From The Friends of Frenchman Bay: We have heard from the Clerk of the Transportation Committee that LD #1400, Port Authority Bill for Bar Harbor, will have the work session by the Committee on Tuesday Jan. 16th, 1 pm, in Statehouse room 126 at the Capitol in Augusta. It is the third bill to be addressed that afternoon, but there is no way to know how long the other items will be take, so going at 1 pm, and waiting through the first two items, is the only way to assure being there. The public can observe, but it is not a public comment session (that was held last spring). We have heard it is possible to be "recognized" as a member of the public. We believe it is permissible to hold signs (small size with no stick) or wear cardboard signs. Wear a blue tee shirt if you have one, as everyone looking the same is visually helpful. Some of us have inflexible work schedules which prevent us from attending- we ask all who are not working and are physically able, to attend. Having Friends of Frenchman Bay presence is crucial. Car pooling can be organized on the facebook page of Friendsoffrenchmanbay under the post I will make today about the work session. Fighting LD#1400 is the only avenue those of us who live around the Bay have to influence a process which will harm our area forever. The continued movement of a Port Authority bill for Bar Harbor, when the people of Bar Harbor have spoken loudly that they want a multi-use marina with public access at the Ferry Terminal site, tells us that the behind the scenes push for a Port Authority AND a Berthing Pier remains strong. A marina does not require a Port Authority! Once a Port Authority is enacted (steps are Transportation Committee sends to Legislature, Legislature Authorizes, People of Bar Harbor vote), anything can be and will be built. Sending short emails to the members of the Transportation Committee and the clerk of the Committee, is another thing any of us can do. We must explain that their "let the people of Bar Harbor decide" rationale takes those affected by the air pollution, water contamination, light pollution, harm to the marine animals and fish, harm to livelihoods, harm to Acadia National Park, out of the conversation entirely. Thousands, if not millions of us (as the National Park belongs to the entire nation), have no voice in this plan. FFB did send educational packets to the 13 members of the Transportation Committee before Christmas, and recently sent the same packets to their staff. Link to the Transportation Committee full membership contact info: http://legislature.maine.gov/house/jt_com/tra.htm Link to clerk: darlene.simoneau@legislature.maine.gov Thank you all for every action, no matter how small. Last spring, the FFB letters and people who showed up to speak at the public hearing caused the bill to be tabled. It is now back. We need to be seen and heard again. Renata Moise FFB