Massive media suffered a setback in Congress on Thursday. The House of Representatives, despite a veto threat from the Bush administration, overwhelmingly approved legislation to undo some of the damage done by an overzealous Federal Communications Commission.

The vote, 400-21, shows the groundswell and bipartisan nature of opposition to FCC rules that would allow the country’s biggest media companies to gobble up independent information outlets.

The Senate, where distaste for the new rules may be even more pronounced than in the House, is also working on the matter. Opponents of deregulation appear to have numbers on their side; as it stands now, there are plenty of votes to override the threatened veto.

This deregulation threatens to undermine independent voices and diverse sources of information. The FCC rule changes should be stopped. Finally, a solid, bipartisan majority in Congress has recognized the implications of the FCC’s rule making and has stepped in. It’s about time.


Fair request


The developers of a motocross track in Minot have asked the Board of Selectmen to intervene with the Planning Board.

Through their lawyer, Donald and Serae Hemmond contend that the chairman of the Planning Board, attorney John Geismar, should recuse himself from board business concerning the track because he has become an outspoken critic of its operation. Geismar lives on Jackass Annie Road, not far from the track.

Some of the Hemmonds’ neighbors are embroiled in a dispute with the track’s owners over noise and are working to shut the racetrack down. The Hemmonds maintain they are acting within the law.

We are reluctant to judge Geismar’s actions in regards to the Hemmonds’ track. But by the very nature of the complaints against its operation and the proximity of Geismar’s property, it would be prudent for the chairman to recuse himself from the matter.


Job well done


Shelby Stevens is something special. No doubt her family, friends and teachers could have told us that long ago. Now, the information is out there for the whole world.

Shelby is one of only 138 Presidential Scholars for this year. The national honor, administered by the Department of Education, honors one boy and one girl from each state.

Students were invited to compete for the honor based on exceptionally high SAT scores. Shelby earned a 1,480 on the test, which is amazing all by itself. After the initial invitation, the applicants were judged based on essays, transcripts, resume and recommendations.

Shelby’s academic accomplishments are made more compelling by her personal strength and perseverance. Diagnosed when only 4 years old with brain cancer, Shelby has overcome the lingering effects of the disease to not only survive, but to excel.

In addition to being a Presidential Scholar, Shelby is a National Merit Scholar.

Shelby graduated from Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School this spring and plans to attend the University of Maine at Orono.

We expect great things from Shelby Stevens.


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