By Ellen Grunblatt on behalf of the organizing committee
Sustainable Campus Coalition
UMF Diversity Lab
A crowd of about 50 people turned out for a town hall meeting on Monday with the 2nd District Representative Bruce Poliquin. After several weeks of not responding to the invitation, Mr. Poliquin, through one of his staff, at the last minute declined to appear, but the meeting went forward with speakers on human rights, education and the environment, a spirited, engaged audience.
Local lawyer Woody Hanstein discussed the problems facing immigrants under current immigration law and new immigration policy under the Trump administration. He described some of the changes in enforcement in the direction of more stringency and less protection of individuals who are members of a minority group, highlighting the constraints on legal representation and the fact that change comes from political action. Audience members commented on the singling out of Latinos and Muslims, and underscored the contributions of immigrants to the economic and cultural vitality of the state. Rep. Poliquin has taken no position on these issues.
Educational policy issues were presented by John Kosinski, Government Relations Director for the Maine Education Association and the director of Stand up for Students, advocating for the implementation of referendum Question 2, passed by the voters in November to assure funding of public schools at the 55 percent level agreed to in 2004 and sparing reliance on the property tax to do so. Sharing his personal history of growing up poor and benefiting from access to a quality education and health services at his public school, he spoke to the importance of fully funding public education as key to providing equality of opportunity for all students. Current federal administration policy favoring charter schools and vouchers at the expense of public education was heavily criticized by audience members. Concerns about the rollback of protections for transgender and undocumented students were also discussed, with audience members sharing their personal experience with the erosion of such protections. Rep. Poliquin has made no statement on public funding of public education or the rights of students to learn in a supportive and protective environment.
Emmie Theberge, Federal Project Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, outlined a wide range of environmental and climate policy issues. She highlighted the Stefanik Resolution, which has been sponsored by 17 Republican congresspeople (not including Poliquin), pledging Republican members of the House of Representatives to address the negative effects of climate change. She described threats to the Environmental Protection Agency budget that would have significant effects on the quality of Maine’s environment, including funds for the cleanup of former industrial sites and the protection of water and air quality. The recently revealed lead contamination of water in some Maine schools could not be adequately addressed without EPA funds. EPA rollbacks in other states affect Maine’s air quality, since increased air pollution in other states is carried to Maine by prevailing wind patterns. Rep. Poliquin has made no comment on these proposed EPA budget cuts, in spite of their importance to Maine’s economy and public health. He has not revealed his position on the North Woods National Monument, which is opposed by Governor LePage, but supported by the rest of the Maine Congressional delegation as an economic boon to the northern 2nd district.
Though Poliquin has taken no public stand on these issues, his voting record speaks for itself. Politicsthatwork.org calculates that he has voted in favor of a humane immigration policy zero percent of the time, for funding education 40.9 percent of the time, and for environmental protection 14.3 percent of the time. The one issue he has a 100 percent record of supporting is military spending.
Thirty people left written comments for Rep. Poliquin on these issues, as well as addressing access to health care, reproductive rights, investigation of President Trump’s connections to Russia and release of his tax returns. They protested the emphasis on military funding in the federal budget at the expense of diplomacy and domestic needs. They noted Rep. Poliquin’s opposition to the ACA; constituents supported repair rather than repeal, preservation of Medicare and Medicaid/MaineCare, and a single-payer system.
These comments will be forwarded to Rep. Poliquin’s various offices, in hopes that he will listen to his constituents’ concerns.
By Ellen Grunblatt on behalf of the organizing committee
Sustainable Campus Coalition
UMF Diversity Lab
I guess someone needs to respond to this event and article. This was nothing more then a planned ambush and a politically prejudice article. I agree all these issues should be discussed and even agree on portions of some but felt very uncomfortable reading this.
This was just an anti Poliquin rally loaded up with the usual leftist issues and supporters. Had Representative Poliquin shown up he would have be shouted down and been unable to say what he wanted too. It was just a political ambush, as Tom White wrote above.
Isn’t that what a congressman is voted in, to listen his constituents? Isn’t he supposed to represent Maine and not the Republicans? People are entitled to know why the republicans are destroying everything good in our country. We just want to know why! He is just like all the republicans, he won’t show up!
Some Republicans at least show up for the Town Hall events, regardless of the possible challenges.
Fitting advice for Poliquin: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
Maybe just maybe he was busy doing his job. This article does sounds like he hasnt done anything right while in office. A town hall meeting is one thing. If so much planning and time went into this meeting why is this the first many people are hearing about it. Im on this paper everyday and there was no article telling people it was happening. Obviously the college folks were informed so they could attend but not any supporters !!!
I don’t blame any conservative for not showing up at a set up event like this. The liberal agenda has degraded to the point of obstruction and insult not discussion. We have millions of illegals in our country using our resources. Resources paid for by legal citizens. I don’t want illegals taking spaces in public colleges we support. Those slots are for US citizens, our kids deserve the break not the illegals. Charter schools equate to public school competition. We need this to get the union influence out of our schools. All kids should get a set amount if educational support that their patents can spend as they see fit. Charter schools fill a much needed void and the will fix what ails the system we have now. Bruce was wise to avoid the mud slining and I suspect he will easily win his next election. If the liberals and snowflakes are so upset, they should move south to Mass north. There they will be in like minded company.
Rep. Poloquin should have gatherings like Miz. Clinton did… By invitation only… then he can control the audience..
The hypocrisy really tickles me. All these wonderful people on the left are so caring. They are having a lot of fun with O’rielly now but when Clinton had the intern over in the Oval Office they sure didn’t say much!!!!!
I agree with Jesse. Why didn’t the Daily Bulldog or other news organizations give us a lot of notices that the meeting would be held. It seems that exponents of the usual left wing causes knew about it. It was a set up.
Peter you’re right too.
Peter, this is not just about immigrants. There is so much more going on in Washington. Everything that has been done in the White House or his summer home. We want answers to everything going on. What about cutting Social Securiy, healthcare, losing our internet privacy? He passes an executive order to buy American, yet all the products he sells are from overseas. We want an explanation why they are letting trump are letting him do it.
This was genius! We should do this with all the right wing candidates and office holders. I guess the organizers let Poliquin know what sort of people would also be talking, so if one or more invites were sent he’d back out. This “town hall “meeting was probably held at UMF. That would be warning enought. The list of subjects and presenters probably scared the pants off of him. Here is the genius: If he attended, he knew that he’d be shouted down and a riot would ensue. Most likely the natural supporters, the Republicans, didn’t know about it so he’d have no support in the audience. Because there would be so much noise, whatever he’d say no one would hear it. The press would cover it and he’d look bad. If he didn’t attend he’d look bad and the press would cover it. He’d be caught on the horns of a dilemma. He’d lose no matter what he did. It worked like clock work. Congratulations to UMF’s Sustainable Campus Coalition and UMF’s Diversity Lab.
Maybe the Bulldog knew and forgot to post it?
“Event Listings
Event listing items can be submitted to us at editor@dailybulldog.com. They should be short and to the point, including dates, times and contact information.”
Not knowing is really a pretty a lame excuse, isn’t the government supposed to be watching those wacko’s as to what there’re up to and planning?
What is Sustainable Campus Coalition? And UMF Diversity Lab. Diversity from what. UMF certainly does not represent true democratic diversity.
Citizens plan an event. Citizens who live in an area served by a representative. The representative is unable to attend. There is no set up. Citizens wanted to meet with one of their representative in order to state their point of view, and to possibly have a discussion.
The representative is not able to come? Did he offer another, more controlled forum? Is it time of the games to begin, while he returns to Capital?
A representative should work to communicate with the citizens of his district, not just his parties’ members.
Still no answers as to why the folks at UMF didnt publicize this event ! Its a simple question people want answered why was this “town hall” meeting not publicized and if it was where was the info ??
Does anybody really think that enhanced publication of this event wood have spruced up the attendance?
Today’s fake news: Poliquin’s supporters already knew he had not intention of showing, why wasn’t this publicized? Just askin’
At this point in time it is all just really a waste of time. Let’s get real, no ones opinions or beliefs are going to change.
This country has become so polarized politically.
Some time ago, to Poliquin’s staff (or so it is claimed)…
Sustainable Campus Coalition: We’re organizing a meeting, we want Poliquin to attend.
Some time later…
Sustainable Campus Coalition: Shhh, we’re organizing a meeting, we asked Poliquin to attend.
Some time later…
Sustainable Campus Coalition: Shhh, we’re organizing a meeting, we asked Poliquin to attend.
Some time later…
Sustainable Campus Coalition: Shhh, we’re organizing a meeting, we asked Poliquin to attend.
Just before the meeting…
Sustainable Campus Coalition to Poliquin staff: We’re organizing a meeting, we want Poliquin to attend.
Poliquin staff: Sorry, he can’t attend.
Meeting happens, Poliquin doesn’t attend the meeting he never said he would attend.
Sustainable Campus Coalition: We organized a meeting, and at the *last minute* Poliquin’s staff said he won’t attend.
This is the sort of progressive stunt that drives voters to elect conservatives.
Were conservatives barred from this meeting, or did they, like Bruce, decide not to go?
Tom many people never heard it was even happening.
Right Jesse,,, nobody knew it was happening “YET” the Bulldog published this political trap !
Seems the Bulldog is part of the trap on this one eh?
Very Revealing.
Gee I wonder why the “press” is accused of left wing partisanship?
Right Jesse,,, nobody knew it was happening “YET” the Bulldog published this political trap !
Seems the Bulldog is part of the trap on this one eh?
Very Revealing.
Gee I wonder why the “press” is accused of left wing partisanship?
And YES Nancy you are correct,,this is the kind of progressive stunt that turns “reasonable” people away from them. They seem to be so “full of themselves they cant see this”.
Well Good Luck winning “anything”. …
Duh!
Ok set my “conspiracy theory” to rest how was anyone supposed to know this was happening? Did you see a notice in the paper before this story? Did you see flyers at the coffee house ? Please let me know where all these notices were so I can stand corrected and get my crow for tonights dinner !!!
I can’t blame Bruce for not attending. We elected him to represent Maine in Washington … and I personally think he has been doing a great job … and WHY would he want to subject himself to a rude and unruly crowd who would be disrespectful?
I cannot believe what I am seeing around the country at colleges and universities … students who want free speech for themselves but not for anyone else who has an opposing viewpoint. We can agree to disagree respectfully but for some respect is a forgotten word!
It is beyond understanding why parents, who in most cases are paying tuition for these disrespectful students, continue to allow them to act like this. WHAT are they really learning in these places? It is horrifying to even entertain the thought that some of these activists and protestors are going to become leaders of our country! And why are the alumni and administrators not taking a stand of this conduct? It
seems like the smarter we get the dumber we are becoming.
It was a shameless display of ignorance by that Colby professor this week and I certainly am glad that he is not teaching any of my children.
The lefties knew Poliquin was not going to conduct a town meeting after all the B.S. they pulled at other meetings around the country, so they organized one themselves and tried baiting him to go. He was smart to stay away. It would have been another opportunity for the “opposition” party to get headlines from the liberal media. I’m not a big Poliquin supporter but these liberals have got to come to grips with reality and focus on real issues.
I am really disheartened by these comments. This forum was organized by a committee of your neighbors and friends. The meeting was publicized in the Bulldog and in other local papers, and leaflets were posted all over town. The college organizations that cosponsored the event did so out of a concern for the issues. All were welcome to voice their opinion. The committee felt that the issues discussed were nonpartisan. You may not like the opinions expressed, but it is critical that you think about them, and evaluate Mr. Poliquin’s representation of your views accordingly. That he didn’t show up, and that his staff were unable to either confirm or decline the invitation until the very last minute does not inspire confidence in his ability to represent his constituents’ concerns.
Grunblatt and the likes of her are not being honest.
She wrote “all were welcome to voice their opinion”
but now she is “disheartened by the comments”,,???
It’s the old liberal code again ,
“they are very tolerant and inclusive,, until you disagree with them”.
Sorry, but you can’t have it both ways and be taken seriously.
My reading suggests that Grunblat was referring to “welcome” comments that might have been made at the “no show meeting”
I think that she has cause to be somewhat “disheartened” by the comments made by the insecure nameless wannabes herein whose forte is label mongering
Wise move by Poliquin to detect and avoid an obvious ambush contrived to keep any potential defenders from hearing about it. Garden-variety dirty leftie politics, born of defeat, denial, derangement, and desperation. The sort of thing that helped Trump win, and will help him win again! The lefties have worn out their welcome!
See why all these lefties are whining? He spoiled their fun! All they got was a mouthful of feathers!