On Aug. 11, Dean Gilbert and I attended a meeting of a citizen group that was forming to improve the Androscoggin River. The meeting was held at the Bates Mill Conference Room in Lewiston. I learned of this meeting in the Sun Journal article titled “Cleaning Up: Citizen activist group forming to push for river improvement.” The meeting was described as being of interest “from Rumford to Brunswick.” I live in Dixfield and my co-worker is from Rumford.

There were very few people at the meeting, so we thought our attendance would be welcomed. Following introductions, the woman who appeared to be in charge, Naomi Schalit of Maine Rivers, described us as “paper industry representatives” and told us she would like us to leave. I was stunned as I thought this was a public meeting and said so. As members of the Pulp and Paper Resources Council, we frequently attend public meetings, legislative hearings and other forums if we feel they are relevant to our livelihoods. The PPRC is a moderate group of union workers who seek a balance between jobs and the environment. We weren’t there to cause trouble, so when we were rudely told again to leave, we did.

When I got home, I searched the Sun Journal’s Web site for back issues using the key words “public meeting” and found the article.

Apparently, you are an activist or concerned citizen only if you are in agreement with the people running the meeting.

Donna Weston, Dixfield