With reference to the proposed east-west toll highway, whether one agrees with Forest Ecology Network or Restore: The North Woods, those environmental organizations are doing great work in opening up public debate that goes beyond their own agendas.

As a 20-something native Mainer concerned for the state’s future, I hope to see this become a thoroughly public discussion and decision, not a private deal that we accept as inevitable just because its vocal proponent is powerful and determined.

I fear that Peter Vigue may see himself as being a public representative by his own authority. In an address at Foxcroft Academy, Vigue was reported as stating: “I asked you to do one simple thing, point out one time that I have misrepresented the communities in which I worked in.”

Misrepresented the communities? I think the issue is not misrepresentation, but how being a great manager of construction projects makes him a public representative.

The public may also need to speak up for individual landowners between Coburn Gore and Calais whose voices would fall silent against those of the justices of the Supreme Court, as expressed in 2005 in Kelo v. City of New London.

Only a great concern for the voice of individual citizens and the people collectively would keep an astute businessman from availing himself of newly robust eminent domain power to build a grand highway. And I trust that Vigue is an astute businessman.

I hope the two environmental organizations are only spearheading a wider discussion.

Daniel Dube, Lewiston

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