Public invited to plug in, generate energy solutions

By Tanya Mitchell
The Republican Journal Reporter

BELFAST (Sep 4): Locals are preparing for a tough winter, and campaign workers for one candidate are issuing a challenge to the public to face it together and find ways to lower the price of keeping warm.

The campaign team for Diane Messer of Liberty, Democratic candidate for the District 23 Maine State Senate, is organizing "Energy Challenge: Facing the Winter and Beyond."

The Energy Challenge will take place Saturday, Sept. 6, at Troy Howard Middle School. (Image courtesy of Ena Lupine)

The program, slated to include workshops, displays, demonstrations and discussions, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 6, at Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast.

Messer campaign manager Jennifer Hill and organizers Ena Lupine and Bud Hand explained what the public can expect from the community gathering.

"The whole idea behind this is to help prepare Waldo County for winter and to generate ideas about energy consumption, alternative energy, and what people can do to winterize their homes," said Lupine.

Lupine, Hill's daughter and a senior this fall at Colby College in Waterville, said the Energy Challenge is similar to a community project in which the Bates College football team participated last fall -- helping winterize homes in the Lewiston/Auburn area. "I was inspired by that," she said.

The event is free, and lunch will be provided.

At one table Hill said volunteers will teach youth how to make door snakes, the stuffed pillow-like objects placed at the base of doors to keep out cold air. A clothing exchange is also being planned, as is an electric car display.

"It's set up so people can come, talk about what they've learned, and come up with some unique solutions for Waldo County," said Lupine. "It's focusing a lot on community decisions, and Yankee ingenuity."

"We're going to try to present a lot of practical things that you can do, and that I can do," said Hand.

Gov. John E. Baldacci has been invited; all candidates from all parties are invited to attend.

The following workshops will have round-table discussion formats:

9:30-10:30 a.m.

Local food: Wild and homegrown
• Shana Hansen, Belfast
• Mark Fulford, Teltane Farms

Alternatives to gas and oil: Wind, solar, electricity
• Mick Wormersley, Unity College

Political solutions: What could and should your government be doing for you?
• Diane Messer, candidate for Maine Senate
• Seth Yentes, candidate for Maine House of Representatives

11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Keeping Waldo County warm: Community solutions
• Representative from Unity Preparedness Team
• Andree Lawrence, Board Landing Farm
• Larry Dansinger, Cooperative Maine

Changing our habits: Individual solutions
• Peter Baldwin, Brooks
• Mariah Williams, heat yourself, not the room
• Larason Guthrie, green architect

Future transportation: Trains, electric cars and bicycles
• Tony Donovan, Reviving the Railroads
• Bill Drinkwater, EV Maine
• Marshall Rolerson, bike commuter

Demonstration area in cafeteria, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.:

• EBS: How to install insulation materials
• Maritime Energy: How to clean a furnace
• Waldo County Transportation bus schedules and sign-up for volunteer drivers
• Paul Kando and Topher Bellnap with Midcoast Green Collaborative: Energy audits
• Belfast Bicycles: Electric bicycle demonstration
• Brad Williams: How to clean a chimney

The group is still generating ideas. Contact Hill at 722-3383 or rooted@fairpoint.net; Lupine at 322-2608 or ena.lupine@gmail.com; or Waldo County Democrats at 338-2208.