneficial to cutting back on fossil fuels is wind power. The goal is to use large turbines that are spun by wind to convert this wind energy into usable energy. Efforts are already underway in Maine.
In 2006, twenty-eight turbine units were installed in Mars Hill, Maine. Mars Hill is a small town of around 1,500 people, situated about a half hour North of Houlton.
The developers tout the benefits of the turbines claiming that they do not emit any greenhouse gases, cuts the use of fossil fuels while benefitting the economy by paying taxes to the city. These claims are undisputed.
The developers do not mention, however, the excessive noise of the turbines and the effects that that has on the community and surrounding wildlife.
Residents complain about the noisy turbines effecting their sleep, which in turn effects their health in general. Meanwhile environmentalists complain that the noise is harmful to predatory habits of surrounding wildlife, and the excessive noise causes various other health problems in animals and humans alike.
Environmentalists also argue that wind turbines kill thousands of birds, including endangered birds, while also causing deforestation to find places to put the turbines.
Still others point out that the economic benefits are overhyped and the energy benefits are exaggerated. In the struggle to combat global warming every little bit helps, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The consensus now, is that the Mars Hill project was hastily instituted, without proper research. The developers are now seeking to alleviate the negative effects, as well as the negative press.
Concerns of a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist: “Please don’t tweet me.”
by Amy Becker
ORONO, Maine. Guests ranging from young college students in jeans and t-shirts, to distinguished professors in their finest attire intermingled and chattered in anticipation of the lecture to come. This short-lived moment was proof that there is viability in two separate generations, each with their own culture, values, and norms coming together on common ground to engage in a shared interest.
After an introduction, a meek middle-aged woman with salt and pepper hair stepped up to the podium. Bettina Boxall of LA times is a well known eco-journalist, and a UMaine alumna, who recently won the Pulitzer Prize in explanatory reporting.
Although known for her progressive views and her contributions to the development of journalism, Boxall spoke against the forward direction in which communications and journalism is moving today.
Boxall is a self-proclaimed “old fart” who gets her news solely from newspapers, writes on a manual typewriter, refuses to watch T.V. and is considerably unacquainted with computers and the internet.
Boxall’s concerns for the future of journalism root in decline in newspaper readership.
“Readership affects advertising,” Boxall explained. “If circulation decreases, companies have less desire to buy advertising space, which causes newspaper revenues to significantly drop.”
This concept is intuitive and doesn’t require much evidence to convince someone of its actuality, but is it a legitimate base for concern? It is evident that newspapers are becoming less popular at the hands of the internet; daily newspaper readership is decreasing (with a current estimation at 74,000 customers) and the unique audience of newspaper web sites are ever-growing at a current 76 million individual readers.
With the introduction of online news, information is more easily distributed at a lower cost, and to a broader audience; so what’s the issue with this transition from hard copy newspapers According to Boxall, it’s the difference in journalistic integrity and quality.
“[Online information sources] are like snack food: they’re addictive, but not very nourishing,” Boxall said.
Boxall is worried that the end of newspapers will be the end of probing and explanatory journalism, something she takes very personally, as this quality is what earned her the Pulitzer Prize in 2009.
Under the impression that online news sources are generally used to gather quick information on ecologically, socially, and economically insignificant topics, Boxall reflected on her passion for printed papers.
“ I dearly love newspapers,” Boxall said. “They’re important to a democracy, and important to give more than just quick hits and short stories.”
Boxall may have a point; perhaps many readers of online sources aren’t benefiting from the long and intricate stories printed upon the pages of hard-copy, fresh-from-the-press newspapers; perhaps online readers search for specific topics, missing out on the smaller, yet more controversial stories they wouldn’t happen to read unless it caught their eye while flipping through the paper; but perhaps it is Boxall who is misinformed.
As far as online news coverage being “the end of good journalism,” it seems Boxall’s admittance of internet unfamiliarity may be the basis of this concern. Boxall’s fear is that with the gradual decline of newspaper readership, people will become more dependent on websites such as twitter to stay (somewhat) up to date with current affairs. What Boxall may not realize is those websites are used to grab readers’ attention, and lure them in to reading in depth articles. These websites can act as aids for online readership.
Much like print news, the more people visit online news sources, the more money advertisers are willing to pay to buy a spot on the website. This, in turn, raises revenue. It is becoming more necessary for online journalists to produce riveting and controversial stories in order to maintain a large audience, and therefore maintain a sustainable revenue.
The falling demand for newspapers does not equate a falling demand for “good journalism” as Boxall implied. Those who desire accurate, informative, and explanatory journalism will find no shortage on the internet.
Towards the end of the lecture, the unity of the audience had been substantially divided. Questions from the younger generations showed passion towards embracing current technology, while older generations showed their discontent with the new direction of journalism.
This split was demonstrated when Boxall responded to a student’s whimsical question regarding her thoughts on modern twists of news such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
“I think it’s fine as entertainment, but it shouldn’t be used as a source of news,” said Boxall. “But I suppose for [the younger] generation, though, something is better than nothing.” The older generation responded with a pompous snicker, while the younger generation was left with a look of disparagement, as many in the audience took pride in their passion for “good journalism.”
The tone left at the closing of the lecture was one mirrored by the current conflict in the news sector. Should information such as the news be owned, or should it be in the public domain for all to benefit from regardless of financial ability? Is the future of online journalism one of light, and unimportant topics, or will it provide quality information and education to a broader audience? Will the revenue from add space be enough to sustain a dependable news source, or will online journalism become solely a hobby, providing unreliable and possibly inaccurate information?
The answer to these highly sought out questions lie only in the future. As for now, according to Boxall, “It will be a long time before print ends.”
Webster Mill lot closer to reaching future purpose
by Dawn Pratt
ORONO, Maine. A town meeting was held on April 21, 2010, in the Orono Town Hall to discuss the building approval, and further steps needed to build residential condos in place of the Old Webster Mill, one of Orono’s most historic buildings.
The meeting involved 13 community members, including Town Manager Cathy Conlow and Town Planner Evan Richert. Also present for discussion were contractor Kevin Bunker and architect David Lloyd.
The biggest concern addressed by the group during the meeting was that the plans for the building were too contemporary and no one was going to buy them. The plan for the building would consist of 24 units, all with water views of the Penobscot River, 4 stories high [approx. 43 ft], all units would have two bedrooms, some would be exclusive and some would be affordable, the differences being that the affordable condos were smaller and on the inside [so less attractive water views] and would cost about 600 dollars less.
The pictures shown at the meeting were discussed as resembling the University of Maine’s Student Recreation Center. The building is described to have a flat roof with the siding open to discussion. Suggestions were made such as concrete, brick or metal. Most people in the conference want the old Webster Mill and its historical aspects to be included in the building, and the overall look of the new building.
But the look and structure of the building was not the only topic deliberated over. The old mill has pollution in the water and old coal storage, and there is also asbestos on the site that is highly dangerous and will have to be taken care of.
The new condominium building will also meet the Affordable Housing Tif, which will help the town of Orono with the cost of taxes on the building.
The building of the condos has been in discussion since spring of 2009, and no plan is set in stone yet. There is still a lot of discussion and a lot to figure out, but Lloyd says that the project could be finished in 10 months, once the building is started.
Orono Planning Board, April 2010
by Nicholas Elliston
Orono, Maine. The planning board for the town of Orono convened last Wednesday evening for their monthly meeting in the municipal building council chambers. In attendance at the meeting were board members Vinal Applebee, Chris Dorion, Chairman Mark Kittridge, Judson McIntosh, Phil Ruck and David Thompson.
The meeting began promptly at 7 p.m. with roll call, acceptance of the agenda for the night and the approval of the minutes of March 17, 2010. Directly after, the public hearings began with a home occupation review request by board member Vinal Applebee who stepped down for the hearing.
Applebee stated to the board that he wishes to relocate his engineering consultant office from its current location in Bangor to his private home in Orono. He told the board that his business does not need the large Bangor location and it would be far more efficient to run it out of his home on Forest Avenue.
Orono code enforcement officer Bill Murphy then approached the board with his findings on the proposal. He stated that he found no problems with the request as long as there is no expansion of parking on the lot and that the business will not advertise the physical address.
Chairman Kittridge then opened the hearing for public remarks, although no one stepped forward. Kittridge then closed the hearing and called for a vote. All members were in favor of approving Applebee with his request.
The board then began the second public hearing for a minor site plan review by the town of Orono for the Summer Street Park. Board member Judson McIntosh told the board he would step down since his property abuts the park.
Steve Ribble, a landscape architect for Concepts by Design approached the board with the proposed changes that included removing 100 cubic yards of soil for mulch pathways to be created along the waterfront. The half-acre park would also have three parking spots and a hand carry boat access path to the water.
Ribble mentioned to the board that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Agency has already given approval of the site for storm water runoff.
Chairman Kittridge then opened the hearing for public remark. Parking was a concern of one resident, who was worried that with the expansion of the park, patrons would begin to park their vehicles on side streets causing traffic problems.
Kittridge acknowledged the question but mentioned that the objective for the hearing was to review the current site plan, not to review possible parking issues. Kittredge mentioned that if the resident was still concerned to go to the Town Council for possible remedies.
The public hearing was then closed and the board took the issue to vote. All members were in favor of the site plan. The planning board then had a few closing remarks, mentioning the next meeting would be on May 19 at 7 p.m. Chairman Kittridge then adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Freedom of Speech Public Service Announcements
This is a special week for Mobile Maine News. Many MMN reporters developed PSA’s for the Broadcast Education Association’s Freedom of Speech Competition for College Students. Participants were asked to create a 30 second PSA in response to the question, “What does freedom of speech mean to you?”
Watch the videos below to see what eight of our reporters came up with. What are your thoughts on free speech? We encourage all readers to submit a video diary of what they believe in. Registering on the site is simple, and uploading a video is just as easy. Let us know what you think. Enjoy!
Ryan Spencer
Robert Scarano
Thomas Owen
Spencer Morton
Samantha Danis
Cassandra Coulthard
Briana McCormick
Joe Mercurio
Cut Sports, Effect Everyone
Orono, Maine: Last year, the budget cuts left men’s soccer and women’s volleyball on the outside looking in as the University of Maine continued on without them. This year could lead to the same fate for one to two more of the sports that are offered at our University. This could cause a problem for the student athletes as well as the regular students.
An academic institution needs to have 14 varsity sports in order to be classified as Division 1. All the major schools that we see on TV fall into this category. Some of these schools include the University of Florida, University of Notre Dame, University of Texas, Vermont, BU, Hartford and the list goes on.
As it stands now, Maine currently has 15 varsity sports after last years cuts. If one more cut was to be made, we would be left with the minimum. If two cuts are made in the athletic department, the state of Maine will be left with zero Division 1 institutions.
“We go to class the same way everyone else does,” said Alexis Soulharris, senior captain of the Softball team. ”It’s a shame that people want to get rid of the things that got us here in the first place.”
When men’s soccer and women’s volleyball were cut, it was reported that almost every single athlete from those two teams left the University. That doesn’t help the Universities graduation rate when a large number of students don’t make it to graduation. Another problem the University will face is that a lot of the regular students are here to watch these athletes play while they are getting their education.
Third year student Kristen Doyle says that sports were a big part of her decision to attend the university. “It’d be embarrassing to know that we couldn’t keep the athletes on campus. I understand the economy isn’t that great, but schools smaller than this university can maintain their varsity sports.”
One of the problems athletics is facing is the amount of scholarships that are given to their athletes. Football receives 68 full scholarships, baseball has 11.7, basketball has 12 and hockey has 18. With these four major sports bringing in and spending majority of the budget, it’s not easy to keep them funded. And when 62% of the student athletes are out of state or international, it requires a little more money to land them here at the University of Maine.
Majority of the major school’s are judged by their school spirit. Students flock to sporting events not just for the entertainment, but for the pure enjoyment and addrenaline the get from supporting their schools. When tuition spikes at a University after they win a national championship, it shows just how strong the pull of athletics can be. How does the University of Maine want to be categorized? We will find out soon.
UMaine student feels the sting of budget cuts two-fold
by Derek McKinley
In recent weeks, the University of Maine has discussed the possibility of reducing or cutting several majors to help make up the $25 million budget deficit they have projected in the next four years. On Wednesday, April 14, the university’s Academic Program Prioritization Working Group released their final proposal.
Though it originally called for the elimination of majors in theater, women’s studies, and some foreign languages, outrage from students and faculty led to the suggestion that the majors be suspended instead, allowing for easier reactivation in the future.
Click HERE to read the Maine Campus report about APPWG's final proposal.
Click HERE to read the Maine Campus story regarding APPWG's original proposal
Still, for the time being those majors will be inactive at the University, leaving several students in doubt. In the wake of the initial proposal, student protesters pointed fingers at the Athletic Department as a prime example of wasteful spending. They called for cuts in athletic spending to combat the elimination of academic options.
In the middle of all the bickering and finger pointing, UMaine senior Dillon Bates sat stuck between a rock and a hard place. Bates will graduate in December with a degree in theater. He has been involved behind the scenes of several productions in
his time at the University, most recently volunteering for performances of “Hair” in Hauck Auditorium.
He is also a defensive back on the university’s varsity football program. Bates walked on to the program during his junior year and made the team last spring. He was hoping to have the chance to play for head coach Jack Cosgrove during the Fall semester. With cuts being made across the department, several walk-on players may be cut from the final rosters.
“Obviously, being an athlete and a theater major, I’ve gone back and forth a little bit in my mind,” Bates said. “Overall I don’t think I have a stronger allegiance to one or the other. I think that they’re both very valuable parts to a university, or to a person in general.”
Bates is trying to help his situation by becoming involved in several aspects of the game.
“I’m doing as much as I can to contribute to the team — academically, on the field, off the field. [I'm] trying to stay involved in and around the locker room, the coach’s office, trying to get better, watch film, make my presence known, and really contribute out on the field.” Bates said.
The Athletics department has reportedly been asked to cut about $300,000 from it’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Football season begins on Sept. 2, at home against the University at Albany.
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