After reading about the Maine Warden Service’s questionable conduct, as reported by Colin Woodard and the Maine Sunday Telegram, what disturbed me most was not the zealousness of the service to investigate and prosecute seemingly minor offenses but, rather, the delays, obfuscation and outright refusal of the service to respond to requests made under the Freedom of Access Act.
I am encouraged to read that the state’s lawmakers are looking into the issues brought up by the newspaper and will be holding hearings, and I hope the clear flouting of the Freedom of Access Act is included in their investigation.
Maine’s residents deserve public servants who respect the public’s right to access records for the sake of guaranteeing transparency in governmental decision-making.
I also hope that the investigation remains nonpartisan in spite of Gov. LePage’s usual bluster, browbeating and mudslinging. The fact that the issue at the center of this investigation – hunting – is close to the hearts of many of the constituents represented by the governor’s party gives me confidence that this will be the case.
Let’s make sure that another issue important to the governor’s party – guaranteeing a government accountable to its citizens – is also given its due as the investigation gets underway.
Cliff White
Portland
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