AUGUSTA – Maine Senate President Beverly Daggett announced that The Monument Newspaper editor and publisher, Elizabeth Prata, has been appointed to the Committee to Study Compliance with Maine’s Freedom of Access Laws.

The committee was established by the 121st Legislature after a statewide freedom of access audit conducted among all of the state’s municipalities, school departments and police departments last November revealed that the law was being unevenly applied. Trained volunteers had difficulty obtaining requested various public documents.

As a result, the Legislature filed the bill in December, titled “Resolve, to Study Compliance with Maine’s Freedom of Access Act.”

The committee will meet to study state and local government compliance with Maine’s freedom of access and other issues relating to citizens’ access to public records and public proceedings. The members will produce a report that contains its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation.

AWAP march set

for Wednesday

A March Against Violence will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, as part of the Week Without Violence by the YWCA of Central Maine. The YWCA’s weeklong effort is designed to focus attention on creating peace and harmony in the area community, families and homes.

The marchers will make their way from Auburn across the Longley Bridge to Heritage Park in Lewiston.

At the park, there will be a short ceremony and an opportunity for people to view the Clothesline Project about domestic violence.

For more information about the march, people may call the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project at 795-6744 or the Sexual Assault Crisis Center at 784-5272. For more information about the other activities during the week, people can call the YWCA at 795-4050.

Rep. Susan W. Austin, R-Gray, nominated Prata, saying that, “Elizabeth’s work as an educator, journalist and publisher has signified her as a protector of our precious freedom of speech. Her extensive travels around the world have given her invaluable experience and greater perception of the importance of American freedoms. She will prove to be a valuable asset.”

The committee has 12 appointed members from among various constituencies, including a member of the Senate, member of the House of Representatives, Maine Press Association, Maine Chiefs of Police Association, the School Management Association, the Attorney General, Maine Association of Broadcasters, Maine Freedom of Information Coalition, and two members of the public.

The committee will meet to study state and local government compliance with Maine’s freedom of access and other issues relating to citizens’ access to public records and public proceedings. The members will produce a report that contains its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation.

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