One of the cornerstones of citizen democracy is coming under attack in the Maine Senate on June 9. L.D. 389 is a bill that would strip citizens’ right to pass any initiative or referendum that would “repeal, revoke (or) modify” any decision made by town zoning boards and town planners.

I deeply believe that initiatives and referenda are the basis of the democracy on which we pride ourselves in this country. What could be a more direct way for the government to reflect the views of the people than for it to respond to a vote generated by the people themselves?

If we take this ability away from the people and hand this power to zoning officials and town planners, it will undermine one of the greatest resources we, as citizens, have in this state.

Since the time this bill passed in the House, Maine’s attorney general has made a public statement indicating that it is unconstitutional. Despite this fact, the Senate may pass this bill anyway.

The type of citizen referenda that L.D. 389 would outlaw has allowed concerned citizens to stop the invasion of superstores like Wal-Mart into their communities and has kept the Portland wharf a working wharf for fishermen rather than a condominium complex.

Monday will be a sad day in our state if the Senate votes to strip citizens of their power to contribute to land use decisions in their own communities.

Jacob Grindle, Lewiston