RUMFORD – Area people will have a chance on Saturday to offer ideas on the type of change they’d like to see once President-elect Barack Obama takes the reins of government next month.

The Change is Coming program launched by Obama is taking place across the country. Results from each gathering will be forwarded to his team, including ideas and suggestions from the two local groups, said Annette Marin, owner of No View Farm on South Rumford Road.

“We hope the meeting opens doors. The house meetings and dinner meetings will give people a chance to discuss issues facing them in their communities,” said Marin.

She will host a dinner meeting for change at her farm from 4 to 7 p.m., Dec. 13, when local foods will be served. The importance of eating local foods will be one of the issues discussed and forwarded to the Obama administration. Others will include the lack of local jobs and anything else attendees want to discuss, she said.

People interested in attending the free gathering should call Marin at 364-1080 or e-mail her at noviewfarm@roadrunner.com so enough food and seating will be available. She said about a dozen people have already signed up, including farmers, businesspeople and political activists.

At Severy Hill Road in East Dixfield, a house meeting will be hosted by Margery Blonder, and some of the topics may be organic farming and the need for zero population growth.

Anyone interested in attending the Blonder gathering should contact her at margenfred@hciwireless.net.

“This is an opportunity for people to speak up. It’s a start,” said Marin.

Copy the Story Link