SUN JOURNAL • April 2, 2022
Clean drinking water is a basic right, and most of us are fortunate to enjoy it. Unfortunately, the Passamaquoddies of Pleasant Point do not. Water tests regularly show dangerous chemicals, and the water is often too dirty for drinking or washing. A bill in the legislature (LD 906) would allow the Passamaquoddies to access clean water from wells they own in the neighboring town of Perry. Unfortunately, Rep. Laurel Libby opposes this bill on grounds of process. Under what process is it that Passamquoddies — who have lived in their homeland for thousands of years — find themselves begging for permission to access their own clean drinking water? Under what process do state and town governments get to ignore the Passamaquoddies’ problem for decades? ~ Joe Hall, Auburn