WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Audio Archives

Producer/Host: R.W. Estela Engineer: Allison Watters

Producer/Host: Jamie Wood Episode 11 takes place at Erickson Fields Preserve in Rockport, ME. This preserved farm is the home of the Teen Ag Crew which gives teens the chance to learn about what it takes to be a farmer and to provide food for those most in need. Enjoy!

Producer/Host: Kathleen March Transcript: This is Kathleen March with WERU’s US-El Salvador Report. This week’s topic is the surprising lack of attention to environmental concerns in the upcoming presidental election. The report has been prepared in collaboration with Radio Sumpul and US-El Salvador Sister Cities. Sorprenderá a muchas personas el que pocos días antes de las elecciones en El Salvador los candidatos a presidente no hayan incluido en sus propuestas de gobierno el tema ambiental sobre la prohibición de la minería metálica, a pesar de ser un tema que preocupa a muchas comunidades. Son comunidades amenazadas por los proyectos mineros y el silencio a estas alturas es muy criticado por los grupos ambientalistas. “Nuestras exigencias han sido bastante frecuentes a los diferentes candidatos; sin embargo no hemos obtenido una respuesta favorable a nuestras peticiones como comunidades afectadas directamente, como movimiento social organizado en esta resistencia”. Así denuncia este silencio Vidalina Morales, residente de Sensuntepeque, en el municipio de Cabañas. Las exigencias de Morales y muchos ciudadanos más se refieren a las numerosas peticiones que han sido presentadas ante la Asamblea Legislativa, además de las caravanas que llegaron hasta las sedes de los diversos partidos políticos, adonde fueron enviados por las organizaciones y comunidades pertenecientes a la Mesa Nacional frente a la Minería Metálica de El Salvador. En los 3 meses de desarrollo que lleva la campaña propagandística electoral los candidatos por los partidos políticos – y esto quiere decir tanto los de izquierda como los de derecha – han callado el tema del modio ambiente en los planes de gobierno que han ofrecido al público salvadoreño. No se sabe si esta omisión es voluntaria o no, pero de todas formas es grave para las organizaciones sociales y ecologistas. Así lo considera Saúl Baños, representante de la Mesa Nacional frente a la Minería Metálica de El Salvador. Dice Baños, y su declaración resulta muy clara: “Me voy a referir a los 3 potenciales candidatos según las encuestas (Salvador Sánchez Cerén, Norman Quijano y Tony Saca) ninguno de ellos presenta de manera clara cómo va a atender la problemática de industrias extractivas, particularmente la minería metálica en el país, como Mesa Nacional frente a la Minería Metálica tratamos de organizar un foro para conocer de viva voz la propuesta para atender esa problemática. Sin embargo, no obtuvimos respuesta. También hemos buscado de manera bilateral a cada uno de los candidatos y a su equipo electoral para que nos planteen cómo van a atender ese problema y no lo han hecho”. Asimismo, junto con la aparente ausencia de voluntad política de los candidatos a presidente por prohibir la minería metálica en El Salvador, se encuentra la apatía de la población que puede ser afectada. Muchos ciudadanos se muestran pasivos ante el peligro, que es grave. Hay quienes no exigen ese derecho a la no contaminación a través de su voto consciente. Así es el caso del municipio de Cabañas que históricamente es conocido por el dominio del partido de derecha ARENA. Cabañas no parece cambiar de postura política. Sólo se puede clasificar dicha actitud de lamentable, en términos de Vidalina Morales. En El Salvador, igual que en Costa Rica, se llevarán a cabo las elecciones presidenciales el próximo domingo 2 de febrero. En las elecciones salvadoreñas no hay ningún candidato que haya mencionado el tema de prohibir la minería. En comparación, en Costa Rica el candidato de izquierda José María Villalta, perteneciente al Partido Frente Amplio, por lo menos ha expresado su oposición a permitir la actividad industrial contaminante en su país. Según encuestas de opinión pública costarricenses, Villalta se encuentra en primer lugar en cuanto a las preferencias electorales. This has been Kathleen March with WERU’s US-El Salvador Report. This week’s topic was th[...]

Producer/Host: Sarah O’Malley Diffusion and Bacteria

Producer/Host: Anu Dudley The Beach in Winter

Producer/Host: Ron Beard Studio Engineer: Amy Browne Issue: Community concerns and opportunities Program Topic: Where is Poverty Now? Key Discussion Points: a. CAP agencies were established as one of the key strategies in the war on poverty, declared by President Lyndon Johnson in January, 1964… what was their basic role? b. What do we know about poverty today… are there differences that have emerged over the last 50 years? c. How have CAP agencies changed… what approaches are you trying now that might not have been part of the original design? Provide an overview of WHCA programs and the role of people with low incomes on your board, involvement in the design and delivery of programs… d. How is WHCA working with homeless vets? What do we know about the “dimensions” of the problem? How did you get started? What are the ways in which you tackle to problem? What are some of the results? e. Is there more awareness of poverty as a community issue… talk about the emergence of poverty as a risk factor when Healthy Peninsula began work to help school children succeed? What led to the series of community workshops on Blue Hill peninsula, including a recent one… who is Donna Beegle, and how has she helped frame the issue here in Maine and nationally? f. What other trends do you see that indicate that poverty and its affects are increasing? (food pantry use, free community meals, general assistance, private and public efforts around fuel assistance, etc..) Is this a shift from assuming that poverty should be addressed by local efforts vs federal programs… what levels of magnitude are evident, between federal efforts like Community Action Program, HeadStart and others, and grassroots efforts like the Tree of Life Food Pantry and its sister efforts? g.Part of the discussion about poverty relates to another trend in the US… growing income disparity between the very wealthy and the rest, including the middle class and the poor… do you see this disparity having a bearing on how you work on issues of poverty locally, or is this an issue best solved at the national level? h. What inspires you to continue working on issues of poverty and its affects on people and the wider community? Guests: a. Mark Green, Washington-Hancock Community Agency b. Bobbi Harris, Washington-Hancock Community Agency c. Barbara Peppey, Healthy Peninsula

Producer/Host: Rob McCall Studio Engineer: Denis Howard “Surviving Winter”

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco Issue: Environmental and Social Justice Program Topic: Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Walmart signs Fair Food Code of Conduct Key Discussion Points: a) Over the past 2 decades, the Coalition of Immokalee has worked tirelessly to change the abusive labor conditions and poverty wages experienced by farm workers in the tomato fields of Florida. b)After years of organizing, public campaigns, direct action, and negotiations with retailers and growers, the CIW has facilitated the comprehensive implementation of the Fair Food Program, with it’s Code of Conduct for participating growers and its “penny per pound” premium for participating buyers. c) On January 16th, Walmart became the 12th retailer to sign onto the Fair Food Program. It says it looks toward expanding the standards into other states and other crops. Of the five largest restaurant chains, Wendy’s still has refused to sign on. A number of grocery store chains have also refused to, including the Florida based Publix chain. Guests: A) Silvia Perez, farm worker and organizer with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers B) Gerardo Reyes Chavez, farm worker and organizer with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers www.ciw-online.org http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/01/17/walmart-joins-fair-food-program http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/16/news/companies/walmart-farm-labor/ Immokalee: a story of slavery and freedom : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBc4cOg9-ks

Hosts: Jon E Ford Engineer: Amy Browne Program Topic Dangers of the cold with dogs, and nutrition Key Discussion Points: A) nails splitting on the ice B] what to look for in dog food C] If a home made diet is wanted -what to watch out for Guests: Dr. David Cloutier, Veazie Animal Clinic

Producer/Host: Tim Hagney Relaxation

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell It’s yearly prediction season for all manner of things, and technology has plenty of predictors making predictions. Some of the most interesting predictions come from IBM. Their annual Five in Five list has been quite successful in looking at technologies that will change how we live our lives. If this year’s crop are correct, we’ll be living in a different world before long. See what you think.

Producer/Host: Amy Browne The state legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Energy & Utilities held a public hearing on Tuesday on LD1652, “An Act to Support Solar Energy Development in Maine” This bill has been chosen as a priority bill by Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition, a partnership of 28 environmental, conservation, and public health organizations, representing over 100,000 members, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine. They say that if passed, this legislation will make solar power “more accessible and affordable for Maine people”. Today on the News Report we’re bringing you some of the testimony from the public hearing

Producer/Host: Sue Mackey Andrews Engineer: Joel Mann Program Topic: The Blue Hill Free Clinic Key Discussion Points: a) Location, time and services available through the Free Clinic b) Navigator services available to help people access health care coverage c) Opportunities to support, volunteer the clinic services Guests: Jane Garfield, MD – President of the Board of the Free Clinic and volunteer physician Leslie Goode – Vice President of the Board of the Free Clinic; Executive Director of the Maine Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics

Producer/Host: Amy Browne Last week the Maine legislature’s Health and Human Services committee held a public hearing, as they are considering amended legislation that would allow for Mainecare (Maine’s version of Medicaid) expansion, but include a sunset clause, allowing the state to drop the program after 3 years. The expansion would offer coverage to 70,000 Mainers. The Affordable Care Act was structured with the intent that the expanded Medicaid would cover people with incomes of less that 128% of the federal poverty level. Today we’re going to hear some of the stories, told by people who have no health coverage, their family members, and people who work with them FMI: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1202099#t=articleTop

Producer/Host: Donna Loring Engineer: Amy Browne Program Topic: Cultural Historic Preservation Projects for the Penobscot Nation Key Discussion Points: a) Tribal Preservation Officer’s responsibilities b) Preserving old Photos and Stories that go with them c) Recreation of the Ancient Tribal Chief’s Cuffs and Collar and headdress and their meaning. Guests: James Francis, Director of the Cultural Historic Preservation Department/Penobscot Chris Sockalexis, Tribal Preservation Officer