Friends of Frenchman Bay is planning a rally against the Bar Harbor Port Authority Bill, LD #1400, starting at 8:45 am (or slightly earlier) until 10 am in the Hall of Flags (second floor) at the Maine Capital Building in Augusta, on Tuesday, February 6th. Some who wish to will go up to the third floor to try to speak to legislators before 9 am. We have been told the bill is coming up in the Senate then- it was tabled temporarily on Thursday, Feb 1st. Even if the bill is not coming up that day, we will hold the rally. We will be reading hundreds of statements from all over Maine and the United States about why a Port Authority and proposed Mega Cruise ship pier is a terrible plan for Frenchman Bay and the doorstep of Acadia National Park. We, who live around the Bay, and those who love ANP, have no vote regarding a Port Authority for one of the most unique spots on Earth. We have a 33-foot scroll of more than 2500 names of people who signed a Change.org petition to the Legislature asking for a NO vote on LD#1400- (since the scroll was produced 2 weeks ago, the number who have signed is over 3450). Also, Gerard Monteux has donated some big poster size display photographs for the event. A Port Authority is a regional issue, and that is why the Legislature votes on it before the town of Bar Harbor votes on it. The Legislature's vote is our only vote. The idea for this bill came from the cruise industry and consultants who build cruise ship piers. People in the town of Bar Harbor have opted (in November) for a town-owned public marina at the proposed spot. Bar Harbor does not need a Port Authority to build a town marina. The June 2017 Bar Harbor vote WAS NOT A VOTE for a Mega Pier- it was a vote by a public who wanted to buy the property, and was given a "poison pill" option by the State of Maine to force them to vote down the citizen's initiative, or not be able to buy the property. We contend a Port Authority is an Unfair Bill that is being pushed through, and will forever change Frenchman Bay and Acadia National Park. No sticks are allowed, but you can bring signs. We are all going to wear blue shirts (medium blue if possible but any blue or even green is fine!). Emails and phone calls to legislators are encouraged. Thanks for everyone's work! The more in attendance the better!