More than 60 people gathered on October 15 for Waldo County Dems’ public forum on Question 3. With four panelists advocating for and against the question, the forum helped prepare voters to make a well-informed decision about whether a consumer-owned utility is the right choice for Maine when they vote on November 7.
Held at Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast, the forum featured a panel of four experts and advocates who explained their side of the issue and then answered questions from the audience. The panelists on the YES side of the question were Jonathan Fulford and Lucy Hochschartner. Jonathan co-founded Our Power in 2019 in order to address climate change by transforming Maine’s last two investor-owned utilities into Pine Tree Power, a consumer-owned utility. He has served as a volunteer board member and grassroots organizer, working on the legislative effort, fundraising, and other aspects of the campaign. Lucy is Deputy Campaign Manager of Our Power, a group of Maine ratepayers, business leaders, energy experts, conservationists, and others committed to putting the Pine Tree State’s energy future in the hands of Mainers. Lucy’s concerns about climate change sparked an early interest in energy. She has a degree in Environmental Studies and Government, and has worked extensively in Montana to reform the state’s regulatory system and hold its monopoly utility more accountable.
On the NO side of Question 3 were Jim Cohen and Charlotte Warren. Jim is a partner with the law firm Verrill Dana where he has been practicing utilities and energy law for over 30 years on behalf of solar developers, utilities, and consumers. Jim is also a former mayor of Portland and a board member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. Charlotte is a social worker and an educator. She is the owner and principal consultant for C Warren Consulting Services, a former state legislator, and current member of the Maine Affordable Energy Coalition team.
Ned Lightner of Belfast Community TV recorded the forum for broadcast and streaming on their Vimeo channel here.
The forum provided an opportunity for both voter education and outreach. We introduced several local elected officials who attended, including Rep. Jan Dodge, Judge of Probate Joanna Owen, RSU 71 School Board candidate Sherri Klosterman, and several area select board members. Cheryl Cassidy, Linda Bright, and Midge Browning provided handouts on Question 3 and other referendum questions and offered voter registration assistance. Pinar Gotkas with the Biden-Harris campaign was on hand to train interested volunteers to collect ballot petition signatures. Mary Lou Carhart provided light refreshments that were very much appreciated.