To the editor:
The Coalition to Lower Fuel Prices In Maine is moving faster each day. Thank you to all who have mailed theirs back filed line after line. Anyone wishing to circulate a petition copy for us may call 765-2023 and have one e-mailed, faxed or mailed to you. It will be the best present you give all Maine people when it returns filled page after page. These petitions ask for help with gasoline, diesel and heating oil. Once we have e-mailed or faxed you a copy, you can e-mail or fax it to all your friends and associates to do the same. The Legislature convenes soon so we all would like all the help we can get in completing this movement on behalf of all Maine people.
The Coalition is also seeking to gather the following information to help demonstrate the impact of high fuel prices on the independent truckers of the forest products industry to the Governor through John Kerry, director of the Office of Energy Independence and Security:
• Any one who has sold their truck and or equipment due to the cost of high fuel.
• Anyone who has lost their truck and or equipment to the bank or finance company due to high fuel expenses.
• Anyone who owns their own truck and or equipment and has parked it to work elsewhere (Including those giving up their own authority to drive for a bigger company).
• Anyone who has downsize their forest/trucking operation due to high fuel prices.
• Anyone who has lost business due to these trucks/equipment stoppages.
Mr. Kerry has given the Coalition the following information: Individuals using off-road diesel may call Fred Madiera at 523-7163 or Dave Moxsimic at 523-7379 to acquire a Wright’s Express card that can be used to remove the tax on off-road diesel at the time of purchase. Eliminating the reimbursement process.
The Head of the Commissioner of Banking in Augusta, Joe Petroski has opened communication with the Banking Commission and reported through Mr. Kerry to the Coalition that Katahdin Savings Bank and Key Bank are willing to work with individuals at risk in the forest products industry. You are encouraged to be proactive with your own bank first but if a need arises these banks are willing to work with individuals at risk in the forest products industry. Other banks may be added to this list in the very near future as well as Mr. Kerry was given others by the Coalition to approach. FAME has agreed to provide a guarantee to participating banks.
The Coalition has asked Gov. Baldacci officially for the second time, to propose under the state of emergency, a temporary suspension of the state fuel tax on diesel to enable Maine’s forest products industry to survive, through this winter and spring. The Coalition has worked hard to give the forest industry a voice in Augusta. Support them by calling 1-207-287-3531 or e-mailing governor@maine.gov and ask the Governor to propose the emergency legislation to temporarily suspend the on-road diesel tax under the state of emergency to save Maine’s forest products industry from collapsing.
A meeting of the Coalition to Lower Fuel Prices is being organized as we speak for either the Presque Isle or Houlton area depending on which area we secure a building and host in first. Further information will be released as things progress. These meetings are for the public and the Coalition is extremely interested in making Gov. Baldacci aware of the hardships being caused by high fuel prices to everyone!
Congressman Thomas H. Allen, who has attended the last two coalition meeting’s has stated clearly that he needs to hear from you, that he is willing to not just hear you but to listen to you as well, his Portland office number is 207-774-5019 and fax number is 871-0720. He has also had available to the Coalition each meeting his director of economic development, Dan Coyne, who is more then willing to also take your calls at the Portland office or at the Saco office at 1-207-283-8054 or fax 283-1725.
In addition U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe has sent Gail Kelly, her state director who left her contact information as 1-800-432-1599. U.S. Senator Susan Collins has sent William S. Card, her state office representative who has left his contact information as 1-207-622-5884 or fax 1-207-622-8414. Please let these individuals hear from you also.
Congressman Michael Michaud has not made a personal appearance and has only sent a representative Morgan Pottle to the first coalition meeting to collect information. In light of this, as well as the state of emergency and the “at risk” situation of many Maine people, the Coalition to Lower Fuel Prices in Maine has asked and been assured that they will be put on the scheduling list for a meeting with the entire Congressional Delegation as soon as possible.
For more information please call me at 765-2023 or Yankee Pride Transport’s Larry Sidelinger at 632-4878.
Belinda Raymond
Kingman
