Hostile Hearing

A Sun Journal Editorial today takes a look at the tone of a public hearing on bills that would regulate the pollution level of the Androscoggin.

Rep. Tom Saviello, a staunch opponent of the bill and the environmental manager for a paper mill, and Rep. John Martin, another foe of the bill, were scornful of some of the people who felt strongly enough to take part in an already intense and intimidating public spectacle. At times Saviello badgered speakers, asking them questions that he knew the answers to just to make his point.

Observers saw the typical signs of patronization: The long sighs, exaggerated facial expressions and shaking heads you might expect from a middle school drama department's production of "Twelve Angry Men."

But it wasn't "Twelve Angry Men." By most accounts, there were only two. [...]

The uninitiated amateurs who went before Natural Resources hoping to help make the Androscoggin cleaner deserved to be treated with more respect.

Instead, they got a lesson in the hardball tactics legislators will use when they are trying to thwart legislation they don't like

Read more at the new Androscoggin River Alliance website: www.cleanandroscoggin.org

On a related note, the SJ has begun posting its daily editorials in blog form. You can view them and leave comments here.

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