I am pleased that LD 1481 (“An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Enactment Procedures for Ordinances”) will not become law. Our governor, John Baldacci, had the courage to do the right thing when he decided not to sign that flawed measure.

In recent years, many communities have worked hard to keep control of local development in local hands, and maintain a voice for community members about what kinds of development and pace of development their communities will accept. Large, out-of-state companies such as Wal-Mart don’t like that kind of local control – they want to do what they want, where they want to maximize their own bottom line.

LD 1481 was a bill for these kinds of companies, not for Maine residents.

Public forums and the time for public discourse are an important part of our democracy. LD 1481 aimed to cut the legs out from under this important democratic foundation.

I offer my thanks to the governor for supporting the rights of Maine citizens and communities to keep a significant hand in determining their future.

Cynthia Phinney, New Sharon