Editor:

Although South Portland voter attention may be drawn primarily to local
city council and school district trustee elections this coming Nov. 6,
we, the members of the South Portland Conservation Commission, wish to
alert voters to another item on the ballot: the state initiative
measure which is of prime importance to Mainers who care about
conserving land and open spaces.

We refer you to the Land For Maine’s Future program which has been in
existence since 1987 and has saved from development well over
400,000 acres. This program has a requirement that all projects
raise matching funds from other sources. Hence, every dollar in state
money has been matched by more than $4 in federal, local or private
donations.

At this point, this Maine land acquisition fund seeks your voter OK to
borrow an additional $17 million. During its 20 year history, Land for
Maine’s Future has spent $72 million to conserve nearly a half million
acres of forests, farms, waterfronts, and mountaintops through
purchases and easements.

It is important in our opinion that voters remain alert to the needs of
our local environment as well. Those needs can best be met by present
and future members of the city council as well as city staff and
dedicated volunteers on city boards and commissions who promote
conservation policies and activities.

We urge your earnest consideration and approval of this measure.

Sincerely,

Richard Bernard, chairman

Tim Baker, vice chairman

Barbara Dee, secretary

Artis Bernard

Kathy Dahms

Shay Bellas

Scott Whited