We must “stand strong against polluters” (“Letter to the editor: Sen. Collins must take stronger stance against polluters,” July 1)?
We have to go no further than our backyard to fight pollution. It would require enforcement, stronger leadership and a new path to clean air and water.
Once again this July, we celebrated all over the country by launching millions of pounds of fireworks into our waterways. Is it not time to consider laser shows?
The smoke as a result of this celebration affects those with asthma. That does not sound like clean air to me.
As much as I love fireworks, once Portland (where property tax bills are now two times the national average) announced the new 35-year tax to clean Casco Bay, starting in 2016, I would say it is time to get serious.
When our taxes were spent to monitor acidification levels – since this is all because of climate change – were tests done before and after the fireworks were launched to feed the fish?
I am sure someone in a government-sponsored position paid for by taxpayers would be able to explain that fireworks are great for Casco Bay. If so, then let’s have a tax to launch fireworks more frequently.
If issues such as those I mentioned are harming Casco Bay, do taxpayers have recourse against the business community paying for the destruction, as well as our elected officials who allow it, since the new stormwater tax is being negated by their actions?
Possibly Pierce Atwood can thank us for the 25-year tax increment financing deal and look into it for us!
Art Sears
Portland
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