Editor:
Although South Portland voter attention may be drawn primarily to local city council and school district trustee elections this coming Nov. 6, we, the members of the South Portland Conservation Commission, wish to alert voters to another item on the ballot: the state initiative measure which is of prime importance to Mainers who care about conserving land and open spaces.
We refer you to the Land For Maine’s Future program which has been in existence since 1987 and has saved from development well over 400,000 acres. This program has a requirement that all projects raise matching funds from other sources. Hence, every dollar in state money has been matched by more than $4 in federal, local or private donations.
At this point, this Maine land acquisition fund seeks your voter OK to borrow an additional $17 million. During its 20 year history, Land for Maine’s Future has spent $72 million to conserve nearly a half million acres of forests, farms, waterfronts, and mountaintops through purchases and easements.
It is important in our opinion that voters remain alert to the needs of our local environment as well. Those needs can best be met by present and future members of the city council as well as city staff and dedicated volunteers on city boards and commissions who promote conservation policies and activities.
We urge your earnest consideration and approval of this measure.
Sincerely,
Richard Bernard, chairman
Tim Baker, vice chairman
Barbara Dee, secretary
Artis Bernard
Kathy Dahms
Shay Bellas
Scott Whited